Hazard Mitigation - Frequently Asked Questions for Municipalities


1) When is the last date a municipality can sign on to be a part of the Cape May County multi-jurisdictional all hazards plan?
To Be Determined by Steering Committee Go to Top

2) What does a municipality need to do in order to be included in the Cape May County multi-jurisdictional all hazards plan?
Complete Hazard ID Sheet, Identify Contacts, Letter of Intent or Resolution and participate in planning process Go to Top

3) If a municipality agrees to participate in the plan, what is expected of it?
Please review document titled Planning Partner Expectations Go to Top

4) If a municipality participates in the plan, what grant funds will become available to it?
Participation will allow the ability to apply for FEMA mitigation grant funding for eligible projects. Current expectations are for $150-200M nationwide. Once the plan is approved, the municipality will be eligible for: FMA (flood mitigation assistance), PDM-C (pre-disaster mitigation-competitive) on an annual basis and HMGP (hazard mitigation grant program) after a presidential disaster. Go to Top

5) If a municipality chooses not to participate in the plan, does it need to formally decline participation?
A letter declining participation would be preferred Go to Top

6) If a municipality chooses not to participate in the plan, what are the consequences?
The inability to apply for FEMA Mitigation grant funding.
After a presidential disaster declaration, the municipality would not be able to apply for HMGP (hazard mitigation grant program) funds that have been allocated specifically to NJ. Regardless of damages to individuals in that community, they will not be eligible to apply for the funds without an approved plan. Go to Top

7) If a municipality chooses not to participate in the plan, will it still be eligible for federal disaster recovery funds?
The municipality would be eligible only for public assistance funds. These funds would be for eligible damages to public facilities and infrastructure only. HMGP (hazard mitigation grant program) funds would NOT be eligible. Go to Top

8) If a municipality does not submit a formal letter indicating that it wishes to participate in the plan, what will happen?
A letter or Resolution is preferred. It will be the responsibility of the Steering Committee to confirm municipal participation. Go to Top

9) Can a municipality choose to adopt the plan in the future, without participating in the planning process?
Yes. The problem is that the Municipality will be responsible for writing their portion of the plan without the assistance of the consultant and other group planning resources. A municipality can not simply adopt the county plan in the future. They must write their own plan.Go to Top

10) If a municipality already has a flood mitigation plan in place, why does it need to be part of the multi-jurisdictional all hazards plan?
This is an All Hazard Pre Mitigation Plan. Having a Flood Mitigation Plan in place will reduce the workload of the municipality to supply data for All Hazards. Floodplain Management Plans qualify a community for Flood Mitigation Assistance grant funding only. All Hazard Plans qualify a community for HMGP (hazard mitigation grant program) and PDM-C (predisaster mitigation – competitive) grant funding, in addition to FMA (flood mitigation assistance) funds. Historically HMGP and PDM-C have provided substantially greater levels of funding than FMA. In addition, the municipality would be eligible for all FEMA grants including those after a presidential disaster declaration. Go to Top

11) If a municipality does not have any flooding problems, why should it participate in the multi-jurisdictional all hazards plan?
Each municipality is vulnerable to all hazards affecting this state. Wind, snow, earthquake, hurricane, landslide, tornado etc. Without a plan, they will not be eligible for funds. There are different types of Natural Hazards and this plan is not limited to flooding. HMGP and PDM funds are not limited to funding flood related projects, as is FMA funding. Go to Top

12) If a municipality cannot attend the required meetings, can it still participate?
Yes. If the effort has to be made to participate, but if the schedule presents conflicts, the committee will try to bring all parties together. Go to Top

13) If a municipality cannot attend the required meetings, can it designate a representative to act on its behalf?
Yes. This should be done with a formal agreement by the Steering Committee. Go to Top

14) In the multi-jurisdictional all hazards plan, what is the relationship between the county wide plan and the municipality specific plan?
The Municipal Plan is a piece of the County Plan. It is known as an Annex to the County Plan and will be contained in a separate part of the County Plan. Go to Top

15) How much grant money is at stake?
At this time, NJ Mitigation Squad is managing over 30 million grant dollars. You must posses a plan to be eligible for federal funds. Go to Top

16) What kinds of projects are eligible for grant money?
See document title “A Natural Hazard Mitigation Project Saves Money” Go to Top

17) How are the grants awarded?
After applications are submitted to NJOEM, Mitigation Squad,
eligibility is determined. The State Hazard Mitigation Team then reviews and prioritizes applications. All eligible applications are submitted to FEMA for possible award. Go to Top

18) If a municipality has already identified projects (say in a flood mitigation plan), can grant applications be submitted while the multi-jurisdictional all hazards grant is being created?
If a municipality is eligible to submit application under a federal mitigation grant program, the State will accept Letters of Intent prior to a complete application. (see document titled “LOI”) The state will not accept applications from a municipality that does not meet eligibility requirements.Go to Top

19) What is involved in putting together a grant application?
A lot. See document titled “LOI” Go to Top