Federal Grant Announcements Online
Visit www.grants.gov to view grant announcements and cooperative agreements. The site allows you to search by the type of activity, agency or date. You can also sign up for email notification of grant announcements using the same categories. The agency postings provide a synopsis of the full grant announcement and 27 standard items of information, including a description of the program, due dates for applications, contact information and a link to the full grant announcement.

The www.grants.gov Web site is launching an online application process that allows you to download the application form, fill it in and submit it later. The process should be fully functional by mid-November 2003.

FEMA PDM-03
The new application process for FEMA PDM-03 grants is now available on the OES Web site. Go to www.oes.ca.gov and click on the icon under "news and events" that says "PDM-C Grant Program Information." All repetitive loss communities in the NFIP that submit an application for elevation or acquisition that addresses the repetitive loss properties in the NFIP should be very competitive if the project has a high benefit/cost (B/C) ratio.

All governmental jurisdictions submitting an application for a DMA2K plan should also be very competitive especially if the community has been involved in mitigation activities, is a repetitive loss community, is in CRS, and have participated in FMA. Although the FEMA national priority will be projects that address the repetitive loss properties in the NFIP that does not mean that another type of eligible project will not be selected especially if it has a good B/C.

The website should contain all the information that you will need for submitting an application. The grant application will be by e-grant only. If you have any questions please call or e-mail Ken Leep at 916-845-8174 or Kenneth_Leep@oes.ca.gov.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT:
There has been much discussion in FSC meetings regarding a state proposal to levy per-acre fees on landowners to pay the cost of fire suppression. The plan is aimed at providing funding for CDF. Opposition centers on the economic impact and the fear that those asked to pay the fee will then not have incentive to take private responsibility for fire prevention. This measure is apparently in the budget planning discussions between legislative leadership of both parties. Local Fire Safe Councils or interested individuals should act quickly to contact their local legislators in the Assembly and Senate if they wish to express views on this proposal before it is enacted as part of a budget package.