United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Fund Low Impact Development/
Green Infrastructure Projects with
FEMA Grants for Flood Mitigation
EPA promotes the use of Low Impact Development (LID) and Green Infrastructure (Gl) as
a cost-effective and resilient approach to stormwater management. LID/GI provides many
community benefits including cleaner water, wildlife habitat, enhanced aesthetics, and can
be designed to supplement localized or watershed flood protection. LID/GI projects that
reduce flood losses to properties insured under the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) may be eligible for grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA).
Where LID/GI Fits in FEMA's Grant Programs
LID/GI projects fit under the category "Minor Localized Flood Reduction Projects,"
including rain gardens, roadside swales, and infiltration trenches. The "Soil Stabilization"
category includes vegetative buffers or other efforts, such as an LID/GI program, that
reduce stream erosion. Minor localized flood reduction projects based on LID/GI may
be eligible for funding under FEMA's mitigation grant programs. These projects lessen
the frequency or severity of flooding and decrease flood damages. This designation can
include a system of LID/GI-based stormwater management devices that reduce runoff
volumes by infiltration, evapotranspiration, or storage of rainwater for beneficial uses, as
long as the system demonstrably reduces the extent of flooding. These projects must not
duplicate flood prevention activities of other Federal agencies and may not constitute a
section of a larger flood control system. Eligible minor localized flood reduction efforts
include measures that reduce flood losses for single structures or facilities, utilities or
roads and bridges, groups of structures, or entire neighborhoods. Therefore, LID/GI
may be an effective addition to conventional flood risk management. Hazard mitigation
planning-related activities are also eligible for HMA funding, including updating or
enhancing sections of the current FEMA-approved mitigation plan to incorporate climate
adaptation, green building, or smart growth principles, including LID/GI principles, into the
risk assessment and mitigation strategy.
If the LID/GI project is on the property being proposed for acquisition through
FEMA funding, environmental benefits may be included in the benefit-cost analysis.
Environmental benefits are considered only for acquisition projects at this time. A property
is eligible for acquisition if it will be acquired from a voluntary seller, contains a structure
that may or may not have been damaged or destroyed as a result of a hazard event,
and the underlying land use is deed-restricted to open space in perpetuity. By proposing
LID/GI design for the land, it may be possible to increase the environmental benefits
and demonstrate cost effectiveness to obtain funding from FEMA or other co-sponsors
for acquisition.
A new FEMA policy now encourages the monetary benefits of the ecosystem services
of LID/GI to be included in the project benefit cost ratio (BCR), which can help make
an acquisition project viable. Green open space and riparian land uses qualify for
these environmental benefits, but the project must meet a BCR of at least 0.75 before
environmental benefits can be included.
LID/GI in State or Local
Hazard Mitigation Plans
Incorporating watershed-based LID/
Gl into a State Hazard Mitigation
Plan may help achieve "Enhanced"
plan status for Integrated Planning
for Land Use Development and
Natural/Cultural Resources. This
enhancement might include large-
scale projects such as a statewide
data registry prioritizing floodplain
and wetland restoration, or policies
on land development that discourage
excess runoff. Local hazard mitigation
plans should also consider how LID/
Gl practices can be incorporated as a
means to reduce flood risk.
Photo: Melissa Kramer
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FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)
FEMA's HMA grant programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce
disaster losses and protect life and property from future disasters. Currently, there are
three programs:
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) assists in implementing long-term hazard
mitigation measures following a major disaster.
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) provides funds for hazard mitigation projects and
planning on an annual application cycle.
• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) provides funds for projects to reduce or eliminate
the risk of flood damage to buildings that are insured under the NFIP on an annual
application cycle.
Eligibility and Applications
States, territories, and Tribes are eligible to apply for HMA program funds. Local
governments are considered sub-applicants and must apply to their State Hazard
Mitigation Officer. Applicants for PDM and FMA grants must have a FEMA-approved
(Standard or Enhanced) Mitigation Plan. Local governments may sponsor an
individual's application.
Funding availability
HMA funding is subject to the availability of appropriations. For HMGP, funding is
dependent upon the amount of FEMA disaster recovery assistance under a Presidential
major disaster declaration.
Federal share
In general, HMA funds may be used to pay up to 75 percent of the eligible activity costs.
The remaining 25 percent must come from non-Federal sources.
For additional information:
Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance:
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/103279
FEMA Benefit-Cost Analysis: https://www.fema.gov/benefit-cost-analysis
For your local FEMA office: www.fema.gov/regional-contact-information
Contact information for each State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO):
http://www.fema.gov/state-hazard-mitigation-officers
Green Open Space
and Riparian Benefits
Total Total
Estimated Estimated
Benefits Benefits1
(per acre (per square
per year) foot)
Green Open
Space
Riparian
$7,853
$37,493
$2.57
$12.29
1 Projected for 100 years
with 7 percent discount rate
(Source: HMA Guidance)
Environmental benefits
now included in benefit-cost
analysis
For acquisition projects, FEMA has
identified and quantified benefits that
LID/GI features provide, including
aesthetic value, air quality, erosion
control, pollination, recreation, water
filtration, and stormwater retention.
The benefit-cost ratio (BCR) for an
acquisition project must be 0.75
before the environmental benefits can
be incorporated. The economic value
of green open space and of riparian
areas has been quantified in the 2015
HMA Guidance (page 66, Table 4).
MlTIGATK N
SUCCESS
Contact information:
Contact your local government or tribal authority, or private non-profit, who would submit any grant application to
the State or Federally-recognized tribe. States, Tribes, and Territories submit to FEMA as the official applicants.
United States Environmental Protection Agency • Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20460
EPA 841-F-15-007 • September 2015
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