1. FEMA Approval of Local Hazard Mitigation Plans
Sharon Loper
Hazard Mitigation Plan Manager
DHS - FEMA Region 10

2. 44 CFR Part 201.6 Criteria Process Description Contributors
Public Involvement
Hazard Location
Hazard Extent
Previous Occurrences
Probability
Vulnerability to Assets
Impacts to Assets
Potential Loss Estimate (Optional)
Development trend analyze (Optional)
Mitigation Goals
Mitigation Objectives (Optional)
Mitigation Actions and Projects (for existing and future buildings, infrastructure, and critical facilities)
Prioritization Process
Cost/Benefit analysis
Implementation options
Administration process
Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating Process
Schedule for plan maintenance
Continued public involvement
Incorporation process with other plans
Plan adoption (documented)

3. 44 CFR Part 201.6 Criteria for Multi-Jurisdictional Plan
ADOPTION - Requirement §201.6(c)(5) For multi-jurisdictional plans, each jurisdiction requesting approval of the plan must document that it has been formally adopted.
PARTICIPATION - Requirement §201.6(a)(3) Multi-jurisdictional plans (e.g., watershed plans) may be accepted, as appropriate, as long as each jurisdiction has participated in the process…
UNIQUE RISKS - Requirement §201.6(c)(2) (iii): For multi- jurisdictional plans, the risk assessment must assess each jurisdiction’s risks where they vary from the risks facing the entire planning area…
SPECIFIC ACTION ITEMS - Requirement §201.6(c)(3) (iv): For multi-jurisdictional plans, there must be identifiable action items specific to the jurisdiction requesting FEMA approval or credit of the plan.

4. Review Considerations
Shall vs. Should
“Sufficient information” to make mitigation decisions
Existing resources (best available)
Plan process

5. Plan Review Worksheet
Utilized by FEMA Region X to review local hazard mitigation plans
Identifies each criteria contained in the regulation
Identifies the various elements of each criteria
Worksheet may be used by a local community to “self-check” their plan during development and/or prior to submitting plan to State/FEMA for review

6. Criteria Scoring N – Needs Improvement S – Satisfactory
A local hazard mitigation plan must receive a satisfactory scoring on all required criteria for the plan to obtain FEMA approval.

7. Plan Approval Determinations
Approved
Plan meets the criteria in 44 CFR Part 201, including local plan adoption.
Not Approved - Criteria Met / Plan not Adopted
Criteria Met
Plan Not Adopted
Plan meets the criteria, except for adoption. Upon documentation of adoption, FEMA will approve plan.
Not Approved - Criteria Not Met
Criteria Not Met
Plan Adopted or Not Adopted
Plan does not meet the content criteria. All criteria must receive a satisfactory rating before FEMA will approve.

8. FEMA Plan Review Process
State “review and coordinate”
“Plans must be submitted to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer
for initial review and coordination.” 44 CFR Part 201.6(d)
FEMA “review and approval”
“The state will then send the plan to the appropriate
FEMA Regional Office for formal review and approval.”
“Regional review will be completed within 45 days after
receipt from the state, whenever possible.”
44 CFR Part 201.6(d)

9. Plan Approval Process State / FEMA Approach
Local plans must be submitted to SHMO for review and coordination
PRE-ADOPTION STATE/FEMA REVIEW (45 days)
Notification when FEMA receives plan for review
Plan reviewed for 44 CFR part 201 plan criteria
If plan criteria not met, revise plan and resubmit for review
If plan criteria met, then…
ADOPTION BY LOCAL RESOLUTION
POST ADOPTION STATE/FEMA REVIEW
Plan reviewed to verify adopt by local governing body
Notification of plan approval – 5 year cycle

10. FEMA Planning Resources
Mitigation “How to Series”
Getting Started: Building Support for Mitigation Planning
Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and Estimating Losses
Developing a Mitigation Plan: Identifying Mitigation Measures and Implementation Strategies
Bringing the Plan to Life: Ensuring the Success of the Hazard Mitigation Plan
Using Benefit-Cost Analysis in Mitigation Planning
Incorporating Historic Resources into Mitigation Planning
Integrating Human-Caused Hazards into Mitigation Planning
Multi-Jurisdictional Approaches to Mitigation Planning
Securing Resources for Mitigation Planning
Available at:
FEMA Publication Warehouse:
On the Web:

11. FEMA Region 10 Planning Resources
Hazard Mitigation Planning Guide
FEMA Region 10 Plan Review Worksheet