EPA Announces New Funding for Underserved Communities
EPA announced the availability of $30 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for restoration projects that advance environmental justice in underserved and overburdened communities across the Great Lakes. EPA has published a request for applications for the newly created Great Lakes Environmental Justice Grant Program that will fund implementation of environmental protection and restoration projects that will further the goals of GLRI in communities with environmental justice concerns. EPA will host a webinar on the request on Tuesday May 23, 2023. Applications are being accepted through Friday August 11, 2023.
FEMA Publishes Webinar on State and Local Mitigation Policy Guides
The Natural Hazards Center has published a webinar on FEMA's updated State and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guides, which are in effect as of April 2023. The recent policy changes require a more systematic focus on reducing disaster risk among disadvantaged and underserved communities, calling for greater community engagement in the planning process and more robust use of social vulnerability indicators in risk assessments. The webinar provides an overview of the changes to FEMA's mitigation planning policies, a summary of resources on effective risk communication and partnership-building, and preliminary research results regarding the inclusion of social vulnerability and vulnerable populations in State Hazard Mitigation Plans.
Funding for 17 New EPA Technical Assistance Centers Announced
EPA announced the selection of 17 Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Technical Assistance Centers in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy that will receive $177 million to help underserved and overburdened communities across the country access funds from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, including historic investments to advance environmental justice.
EPA Releases Self-Guided Training on Hazard Mitigation and Water Quality
EPA’s Nonpoint Source program, alongside EPA’s Watershed Academy released a web-based training “Creating Co-Benefits Through Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management.” This training was developed with review and feedback from partners at FEMA and supports water quality and hazard mitigation professionals in integrating water quality issues, water resource management, and nature-based practices into state or local Hazard Mitigation Plans.
FEMA Releases New Hazard Mitigation Planning Policies to Address Future Risk
FEMA National Mitigation Planning Program's next generation of the State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide and Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide / Guía de políticas de planificación de mitigación a nivel local went into effect on April 19, 2023. The policies reinforce resilience as a Whole Community effort. The policies position mitigation planning to be integrated with other complementary community actions, such as climate adaptation, resilience and sustainability planning initiatives. These efforts build state and local capabilities and help jurisdictions plan for long-term risk reduction, climate change and more-equitable outcomes.
EPA Launches New Webpage on State Revolving Loan Funds and BIL
The State Revolving Funds (SRFs) have been the successful foundation of water infrastructure investments, with states, Tribes, and territories working to steward more than $200 billion in SRF funds since 1988. That is why the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocates most of these water infrastructure dollars—$43 billion—through the Clean Water and Drinking Water SRFs. Distributing this investment through the SRFs allows states maximum flexibility to be creative and responsive to their communities' specific needs and challenges. To procure Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, each state must publish an Intended Use Plan and then apply for funding. Each state can access five different BIL funding streams: Clean Water SRF General Supplemental funding, Clean Water SRF Emerging Contaminants funding, Drinking Water SRF General Supplemental funding, Drinking Water SRF Emerging Contaminants funding, and Drinking Water SRF Lead Service Line Replacement funding. Because each state manages these funds differently, statuses may vary across states and funding categories. Check out the new webpage to learn more about your state’s funding status.
Call for Abstracts for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Partners Workshop
FEMA is holding their Hazard Mitigation Partners Workshop virtually October 16-19, 2023.The annual gathering of hazard mitigation stakeholders is an opportunity to share updates about mitigation grants and floodplain management, build stronger partnerships, and collaborate with FEMA.Topics will focus on building mitigation champions, driving community resiliency, providing technical assistance for grant programs, and supporting overall mitigation. In line with key workshop themes, there is interest in abstracts highlighting efforts to reach or build capacity within disadvantaged communities.The call for abstracts is open until Monday, May 15, 2023.
Coastal Program Announces 2023 New Hampshire Coastal Resilience Grant Request for Applications
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) Coastal Program is soliciting 2023 Coastal Resilience Grant (CRG) applications for coastal resilience projects. The CRG funding opportunity supports projects that build capacity, advance planning, and develop designs to increase coastal resilience, with specific focus on community and/or habitat resilience. Applications are due May 26, 2023. Learn more here.
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