The Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) is pleased to announce the opening of the FY 2012 application cycle for three flood mitigation grant programs funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The flood grants provide opportunities to local governments in assisting interested National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) property owners in their areas who want to implement mitigation solutions that protect their homes against future flood damage. The three grant programs differ primarily in the ratio of federal share funds paid by FEMA, the non-federal matching funds expected from the NFIP property owner AND the number of NFIP claims on file for the property as outlined below. In each case, the property must have a current NFIP insurance policy in effect.

Local governments may submit FY 2012 subapplications to the Division of Emergency Management by 5:00 p.m. on October 3, 2011. Any applications received after this date may have to be considered for the next funding cycle. After a technical feasibility and cost effectiveness review, DEM will submit eligible subapplications to FEMA.

Sub-applications for the three programs must be submitted to the DEM using FEMA’s eGrants System. Interested and eligible entities may register for eGrants at https://portal.fema.gov. In addition, a Benefit Cost Analysis for each subapplication must be conducted and attached to the application using FEMA’s BCA Toolkit. You are invited to review detailed FEMA guidance on each program at http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=4225.

Grant Program Highlights

Sub-Applicant Eligibility: Local governments and Native American Indian Tribes that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and have a FEMA approved Local Mitigation Strategy are eligible to submit applications on behalf of property owners with current NFIP insurance who can meet the non-federal cost-share requirements.

Eligible Subapplication Project Types:

1.     Acquisition, demolition or relocation and conversion of land to open space;

2.     Elevation of existing structures 2+ feet above Base Flood Elevation;

3.     Minor physical localized flood control;

4.     Dry floodproofing of commercial and historic residential structures; and

5.     Mitigation Reconstruction for Severe Repetitive Loss properties only ($150,000 cap).

In addition to the eligible project types above, project applications must meet these criteria:

·          Be cost effective as determined by a FEMA approved Benefit Cost Analysis method;

·          Be technically feasible;

·          Be consistent with goals and objectives in the Florida Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Local Mitigation Strategy Plan; and

·          Comply with NFIP floodplain management standards, environmental laws and the local Floodplain Ordinance.

Please visit the websites below or contact: Joy Duperault, Community Program Manager, Non-Disaster Programs at (850)922-4518 or via email at: joy.duperault@em.myflorida.com to obtain more information regarding the programs, the application process, and the Mitigation Planner assigned to your area.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program: http://www.floridadisaster.org/Mitigation/FMAP/index.htm

Repetitive Loss Program: http://www.floridadisaster.org/Mitigation/RFCP/index.htm

Severe Repetitive Loss Program: http://www.floridadisaster.org/Mitigation/SRLP/index.htm