FEMA Benefit Cost Analysis Fact Sheets

Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA)

For more information about guidance on acquisitions, elevation and hospital generator projects, view these memorandums on FEMA’s website:

 

Fact Sheets

Multiple tools have been developed to assist with the development of activities, to include fact sheets and job aids to help development of Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) applications. 

The purpose of these job aids are to help communities applying for CRMA activities under HMA grants comply with the technical feasibility and effectiveness, and environmental and historic preservation requirements of the application.  

Multiple BCA guidance and tools have been developed to assist with the development of these activities to help development of Hazard Mitigation Assistance applications. 

Link to https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/110202 for more information or review the Job Aids and Fact sheets below.

 

Ecosystem Service Benefits in Benefit-Cost Analysis for FEMA’s Mitigation Programs Policy

September 29, 2020 

FEMA Policy FP-108-024-02

This policy allows for ecosystem service benefits to be included in a mitigation project’s Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) regardless of the Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR).  Ecosystem service benefits are positive effects provided to people by nature, such as aesthetic value, air quality, recreation space, and water filtration.

By removing the previous BCR threshold, ecosystem service benefits can be used for all project types eligible under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) and Public Assistance (PA) 406 mitigation programs that support the incorporation of ecosystem service benefits and result in the improvement of the natural environment.

Link to FEMA Ecosystem Service Benefits Policy.

Ecosystem Service Benefits Calculator

June 1, 2016

This Ecosystem Services Benefit Cost Calculator can used to calculate benefits for applicable projects under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs. This PDF file is intended to help users view the content of the Ecosystem Services Benefit Cost Calculator without the Excel software. If you require the Microsoft Excel version of the calculator, or if you have any questions on details of the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA), contact the BCA Helpline at 1-855-540-6744 or bchelpline@fema.dhs.gov.

Benefit-Cost Analysis Tools for Drought, Ecosystem Services, and Post-Wildfire Mitigation for Hazard Mitigation Assistance

February 16, 2017

The purpose of this policy clarification is to explain benefit-cost analysis tools to calculate benefits for drought mitigation, ecosystem service, and pre-calculated benefits for cost effectiveness evaluation of soil stabilization, flood diversion, and reforestation projects in wildfire impacted areas to support expedient implementation of post-wildfire mitigation actions.


Aquifer storage and recovery, floodplain and stream restoration, flood diversion and storage, and green infrastructure methods are eligible under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs to support communities in reducing the risks associated with mitigating the impacts of flood and drought conditions

Aquifer Storage and Recovery Benefit Cost Analysis Calculator Tool

May 27, 2016

This Aquifer Storage and Recovery Benefit Cost Analysis Calculator Tool can be used to perform the benefit cost analysis of an Aquifer Storage and Recovery project under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs.  This PDF file is intended to help users view the content of the Aquifer Storage and Recovery Benefit Cost Calculator without the Excel software. If you require the Microsoft Excel version of the calculator, or if you have any questions on details of the Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA), contact the BCA Helpline at 1-855-540-6744 or bchelpline@fema.dhs.gov.

Methodology for Aquifer Storage and Recovery Benefit Cost Analysis

May 27, 2016

Methodology for the Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) project Benefit Cost Analysis (BCA) and application of the ASR BCA Tool.  

Supplemental Guidance for Conducting a Benefit Cost Analysis for Floodplain and Stream Restoration Projects

May 26, 2016

Supplemental guidance for conducting a benefit cost analysis for a Floodplain and Stream Restoration project under the hazard Mitigation Assistance programs

Supplemental Guidance for Conducting a Benefit Cost Analysis for Flood Diversion and Storage Projects

May 26, 2016

Supplemental guidance for conducting a benefit cost analysis for a Flood Diversion and Storage project under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs.