Public Notice Major Disaster Declaration FEMA-4305-DR-CA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is giving public notice of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declaration FEMA-4305-DR-CA.  FEMA is also giving public notice that, in some cases, it may provide financial assistance for activities that may affect historic properties, may be located in or affect wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and/or may involve critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. 

The President declared a major disaster for the State of California on March 16, 2017, as a result of the Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, and Mudslides (“incident”) that occurred on January 18, 2017 to January 23, 2017, pursuant to his authority under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Pub. L. No. 93-288 (1974) (codified as amended at 42 U.S.C. § 5121 et seq.) (“Stafford Act”).  This declaration, numbered FEMA-4305-DR-CA, authorized the Public Assistance Grant Program for El Dorado, Kern, Los Angeles, Mendocino, Napa, Orange, Riverside, Sacramento, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Trinity, Tuolumne, and Yolo Counties and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program statewide.  Public Assistance may also be authorized for additional counties at a later date. 

The Public Assistance Grant Program is authorized by Sections 403, 406, and 407 of the Stafford Act.  FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Public Assistance Program for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to perform debris removal, emergency protective measures, and permanent restoration of facilities damaged or destroyed by the incident.  In the case of permanent restoration of damaged or destroyed facilities, FEMA may provide financial assistance for the restoration of facilities to their pre-disaster condition, in conformity with applicable codes and standards, and including hazard mitigation measures to reduce the effects of future flooding or other hazards.  A “facility” is any built or manufactured building, works, system, or equipment, or an improved and maintained natural feature.  Land used for agricultural purposes is not a facility. 

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is authorized by Section 404 of the Stafford Act.  Under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, FEMA may provide financial assistance for the State of California, local and Indian tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to take mitigation measures during the recovery from the major disaster to reduce the risk of damage, hardship, loss or suffering resulting from future disasters.