If you’re involved in hazard mitigation planning, you know FEMA released updated state and local mitigation planning policies that will take effect on April 19, 2023. The updated policies, which align with new agency programs and initiatives, replaced the long-standing “Plan Review Guides” and were renamed State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide (FP 302-094-2) and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide (FP-206-21-0002). But did you know the latter publication is now available in Spanish?
Hot off the presses and now available for download is the complementary Guía de políticas de planificación de mitigación a nivel local.
Like the English version and as explained by FEMA, changes to the updated guide include but are not limited to:
- Inclusion of key priorities such as climate adaptation, equity, resilience, and building codes
- Incorporation of new FEMA grant programs, such as Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Post-Fire, and the Rehabilitation of High-Hazard Potential Dams Program
- Strengthened connection with Fire Management Assistance Grant Program
- A renewed focus on resilience to support communities in creating holistic plans that will help the whole community understand the importance of mitigation and develop mitigation actions based on current and future risks and capabilities
The policies are the official interpretation of the mitigation planning requirements in the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act) as amended and other federal statutes, as well as in federal regulations, specifically Title 44 CFR Part 201- Mitigation Planning.
Why Policy Updates?
Policy updates facilitate consistent evaluation and approval of state and local hazard mitigation plans and promote mitigation planning and risk-informed decision-making. They also support stakeholders in meeting federal requirements with their hazard mitigation plans to receive certain types of funding. And that’s invaluable at a time when natural disasters are occurring from coast to coast and, unfortunately, more frequently.
As a reminder, it is crucial to keep your community’s hazard mitigation plan current. FEMA requires them to be updated every five years. The process can take 12-24 months, especially if multiple jurisdictions/stakeholders are involved and/or there is a backlog of plans awaiting FEMA review and approval. As a best practice from BOLDplanning, a division of Agility, start the process well before your current plan’s expiration date.
And if you need help, just let us know. The BOLDplanning team has developed hundreds of state, local, and tribal hazard mitigation plans. Email info@BOLDplanning.com to learn more now.
