Press Releases

U.S. Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) released the following statement after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) published their new policy that would facilitate more public-private investments in innovative resilience projects in Louisiana. The Proposed Mitigation Grant Program Policy, now open for public comment, is new and this announcement comes after the last Congress passed the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) of which Graves was a coauthor.

"Right now the COVID-19 response is front and center for all local, state and federal partners but at the same time, we have to be mindful of the upcoming issues that will soon pose a threat to Louisiana," Graves said. "The Mississippi River is already high and will remain that way until late May as we approach hurricane season – and we have to be ready to respond, react and recover. We've made major improvements to FEMA's disaster response and recovery programs through DRRA and are continuing to shift the federal government toward proactive investments in resilience rather than costly recovery programs. This is exactly what is needed for our communities."

Graves continued, "These crucial projects will help stop flooding before it happens, and BRIC will help get more dollars to these projects faster. As the program is finalized and rolled out over the coming months, our office will be closely monitoring to make information available to communities about how they can engage the policies."

Graves previously authored a series of bipartisan federal disaster policy changes which advanced this bill out of House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Graves highlighted the higher water levels in a recent statement regarding the Bonnet Carre Spillway opening, which was opened for the third year in a row – the first time in the structure's 89-year history this has happened.

Click here for more information on H.R. 4460 – Disaster Recovery Reform Act.

Background on the FEMA Disaster Grant Program Policy:

In the Disaster Recovery Reform Act of 2018, Section 1234 amends Section 203 of the Stafford Act to ensure a steady stream of funding year-to-year for pre-disaster hazard mitigation projects. It allows FEMA to set aside six percent from the total amount of disaster assistance it provides for each disaster.

The new grant program, Building Resilient Infrastructures and Communities (BRIC), will support states, local communities, tribes and territories, as they undertake hazard mitigation projects reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. This announcement comes after FEMA undertook a comprehensive stakeholder engagement effort in 2019 to learn from stakeholders the challenges they face in implementing mitigation projects and recommendations for how BRIC can be responsive to the complex resilience needs at all levels of government. Visit FEMA.gov to view the Summary Stakeholder Feedback for the Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities Grant Program.

Click here for a list of Graves' involvement with resiliency legislation.