FLOOD06186

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: North Carolina Mitigation Strategy Report
• Date: 2/1/1997
• Prepared For: North Carolina
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

Mitigation Strategy Report
FEMA-1134-DR-NC

State of North Carolina
Division of Emergency Management

Land acquisition, however, is an expensive undertaking, particularly when the property in question is
a "desirable" location for development. A less expensive measure involves the purchase of conservation
easements. The purchase of development rights enables communities to ensure that a greater amount
of property is protected from development than would be possible if the land were purchased outright
One option being considered is to encourage local governments to work with land conservancies to
purchase flood-prone properties or conservation easements. This would allow municipalities, many of
whom who have identified specific properties that are in SFHAs, to derive the necessary information
from experts who are familiar with land trust operations, Land trusts may also be able to provide
matching funds to assist local governments.

. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is authorized by Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (P.L. 93-288 as amended). It is designed to assist
State and local communities implement long-term mitigation measures following a major disaster
declaration. HMGP objectives include: preventing the future loss of lives and property due to disasters,
implementing State and local Hazard Mitigation plans, and supporting cost-effective mitigation measures
to be implemented during recovery.

The North Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan (409 Plan) is a comprehensive, all-hazards, mitigation plan
that is required by FEMA in order to receive HMGP funds. The 409 Plan evaluates the hazards in
those areas where Federal disaster relief proceeds are provided, and sets forth a plan of action to
mitigate those hazards. The Mitigation Strategy Report will be used to update the 409 Plan.

The State's Administrative Plan (404 Plan) is the mechanism through which the HMGP is administered.
The 404 Plan governs how the State selects projects that will be submilled to FEMA for recommended
approval. Projects are selected according to pre-established criteria used to rank projects in accordance
with State priorities and FEMA regulations. An important element of the prioritization process involves
the determination of public needs. Applicant needs were established using the following sources of
information:

. Community site visits;

. Discussions with County Emergency Managers and Emergency Management
Area Office Coordinators;

. The use of Geographic Information System (GIS) data;

. Field reports from Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) teams;

. Damage Survey Reports (DSRs);

. Individual Assistance Applications;

. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Applicant Briefings.

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