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must first pass through Honolulu before being shipped to other island ports. This makes the port of Honolulu essential for both the state's economic wellbeing, and critical for providing relief during disasters. To help insure the port will remain opera- tional during future tropical storms, Hawaii State Civil Defense joined with the State Department of Transportation, FEMA, the Matson Navigation Company and Hawaiian Electric Company to purchase emergency generators. Thanks to this partnership between the public and the private sector, Hawaiians can rest a little easier. [I: o. W .-A. : -:-:: ~__ -_- -.= -- __ Iowa's hazard mitigation program is designed to promote interagency coordination and investment in a variety of comprehensive mitigation solutions throughout the state. Much of the state's mitigation funding comes from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program, Housing and Urban Develop- ment (HUD) appropriations, and a Community Development Block Grant program administered through the Iowa Department of Economic Development. In the past few years, the state has invested a total of $47 million spread among 55 separate projects, with a long-term savings estimated to be $101 million or more. A majority of these projects are aimed at protecting facilities that provide essential public services and removing 962 structures from flood-prone areas. One good example is the Arrowsmith Development in Story County, Iowa, which has experienced four floods in the past ten years with repetitive damage claims costing the government thousands of dollars. Pooling funds from state, local and federal sources, as well as property owners, Story County, assisted through the state's HMGP funds, acquired the properties and removed the residents from harm's way. It was determined that, had the property still been occupied, the cost to taxpayers would have been as high as $542,000, not including avoided costs of warning, rescue and evacuation. Although the buy-out cost $733,000, the estimated savings in avoided future damages and displacement costs over the next 30 years is estimated to be $22 million. Meanwhile, the vacant houses now serve as classrooms and practice sites for the Iowa Fire School. The benefits to Iowa are clear. -- - -- ~ 1M. A. R. y. L. A. N. D -.,." ","" "'" --- -- -- Maryland is also learning the value of mitigation. For the past two years, the Governor's Flood Mitigation Task Force has collaborated with state, local and federal officials to encourage mitigation in Western Maryland. In fact, more than 90% of the original 93 recommendations from the Task Force's 1997 report have been or are being implemented. In addition, Maryland's Comprehensive Flood Management Grant Program, adminis- tered by the Department of the Environment, has allowed the state to increase its cost share with local communities, thus allowing additional jurisdictions to participate in mitigation projects. An additional $969,000 was obligated in fiscal 1999 to rejuve- nate the grant program, which has achieved approximately 500 property acquisitions and other eligible projects since 1980. last year, FEMA designated Allegany County as one of seven pilot Project Impact communities. Through the Project Impact initiative, Allegany County has developed successful partnerships and multiple mitigation projects for removing flood-prone structures. Maryland anticipates that the newest Project Impact tri-county region of Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's counties in Southern Maryland will build on the Allegany County example and become a team effort in leveraging resources. Thanks to such efforts, these local communities will never have to face a disaster the same way again. ~ National Emergency Management Association