Whitman County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Planning Partner Kick-off Meeting

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Lucinda Reynolds
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1 Whitman County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Planning Partner Kick-off Meeting Wednesday, May 11,

2 Tonight s Discussion The Planning Team The Disaster Mitigation Act FEMA requirements for Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) update Our work plan to complete the update Funding Steering Committee Planning Partner expectations 2

3 Speaker Rob Flaner - Tetra Tech, Inc. Technical consultant to Whitman County Facilitated the development of the initial plan Facilitated 30 successful mitigation planning efforts since

4 The Planning Team This process will be funded by a grant from FEMA awarded to the County. Tetra Tech, Inc. has been awarded the contract to facilitate this plan update process. The Planning Team Includes: Fran Martin, County Project Manager Rob Flaner, Tetra Tech (Lead Project Planner) Bev O Dea, Tetra Tech (Public Policy Lead) Ed Whitford, Tetra Tech (GIS/HAZUS lead) Dan Portman, Tetra Tech (Technical Editor) 4

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6 What is Mitigation? Preparedness Mitigation Response Recovery Sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life and property (Prevention) 6

7 What is the Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA)? Federal legislation that establishes a predisaster hazard mitigation program and new requirements for the national post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) 7

8 Provisions of the DMA Encourages and rewards local and state pre-disaster planning Promotes sustainability Seeks to strengthen statewide hazard mitigation through encouraging the integration of State and local planning Results in faster more efficient allocation of funding and more effective risk reduction projects 8

9 Local Government, defined in DMA Any county, municipality, city, town, township, public authority, school district, special district, intrastate district, council of governments (regardless of whether the council of governments is incorporated as a nonprofit corporation under State law), regional or interstate government entity, or agency or instrumentality of a local government; any Indian tribe or authorized tribal organization, or Alaska Native village or organization; and any rural community, unincorporated town or village, or other public entity. 9

10 Benefits of Hazard Mitigation Plans Establish / maintain eligibility for grant funds Preparedness: pro-active vs. reactive Sustainability Key element in emergency management Can set the course for response and recovery to impacts from natural disasters Requires commitment and support from both the political faction and your constituency 10

11 Response to the DMA in Whitman County Initial HMP was developed in 2005 Multi-jurisdictional effort provided DMA eligibility to 21 Local governments This represented 52% of the local governments with the County FEMA approved the plan on 5/16/2006 NHMP was funded with a FEMA planning Grant The Plan officially expires on 6/16/

12 Current Planning Partners Cities and County: Albion Colfax Colton Endicott Farmington Garfield LaCrosse Lamont Malden Oakesdale Palouse Pullman Rosalia St. John Tekoa Uniontown Whitman County 12

13 Current Planning Partners, cont. Special Purpose Districts Whitman Co. Fire District # 1 (Tekoa) Whitman Co. Fire District # 2 (St. John) Whitman Co. Fire District #7 (Rosalia) Whitman Co. Public Hospital District #3 13

14 Update Required Section CFR states that approved local NHMP s must be updated at least every 5 years to remain eligible under the DMA. Effective plans are those that remain relevant, which requires them to be reviewed and enhanced regularly. Maintaining an established HMP creates opportunities to integrate with other planning processes, and plans of adjacent jurisdictions. 14

15 Standards for Approval FEMA has drafted required elements for updates to NHMP s. (See handout) These requirements are comprehensive and include: Reengaging the public Review/revise risk assessment Review/revise goals and objectives Review/revise action plan 15

16 The benefits of Multi-Jurisdictional Planning This planning approach provides the following benefits: Pools resources Reduces the level of effort for each partner Consistency within a defined planning area Enhanced grant opportunities Approached preferred by FEMA/WAEMD 16

17 The Work Plan Primary objectives: To provide multiple program compliance for all planning partners To enhance original plan to better support future grant applications within the planning area. Approach: To follow the steps prescribed by a Federal Program, known as the Community Rating System (CRS) Scope of work has five (5) principal phases. 17

18 Phases of Plan Development Phase 1-Organize Resources Steering Committee Plan review Recommendations Agency Coordination Phase 2- Risk Assessment Update Hazards of concern HAZUS Utilize best available data Phase 3-Engage the Public Steering Committee Website Media releases Public meetings Questionnaire Phase 5-ADOPTION Phase 4-Assemble the plan Description of the process Risk assessment Mitigation Strategy Goals/objectives Review of alternatives Action Plan Plan Maintenance 18

19 Timeline We anticipate this process could take up to 12 months to complete, depending on direction from Steering Committee. Timeline may need to be expedited depending on timing of funding for this effort. 19

20 Funding The County has applied for an HMGP planning grant to fund this effort. 75% of this cost will be federal, 25% will be local contributions. The local contribution will be in-kind. It will be very important for each planning partner to provide us with billing rates and to keep track of their time. 20

21 Steering Committee A 13 member Steering Committee (SC) oversaw the development of the initial plan. A SC will oversee development of plan update as well. Multi-disciplined representation Planning partners representative(s) Citizens Stakeholders (Business, academia, government) Emergency Management Will meet periodically based on need during plan development. 21

22 Current Steering Committee Makeup We currently have 12 vacant seats. What do you want the makeup to be this time around? Do you want it to be bigger? Smaller? More Planning Partners? More Stakeholders? Who are Stakeholders in this process? Representatives identified will be formally invited to sit on this committee. The partnership will confirm this body by a vote. 22

23 Steering Committee Ground Rules The SC is an advisory body. Ground rules will be established to guide the Steering Committee s actions. SC meetings will be advertised and open to the public and all planning partners. 23

24 Volunteers? 24

25 Planning Partner Expectations Letter of intent to participate Participate in process Attend all mandatory meetings Support Steering Committee Complete Jurisdictional Annex template Mitigation strategy Action plan (Please Refer to Handout) 25

26 So what s next? 1. Need to submit and LOI to the Planning Team by 6/17/ LOI does not need a political action. 3. Planning Partners will need to confirm the Steering Committee. This will be done via vote. 4. Steering committee will meet within 1 month to begin the planning process. 5. Any planning partner is welcome and encouraged to attend SC meetings 6. Cut-off for becoming a planning partner will be the date of the 1 st SC meeting. 26

27 QUESTIONS 27

Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update. Information on the process

Contra Costa County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Information on the process What is Mitigation? Preparedness Mitigation Response Recovery Sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term