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Funds | Eligible Activities | Cost-Share Ratio | Sub-Applicant Eligibility | NFIP Participation | Mitigation Plan Requirement | Letter of Intent | Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) | E-Grants | Guidance | Deadline for Applications

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDM-C) Grant Program- FY 2009

FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Competitive (PDM-C) grant program for FY 2009 will provide funds to states, territories, Federal and State-recognized Native American (Indian) tribes, communities, colleges and universities for pre-disaster mitigation planning and the implementation of cost-effective mitigation projects prior to a disaster event.  The purpose of this grant program is to reduce the overall risk to both populations and structures while also reducing reliance on funding from future disaster declarations. This is a nationally competitive grant program. 

Funds:  $75 million will be available nationwide for project grants, technical assistance, and program support for the FY 2009 PDM program. Each state is allocated $575,000 as a set-aside provided the submitted applications meet all eligibility requirements and are selected by the state and FEMA National Review panels.  Availability of PDM funds is dependent upon Congressional appropriation and reauthorization.

PDM grants are to be awarded by FEMA on a nationally competitive basis.

Eligible Activities:

• Mitigation planning: $800,000 cap on Federal share for new plans, not to exceed a 3 year performance period; up to $400,000 Federal share available for plan updates
• Mitigation projects: $3 million cap on Federal share, not to exceed 3 years performance period
  Information dissemination activities:  not to exceed 10%; activities must pertain directly to a planning or project application
• Sub-applicant management costs:  not to exceed 5% of total project costs

Eligible Activities Include:

• New plan development
• Mitigation plan updates
• Acquisition and demolition or relocation of structures, with conversion of the property to deed-restricted open space
• Relocation of public or private structures
• Elevation of existing structures to avoid flooding
• Retrofitting (e.g. storm shutters, wet or dry floodproofing) of existing public or private structures
• Hydrologic/hydraulic studies and analyses, engineering studies and drainage studies for the purpose of project design and feasibility determination  included as part of a project application
• Vegetation management for natural restoration, wildfire mitigation, or snow avalanche mitigation
• Protective measures for public utilities (electric, gas), water and sanitary sewer systems and/or other infrastructure (e.g. roads, bridges, culverts)
• Stormwater management projects (e.g. culverts, retention basins, etc) to reduce or eliminate long-term risk from flood hazards
• Localized flood reduction projects, such as levees or floodwall systems that are designed to protect critical infrastructure facilities, e.g. hazardous material collection sites, EOCs, electric utilities, communications facilities, medical facilities, fire protection facilities, etc. which do not constitute part of a larger flood control system

Cost-share ratio:  75% Federal share, with a 25% local match requirement.  Small and impoverished communities may be eligible for up to a 90% Federal cost share amount.

Sub-applicant Eligibility:  State-level agencies, Federal and state recognized Native American tribal governments, local governments,  public colleges and universities are eligible to apply to for assistance.  Private non-profit (PNP) organizations and private colleges and universities are not eligible.  However, a relevant state agency or local government may apply to Vermont Emergency Management for assistance on their behalf. 

NFIP Participation:  All Applicants must be participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) if they have been identified as having a Special Flood Hazard Area (i.e. a Flood Hazard Boundary Map or Flood Insurance Rate Map has been issued).  In addition, the Applicant/Sub-applicant must not be on probation, suspended or withdrawn from the NFIP.  However, applicants that are not mapped under the NFIP are eligible.

Mitigation Plan Requirement:  Applicants must have a FEMA-approved Mitigation Plan by the application deadline in order to receive project grants.   However, PDM planning grants will continue to be available to Applicants that do not have a FEMA-approved Mitigation Plan to enable them to meet the planning requirements.

Letters of Intent:  Vermont Emergency Management (VEM) asks that those towns/agencies intending to submit a PDM-C application should first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer no later than Wednesday, October 1, 2008.   For a sample LOI, click on this link.   

Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA):  This is a very important part of the application process. Applicants needing assistance in completing their BCA may contact the local Regional Planning Commission.  Some benefit-cost assistance may also be provided by Vermont Emergency Management.  BCA workshops may also be provided.

E-Grants:  Applications must be submitted electronically through FEMA’s E-Grants portal at https://portal.fema.gov. Only those applications submitted through E-Grants will be accepted.  Those indicating an interest in applying will be issued a valid user name and password by Vermont Emergency Management.   Previously issued user names and passwords for E-Grants may be used.  Applicants must provide an original and two copies of any paper supporting documentation that cannot be electronically attached to an E-Grants application (e.g. engineering drawings, maps, photos, etc).  

PDM-C FY 09 Guidance may be downloaded from FEMA’s website at:  www.fema.gov   Go to the search box and type in “FY 2009 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Guidance”

Deadline for Applications:   Completed PDM-C applications must be submitted electronically to Vermont Emergency Management through FEMA’s E-Grants portal  no later than close of business on Monday, December 1, 2008. Applications submitted past the deadline will not be accepted.

All submitted PDM-C applications are subject to review and selection by the State grants review committee.
If you have any questions concerning eligibility requirements for the PDM-C grant program or if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact me at Vermont Emergency Management.