Grants Available for Idaho’s Second Federal Disaster Declaration this Year

Release Date Release Number
001
Release Date:
May 30, 2017

BOISE, Idaho – The Idaho Office of Emergency Management (IOEM) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are working together to expedite grants to northern and north central Idaho communities affected by storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides in March.

A recent federal disaster declaration designated eight counties eligible for FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program: Bonner, Boundary, Clearwater, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Shoshone and Valley counties. The incident period for this declaration is March 6-28.

“As this is the second major disaster declaration for Idaho in connection with this year’s especially severe weather FEMA is already on the ground and working with us to assist the newly designated counties,” said IOEM Deputy Chief Brad Richy.

IOEM emergency management specialists, with support from FEMA, are scheduling Applicant Briefings in these eight counties to provide an overview of FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program to potential applicants. They will also brief applicants about FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which helps fund projects to reduce and prevent damage from future disasters with the goal of breaking the cycle of damage, repair and repeat damage.  

The previous federal declaration was made on April 21 for severe storms and flooding that took place Feb. 5-27. It provides PA grants to Bingham, Cassia, Elmore, Franklin, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Twin Falls and Washington counties. This declaration also provides grants under HMGP.

“With the personnel and processes already in place, we are building on those relationships to provide prompt assistance to all eligible applicants,” said FEMA’s Federal Coordinating Officer Timothy Manner. “IOEM and FEMA will act quickly to establish joint offices in northern Idaho to better serve our applicants in those counties.”

The PA program helps reimburse eligible state agencies, local and tribal governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations for costs incurred as a result of the disaster. These costs may cover the removal and disposal of disaster-related debris, emergency measures taken to protect lives and property and for the repair and rebuilding of roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, parks and recreational facilities.

Potential applicants for PA for the March 6-28 declaration must file a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) by June 19. The deadline for the Feb. 5-27 declaration was May 22. For questions about the PA program or completed RPA forms email IOEMRecovery@imd.idaho.gov.

Potential HMGP applicants for the March 6-28 declaration must submit a Letter of Intent to IOEM by June 19. The deadline for the Feb. 5-27 declaration was May 22. This is the first step in getting funding for mitigation projects. For questions about HMGP, contact Mitigation2017@imd.idaho.gov.

HMGP projects in the designated counties will be considered first by IOEM. If available funds from those counties are not committed, IOEM will extend grant opportunities to entities throughout the state.

FEMA reimburses PA and HMGP applicants for at least 75 percent of their eligible expenses, while the other 25 percent is the nonfederal share. The federal portion is paid directly to the state, which then makes disbursements to the local and tribal jurisdictions and organizations that incurred costs.

State disaster recovery information is available on the IOEM website at ioem.idaho.gov . More information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program can be found at www.fema.gov/public-assistance-local-state-tribal-and-non-profit. More information about hazard mitigation is available at www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.

Additional information on the specific declarations: www.fema.gov/disaster/4310 and www.fema.gov/disaster/4313.

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