On April 19, 2022, FEMA released an updated state mitigation planning policy for plans approved on or after April 19, 2023.
The State Mitigation Planning Policy Guide is the official interpretation of the mitigation planning requirements in Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 201. The policy states what must be in a mitigation plan and does not explain how states should update their plans.
To meet this need, FEMA updated its State Mitigation Planning Key Topics Bulletins. They give advice on how to meet the requirements in the Guide.
The bulletins supplement the Guide with “how-tos” and resources about the entire planning process. They are organized around the four major steps in the mitigation planning process.
The Planning Process Bulletin talks about how to re-engage and grow the state planning team and partners. It gives advice on how to create an equitable planning process. It also describes how to document the planning process, adopt the plan, and keep up momentum.
The Risk Assessment Bulletin lays out the five steps to conduct the state risk assessment. It includes advice on how to use climate projections to support the plan. It also provides ideas for updating the risk assessment with changes in development.
The Mitigation Capabilities Bulletin explains four steps to update the capability assessment. It includes advice on how to assess the effectiveness of local mitigation capabilities.
The Mitigation Strategy Bulletin explains how to update the strategy’s goals; add, evaluate, and prioritize mitigation actions; and find funding sources. It also gives advice on how to connect state and local mitigation strategies.
The bulletins use a step-by-step approach to help state governments. They can help state hazard mitigation officers, state planners and other members of the state mitigation planning team update their plans in accordance with the Guide.
More than 30 states will update their plans in 2023.
To learn more about state mitigation planning, visit the state section of the Create a Hazard Mitigation Plan page.
FEMA’s National Mitigation Planning Program supports state, local, tribal and territorial governments with risk-based mitigation planning to reduce or eliminate risks to life and property from natural hazards. The program focuses on building resilience through early and often stakeholder engagement, integration with community planning, and implementation of mitigation actions. For more information, visit Hazard Mitigation Planning | FEMA.gov.
