Nev. Gov. Notes FEMA Approval of State’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn announced that the State of Nevada Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

With approval of the plan, Gov. Guinn has signed an Executive Order adopting Nevada’s plan. Under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 passed by the U.S. Congress, all states and local jurisdictions are required to prepare a multi-hazard mitigation plan for potential hazards, with the specific intent of defining actions that will save lives and protect property.

“The Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will help communities throughout our state plan for and respond to disaster, whenever they may occur,” Gov. Guinn said. “Also, approval of the plan ensures the continued availability within the State of Nevada of non-emergency Stafford Act funding including Pre-Disaster Mitigation planning/project grants, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program planning/project grants, Fire Management Assistance Grants and Public Assistance categories and other requirements of the particular program under which the application is submitted.”

The state’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan will reportedly result in four main benefits: 1) Continued eligibility for permanent repair and restoration work for disaster-caused damage to public facilities such as schools, municipal water systems and fire stations; 2) Continued eligibility for fire management assistance grants to help the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and local agencies to help pay for the costs of fighting wildfires that threaten lives, property, critical facilities, watersheds, and are beyond the response capabilities of state and local governments; 3) Continued eligibility for Flood Mitigation Assistance and Pre-Disaster Mitigation programs. Since 1988, the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program has provided nearly $1.5 million in federal and match funds to help the state and local communities reduce flood damage; 4) Continued eligibility for Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. Under this program, Nevada is eligible for an addition 7.5 percent of total funding received for public assistance for hazard mitigation activities upon the President’s signing of a Presidential Disaster Declaration.