President Joseph R. Biden Jr., Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell announced 656 project selections for $1 billion in climate resilience funding on Tuesday. This initiative is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
The funding, allocated through the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, will support state, Tribal, local, and territorial governments in addressing risks from natural disasters such as extreme heat, wildfires, drought, hurricanes, earthquakes, and flooding.
Key Statements from Officials
“Every American community faces risks from extreme weather, and the DHS workforce and our partners across the Administration will always be there for communities in their time of need,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “Investing in preparedness and resilience today can help keep our country safe tomorrow.”
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell highlighted the unprecedented level of extreme weather events this season. “Thanks to extra funding from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FEMA is better situated to help communities, especially those disadvantaged and disproportionately impacted by climate change, invest in resilience,” Criswell said.
Funding and Strategic Goals
President Biden secured over $50 billion for climate resilience through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, and established a National Climate Resilience Framework. This framework supports community-driven climate resilience strategies.
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law contributed approximately $398 million to the recent funding announcement. The President’s Investing in America agenda provides FEMA nearly $7 billion to help communities proactively reduce vulnerability to climate-fueled events and natural hazards.
Project Highlights
Of the $674 million in 56 national competition selections, more than half utilize nature-based solutions to combat climate change and restore wetlands. This effort aligns with FEMA’s commitment to placing “people first” and supports the 2024 FEMA Year of Resilience.
Examples of Selected Projects
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- The Eastwick Near-Term Flood Barrier Project in Philadelphia will mitigate flood risks.
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- Shaded bus shelters in Washington, D.C. will help mitigate extreme heat effects.
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- The East Elmhurst Cloudburst project in New York City will manage stormwater and reduce flooding.
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- The Magalia Dam retrofit in Paradise, California, will enhance seismic resilience.
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- The Slaughterhouse Creek Flood Mitigation project in Montana will improve flood channels.
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- The Rand Flooding Storm Sewer Improvements project in West Virginia will address drainage issues.
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- The Southern Crisfield Flood Mitigation project in Maryland will improve flood protection.
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- Decatur, Georgia, will upgrade culverts to prevent road washouts during storms.
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- A project in Goldsboro, North Carolina, will enhance flood resilience along the Big Ditch stream corridor through a blend of nature-based solutions and infrastructure improvements.
Assistance for States, Territories, and Tribal Nations
Beyond the national competition, FEMA selected 600 additional projects totaling $208 million. This includes $2 million for each state and territory, $55 million for building code activities, and $67 million for Tribal Nations. An additional $116 million is allocated for grant administration.
FEMA also announced non-financial direct technical assistance for 93 Tribes, local communities, and territories to help build community-wide resilience. This more than doubles the number of recipients from last year.
Trends in Equity, Extreme Heat, and Nature-Based Solutions
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to equity and environmental justice. Among the 656 projects, 12 will address extreme heat, totaling nearly $13 million. This includes shaded bus stops in Washington, D.C., and resilient power systems for saferooms and senior facilities.
Of the available funding, $587 million benefits Justice40 communities. The Justice40 Initiative aims to deliver 40% of funding to these communities. Additionally, $127 million will benefit Community Disaster Resilience Zones.
For this grant cycle, 57% of selected projects incorporate nature-based solutions, with 84% of those projects in economically disadvantaged rural communities or Community Disaster Resilience Zones.
Original Story at www.hstoday.us