State, local, tribal and territorial governments rely on Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) planning grants to create a robust mitigation planning process. This process engages partners and stakeholders to identify and implement actions to improve community resilience.
Hazard mitigation planning is foundational for mitigation and resilience investments. Mitigation plans are strategic documents, updated every five years, to guide hazard mitigation programs to reduce risk over the long-term, such as over the lifespan of a community asset. Mitigation is most effective when it is integrated with comprehensive, long-term community and economic planning before a hazard event occurs.
The purpose of mitigation planning is to identify state, local, tribal and territorial government policies, programs and actions that can be implemented to reduce risk and future losses, over the long term, from future hazard events. These mitigation policies, programs and actions are identified by assessing natural hazards and their risks to and the vulnerability of people, property, infrastructure and the economy, while involving a wide range of stakeholders in the planning process. The planning process evolves into a comprehensive mitigation strategy that reduces the identified risks. Therefore, the mitigation strategy section of the plan identifies a range of specific mitigation actions and activities. This section includes an action plan describing how identified mitigation activities will be prioritized, implemented and administered.[345]
In summary, a mitigation plan demonstrates the commitment to reduce risks and vulnerabilities from natural hazards and serves as a strategic guide for a wide range of decision-makers as they commit public or private resources to increasing individual and community resilience.
Regulations outline the following types of plans for which the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued mitigation planning guidance:
- State mitigation plan: 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 201.4; and FEMA Policy FP 302-094-2: State Mitigation Plan Review Guide (March 6, 2015) and State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide (April 19, 2022) which will supersede the 2015 edition as of April 19, 2023.
- Enhanced state mitigation plan: 44 CFR § 201.5 and FEMA Policy FP 302-094-2: State Mitigation Plan Review Guide (March 6, 2015) and State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide (April 19, 2022) which will supersede the 2015 edition as of April 19, 2023.
- Tribal mitigation plan: 44 CFR § 201.7 and FEMA Policy FP 306-112-1: Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide (Dec. 5, 2017).
- Enhanced tribal mitigation plan: 44 CFR § 201.5, 44 CFR § 201.7 and FEMA Policy FP 306-112-1: Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide (Dec. 5, 2017).
- Local mitigation plan: 44 CFR § 201.6; FEMA guidance: Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide (Oct. 1, 2011); and FEMA Policy FP-206-21-0002: Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide (April 19, 2022) which will supersede the 2011 Local Mitigation Plan Review Guide as of April 19, 2023.
To apply for and receive assistance under any HMA program, applicants and subapplicants generally must have an approved mitigation plan that meets all regulatory, HMA policy and mitigation planning policy requirements.[346]
In addition to having a mitigation plan that meets the requirements, states and tribes may develop enhanced plans. To obtain enhanced plan status, states and tribes must demonstrate to FEMA the ability to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to mitigation, the ability to effectively use available resources to reduce risks and increase resilience, and the capability to manage increased Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assistance.
HMA programs also provide assistance for planning-related activities. Planning-related activities assist state, local, tribal and territorial governments in updating their mitigation strategies after a disaster, enhancing the current plan with new data or information, delivering planning-related training, adopting land use ordinances to increase resilience, and integrating mitigation plans into other planning efforts.