FEMA Provides $3.9 Million for North Dakota Mitigation Project

(Bismarck, ND) -- FEMA has awarded $3.9 million to the State of North Dakota for a hazard mitigation project on the campus of the University of Mary in Bismarck. The project is designed to protect South Administrative Building and surrounding area against a potential landslide. This area is along a bluff threatened by erosion from the Missouri River.

As part of the project, regrading of the slope will serve to divert water into valleys to control flow to the river. A retaining wall will also be constructed to hold back land around the building.

Funding was provided through FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, which is designed to assist states, U.S. territories, federally-recognized tribes, and local communities in implementing a sustained pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program.

The goal is to reduce overall risk to the population and structures from future hazard events, while also reducing reliance on federal funding in future disasters.

The program has a maximum 75 percent federal cost share, with the remaining costs the responsibility of the state and the applicant.

Additional information about FEMA’s mitigation grant programs can be found by clicking here.