Hazard Mitigation Planning for States

The State's Role in Hazard Mitigation Planning

State, local, tribal and territorial leaders use the mitigation planning process to understand their natural hazard risks and develop long-term strategies to reduce risk, using a wide range of resources. Hazard mitigation is most effective when it is based on a comprehensive, long-term mitigation plan that is developed before a disaster. State mitigation plans demonstrate the state's commitment to reducing the impacts of natural hazards on its populations, buildings and infrastructure. This plan reduces risk to key state assets over the long term. It also provides local jurisdictions with critical information and guidance regarding the state's risks, capabilities, priorities and action plans. These can help the jurisdictions develop their own hazard mitigation plans. States are responsible for:

• Updating their hazard mitigation plan every five years as a condition for receiving non-emergency assistance under the Stafford Act.
• Supporting the development of local and, as applicable,tribal mitigation plans.
• Completing the initial review and coordination of local and, as applicable, tribal mitigation plans.
• Communicating plan status and expiration dates to local and, as applicable, tribal governments.

A state must have a mitigation plan to receive certain kinds of non-emergency disaster assistance. These include FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs, Public Assistance funds (non-emergency permanent work), Fire Management Assistance Grants, and Rehabilitation of High-Hazard Potential Dam grants. For more details, visit Mitigation Planning and Grants.

State Mitigation Planning Requirements

State mitigation plans follow the same basic formula: organize the planning process and resources; assess risks; develop a mitigation strategy; and adopt and implement the plan. Because state plans set the overall direction for mitigation statewide, they have a number of required elements. These are described in the table below.

The state must also meet specific requirements to be eligible for funding under the High Hazard Potential Dam grant program or to obtain the enhanced status necessary to receive additional Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding. Enhanced status denotes the state has developed a comprehensive mitigation program and is capable of managing increased funding for its mitigation goals. For detailed guidance on the components of a FEMA-approved state hazard mitigation plan, please see FEMA's State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide.

State Planning Guidance and Training

FEMA provides a variety of guidance, resources and training to help states develop hazard mitigation plans.

• The State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide is a resource for plan developers to consult during plan updates, to ensure they meet the state plan requirements needed for FEMA approval.
• IS-329: State Mitigation Planning is a self-pace online course that gives state officials an opportunity to understand the policies and procedures for state mitigation planning. The L-329: State Mitigation Planning Workshop is an in-depth, two day state mitigation planning course. If you are interested in this course or any other training, contact the appropriate FEMA regional office.