Section 48-62-70 - Hazard mitigation; infrastructure improvements; eligibility(A) To satisfy the purposes of removing residents from hazard areas, safeguarding property, and restoring the natural function of the floodplain, the Disaster Relief and Resilience Reserve Fund may be allocated to enable hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvements through loans and through a competitive grant process administered by the office. For purposes of this section, hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvements include, but are not limited to: (1) mitigation buyouts, relocations, and buyout assistance for homes, including multifamily units, not covered by the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program;(2) gap funding related to buyouts in order to move residents out of floodplain hazard areas and restore or enhance the natural flood-mitigation capacity of functioning floodplains;(3) assistance to low- and moderate-income homeowners to help lower flood risk through flood insurance, structural and nonstructural mitigation projects, or other means;(4) loans and grants to state and local governmental entities for hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvement projects; and(5) approved mitigation projects identified in local post-disaster recovery plans created and adopted prior to a disaster.(B) Upon its creation, funding priority must be given to projects identified by the Statewide Resilience Plan or local hazard mitigation plans.(C) In approving financial assistance for hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvement projects, the office shall ensure that selected projects are in compliance with requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program or any more stringent requirements adopted by a local government and shall give priority to projects which offer enhanced protection from future flood events or which utilize or incorporate natural features to achieve protections. Funds may not be used for projects which, rather than lowering risks overall, increase the flood vulnerabilities of neighboring areas.(D) In order to qualify for hazard mitigation and infrastructure improvement grants and loans, eligible fund recipients must apply to the office and meet all criteria set forth by the office.Added by 2020 S.C. Acts, Act No. 163 (SB 259),s 1, eff. 9/29/2020.