Develop a Rebuilding Plan: Knowing your program and funding options is vital

DISASTERRECOVERY TODAY .COM D I S A S T E R R E C O V E R Y T O D A Y repairing the damaged facility to its pre-disaster design or to the actual costs of completing the Alternate Project, whichever is less. These funds cannot be used for operating costs or to meet the state or local share requirement on other public assistance projects or projects that utilize other federal grants, but may be used for capital projects such as facilities or equipment. Alternate Project funds may also be used for hazard mitigation projects, including construction of physical facilities, development of regulations, or other activities that would otherwise be eligible through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program under Section 404 of the Stafford Act. Alternate Projects for eligible private non-profit (PNP) applicants must be for facilities that would be eligible for assistance under Section 406 of the Stafford Act. All Alternate Projects must be approved by FEMA prior to construction . FEMAmust ensure that the proposed project represents an appropriate use of funds and complies with applicable environmental and historical preservation laws. Regardless of whether an applicant is leaning toward an Improved or Alternate Project, it is imperative to work closely with the state and FEMA to develop the proper project cap. Section 406 Hazard Mitigation Even when an applicant determines that a facility should be repaired to pre-existing design and capacity, there may be an opportunity to make improvements to the facility that reduce or eliminate the possibility of similar damages from a future event. For example, if a single culvert has flooded out, hazard mitigation funding would allow that culvert to be converted into a double culvert to prevent future flooding. These sorts of improvements are provided for under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act and are further articulated in FEMA Policy 9526.1: a. Section 406 provides discretionary authority to fund mitigation measures in conjunction with the repair of damaged facilities. The mitigation measures must be related to eligible disaster-related damages and must directly reduce the potential of future, similar disaster damages to the eligible facility. These opportunities usually present themselves during the repair/ replacement efforts. Alternate Project funds may also be used for hazard mitigation projects, including construction of physical facilities, development of regulations, or other activities that would otherwise be eligible through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program . . .