Adaptation & Resiliency Toolbox
Funding Resources
Any sustainable action that reduces or eliminates long-term risk to people and property from future disasters. Mitigation planning breaks the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction and repeated damage. Hazard mitigation includes long-term solutions that reduce the impact of disasters in the future.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), hazard mitigation is:
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FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance provides funding for eligible mitigation measures that reduce disaster losses. It also:
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Reduces vulnerability of communities to disasters and their effects.
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Promotes individual and community safety and their ability to adapt to changing conditions and withstand and rapidly recover from disruption due to emergencies (resilience).
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Promotes community vitality after a disaster.
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Lessens response and recovery resource requirements after a disaster.
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Results in safer communities that are less reliant on external financial assistance.
Understanding FEMA Grants
FEMA administers three grant programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA).
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Each grant program has different priority and eligibility criteria. Most of these programs are available on an annual basis and require a 25% non-federal cost share.
How does MDOT MTA Apply for FEMA Grants?
The Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM, formerly referred to as MEMA) is considered the applicant for the State of Maryland and acts as the pass through entity between MDOT and FEMA. MDEM
is responsible for submitting the state application, comprising of multiple projects, to FEMA. Once projects are awarded, MDEM monitors the use of funds, performance, and ensures compliance with all Hazard Mitigation Assistance program requirements.
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MDOT will work with MDEM to discuss potential grant avenues. If projects are approved by MDEM, MDOT will be responsible for completing a sub-application. If the sub-application is approved by MDEM, it will be submitted to FEMA for review and funding approval/denial.
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Each grant program has different priority and eligibility criteria.
Learn More
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
HMGP provides funding to state, local, tribal and territorial governments so they can rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future natural disaster losses in their communities after a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration.
Building Resiliency Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC)
The BRIC program aims to categorically shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward proactive investment in community resilience. As a competitive grant program, BRIC encourages public infrastructure projects, projects incorporating nature-based solutions, among others.
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
FMA’s goal is to reduce or eliminate claims under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This grant addresses community flood risk for the purpose of reducing National Flood Insurance Program flood claim payments and to mitigate the risk of flooding to individual flood insured structures.