Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Policy and HMA-Related Policy
Keep up with the latest developments and find out what's new in HMA policy. Follow the links below to view or download current HMA policies as well as policies of other Mitigation divisions that affect HMA funding.
HMA Policy Publications
The following policies guide project-type requirements and general eligibility requirements under the HMA programs.
HMA-Related Policy Publications
The following Mitigation Directorate polices directly impact HMA funding availability and project eligibility.
HMA Archive
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Policies in effect for declarations prior to June 1, 2009
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Policies in effect for declarations prior to October 1, 1999
Current HMA Policy Publications
Safe Room Policy
The FEMA Mitigation Safe Room Policy provides guidance on the use of HMA funding for extreme wind mitigation activities including safe rooms under the Pre-Disaster Mitigation program (PDM) and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
- Mitigation Interim Policy, MRR-2-09-1, "Hazard Mitigation Assistance for Safe Rooms" - 04/30/2009 (PDF 3.5 MB)
Wildfire Policy
The FEMA Mitigation Wildfire policy establishes the requirements for wildfire mitigation projects for the HMGP and PDM programs in accordance with sections 203 and 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207.
- MRR-2-08-1 Wildfire Mitigation Policy for the HMGP and PDM - 09/08/2008 ( PDF 1.5 MB)
- Update of Wildfire Mitigation Policy - 09/08/2008
Cost-Effectiveness
Mitigation projects must be cost-effective to receive HMA funding. Demonstration of cost-effectiveness occurs with a FEMA-validated benefit-cost analysis. The following cost-effectiveness documents provide guidance on topics including: substantial damage waiver, inclusion and exclusion of Federal and local costs of environmental review in cost-effectiveness evaluations, aggregation, and the current alternative determination of cost-effectiveness methodology.
- BCA Guidance on Purchase of Structures in Regulatory Riverine Floodways - 09/27/1996
- HMGP: Inclusion/Exclusion of Federal and Local Costs in Cost Effectiveness Evaluation - 12/24/1996
- Guidance for 2009 Alternative Determination of Cost-Effectiveness for Eligible Insured Repetitive Loss Properties - 11/26/2008
HMA-Related Policy Publications
Environmental and Historic Preservation
The following policies set forth requirements for environmental and historic review of HMA projects.
- NEPA FEMA Implementation – NEPA Desk Reference
- Environmental Policy No; 1: CATEX Acquisition of Damaged Properties; Implementation of E.O. 12898 - 4/18/1994 (PDF 32 KB)
- Environmental Policy No. 2 - Other Agency Clearance for Environmental Assessments - 5/24/1994 (PDF 25 KB)
- Environmental Policy No. 3 - Policy for Projects Initiated Without Environmental Review - 3/24/1995 (PDF 33 KB)
Mitigation Planning
FEMA mitigation planning requirements affect the availability of HMA funding and HMA project eligibility. The following policies describe these requirements.
- Mitigation Planning Memorandum (MT-PL) #1: Disaster Declaration Procedures After May 1, 2005 for States Without an Approved State Mitigation Plan - 4/13/2005
- Mitigation Planning Memorandum (MT-PL) #1A: Implementation Procedures for States, Territories, and Indian Tribal Governments Without an Approved State Mitigation Plan - Follow-up Guidance (Attachment) - 5/2/2005
- Mitigation Planning Memorandum (MT-PL) #2: Guidance for FEMA Regional Directors Regarding Extraordinary Circumstances under which an HMGP Project may be awarded to Local Jurisdictions without an Approved Local Mitigation Plan - 10/28/2005
- Mitigation Planning Memorandum (MT-PL) #3: Mitigation Planning after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita - 10/28/2005
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #-5: Guidance to FEMA Regions and States for Updating Standard State Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plans - 11/6/2006
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #6: Approval of Enhanced State Mitigation Plans - 12/28/2006
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #7: Blue Book Guidance to FEMA Regions and States for New and Updated Enhanced State Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plans - 7/10/2007
- Mitigation Planning Memorandum (MT-PL) #8: Obligation of Grants to States, Territories and Indian Tribal Governments with Expired Hazard Mitigation Plans - 11/14/2007
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #8A: Sample Language to include in Letter to Governor about Expiring State Plans (Attachment) - 11/14/2007
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #9: Implementation of State Mitigation Plan Requirement for Severe Repetitive Loss Strategy - 1/11/2008
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #10: Obligation of Grants for Local and Indian Tribal Governments with Expired Hazard Mitigation Plans - 2/20/2008
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #10A: Sample Language for Letter to State Emergency Management Director from FEMA Region Regarding Expiring Local and Tribal Mitigation Plans (Attachment) - 2/20/2008
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #11: Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance - 7/1/2008
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #11A: Mitigation Plan Requirements Effective October 1, 2008 (Attachment) - 8/20/2008
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #12: Communications on Plan Review Status - 2/27/2009
- Mitigation Planning (MT-PL) Memorandum #12A: Plan Review Correspondence (Attachment) - 2/27/2009
Risk Insurance
The National Flood Insurance Program provides Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage to assist payment for the cost of compliance with State or local floodplain management laws or ordinances. Terms of ICC assistance are addressed in the following policies.
- Waiver of Two Year Limit for ICC - 3/14/2006
- Assignment of Increased Cost of Compliance Claims (ICC) - 1/16/2007
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