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 risk to life and property (Prevention)
What is the Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA)? Federal legislation that establishes a pre-disaster hazard mitigation program and new requirements for the national post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The DMA encourages and rewards local and state pre-disaster planning. Promotes sustainability. Seeks to integrate State and local planning with an overall goal of strengthening statewide hazard mitigation. Results in faster more efficient allocation of funding and more effective risk reduction projects.
The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) Facts: Requires local hazard mitigation plans for Hazard Mitigation Grant Fund (project) eligibility for declared disasters. Establishes Pre-disaster Mitigation program. Mandates a prescriptive planning process Re-defined local government All approved plans must be updated every 5- years.
The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) Fiction: All post-disaster financial assistance requires an approved plan. If you don t have a plan by November 1, 2004, you will not be eligible for HMGP project funds. DMA plan must include non-natural hazards.
What is a local government? 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.
Why do a Hazard mitigation Plan? Grant Funding eligibility. 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.
The Response to the DMA in Contra Costa County 17 local Governments have adopted plans within the County ( 12 cities, 5 Districts). 7 cities and numerous Special Purpose districts have not adopted plans and are therefore not eligible to apply for funding.
Have adopted Plans: Clayton Concord Danville El Cerrito Lafayette Moraga Orinda Pleasant Hill Richmond San Pablo San Ramon Walnut Creek Bethel Island MID Contra Costa Water District Eastern C. C Transit Authority Moraga/Orinda FD San Ramon Valley FD Do not have adopted plans: Antioch Brentwood Hercules Martinez Oakley Pinole Pittsburg Every Special Purpose District within the County that fits the definition of Local Government not currently covered by a plan.
The ABAG Plan The Association of Bay Area Governments responded to the DMA by creating a Regional template for local Governments to follow. They created a regional risk assessment and a comprehensive catalog of mitigation actions. This process was meant to be a platform for which local governments could build upon. All approved plans within CCC are ABAG plans.
The ABAG plan ABAG does plan on updating its regional plan (time frame to be determined) The Contra Costa County effort will be separate from the ABAG update effort ABAG will be coordinated with during this process to promote regional consistency.
So what s the deal? Contra Costa County Department of Public Works has received a FEMA grant to update the LHMP for the County. The sell point for this grant was for this effort to be multi-jurisdictional, which would get all planning partners on the same planning cycle. The County has hired Tetra Tech to facilitate this process.
Why Update? Because it is required. Section 201.6 44CFR states that approved LHMP s must be updated at least every 5 years to remain eligible under the DMA. Because plans are no good if they sit on a shelf. Effective plans are dynamic which means they are reviewed and enhanced regularly.
What is required in a Plan update? FEMA has drafted required elements for updates to LHMP s. These Requirements are comprehensive and include: Reengaging the public Review\revise risk assessment Review\revise goals and objectives Review\revise action plan
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/CAOES
The Work-Plan Will Follow a script prescribed by a Federal Program known as the Community Rating System (CRS). Primary objective of this work-plan is to provide multiple program compliance to all planning partners. Scope of work has five (5) principal phases.
Phase 1: Organize Resources The principle objectives of this phase are: Organize the planning partnership Select a Steering Committee Review the existing plan Make recommendations for enhancement/revision Coordinate with other agencies (ABAG) Review existing programs
Planning Partners Cities: Antioch Brentwood Concord Contra Costa County Danville El Cerrito Kensington Martinez Pinole Pleasant Hill San Pablo San Ramon Walnut Creek
Planning Partners Special Purpose Districts Bethel Island Municipal Improvement District Brentwood Union School District Delta Diablo Sanitation District Central Contra Costa Sanitary District East Bay MUD Reclamation District 800 (Byron Tract) Mt. Diablo Unified School District Knightsen Community Services District West Contra Costa Unified School District Ironhouse Sanitary District Contra Costa Consolidated Fire District Contra Costa County Office of Education San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District Pittsburg Unified School District East Contra Costa Fire District Antioch Unified School District Diablo Water District Canyon Elementary School District Liberty Union High School District Reclamation District 830 (Jersey Island) Contra Costa Community College district Rodeo-Hercules Fire District
Phase 2: Risk Assessment This phase will focus primarily on updating the flood and earthquake components of the risk assessment. HAZUS-MH will be utilized The Risk Assessment will be formatted to better suit the needs of CCC and its planning partners (to better support the grant application process). Will include a comprehensive review of alternatives for each hazard (Creation of a mitigation catalog).
HAZUS-MH Methodology For All Hazards Hazard Inventory Vulnerability Validation / Calibration HAZUS-MH Risk Assessment Risk = Hazard x Exposure x Vulnerability
Phase 3: Public Involvement Strategy This will be a key phase to meeting FEMA s plan update requirements. The Steering Committee will identify an outreach strategy that will meet the needs and capability of the partnership This strategy could include: Questionnaires Website(s) Public meetings Media releases
Phase 4: Assemble the Plan Under this phase, the planning team will assemble the plan in accordance with state and federal requirements for plan updates. Plan Must include for DMA compliance: 1. A description of the Planning process 2. Risk assessment (applicable to each planning partner) 3. Mitigation Strategy Goals Review of alternatives Prioritized action plan 4. Plan Maintenance section 5. Documentation of Adoption
The Plan layout The proposed layout for this plan will be in 2 volumes. Volume 1, will contain all elements that apply to the entire planning area. Description of planning process, risk assessment, goals and objectives, review of mitigation alternatives, plan maintenance, and county-wide initiatives. Volume 2 will contain the elements that are jurisdiction specific There will be a chapter for each planning partner The basis for Volume 2 will be the Jurisdictional Annex templates.
Phase 5: Plan Adoption Once pre-adoption approval has been provided by OES and FEMA, the adoption phase will begin. Plan will need to be adopted by ALL planning partners before FEMA will grant full eligibility to the partnership. Sample resolutions will be provided to the partners.
Timeline We anticipate this process will take up to 18 months to complete, depending on direction from Steering Committee.
Planning Partner Expectations Refer to hand out Letter of intent to participate Participate in process Support Steering Committee Complete Jurisdictional Annex template Mitigation strategy Action plan
Steering Committee Will oversee development of plan Multi-disciplined representation Planning partners representative(s) Citizens Stakeholders (Business, academia, government) Emergency Management Will meet periodically based on need during plan development.
SC Ground Rules The SC has 14 members. The SC is an advisory body Ground rules have been established to guide the Steering Committee s actions. SC meetings are advertised and open to the public.
Questions on this process can be directed to: Rob Flaner, CFM Tetra Tech, Inc. 90 South Blackwood Ave. Eagle, ID 83616 (208)939-4391 rob.flaner@tetratech.com