Flood Mitigation Assistance

FFY 2020 BRIC and FMA Webinar Recording

Transcript of video:

Okay. So, this event is officially recording, and I'll be recording the formal part of the presentation, and then we'll also have a Q&A section at the end. So, good morning, my name is Megan Wells. I'm the state Hazard mitigation officer here for the State of New Hampshire. Formally, before I took this position, I worked in the public assistance grant program for New Hampshire for almost two years. So, I do have experience working with FEMA grants- but this is my first time around for the notice of funding opportunity for BRIC, and FMA, and I know BRIC is new to everyone. So, I thought it would be a great idea to have a webinar, it'll be great learning session for me and all of you involved as well. So, today we'll be learning about the FEMA mitigation grant funding: specifically the BRIC and FMA, which is the- BRIC is the building resilient infrastructure and communities Grant, and FMA is the flood mitigation assistance.

So, just for some Logistics about today's webinar, it'll be 1 hour long and participants- you all on mute- and your video is turned off, but you are welcome and encouraged to ask questions in the chat feature of the WebEx. Whitney Welch, the assistant chief of planning at HSEM will be monitoring it. So, thank you very much Whitney- and she is the former Schmo. So, she- she's very knowledgeable about these HMA grants. So, the chat will be monitored throughout the webinar and we can answer those, at the end verbally as well, and like I mentioned before this is a learning experience. So, please ask questions no question is dumb question so, we're just here to learn.

So, let's start out with "What is Hazard mitigation assistance"? So, the definition of Hazard mitigation is any action to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from natural disasters, and Hazard mitigation planning is the process used by the state and local governments to identify those risks and vulnerabilities associated with those natural disasters, and then develop mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate long-term risks. So, in some, mitigation is the sustained effort to reduce that long-term impacts of those hazards whether it's from flooding event, a snowstorm, high winds- and we want to just lessen the likelihood of those Hazard events to our state and in your community. So, we have three main Hazard mitigation, funding grants the first one is hmgp the hazard mitigation program, another one is pre- disaster mitigation PDM and the third is flood mitigation assistance, and the PDM Grant has been replaced by BRIC the building resilient infrastructure and communities. BRIC is new with the Dr??? the disaster, it came out in 2018. So, this grant is new for this fiscal year. So, under, under hmgp, these funds are available post disaster. So, after a presidentially declared disaster, when we get that public assistance funding and then we, the state, will often times also request the hmgp funds as well and those are calculated as 15%. Additional to that, total of the public assistance grant and what we're worried about today, and what we're going to be focusing on is BRIC and FMA, and that for federal, federal fiscal year 2020 that notice of funding opportunity was issued just earlier this month in August of 2020.

So, what are the authorizing authorities for these Grant programs? Well, for BRIC, building resilient infrastructure and communities it is authorized under Section 203 of the Robert T Stafford disaster relief and emergency assistance act. And then flood mitigation Assistance, or FMA, is under the flood insurance Act of 1968. So, the objectives for each of the grant program they're a little different, but they're both for mitigation. So, under BRIC: BRIC makes federal funds available to States, US territories, Indian tribal governments, and local communities which are, the majority of you on the on the WebEx today, and these are for the pre- disaster mitigation activities. So, it's not it's not recovery. So, you're not- you don't have, for example Road that's washed out and now we're fixing it it's, where you're seeing those repeated damages in your community and you want to be better. So, you're not going to have that damage for the future disaster and, for this year there is 500 million dollars available nationally, for 2020 under BRIC and FMA, it's similar it makes the federal funds available to States, US territories Indian tribal governments, and local communities but this is for to reduce and eliminate the risk of repetitive flood damage to buildings and structures ensured under nfip, and a lot of the flood mitigation assistance funds, that funding comes from the premiums of the nfip, program. So, that's why way they want to make sure that they are, mitigating the properties that are, insured under nfip and for this year under FMA $160 million are available nationally. So, there's a large sum of money available out there this year. So, for eligible sub applicants, I've highlighted BRIC and FMA in a green box. So, eligible applicants include State agencies, federally recognized tribes (there are none in New Hampshire), and then also local governments and communities. So, individuals businesses, and nonprofits: they're not eligible to apply directly to H funds as they are not an eligible sub applicant, but an eligible applicant or sub applicant, can apply on their behalf. So, if you have a- if there's an individual business or a nonprofit organization that is interested in applying, they can work with their local community, or a state agency and they can apply on their behalf. So, this is a triangle of basically how the application process works, and the applicants and sub applicants. So, at the top are those individual homeowners and businesses and pro nonprofits, and they can apply for funding through those eligible sub applicants- and those sub applicants are, those the state of New Hampshire, and other state agencies within the state, and then also the local governments and communities. So, the sub applicants then apply, send in their application to the applicant and that, for New Hampshire is the division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, we act as the applicant and then we send those applications to FEMA. So, it kind of has this tiered approach.

So, there is a cost share involved with, Hazard mitigation assistance funds the majority of them are a 75% Federal share and a 25% non-federal share but there are a few exceptions. So, under BRIC if a subgrantee is a small and improvised Community they are eligible for a 90% Federal share and a 10% non-federal share, management costs do are, do have a 100% Federal share and then under FMA the flood mitigation assistance for insured properties and planning grants those have that, the general 75% federal share and then for our repetitive loss properties they are eligible up to a 90% Federal share, and if you want to know the definition of those repetitive or severe repetitive loss properties, we can assist you with that because there are certain criteria. So, please feel free to reach out to us, and then for the severe repetitive loss properties, they are eligible for a 100% Federal share, and then, again, the management costs have that 100% Federal share. So, with the non-federal share the sub applicant has to disclose that they have those funds available when they're applying for these grants. So, the non-federal share can consist of cash or donated or third party in kind Services materials or a combination thereof and just a reminder that, the C the third party and in kind matches must consist of eligible costs. So, whatever those services are, materials that are either being donated or that third party is using, it just has to be eligible under the grant program, and you cannot apply other federal funds toward the non-federal share ;and FEMA does encourage an innovated use of public and private sector Partnerships to meet the non-federal cost share.

So, here is a table of eligible activities you may have seen these before, this is from the HMA guidance, and if you noticed, it is like hmgp and then PDM and then FMA. So, under BRIC the new grant program everything that used to be eligible under PDM is still eligible under BRIC. So, I won't read through all of these, because I'll talk about them more later but this is a great table if you want to go back later and look at what is eligible. So, it includes like property acquisition and demolition, structure demolition relocation structure elevations mitigation reconstruction, flood proofing, generators that's eligible under BRIC, and then we have the localized and non-localized flood risk reduction projects, and a few more below. So, for the period of performance during the project, we also call it the PO for short. So, the majority under BRIC and FMA it is about 36 months from the date of award, that's the PO end date. So, the start of the pop is once that, the award is awarded, and that will vary. So, then once you get your, project awarded you then have, have 36 months under BRIC to complete your project. So, three years, and then under FMA the community flood mitigation projects, has a period of performance of 48 months or four years and then, all other projects under FMA have a period of performance of the 36 months and pop extension requests are allowed, and FEMA will review, a sub applicants, request for an extension on the period performance and they'll review, if the reasons are eligible, and if they truly do need, an extension.

So, another component of the hazard mitigation assistance funds, are management costs. So, management costs are any indirect costs, any direct administrative costs and other administrative assistants, sorry other administrative expenses that are reasonably incurred in administrating the award or subgrant. So, this is that, extra time that you're spending, on the grant program, because you are, seeking those federal funds. So, you can get if you as long as you have the, as long as you get an award through the program and, you request for a management cost you can then get reimbursed, and some activities under management costs, include but are not limited to if you're having meetings regarding the BRIC or FMA program collecting copying filing or submitting documents for reimbursement or completing quarterly progress reports that's just to name a few, and management costs are calculated, as up to 5% of the total project cost. So, if your project was say $100,000 then you are eligible for $5,000 of management costs, but you do have to submit for reimbursement. So, we'll be looking for that documentation to show, that you are working. So, many hours and then have that proof of payment as well, and sub applicant management cost activities must be added to the scope of work section, and identified as a line item in the cost estimate section, of the sub applications in Fimo and we will help you with that, if you decide to pursue submitting an application. We will assist you and make sure that, we include management costs in your application if that's something that interests you there are also pre-award costs that are eligible. So, pre-award costs directly related to developing the Grant application that are incurred prior to the date of the grant award, are allowed subject to the FEMA approval, at the time of award. So, for example Gathering the NEPA data or developing a BCA a benefit cost analysis preparing design specifications, or conducting workshops or meetings related to the development and the submission of sub applications those are eligible, but just to remember that you have to outline, the pre-award costs, as an individual line item again in that cost estimate section, within the sub application. So, just some caveats to remember about pre-award costs, the costs are associated with implementation of proposed projects in the submitted Grant application or sub application that are incurred prior to the grant award are not allowed. So, that's saying if in your scope of work you have written that, I- you're going to do some construction activity, but you do that prior to the, the, grant, the grant being awarded- that's not allowed. That's not eligible so, those pre-award costs are really just like the design phases, get gathering your BCA, and then you can get submitted for those hours of working on that, and just a reminder the applicants and sub applicants who are not awarded, the award or sub award they will not receive reimbursement, for those pre-award costs. So, if you're working on that BCA and you have, the engineering designs ready, that takes time staff time so, Can the cost can add up but, if that Grant is not awarded to your community- you unfortunately will not be able to be reimbursed for those pre-award costs.

So, a large component of a mitigation assistance application is having your benefit cost analysis, also known as a BCA, and I have included a link on the top of this slide, here. It says click here for FEMA BCA tool, and that will bring you to FEMA's web page where it describes the BCA, and where you can download the tool as well it's opened in Microsoft Excel. So, you don't need to download, like any fancy software. So, all mitigation projects: they must have a benefit cost Ratio or you'll hear it sometimes as a BCR of 1.0 or greater and FEMA wants to see that benefit cross ratio of 1.0 or greater, because that indicates that the benefits of the project will outweigh the cost, we're mitigating for a reason. So, we want to make sure that this project is going to be beneficial for the community in the future, and if you have a project in mind that you're currently thinking of, I highly recommend to begin working on the benefit cost analysis. The BCA is one of the main challenges that we see are faced with the HMA Grant applications. The BCA will ask for information regarding historical damages, in your project- like location, they'll ask like if the road is closed what's the length of the detour, how many cars are being detoured, if it's closed for 3 hours, and, like, other variables. So, it can get pretty specific. So, myself as the state Hazard mitigation officer and also your HSEM field representative are here to help you. So, if you need assistance, please reach out to us, and we are happy to help, because this is important part of the Grant application.

So, just some things to consider with a Federal grant: for conflict of interest, the recipient and subrecipients that's, the state of New Hampshire and then your local community, we must follow their own policies and procedures regarding the elimination or reduction of conflict of interest procurement. All applicants- and Sub-applicants- must follow their local requirements, as well as the state and federal procurement regulations, typically whichever one is stricter. Duplication of programs, duplication of benefits: the hazard mitigation assistance funds cannot duplicate funds received by or available to sub applicants from another source for the same purpose. FEMA adjuster??? wants to make sure that you're not getting other funding to pay for this project make sure that you're, following the flood plain in land-use laws and regulations, construction activities for which ground disturbance has already been initiated, or completing are- not are -or completed are not eligible for funding. So, we want to make sure the project hasn't started yet, and non-construction activities that have already started may not be considered, for funding.

So, once you submit your project application, and I'll go over how to do that, through the new portal later in the presentation, but, it will undergo a review, at the state using the interagency Hazard mitigation team, and, so, each eligible project submitted for consideration under the HMA funding: they'll be prioritized and ranked, at the state level through the ihmt Team, using the project review scorecard and I'll show you that on the next slide, and the inter agency Hazard mitigation team is, made up of personnel from various state agencies including New Hampshire homeland security and Emergency Management dot Department of environment Services, and OSI the office of strategic initiatives and more. So, this is an image of what the scorecard looks like, this is one that has been used in the past, just keep in mind that it is changed a little bit year toe, depending on the state's priorities for mitigation, as well as FEMA priorities, but what you're seeing here is, for example the first question is "is the project supported by technical information demonstrating feasibility?" now it's either going to be a yes or a no, and the yes is considered Five Points and the no is zero. So, as a team -the interagency Hazard mitigation team- will review each of the project applications each application will get a completed scorecard, and that is how each application is, fairly ranked and then prioritized for when we send our, all of our sub applications to FEMA, and FEMA likes to have, these prioritize and ranked, and it is part of an executive order under the state of New Hampshire for us to do that for our grant programs, because there is an a limited, pot of money available so, that's why these get prioritized and ranked. So, once we have that review at the state level and then we formally submit, all the sub applications and applications to FEMA. FEMA undergoes a review of their own. So, they make sure the applicant and sub applicant are eligible, and once that they are, eligible then they look at the eligibility of the proposed activity, and the costs, they look to make sure that the sub application is complete and, us at the state will work with you to make sure that you're submitting a strong and complete application, they'll be looking to make sure that the project is cost effective, and that there's engineering feasibility for the mitigation projects, eligibility and availability of the non-federal cost share we have on our Resource Center, a template that can be used, to just show for the community to write that you have the match available or you're going to be, using match from X Y and Z. So, we have that template available and then they'll be looking to make sure that the project or activity that you're proposing aligns with your, the with the state Hazard mitigation plan and also the hazard mitigation plan in your community. So, now we're going to go into, some topics that are specific to BRIC.

So, BRIC sub applicants they are required to have a FEMA approved Hazard mitigation plan, and luckily the majority of communities in New Hampshire- I believe it's all except two have an approved Hazard mitigation plan, and they've been working with Kayla Henderson (our Hazard mitigation planner) to make sure that includes all of the mitigation projects, facilities in your town, and so on. So, that's just one of the requirements under BRIC and this is a list of the eligible activities. So, the first section are mitigation projects: So, we have those property acquisition and structure demolition, and structure relocation structure elevation mitigation reconstruction, dry flood proofing of either historic resident residential structures or non-residential structures generators, typically the generator would have to be in a critical facility you can check your local Hazard mitigation plan, a localized or non-localized flood risk reduction project structural retrofitting of existing buildings or non-structural retrofitting of existing buildings and Facilities safe from reconstruction wind retrofit for one or two, family residencies infrastructure, retrofit soil stabilization projects, wildfire, wildfire mitigation, and then other, and then, also eligible, are Hazard mitigation planning, or what's called ???. FEMA has termed it "capability and capacity building" or cncb (they've been using that acronym). So, similar to what PDM, the past where you would be able to have those Hazard mitigation plans funded, BRIC will fund those as well, direct technical assistance and management costs. So, under, BRIC for federal fiscal year 2020 FEMA has outlined the- their priority projects. So, when they review the applications they'll be ranking these ones higher, they'll be incentivizing public infrastructure projects- incentivizing projects that mitigate risk to one or more lifelines, and In the next slide we'll be discussing what community lifelines are. Incentivizing projects that incorporate nature-based Solutions FEMA has issued a document about nature-based Solutions, and we have it linked on our Resource Center. So, if you're interested in learning more about nature-based Solutions, I recommend reviewing that document, and FEMA is also looking to increase funding, to applicants that facilitate the adoption and enforcement of the latest published editions of the building codes.

So, these are the seven FEMA Community lifelines, and FEMA will be prioritizing projects that incorporate, I believe it was, let's see, incentivized projects that mitigate risk to one or more lifelines. So, for example if you were elevating a road, that would be using the transportation Lifeline. If you were wind retrofitting a hospital, that could be under health and medical. So, they just want to see that it's being tied to one of these community lifelines, and if you're having trouble figuring out which Community Lifeline your project relates to, just reach out to us and we can have a conversation, and figure out which Community Lifeline, is it's tied to. So, under BRIC we also have the- what I mentioned before- the capability and capacity building. So, these activities enhance the knowledge skills, and expertise of the current Workforce to expand and improve, the administration of these Hazard mitigation assistance grants. So, these activities could include: building code activities, creating those project Partnerships, doing that project scoping, doing mitigation planning or planning related activities. So, this, capability and capacity building activities these are all like, like before a project kind of kind of, trying to increase the building codes in your community, creating those project Partnerships, really try kind of figure out what should be the scope of work for some projects in your community. So, they're trying to assist you kind of pre-award, sorry like pre, pre- like construction project. So, the maximum allocation for a state, under this category is $600,000. So, the state of New Hampshire will have an allocation of, or available up to $600,000, up to $300,000 of that will be used for, or can may be used for mitigation planning, and mitigation and planning related activities per applicant. So, like I mentioned before similar to the pre- disaster mitigation Grant, New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management, which is the applicant we will be applying on behalf of the communities in the state whose Hazard mitigation plans are coming up for expiration. So, we really want to make sure that our communities in the state have their Hazard mitigation plans up to date, making sure they have that approved plan by FEMA. So, we'll apply on your behalf, when your plan is coming up for expiration and then up to 10%, of that $600,000, may be used for information dissemination activities, including public awareness and education, related to your proposed, activity or project. So, also under BRIC there is non-financial direct technical assistance, this is new this year under the, under this grant program. So, the goal of this is to build a Compu- community's capacity and capability to improve its resiliency, to Natural hazards and to ensure it stakeholders are capable of building and sustaining successful mitigation programs. Submitting: they want to make sure that you, you can submit high quality applications and Implement new and Innovative projects, that reduce risk to various natural hazards. So, if your community is interested in this non-financial direct technical assistance make sure you submit a LOI or a letter of interest to our agency, and each state, we can then submit one letter of interest one LOI to FEMA, on behalf of a community. So, if we receive, multiple LOIs, for direct technical assistance they will undergo that inter agency Hazard mitigation team review they'll be scored using that scorecard and then only one of those Lois can be sent to FEMA, for a review. So, examples of activities under this non-financial direct technical assistance. So, we have a project or application specific needs section, and then also examples of Community-wide resilience, assistance needs. So, under the project, examples of project or application specific needs, that can be support applying the BCA methodology to nature-based Solutions assistance with understanding or completing environmental planning and historic preservation requirements and then under the Community-wide resilience assistance needs: some example projects include building a shared understanding of resilience across government departments, matching mitigation solutions to funding mechanisms, identifying partnership opportunities, and building a partnership framework, and then exploring mitigation act strategies to reduce risk to community lifelines- and these are just a couple project examples, but it's not an all-inclusive list. So, just some considerations under BRIC, these projects must align with your state and local Hazard mitigation plan, mitigation projects must be technically feasible and effective and mitigation projects must solve a problem independently, or constitute a functional portion of a long-term solution, for which there is assurance that the project as a whole will be completed, or there is a reasonable plan and available funding. For completion, they want to make sure that FEMA is funding successful mitigation projects, that are technically feasible, and they're effective and, they're cost beneficial.

So, as I mentioned before, we- once you submit your application- the state reviews it with that inter agency Hazard mitigation team using that scorecard and then we submit them to FEMA and. So, then they then do their own prioritizing and ranking. So, that's at the national competition, because these funds are nationally competitive. So, the sub applications are scored out of 200 the first 100 points, they're under a technical review and applicants actually complete their own technical review. In FEMA it's the application software. I will mention later, I'll show you what those questions look like, but they're basically like yes or no questions, and I assume it'll just be like a simple survey, in FEMA go and then the second 100 points available is in the qualitative review, and this is completed by the FEMA National Review panel or sometimes you'll see it as NRP they conduct the review and the NRP will include representatives from relevant federal agencies, but also State local tribal, and teral- territorial Partners as well. So, then a Project's cumulative score. So, it'll be sum number out of 200, it will determine its priority among all of the other projects, considered in the national competition and FEMA will ensure that at least one eligible sub application from each applicant will be sent to the qualitative, evaluation panel for review they'll make sure it gets that like second phase, after we have that technical review and then they'll make sure at least one application will go to the qualitative review. So, that first technical review that I mentioned, this will be completed by the sub applicant in likely in FEMA so, these points on the right hand side: you either receive the full points. So, for the first one for example infrastructure project you'll basically either receive the full points or a zero. So, if it's an infrastructure project yes you get 20 points, are you mitigating the risk to one or more lifelines yes 15 points, are you incorporating nature-based Solutions yes 10 points or no would be zero. So, you go through, each of these and this is why it's important in your application to be just as specific as possible as you can, because when FEMA, reviews these applications, they really want to see just a really strong application. So, if you're questioning like should I include that information it kind of seems like, like, it's not really important- include it anyway, because they want just as much information as possible. So, this is the technical evaluation portion, and then this is the qualitative evaluation portion. So, this is again out of 100, but what's different in the qualitative is that these points are on a scale. So, you could either for example for risk reduction and sany?? Effectiveness, you could have anywhere from a 0 to a 35, and FEMA will be reading your application and then have they'll have that scorecard, sorry FEMA- but also all those other Federal partners that they mention will be on the review panel, they look in your application and say "okay, does this project- is it- does it reduce risk, and does it is it risk resilient?, does it have that resiliency/ Effectiveness?" and then they'll have to figure out between 0 and 35, what points to give you. So, that's why it's. So, important to just really try to have that strong application, and then. So, other sections are future conditions, implementation measures population impacted, Outreach activities, I didn't go into full detail under each of these topics, but, if you're interested in Hazard mitigation funding, I can give you more of that information on what they'll be looking for under this review. So, let's talk a little bit about things that are specific to FMA: the flood mitigation assistance.

So, all sub applicants under FMA they have to be participating in nfip (the National flood insurance program) they need to not be withdrawn are on probation or suspended in structures identified in the sub application must have a nfip policy in effect at the time of the FMA application start date, that would be September 30th and you must maintain it through the completion, of the grant through the completion of the mitigation activity, and if you have structures in mind that may- could be a project under FMA but, for example, it's not covered under your nfip policy right now, well, this funding is available annually. So, you could get that structure under your nfip policy this year, and then maybe you could think about of a project for next year. So, this funding is available in the future as well, and if you want to know what your community status is under nfip, you can click here, that's a link- and it will, you can search up your Community, and also sub applicants must have a FEMA approved Hazard mitigation plan, since these are Hazard mitigation projects.

So, these are flood mitigation assistance eligible activities, it's similar to BRIC, but it's a little more focused on the flood mitigation side of it. So, property acquisition, structure, Demolition and relocation, structure elevation: if you want to elevate a road, or a different structure, mitigation reconstruction dry flood proofing, localized flood risk reduction projects, structural retrofitting of your existing buildings, infrastructure retrofit soil stabilization and then other and then also a eligible is Hazard mitigation planning. So, what's different compared to BRIC? [It's] that Hazard mitigation planning is under FMA, they will only fund that flood component of your, Hazard mitigation plan, and then also eligible is technical assistance unfortunately New Hampshire, is not eligible for technical assistance under FMA, since we did not receive a $1 million FMA award, under Federal fiscal year 2019, that's one of the requirements for technical assistance. So, maybe in the future we'll be eligible. Another activity is Project scoping: this used to be Advance assistance if you've heard that before, and we'll discuss that in a later slide, and then also management costs- what I talked about earlier.

So, FEMA has outlined their priority projects under flood mitigation assistance and they've numbered these. So, their first priority is that project scoping (which was previously Advanced assistance), their next priority number two is community flood mitigation projects three is technical assistance which we're not eligible for New Hampshire unfortunately four is flood mitigation flood Hazard mitigation planning and then five is that individual flood mitigation projects. So, project scoping, this can be used to obtain data and to prioritize select and develop community and also individual flood mitigation projects for future funding, based on your current mitigation plan, and this project scoping, under FMA there is a cap of $600,000, per applicant. So, within the whole state of New Hampshire, we could be eligible up to $600,000 for project scoping, and all project scoping activities should result in either an improvement in the capability to identify appropriate mitigation projects, or in the development of an application ready mitigation project. For projects for FMA or another funding opportunity. So, some eligible activities under project scoping, can include conducting meetings Outreach in coordination with sub applicants and Community residents developing or conducting engineering environmental, feasibility and our benefit cost analyses undertaking activities that lead to the development of project applications evaluating facilities to identify mitigation actions or using staff or resources to develop cost share strategies. So, project scoping: FEMA is really- they want to give you the tools, So you can get ready for a mitigation project in the future. So, if your community is struggling, with developing a BCA or conducting that, engineering study or environmental feasibility study, this funding is available to help with that project scoping portion of a project. So, this is an image, of the flood mitigation assistance fund. So, on the left hand side, this shows how much funding is available there's $160 million and then for that first priority project scoping their, total is an allocated up to amount of $4 million nationally. So, each state gets up to $600,000 and then that second priority is the community flood mitigation projects, FEMA will allocate up to $70 million nationally and then the remaining, $86 million will be used for the technical assistance the flood Hazard mitigation planning and then that individual flood mitigation projects. So, they're just really making sure that they're, they're allocating those certain amounts of money: the $4 million project scoping, the $70 million for the community flood mitigation projects, so that they meet their priorities. They- ??? number one and number two priorities first. So, now, let's talk about just more information that's related to both of the BRIC and FMA grants. So, now that you have submitted your application to HSM we've reviewed it we've submitted it to FEMA they've reviewed it. So, now you're just after you submit your project, you're just kind of waiting, and FEMA will announce their selection stat status in June of 2021. So, after FEMA has completed all of its reviews of the sub applications, they will then, assign one of the following. So, one is identified for further review: the second is the project was not selected, and the third is the project does not meet HMA or Hazard mitigation assistance requirements- It wasn't eligible. And, you'll notice that you won't get the, the status of your project the selection status until June 2021. So, this is just a reminder that these Grant programs do take a long time. So, for example the, we have to make sure we have to have all the applications to FEMA by the end of January, and then they have 6 months and they're going to review all the projects, and then even from there if your project is identified for further review (you haven't been granted the award yet), it's just showing that FEMA is going to review the project even more. So, just a reminder that these these Grant programs do take a while, but they're totally doable, and if you if you're interested I highly recommend you s application, because the benefits are great. So, if you do have a project, under and you have a grant award under BRIC or FMA or any grant program, from FEMA there is some reporting requirements. So, you have to submit quarterly progress reports, and this table above, shows the different quarters. So, four times a year, or every 3 months you'll have to complete a form, [that] is linked through our Resource Center, and it's basically asking "okay, what have you work done in the past three months? how much money have you spent?, do you have any photos you want to send us?" it kind of gives a pulse check, to also you as the sub applicant, to say how much progress have we made the last couple months, but it also helps the state it helps me know, the status of your project and then also FEMA as well they look to make sure that the project is moving along and if it's not moving along as expected, we'll figure out why and, try to get it moving,, because these do have, a certain amount of time the period of performance whether it's three or four years, in addition there is risk monitoring. So, each sub applicant, under the codes of federal regulations, us at the state we have to review you as the applicant, and kind of see, your risk of having the grants to either get like a low medium or high and if you are a, a medium or high-risk applicant- it's not the end of the world it just means that we'll help you, and just kind of check in a little more often to make sure we can have a successful project. And then, for close out, once you've completed your entire project you'll, you'll complete a document a final expenditure report, kind of show how much money you've spent, you'll have all your documentation, and then after the close out you'll be required to to, have, document retention. So, making sure you keep all your documents for, at least 3 years- that's a federal requirement so, you've heard me mention a couple times throughout this webinar fago??? FEMA go stands for FEMA Grant outcomes. So, this is their new Grant system. It's a website, that female will be using for their application I'm personally very excited for it,, because in the past we were using egrants, and it was kind of an old software and it wasn't super friendly. So, this one, I'm excited- and you'll have access as the sub applicant, to go in there and, submit your application see the status of your project, and then also at the state I can see it. So, it'll be it'll be a really nice software. So, we will assist you in creating a profile in FEMA and the BRIC and FMA applications those become available in FEMA? on September 30th of 2020 that's when that, the grant, application opens up. So, for example me right now when I sign in- I can't see the grant, since it's still, Fimo is under development. So, it is new for me as well, but I'm excited and I think I think it'll be good. So, I have some success stories for you all today, this is from Barrington?, New Hampshire one of their mitigation projects they replaced a hydraulically undersized covert, with a Crossing that will now pass the 50-year flood event, the top right hand corner pictures before mitigation, the existing 48 in reinforced concrete pipe was then replaced with a 7ft rise concrete box Culvert and that's in that bottom right photo. So, you can see a huge difference. So, prior to the mitigation the undersized Culvert had a history of insufficient flow capacity, resulting in the road by over topping and they' have to close it but now the improved Culvert, it has been tested by Major rain and precipitation events and performed as expected, thereby eliminating the problems, that they had previously another mitigation success story is from Plymouth, New Hampshire. So, they've been faced with repeated, flood- flooding that was caused by an undersized storm water collection system, the existing culverts, catch basins ,and storm water drains were inadequate to handle, even their low flow and to low to moderate runoff, and then the high velocity water moves down the street causing storm water back up through their drains and their spouts, almost as high as 2 feet. So, their mitigation project they had it in two different phases to improve their drainage problems in the downtown, and the plan was to lay 1500 ft of 24 in subsurface drainage pipe along with three drainage manholes and six catch B and the new drainage system Outlet was directed into a stabilized portion of the pamu? river and this system is designed to handle a 25-year event.

So, another mitigation success story is from Enfield New Hampshire. So, the town removed two existing 3ft diameter culverts and installed a new, concrete 38 in Span Bridge. So, prior to mitigation The Crossing was prone to over topping which caused repeative repeated Road washouts and temporary closures, now the new concrete bridge, which is that bottom photo that's the new bridge and the two top folders are, are from before mitigation, the new bridge has been tested by Major rain and precipitation events, and it is doing well. So, if you are thinking about applying for either BRIC or FMA funds, you can submit a letter of intent. It's basically, the letter of intent form it's a pretty short survey- basically it asks for your contact information, what kind of project you're thinking about, and then an opportunity to upload a document, or a couple documents. If you have more information in your project ready, you should attain obtain a dun's?? number if you don't have one already make sure your dun's??? number is registered in sam.gov??? and then make sure you have an employer identification number or Ein??? as well.

So, these are some timelines related to, BRIC and FMA. So, we're looking to have the letters of intent or Lois submitted to our office HSM by September 7th, and then we have the application start date. So, the application opens and femo on September 30th. So, you might say that we're looking for Lois??? in just a couple weeks. So, it's a quick turnaround time, but it's just a letter of intent it's just saying that this is the application you're thinking of, and then that gives us a couple weeks at HSM to reach out to you discuss your project, discuss your intent for a project, and see if it's eligible, or work with you and try to figure out what kind of project is eligible, under BRIC and FMA if it's a project like a construction project FEMA is looking for them to be pretty much shovel ready, to have those like engineering designs ready. So, that you can submit it with your BCA and when you submit your application. So, if you have a shovel ready project that's great! But if you don't, again this funding comes out, it's available annually. So, you could work on it over the next year, or a couple years and then, maybe apply for some future funding, the application opens up September 30th, and then you'll have about a month and a half to get that application submitted in femo???. So, by November 15th and then here at this state at HSM we will review view those sub applications, I'll review them make sure they're eligible, and I can make some, recommendations if we want to make it stronger and that's when we have that inter agency Hazard mitigation team review when we complete the scorecard, and then the applicant- which is New Hampshire HSEM- we will submit the applications and sub applications in Fimo, by January 29th of 2021, and then FEMA will conduct their eligibility and Technical reviews between, February and May and then they announce their Selections in June and then that period of performance, is 36, or 48 months under FMA for some projects. So, we're looking around, year 2024, for end period of performance, these are some resources available to you that I've linked, our Resource Center, the benefit cost analysis, the hazard mitigation assistance guidance, a brochure if you want to share it, with your co-workers or colleagues, to get the conversation started in your community, and then also that the new BRIC page. So, I'm going to I have a link to the resource center, from HSEM and I'm going to click on it- um, okay…. can you see- see that? Whitney my, webpage it's not showing up again? Okay, let's See… okay.

So, this is the resource center, our Hazard mitigation assistance page. So, here's a link to submit your letter of intent, and then also we have links to BRIC and FMA. So, if you click on BRIC, and then you scroll down, I've linked the notice of funding opportunity, if you want to read that a fact sheet for the notice of funding opportunity for 2020 and then all the support materials that FEMA has provided as well, so, information on building codes project scoping, this featured guide mitigation action portfolio, it, it includes some information about successful mitigation projects across the country, yeah, and you can go return back and if you scroll down, same thing with the flood mitigation assistance. You can click on that, and I've linked the notice of funding opportunity, and the not- notice a funding opportunity fact sheet, and then I will jump back to the PowerPoint.

Okay and, this is my contact information, myself: I've included my work number and also my, work cell phone number and my email address, this is the mitigation planning email- and then you're also welcome to contact your HSM field representative as well. So, this is the end of the formal portion of the webinar. So, I'm going to stop recording now.