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Hazard Mitigation

What is Mitigation?

Hazard mitigation is defined as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property from a hazard event. Mitigation planning is a process for systematically identifying policies, activities and tools that can be used to implement those actions. This process has four steps: organizing resources, assessing risks, developing a mitigation plan, and implementing the plan and monitoring progress.

Programs

Maryland State Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Maryland State Hazard Mitigation Program

Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, enacted under 104 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all states to have an approved State Mitigation Plan which meets all requirements in order to receive federal mitigation assistance.

The current State Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved by FEMA on August 25 2011. The State Mitigation Plan by law must be updated and resubmitted to FEMA for review and approval every three years. All states must comply with the three-year plan review, update and approval process in order to remain eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds and Public Assistance funds authorized under Categories C through H.

Maryland's Flood Hazard Mitigation Program

Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) flood hazard mitigation program helps communities identify their flooding risks, and through a variety of programs, assist them in achieving environmental goals. MDE’s flood mitigation programs work with communities in finding ways to reduce / eliminate risks to personal safety and property.

The State of Maryland's Coordinating Office for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is in the Nontidal Wetlands and Waterways Division of the Water Management Administration of MDE.

In order to participate in the NFIP, local communities must adopt and enforce a floodplain management ordinance containing minimum requirements specified by federal law, which apply in floodplain areas mapped by FEMA. In addition, the ordinance should reflect State laws and policies. The Coordinating Office assists communities in adopting, interpreting, and properly enforcing their floodplain management ordinances under the Community Assistance Program, and facilitates the coordination of federal, State, and local programs.