Building the Foundation for Hazard and Climate Resilient Coastal Communities

July 28, 2010, 12:00 Noon Eastern
EMForum.org is pleased to host a one hour presentation and interactive discussion Wednesday, July 28, 2010, beginning at 12:00 Noon Eastern time (please convert to your local time). Our topic will be the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center and its role in working with public and private sector partners to assist coastal communities better understand their risks and choices for how to adapt to the impacts of hazards and a changing climate.

Our special guest will be Margaret Davidson, Director of the NOAA Coastal Services Center since 1995. Ms. Davidson has served on numerous local, state, and federal committees and has provided leadership for national professional societies. Her professional work is focused on environmentally sustainable aquaculture, mitigation of coastal hazards, and impacts of climate variability on coastal resources. She also holds a faculty appointment at the University of Charleston and serves on the adjunct faculties of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.
Please make plans to join us, and see the Background Page for related materials and Instructions. If this will be your first time to participate, please check your connection at least a day in advance by clicking on the Live Meeting Login link. The Live Meeting client must be used in order to access the audio. As always, please feel free to extend this invitation to your colleagues.

If you’ve never seen or heard Margaret Davidson present before, trust us, you don’t want to miss it. If you have seen her present before, you’re likely already moving your schedule around to make room for this.

(Added to the StormSmart Coasts calendar. Know something else that should be on the calendar? Let us know).

EDA Offers Grants through Climate Change Mitigation Fund

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) advances economic growth by assisting communities experiencing chronic high unemployment and low per capita income to create an environment that fosters innovation, promotes entrepreneurship, and attracts increased private capital investment. EDA requests proposals for the following programs: Public Works, Planning, Local Technical Assistance, and Economic Adjustment Assistance. Under the Economic Adjustment Assistance program, EDA has allocated $14.7 million to the Global Climate Change Mitigation Incentive Fund, which supports projects that foster economic competitiveness while enhancing environmental quality. Proposals are being accepted from state and local governments, and nonprofit organizations and are being reviewed on an ongoing basis. For more info, including contact info, go to: http://www.grants.gov/search/ search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId= 48106.

Eligible Applicants:

• City or township, county, and special district governments
• Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
• Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
• Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education

Application Deadline: September 30, 2010

With nearly $15 million available, if you’ve got a project that might qualify, this should be worth looking into.

The whole statement:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503


July 21, 2010 (House Rules)

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY H.R. 1264 – Multiple Peril Insurance Act of 2009
(Rep. Taylor, D-Mississippi, and 22 cosponsors)

The Administration recognizes that the availability of hazard insurance is a key element in the ability of individuals and communities to recover from disasters. However, the Administration opposes House passage of H.R. 1264, which would expand the Federal Government’s role to provide windstorm insurance that is already readily available in the private sector and through State insurance plans without Federal aid. Although the Administration believes in strengthening the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the benefit of policyholders and taxpayers, the central rationale for the program – the difficulty of obtaining flood insurance through either the private market or State programs – simply does not apply to windstorm insurance in most markets. Moreover, because the legislation appropriately requires that a Federal wind insurance program be actuarially sound, the insurance offered through a Federal program may not be any less expensive, and could be more expensive, than what is currently offered by private insurers and/or by States. As a result, expanding NFIP to cover windstorm insurance would unnecessarily duplicate available insurance products and could “crowd out” such products where they are offered, while offering little to no savings to the American public. At a time when the NFIP is already facing serious challenges, the Administration cannot support such an expansion.

You can download a PDF of the statement here.

UPDATE (07-23-2010): The bill has been pulled from the house floor without a vote.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) “Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program Guidance” (176 pp.) represents the unification of all five of the agency’s hazard mitigation grant programs into one guidance document. These programs, which provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect life and property from future disaster damages, are the Pre-Disaster Mitigation, Severe Repetitive Loss, Flood Mitigation Assistance, Repetitive Flood Claims programs (nondisaster programs), and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Applications for the nondisaster programs are due to FEMA by December 3, 2010. (Check with your state’s emergency management agency for details on state deadlines and procedures).

Admittedly, probably not the most fascinating reading, but super useful when you’re looking for funding. Plus now the process of applying for multiple different FEMA grants just got a lot easier easier. You can find the whole thing over on FEMA’s website.

CRest Grant Program – Coastal Resilience Networks Pacific Islands – Gulf of Mexico – West Coast

Coastal Resilience Networks (CRest) is a new and exciting grant opportunity for the Pacific Islands, Gulf of Mexico, and West Coast regions. The program funds projects that help communities become more resilient to the threats posed by coastal hazards (which include storms, flooding, sea level rise, climate change, etc.).

Projects that connect existing federal, state, and local programs are very desirable, as are efforts that engage the public and include one or more of the following: preparedness, recovery, risk and vulnerability, adaptation, and under-served or under-represented populations.

Eligible Applicants:
Eligible applicants represent state, territorial, and local or county governments; nonprofit organizations; regional authorities; and institutions of higher education. The organization must be located in one of the following areas: U.S. Flag Pacific Islands (Hawai‘i, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands); the Gulf of Mexico (Alabama, Gulf Coast of Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas); and the West Coast (California, Oregon, and Washington).

Available Funding: Availability of CRest funds are dependent upon annual Congressional appropriations. Applicants can request between $100,000 and $350,000 per year for a single project. The award period for funded projects is between 1 – 3 years.
Application Information

• For information about the CRest grant program, email nos.psc.crest@noaa.gov.
• For information on how to apply for CRest funding, including letter of intent requirements and the full funding announcement, visit www.csc.noaa.gov/funding.
• Letters of intent must be received at the NOAA Pacific Services Center by 5:59 p.m. Hawaii Time on August 2, 2010. Full proposals must be received no later than 5:59 p.m. Hawaii Time, September 15, 2010.

Sounds like a flexible and substantial program. If you have a project in the works, it’s probably worth learning a little more about it. You can download a PDF of the whole announcement here.

The Johnsons went for 12′ instead.

“Even if it costs us more now, whatever costs us less in the long-run is what we’re going for. We’re going to do this right so it will be here in 100 years for our children and our grandchildren,” they reported.

Bravo.

For more information on the many benefits (and surprisingly low cost of) freeboard, see Using Freeboard to Elevate Structures Above Predicted Floodwaters.

“A Home Above the Rest: Homeowner in City of Galveston Elevates Home 12 Feet” (FEMA.gov)

The COMET Program is pleased to announce the publication of “Community Hurricane Preparedness: 2nd Edition”. This 6-hour module is intended primarily for emergency managers in communities that deal with impacts from tropical cyclones. In addition to discussing the science behind hurricanes, their formation, and their hazards, the module provides an overview of forecast products and tools that emergency managers can use to help prepare their communities for these threats. The culmination of the module is a decision-making exercise, based on an actual hurricane, in which the learner will review information and make decisions at various stages as a hurricane threatens.

Sound interesting? You can find the Community Hurricane Preparedness course here (or here, in Spanish). Registration is free and simple (really: took all of 30 seconds to sign up). As an added bonus, you can have your progress sent automatically to your supervisor or organization.

Here’s the entire version in English:

FACT SHEET: BP CLAIMS

BP has established a process for Gulf Coast individuals, businesses and government entities to file claims to cover the loss of personal income, the loss of net business profits, and damages to personal or business property because of the Deepwater Horizon Incident and oil spill. BP is committed to paying all legitimate claims.

The following describes the process:

Government Entities

States, parishes, counties and local government and other political subdivisions that have incurred expenses responding to the Deepwater Horizon Incident and oil spill will have a separate dedicated process. Government entities should call (302) 476-7732. All government claims will be handled by a specialized team and will be given high priority.

BP has made advanced funds available to the States of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, as well as several local parishes in Louisiana. Local Government Entities are not required to submit claims to the states and parishes who received advanced funds prior to submitting claims to BP.

Individuals and Businesses

Filing a claim is FREE, simple and can be done in several ways:

1. Call 1-800-440-0858. The average wait time for a representative is about 12 seconds.
2. File a claim online at various websites, including www.bp.com/claims.
3. Visit one of the 25 BP claim centers; however, BP recommends that claimants first obtain a claim number by calling the toll free line. This will avoid delays.
4. Mail a claim to ESIS, One Beaver Valley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803.
5. Claims that are of large monetary value or are based on complex economic predictions of loss should be sent to ESIS, One Beaver Valley Road, Wilmington, DE 19803. These claims will be handled by specialized claim adjusters with the assistance of accountants and lawyers.

BP is striving to ensure the claims process is as simple as possible.

• Individuals filing a claim for lost income can do so with a tax return or W-2 – whatever will show what their previous Income was over a 30-day period.
• Deckhands and others that work on a cash-only basis also can submit claims. They will need to provide a photo ÎD and a copy of a pay stub or another document showing how much money they earn. They also will need to provide a phone number for their captain or manager to confirm employment.
• BP will continue to evaluate whether additional payments are appropriate because claimants remain out of work due to the spill.
• Claimants should only file one claim. They can report different types of damages on the same form with the same claim number. Multiple claim numbers will delay the review of the claim. Claim adjusters will help deal with any exceptions to this,
• Questions should be discussed with a claim adjuster.

Supporting Documentation

BP has directed claims processors to make the process as simple, fair, and fast as possible.
Claimants will need to provide photo ID and documentation supporting their loss. Below is , information about what is needed to support various claims.

• Loss of income or net profit claim documentation can include tax records, trip ticket, wage loss statements, deposit slips, boat registration or copies of a current fishing license. Commercial economic loss claims may require additional business specific records. Loss of rental claims can include prior occupancy rates, cancellations, tax records, and bookkeeping records.
• Property damage claims can require photographs and replacement or cleaning receipts. Larger property damage claims may require on-site inspection by a claim adjuster.
• Bodily injury claims are not payable under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990; however, BP will evaluate each bodily injury claim submitted on a case-by-case basis. Claimants will need to provide medical records, medical bills, or pharmacy records to support the claim.

How to Check Existing Claims

To check on the status of a claim or if a claimant has not heard from a claim adjuster, he or she can call 1-800-673-8249. They should be prepared to provide their name, address, and claim number so that the claim can be more easily located.

Our Commitment to Resolving Pending Claims

In some cases, claimants have been unable to provide verification information, such as proof of lost income, which has prevented them from being paid at this time.

BP is committed to working with individuals to ensure that ALL legitimate claims are paid. We have asked the companies processing claims to assist individuals and businesses that may be experiencing difficulty identifying or locating necessary information so their needs can be met.

June 8, 2010

You can download a scanned PDF of this in other languages here:

• BP Claims Fact Sheet: Spanish
• BP Claims Fact Sheet: Vietnamese
• BP Claims Fact Sheet: Khmer

As part of a unanimous consent agreement last night, the Senate cleared a measure (HR 5569) that would extend the authorization of the National Flood Insurance Program until September 30, 2010. It was previously passed by the House, so it will become effective as soon as President Obama signs it, which is expected very soon. The effective date is retroactive to May 31, 2010, covering the period since the program lapsed. This means that policies may now be issued for applications and premiums received on or after June 1 and claims for covered losses can be processed.

Glad to see this passed, and this is certainly good news for those in the Gulf of Mexico who are potentially facing wind, waves, and oil this hurricane season, BUT: we have to do this all again in 3 months?

Scientists with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi will hold the last of four panels to discuss the long-term impacts of the ongoing Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Friday, June 25, from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the Harte Research Institute, Conference Room 127.

The panel discussion is free and open to the public. The meeting can also be viewed on the Internet by going here and clicking on “TAMUCC HRI Panel Discussion on Gulf Oil Spill.”

Remember to keep an eye (or an RSS reader) on the StormSmart Coasts calendar for events like this in the future.