CHMS CHMS Funding & Grant Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program?
- Funding evacuation route improvements
- Funding projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under NFIP (Correct answer)
- Providing flood insurance premium subsidies
- Building new levees in coastal communities
Correct answer: Funding projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under NFIP
FMA funds mitigation projects specifically targeting NFIP-insured properties to reduce repetitive flood losses and lower program costs.
Question 2: Under HMGP, which project type generally receives the highest priority for federal funding?
- New park construction in floodplains
- Property acquisition (buyouts) in hazard-prone areas (Correct answer)
- Commercial building facade improvements
- Tourism infrastructure upgrades
Correct answer: Property acquisition (buyouts) in hazard-prone areas
Property acquisition permanently removes structures from hazard-prone areas, eliminating future losses and is among FEMA's most cost-effective mitigation investments.
Question 3: What is the maximum HMGP funding available to a state following a major disaster declaration?
- A fixed $10 million cap per disaster
- Up to 15% of total federal disaster assistance estimated for the disaster (Correct answer)
- Whatever the state requests, with no cap
- 50% of the declared disaster's infrastructure costs
Correct answer: Up to 15% of total federal disaster assistance estimated for the disaster
HMGP funding is calculated as up to 15% of the total federal assistance estimate for the disaster (20% for Enhanced Mitigation Plan states).
Question 4: What qualifies a state for the enhanced 20% HMGP funding level instead of the standard 15%?
- Having a population over 5 million
- Having a FEMA-approved Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan (Correct answer)
- Maintaining zero NFIP claims for 5 years
- Completing 10 previous HMGP projects successfully
Correct answer: Having a FEMA-approved Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plan
States with FEMA-approved Enhanced State Hazard Mitigation Plans qualify for the higher 20% HMGP cap, incentivizing stronger planning efforts.
Question 5: Which federal law authorizes FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program?
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Correct answer)
- National Flood Insurance Act
- Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
Correct answer: Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
The Stafford Act (Section 404) is the primary federal law authorizing HMGP and establishing FEMA's authority to provide disaster assistance.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a 'match waiver' in FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs?
- To allow states to skip environmental review requirements
- To reduce or eliminate the non-federal cost-share requirement for communities with limited financial capacity (Correct answer)
- To extend the grant performance period without penalty
- To allow grant funds to be used for administrative costs only
Correct answer: To reduce or eliminate the non-federal cost-share requirement for communities with limited financial capacity
Match waivers help economically disadvantaged communities participate in mitigation programs by reducing or eliminating their required cost-share contribution.
CHMS CHMS Funding & Grant Management 2
What is the primary purpose of the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program?