Boback: New law enhances flood mitigation program

Jul. 17—HARVEYS LAKE — State Rep. Karen Boback this week said flooding is a major concern in many of the communities she represents, which are seeking all the help they can get to prevent the damage caused by high water.

"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," said Boback, R-Harveys Lake.

Legislation — Act 65 of 2022 — to enhance Pennsylvania's flood mitigation program sponsored by Boback has been signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf. Act 65 will take effect 60 days.

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 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."

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.