1998 Year of the Ocean Impacts of Global Climate Change 



most effective if they are based on relevant scientific considerations, as well as technical and 

 economic factors, and must be continually re-evaluated in light of new findings and research. 

 Continued Congressional support for funding NWS/NESDIS/OAR research is a necessary 

 element in providing the necessary current data and information to support such international 

 efforts. 



National Climate Program Act . 15 U.S.C. §§ 2901-2908 



The National Climate Program Act establishes the National Climate Program (Program) to assist 

 in understanding and responding to natural and man-induced climate processes and their 

 implications. The National Climate Program Office administers the Program under the general 

 guidance of the interagency Climate Program Policy Board. The Program office oversees the 

 implementation of a five-year plan which is prepared in cooperation with other Federal agencies, 

 state offices, business groups and research and academic institutions. The Program office also 

 prepares an annual report to the President and authorizing committees of the Congress; reviews 

 participating agency budget requests and submits an analysis of the requests to 0MB; 

 coordinates interagency participation in international climate-related and experimental climate 

 forecasting activities authorized by the Act; and provides financial assistance, primarily in the 

 form of grants to public or private educational institutions, state agencies, and other persons or 

 institutions qualified to conduct climate-related studies or to provide climate-related services. 



National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 (NFIRA) 



The NFIRA established the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. The purpose of FMA 

 is to plan and carry out activities designed to reduce the risk of flood damage to structures 

 covered under contracts for flood insurance under this title. Section 1366 of the NFIRA assigns 

 the FEMA Director the authority and responsibility for carrying out the program. 42 U.S.C. § 

 4104c. Section 1367 establishes the National Flood Mitigation Funds to fund FMA grants. 42 

 U.S.C. §4104d. 



The Flood Mitigation Assistance program, unlike the Stafford Act programs, are pre-disaster 

 programs. There are three types of FMA grants. Planning grants assist states and communities in 

 developing flood mitigation plans. Under section 1366 of the NFIRA, a FEMA- approved Flood 

 Mitigation Plan (FMP) is required in order for a state or community to receive a FMA project 

 grant. Project grants fiind eligible flood mitigation projects. FEMA encourages states to 

 prioritize the mitigation activities outlined in their FMPs and fund projects that will greatly 

 reduce or eliminate the risk of flood damage to buildings, manufactured homes, and other NFIP- 

 insurable structures. Mitigation of repetitively or substantially damaged structures is a high 

 priority. Technical assistance grants assist states in providing technical assistance to applicants 

 in applying for the program or in implementing approved projects. 



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