I want to thank all the entities who have taken the time and have submitted their Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Letters of Intent (LOI) for the September 2020 Wildfire disaster declaration, 4562.  Our team is currently reviewing all the submitted LOI’s and will be contacting entities with their initial review results.  There has been a lot of activity occurring in the mitigation world and our team wanted to provide an update. 

• Competitive process initiated for Disaster 4562 (September 2020 Wildfires) HMGP For those who have been advised and for those who will receive word to submit a sub-application, I wanted to provide you an update on what the next steps would be.  As advised in previous emails and coordination calls, it was expected that we would exceed the amount allocated for 4562 HMGP which at its six-month estimate, was just over $115 Million in federal funds.  It is amazing to see and read about all the great mitigation work that could be done in Oregon!  In those same communications, it was advised that the Mitigation Team would initiate the Interagency Hazard Mitigation Team (IHMT) competitive process to determine which of those submitted sub-application projects will be selected to move forward.  Of the federal funding breakdown between categories – Projects, Planning, 5% Initiative, and Advance Assistance – we only overran the Project category.
  This means that:
  - If your entity submitted a Project LOI, your subapplication will be placed in the IHMT pile for review.  This review will take place shortly after the 4562 subapplication deadline, which is January 29, 2022.
  ​​​​​​​- If your entity submitted a LOI(s) for Planning, 5% Initiative, or Advanced Assistance, your subapplication will not need IHMT review, and we will go ahead with processing these subapplications as we receive them (you may submit at any time)

Our team will be conducting sub-application webinars beginning in late August to discuss the details that will be needed for sub-applications to include guidance on required forms. These webinars will be recorded and posted on the OEM Mitigation website. As always, please let us know if you have any questions or need assistance.  Our FEMA teams have been extended to assist entities in their subapplications as well. 

• Upcoming Training!  As a reminder, the OEM team in partnership with our FEMA partners are hosting upcoming HMA virtual training opportunities.  Be sure to register!   (see attached flyer for course information, target audience, and registration/application information):
  Hazard Mitigation Assistance: Benefit Cost Analysis (must register)
  - September 14-15, 2021 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (PDT)
  Hazard Mitigation Assistance: Application Review, Project Implementation, and Closeout (must register)
  - October 12-13, 2021 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (PST)
• BRIC 2021 is coming soon.  We still do not have an exact date, but for those interested in applying for BRIC 2021, please see attached document on how the 2020 projects were scored.  Although we anticipate some variations in 2021 funding, we anticipate similar scoring metrics.  Let our team know there are any BRIC questions.  Currently, we know that BRIC 2021 is set at $1 Billion but are not sure what the state set aside is. 
• The Biden Administration announced today $3.46 Billion is being allocated to states.  Please see the attached press release which partially states, “With the growing climate change crisis facing the nation, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) will provide funding for states, tribes, and territories to maximize their investment in mitigation measures that result in safer and more resilient communities and reduce effects of climate change.  This new funding will allow communities across the nation to enhance mitigation and take steps that will foster greater resilience and reduce disaster suffering as severe weather continues to disproportionately affect vulnerable communities.
  - We will be working with our FEMA Region X partners to learn more about this allocation and additional details soon to follow. 

Stephen Richardson
Mitigation and Individual Assistance
Section Manager
Oregon Office of Emergency Management
Office (503) 378-3316
Cell (971) 332-0005
stephen.j.richardson@mil.state.or.us