A program designed by the federal government to help reduce loss of life and property in the event of a natural disaster is coming under scrutiny by some members of the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors. Though no formal decision was made about the future of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program in the county, supervisors made it clear the board does not intend to approve any additional acquisitions of property under the program.

The FEMA-sponsored program provides grants to states and localities to implement hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration has been made. This comes in the form of either elevating homes that are in flood prone areas or the county acquiring the properties. Currently, the county has acquired 34 properties through the program; six of these are still in process.

The discussion sparred about the future of the program, following a public hearing on an open space management plan for the properties that have already been acquired by the count...