Court Restores FEMA Mitigation Funding After Lawsuit
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Boston — A federal court on Thursday ordered restoration of FEMA's Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities grant program, ruling the administration unlawfully terminated its funding. Judge Richard Stearns sided with a coalition of state attorneys general, finding the executive branch lacked authority to divert Congress-appropriated funds. The order requires FEMA to reinstate BRIC grants and reversed cancellations that halted mitigation projects such as safe rooms and flood protections. State officials noted the program invested billions and generated estimated savings per dollar spent. Federal agencies may respond. Appeals or administrative responses may follow. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.
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Timeline
- 1. 2018: Congress passed Disaster Recovery Reform Act establishing BRIC-related mitigation authority.
- 2. BRIC funded mitigation projects nationwide, with articles reporting roughly $5 billion invested since passage.
- 3. April (reported): FEMA announced plans to terminate the BRIC program and cease related grants.
- 4. State attorneys general filed lawsuits challenging FEMA's termination as unlawful; coalitions of states joined litigation.
- 5. Federal courts issued rulings ordering restoration of BRIC funding and reinstatement of canceled mitigation projects.
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