Flood Mitigation

In addition to the Floodplain Management team, the Utah Division of Emergency Management houses a Mitigation programs and a Recovery program. They help communities with both pre- and post-disaster assistance. Local communities should get familiar with the Team’s mitigation and recovery information to prepare and protect themselves from hazardous events.

Utah's Office of Community Development (under the Department of Workforce Services) helps with regional and planning and offers GIS training to rural communities.
More Information

Natural Resources Conservation Service has grant opportunities for watershed protection, flood prevention, surveys and planning, and rapid assessments. Read the program descriptions and visit the Utah field office website for more information.

The Silver Jackets Team of the US Army Corps of Engineers offers assistance in mitigation planning, risk reduction activities, and response and recovery planning. Contact the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Sacramento District, Email, 916-557-7009  Click here for the Utah Silver Jackets website.

For federal funding, technical assistance, and other resources to support hazard mitigation download FEMA’s Mitigation Resource Guide (March 2021).

Other Resources: 

• FEMA Mitigation Action Portfolio
• Local Government Officials- Floodplain Management Resources 
• FEMA Mitigation Ideas: A Resource for Reducing Risk to Natural Hazards

The tribal liaison for the Utah Division of Emergency Management (and for Utah Risk MAP) is Anna Boynton. Anna can help interested parties navigate the different flood mitigation programs operating at the state level.

Details on how tribal entities can request floodplain mapping can be found in the Risk Map Process section on the Floodplain Specialists page.

FEMA has created some materials specifically for tribal governments, including a handbook and guide to mitigation planning.  More on mitigation funding available to tribes can be found by clicking here.

"The range of local funding sources available to communities depends on the state’s fiscal policies and the local context. Not every state allows local sales taxes. For those that do, it can be an effective revenue source. For instance, Austin, Minnesota’s local option ½-cent sales tax raises $1.4 million annually, which it uses to fund flood control projects. Other cities, such as Tulsa, Oklahoma, charge residents a monthly stormwater utility fee to help fund ongoing stormwater maintenance. Passing new taxes or fees often requires significant community outreach but can be critical funding sources.

Other ways to raise local money include impact fees, tax increment financing (TIF) or special assessment districts, joint agreements, or simply re-prioritizing existing budgets. Loans and bonds can also generate upfront money.

Local revenues are important because they give communities predictable revenues that enable more control over the project. Additionally, local revenues can be used as matches for state and federal grants."

From Headwaters Economics

Private sources of funding are often overlooked by communities but can be substantial. Bank branches, corporate chain stores, and local cooperatives often have foundations or philanthropic programs.

From Headwaters Economics