NEW YORK, NY - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced the approval of a nearly $1.8 million Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant to the Town of Oyster Bay, New York to help fund a project that will prevent tidal flooding on Beach Road in Massapequa.

The $1,792,520 FEMA grant covers 75 percent of the eligible cost for protective measures undertaken to reduce and/or eliminate the danger of recurring, damaging overland street and property flooding. This recurring flooding is caused by the backup of salt water through the low-lying, coastal neighborhood's existing drainage systems.

There is a long history of tidal flooding on Beach Road. During the 25-year period between 1978 and 2003, FEMA paid out more than $2 million in National Flood Insurance Program settlements on property and building content damage claims. Documented storm information indicates that the frequency for tidal surges greater than 4.5 feet increased from 1987 through 1997 and may continue to increase over the next 25 years. Such a potential increase in instances of flooding and the resulting submerged roads endangers the public (especially the senior citizen population and individuals with special needs) as well as increases insurance payout costs due to property damage.

To remedy this situation, the Town of Oyster Bay plans to elevate Beach Road. This project will protect the roadway and properties against tidal surges and salt water intrusions.

In addition to protecting life and property, elevating Beach Road will also reduce public expenditures in addressing emergency conditions due to flooding. These reduced expenditures will lessen the costs to the entire town of Oyster Bay and potentially lessen the tax burden on its residents.

"The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant program encourages local leaders across the nation to look ahead and plan against what could be catastrophic events, and then to work with FEMA and other partners to make those plans happen," said Joseph F. Picciano, Acting Director of FEMA's Region II office. "Mitigation is the cornerstone of emergency preparedness and management. Funding these plans and projects reduces risks to lives and property, and by making our communities safer in the first place we make great strides toward reducing the need for federal post-disaster recovery funds."

The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), first authorized in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and first funded by President Bush in his FY 2003 budget, provides funding for mitigation plans and the implementation of cost-effective projects, such as buyouts of flood-prone buildings, construction of safe rooms, elevations of homes located in the floodplain or making structures more earthquake resistant, prior to disaster events.

The PDM Program provides funds to states, territories, Indian tribes, communities, colleges, and universities for pre-disaster mitigation planning and the implementation of cost-effective mitigation projects before a disaster occurs. Funding these plans and projects reduces overall risks to the population and structures, while also reducing reliance on funding from actual disaster declarations. The projects chosen in the 2005 national grant competition will split a total of $235 million for plans and projects. Most projects will be eligible for a 75 percent federal share with a 25 percent non-federal match, but small, impoverished communities may be eligible for up to a 90 percent federal cost-share.

FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. For information on FEMA, go to www.fema.gov.