Category: State

2018 HMA Grants Announcement

Attached is the official Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) announcement for the open application period for two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation grant programs for FY 2018.  This funding announcement includes the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program.  Both FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs are now under one umbrella known as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA).  FEMA has unified all the mitigation grant programs under one set of guidance documents.  The two guidance documents (also attached) are dated 2015 because there have been no changes to the guidance.

HMA Fund Available Notice
HMA Guidance
HMA Guidance Addendum

Please route this notification to the appropriate person(s) in your organization for immediate review and response.  Please also share this information with your association membership.  The information contained in the attached announcement includes limited time lines and requires a timely response.  (Notices of Intent are due no later than September 17, 2018). 
 
HMA funds can be used for the implementation of hazard mitigation projects as well as the development or update of local hazard mitigation plans.  Many of the FEMA approved local mitigation plans across Michigan will be expiring within the next two years.  The available HMA funding offers an excellent opportunity for communities to use grant dollars to update their local hazard mitigation plans. 
 
If you have difficulty opening the attached document, please contact Christopher Cabral at the phone number listed below.

Christopher Cabral
Department Analyst
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
Michigan State Police
PO Box 30634
Lansing, MI 48909
TX: 517-284-3961 Read more...

MDARD Intercounty Drain Program Announces New Team Member

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Intercounty Drain Program is pleased to announce the addition of Ms. Christine Kosmowski to their team. Christine’s official start date is November 20. As many of you know, Christine was the former Calhoun County Water Resources Commissioner and has extensive knowledge and experience in the stewardship of Michigan’s water resources.  She will be working closely in the coming months with Mike, Brady and Peggy to learn MDARD’s roles and responsibilities to administer the program.
 
Please join us in welcoming her,
Mike Gregg, Program Manager Read more...

Office of the Great Lakes to join Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Michigan Office of the Great Lakes to join Department of Natural Resources

Governor Rick Snyder has issued an Executive Order transferring the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes from the Department of Environmental Quality to the Department of Natural Resources.

“Protection and management of the Lakes is critical to our future,” said Gov. Snyder. “Moving the Office of the Great Lakes to the DNR will strengthen opportunities for improved management of the Lakes by better aligning programs and responsibilities within state government.”

Executive Order 2017-9 will take effect Dec. 28, and move the functions of the Office of the Great Lakes to the DNR. Director Jon W. Allan will continue to lead the Office of the Great Lakes, and a member of the governor’s cabinet, Angela Ayers, will join the Office as deputy director.

The Office of the Great Lakes will retain its current programs and responsibilities, including its central role in advising the governor and other state departments on policy and actions regarding the Great Lakes.

The DEQ will continue to provide important regulatory oversight for protecting Michigan’s water resources. The Office of the Great Lakes will continue to coordinate with the DEQ on policies, programs, and procedures regarding Great Lakes resources.

The transfer will align programs within the Office of the Great Lakes and the DNR. It will give the Office the opportunity to work more closely with the DNR on key natural resource management topics including aquatic invasive species, fish and wildlife habitat, Great Lakes restoration, sustainable waterfront communities, and water recreation.

“We look forward to creating new partnerships and continuing our work to sustain Michigan's Great Lakes resources and way of life,” said Jon W. Allan.

2017 Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Grants Announcement

MACDC Members: 

Attached is the official Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) announcement for the open application period for two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation grant programs for FY 2017.  This funding announcement includes the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program.  Both of these FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs are now under one umbrella known as Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA).  FEMA has unified all of the mitigation grant programs under one set of guidance documents.  The two guidance documents (also attached) are dated 2015 because there have been no changes to the guidance since last year. Read more...

EPA, U.S. Army Move to Rescind 2015 “Waters of the U.S.”

The Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Army, and Army Corps of Engineers (the agencies) are proposing a rule to rescind the Clean Water Rule and re-codify the regulatory text that existed prior to 2015 defining "waters of the United States" or WOTUS. This action would, when finalized, provide certainty in the interim, pending a second rulemaking in which the agencies will engage in a substantive re-evaluation of the definition of "waters of the United States." The proposed rule would be implemented in accordance with Supreme Court decisions, agency guidance, and longstanding practice. Read more...