Typically, a national panel comprised of FEMA headquarters and regional mitigation planning staff reviews the state’s initial request for delegation of local mitigation plan review approval.
After review of the request is completed and FEMA determines the state’s past performance is adequate, FEMA mitigation planners and the state will conduct a joint review of local mitigation plans. The intent is to ensure a common understanding of the process and that procedures related to local mitigation plan review and approval are completed in accordance with the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide.[504] There are several sections of the Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool (Appendix A of the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide), such as the Plan Assessment, that are completed by FEMA and will have to be completed by the state.
The joint reviews are intended to provide technical assistance in completing these sections. The length of the joint review period will be negotiated between FEMA and the state. The joint reviews are intended for the first plans approved under the agreement or may involve reviewing past plans when new plan submissions are not available.
If states request delegation of local mitigation plan approvals, they are expected to complete the following activities:
- States will review and approve local mitigation plans within 45 calendar days of receipt, whenever possible.
- States will notify FEMA when a local mitigation plan is adopted and approved and provide the following items to FEMA:
- Copy of the local mitigation plan.
- Copy of the completed Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool.
- Copies of the adoption resolutions or documentation.
- State’s approval notification.
- Local jurisdiction’s contact information.
- States will be required to send monthly updates to the FEMA regional mitigation planning office, describing plan approval status, the status of plan reviews, technical assistance activities and scheduled training. States will also update the Mitigation Planning Portal if delegated permission from the FEMA regional mitigation planning office.
FEMA will continue to send final approval letters in accordance with the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide.