Property Buyouts Within the Coastal Barrier Resources System

The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) provides an exception to the prohibition of the expenditure of federal funds within the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) for "projects for the study, management, protection, and enhancement of fish and wildlife resources and habitats, including acquisition of fish and wildlife habitats and related lands, stabilization projects for fish and wildlife habitats, and recreational projects, so long as the action or project is consistent with the purposes of CBRA (16 U.S.C. 3505(a)(6)(A)).

An acquisition in a CBRS unit is eligible under all Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs if the project is otherwise eligible under the requirements of 44 CFR and the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance and is consistent with the purposes of CBRA, as provided in 16 U.S.C. 3505(a)(6)(A) and 44 CFR Section 206.345. The programs consist of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, and Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Acquisitions are subject to the regulatory restrictions of allowable uses under 44 CFR Section 80.19. Any structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure
that is relocated must be placed outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area and outside any regulatory erosion zone or other mapped hazard area, and the relocation must conform to any other applicable State or local land use regulations.

Learn more about FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance programs. 

Related Resources & Information

Aerial view of an undeveloped coastal freshwater pond.
We administer the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA), which encourages the conservation of storm-prone and dynamic coastal barriers by withdrawing the availability of federal funding and financial assistance within a designated set of units known as the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS)....
Aerieal view of saltwater (intertidal) wetlands.
This library collection includes resources and information related to Coastal Barrier Resources Act project consultations, as well as guidance for shoreline stabilization, disaster assistance, and property buyouts.