Boback: New Law Enhances Flood Mitigation Program
HARRISBURG – Legislation to enhance Pennsylvania’s flood mitigation program sponsored by Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.
Act 65 of 2022, formerly
House Bill 1598, amends the Flood Plain Management Act by transferring the administration of the act to the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), replacing the Department of Community and Economic Development. The change provides the Commonwealth with the ability to increase its percentage of federal hazard mitigation funding and allows PEMA to work with municipalities to ensure their programs meet federal regulations.
“Flooding is a major concern in many of the communities I represent which are seeking all the help they can get to prevent the damage caused by high water,” said Boback. “By making PEMA the lead agency to oversee flood plain management, Pennsylvania is expected to see a 5% increase in federal funding for mitigation projects.”
“Flooding touches every county in the Commonwealth and is one of the most frequent disasters that affects the state,” said PEMA Director Randy Padfield. “Having responsibility for the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) moved to PEMA will provide for greater continuity of the program and integration with other Federal Emergency Management Agency programs that our agency coordinates with the local municipalities. It will also assist us in obtaining an Enhanced Hazard Mitigation Plan, which will lead to additional federal funding in the future to lessen the impacts of future disasters to citizens of the Commonwealth.”
Act 65 will take effect 60 days.
Representative Karen Boback
117th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717-260-6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
RepBoback.com