[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 216 (Monday, November 9, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 60344] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-29980] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY Project Impact: Building Disaster Resistant Communities AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). ACTION: Notice of Funds and Grant Availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: FEMA gives notice of the availability of $30 million of appropriated grant funds to Project Impact communities and States with Project Impact communities. DATES: Grant funds are available as of November 9, 1998. ADDRESSES: Approved communities and States with approved Project Impact communities that have not already received grant application materials should contact: Sylvia Carroll, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., room 350, Washington, DC 20472, 202-646-3503 or (email) [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carol Transou, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., room 402, Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3701, (telefax)(202) 646-3231, or (email) [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under Public Law 105-65, 111 Stat. 1376, Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and Independent Agencies Appropriation Act, 1998, we are issuing today a Request for Applications (RFA) to implement a $30 million grant program that is limited to Project Impact communities and to States with Project Impact communities. Community Grants The community grant is available to designated Project Impact communities to facilitate the development and implementation of a comprehensive, long-term mitigation strategy through collaboration with private sector and non-profit organizations, and with local, State and Federal government partners. Within this framework, the community grant is to fund prevention projects that result in long-term reductions in property damage as well as contribute to the sustainability of the partnership. State Grants The State grant is available to States with a Project Impact community through the FEMA Performance Partnership Agreement/ Cooperative Agreement process for activities that directly support Project Impact communities. Who Is Eligible for Grants? The community which a State has designated, with FEMA concurrence, as a Project Impact community is eligible for a community grant. Each State with a Project Impact community is eligible for a state grant. What Are Mitigation Measures? Mitigation measures generally are those projects and actions that reduce the potential losses to life and property from natural hazard events in a permanent or long-term manner. Communities shall categorize mitigation projects as: mitigation for existing structures; or mitigation of existing utility facilities or systems that are publicly owned and operated on a non-profit basis. Communities shall categorize measures to support mitigation goals as: (1) Adoption of policies or practices for mitigation in existing structures, new development, or redevelopment; (2) Activities that help build or sustain public/private partnerships; (3) Hazard identification and risk assessment; (4) Hazard mitigation planning and development of codes and standards; and (5) Personnel support. What Is the Process for Applying? For designated community assistance, communities must submit a grant application package to FEMA. FEMA regions will work with the communities to complete this application package. The community shall submit the application to the FEMA Regional Director by November 6, 1998. The Regional Director or his/her designee can grant an extension of up to 90 days upon receipt of a written justification/request from the community. For State funding assistance, the State with a Project Impact community must submit a letter or memorandum to the Regional Director indicating its desire for funds to support the Project Impact community and its agreement to convene State-wide support for comprehensive mitigation. What Criteria Will FEMA Apply to Grant Applications? For a designated community, we will review and negotiate with the local jurisdiction to determine whether the proposed activities would: (1) reduce the likelihood of future disaster costs under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, and (2) help sustain the community's momentum in broad-based mitigation efforts. Activities the community may pursue are described in the previous section entitled ``What are Mitigation Measures.'' A State with a Project Impact community must agree to use the funds in direct support of the Project Impact community and to convene statewide support for comprehensive hazard mitigation. For example, a State may use the FEMA funding to support Project Impact communities:To fund State activities in direct support of Project Impact communities such as costs associated with logistics and meetings, staff support, and travel costs to meetings with the community or to FEMA Project Impact meetings; To fund training costs, including to train State officials supporting Project Impact and to develop training packages for State and local officials; To provide mini-grants to Project Impact communities to augment or expedite Project Impact activities; To fund travel of local community officials to other communities, State meetings or national conferences at State request to share Project Impact information; To fund State costs in information development and dissemination to support Project Impact; To fund expert, short-term technical assistance support to Project Impact communities. Dated: October 29, 1998. Michael J. Armstrong, Associate Director, Mitigation Directorate. [FR Doc. 98-29980 Filed 11-6-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-04-P