Peters Bipartisan Legislation to Help At-Risk Communities Invest in Disaster Mitigation Projects Advances in Senate

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) to make permanent the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Risk Index (NRI), an online tool that utilizes data to identify communities that are most vulnerable to natural disasters, has advanced in the Senate. The bill would require FEMA to use data from the NRI, or a similar tool, to establish community disaster resilience zones (CDRZs) to designate the communities across the nation that are most in need of mitigation projects – and help them access federal funding and support to plan for mitigation and resilience projects. As damage from extreme weather events continues to cause billions of dollars in damages that taxpayers must cover, Peters’ legislation will help at-risk communities make important investments that will limit the damage caused by natural disasters. The bill was approved by the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, where Peters serves as Chair.

“Mitigation projects are the key to helping communities that are most vulnerable to natural disasters protect residents from these extreme weather events. Unfortunately, these communities often lack the necessary resources to fund efforts like flood walls, better storm water management facilities, and more,” said Senator Peters. “This commonsense, bipartisan legislation – which has now advanced in the Senate – will help the public and private sectors identify what areas require the most assistance to build resilient infrastructure. These investments will not only help ensure at-risk populations are safe from extreme weather events, but also save taxpayer dollars in the long run.”

Vulnerable communities continue to face severe consequences from natural disasters – including loss of life and significant financial damage. Studies have shown that resilience and mitigation spending saves taxpayers an average of $6 for every $1 invested. By making permanent and utilizing data from the NRI, or a similar tool – which factors in expected annual losses, social vulnerability and community resilience – Peters’ legislation would help better allocate resources so at-risk communities can develop FEMA-approved hazard mitigation projects. The legislation is supported a variety of stakeholder groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Reinsurance Association of America (RAA), the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), the National Association of Counties (NACo), the BuildStrong Coalition, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

As Chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Peters has led several efforts to strengthen our federal disaster preparedness and response. Peters secured $500 million in funding as part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill for a program he created to help states establish revolving loan programs for local governments to carry out mitigation projects that reduce the risk of shoreline erosion, extreme flooding, and other natural disasters. Peters also convened a hearing with disaster preparedness and response experts to hear how worsening natural disasters, including flooding, severe storms, and wildfires, continue to threaten lives and livelihoods in Michigan and across the nation. Peters’ bipartisan legislation to protect Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Reservists from losing their full-time employment when they are called up to assist communities with disaster response has advanced in the Senate.

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