State and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guides Updated
FEMA has updated its state and local mitigation planning policy guides to reflect programmatic and administrative regulatory changes. The 2022 policies clarify what FEMA requires for state and local mitigation planning,
The updated policies become effective for all mitigation plan approvals on April 19, 2023. This provides a one-year transition period for state and local governments to meet the new requirements as plans are updated and for new plans.
This article offers a summary of some of the key changes, links to the new guides, and information about upcoming FEMA webinars.
State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide
The state policy applies to state governments that update, maintain and implement state mitigation plans. The primary users are state staff that oversee mitigation plan updates and the FEMA officials that review and approve those plans. There are two kinds of state plans: standard and enhanced. All states must meet the standard plan requirements. Enhanced states must meet the standard and enhanced state requirements.
STANDARD STATE UPDATES
The state policy:
- Requires that state plans consider equity and climate change impacts.
- Outlines participants in the state planning process. The process involves a broad range of state and other partners. This includes community lifelines and climate change experts. It also includes state agencies and others that support underserved communities.
- Requires states to describe building code adoption and enforcement, land use, National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administration and flood risk mapping in the capability assessment.
- Includes existing mitigation plan requirements for the High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant program to include all dam risks. Removes the optional Repetitive Loss Strategy.
- Includes existing mitigation plan requirements for the Fire Management Assistance Grants program.
ENHANCED STATE UPDATES
The state policy:
- Introduces more advanced lead times and pre-submission coordination for new enhanced states. Provides a more detailed plan submission and review process.
- Requires states that wish to become enhanced to first show they can meet Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant performance requirements.
- Requires that states demonstrate local jurisdictions have approved mitigation plans as part of the state’s commitment to mitigation. The state must show how it supports the update and adoption of these plans before expiration.
- Strongly encourages enhanced states to adopt and enforce building codes that advance mitigation and resilience.
Download the State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide here.
Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide
The local policy applies to local governments that develop, update, maintain and implement their own mitigation plans. The primary users of this guide are local staff that oversee mitigation plans and the federal and state officials who review and approve those plans. The local policy includes the following changes:
- Defines who local governments must include in the planning process. This includes representatives from a broad range of sectors, community lifelines, the public and community-based organizations that support underserved communities.
- Requires local governments to include the effects of climate change and other future conditions in the risk assessment.
- Recognizes the important role of adopting and enforcing building codes and land use and development ordinances in the local government’s ability to improve mitigation capabilities.
- Facilitates stronger alignment with other FEMA mitigation programs such as the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Community Rating System and flood risk mapping program.
- Explains the need to right-size the scope of a plan update, consider both current and future risks, and complete the planning process with plan adoption.
- Includes existing mitigation plan requirements for the High Hazard Potential Dams (HHPD) grant program to include all dam risks. Removes the optional Repetitive Loss Strategy.
- Reorganized requirements for ease of use.
Download the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide here.
Other Updates
Both policies reflect program and administrative changes to other FEMA programs. This includes programs for which a mitigation plan is a condition of eligibility. For example, references to the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program have been deleted and new grant programs including Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities have been added.
Both policies connect mitigation planning with community resilience. They also align with FEMA’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plan. These priorities include promoting climate change and equity.
Upcoming Webinars
FEMA is hosting webinars on the updates to both the State and Local Mitigation Planning Policies.
