Hazard Mitigation Plan Planning Perspective

Transcription

1 7. A. Hazard Mitigation Plan Planning Perspective B. Public Meeting Notice A. Hazard Mitigation Plan Planning Perspective York County Hazard Mitigation Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan Planning Perspective A7-1

2 Planning Perspectives A Newsletter from the York County Planning Commission July 2005 York County Hazard Mitigation Plan This Planning Perspective is intended to provide some basic information regarding the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and hazard mitigation planning. It also provides an overview of York County s efforts to develop a Countywide Hazard Mitigation Plan. Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act by repealing Section 409 pertaining to previous mitigation planning and replacing it with Section 322. This was done to place a new emphasis on State and Local Planning by requiring the development and submission of hazard mitigation plans as a condition of receiving various types of pre- and post- disaster assistance for mitigation efforts as identified under the Stafford Act. Additionally, Section 322 authorizes a program for predisaster mitigation, streamlines administration of disaster relief, and offers better control of Federal costs relating to hazard mitigation. The requirements of this Act went into effect on November 1, What is Hazard Mitigation? The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines Hazard Mitigation as any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate longterm risk to life and property from a hazard event. The primary purpose of mitigation planning is to systematically identify policies, actions, and tools that can be used to implement those actions. Hazard mitigation refers to natural hazards, but after September 11, 2001, many plans now include terrorism and manmade hazards.

3 What does this mean to the State and local municipalities? At the State level, DMA 2000 still requires a State level hazard mitigation plan, but provides for two levels of Plans, which are a standard plan and an enhanced plan, and requires that the State Plan be reviewed and updated every three years. States demonstrating commitment to mitigation planning through implementation of an Enhanced State Plan can receive increased amounts of funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Pennsylvania has an Enhanced State Plan. Additionally, the new amendments require the State to provide technical assistance and training to local governments to assist them in applying for HMGP Grants and developing local mitigation plans. At the municipal level, DMA 2000 requires the development, adoption, and submission of a hazard mitigation plan as a condition of receiving various types of pre- and post-disaster assistance for mitigation efforts. DMA 2000 also provides for multi-jurisdictional plans, as long as at least one Hazard Mitigation Project Opportunity Form (HMPO Form) for each participating municipality is completed. HMPO Forms identify and provide a description of specific hazard mitigation projects. They are used by the State to run quarterly checks to see if funding is available to complete a specific project. Municipalities may apply for financial assistance of up to 75% of the total cost of mitigation activities. Small impoverished communities meeting certain requirements may receive up to 90% of project costs. What is required to be in a Hazard Mitigation Plan? FEMA uses a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Crosswalk in the review of proposed Hazard Mitigation Plans. A Crosswalk describes specific elements required to be included in the Plan for approval by FEMA. Thus, the Crosswalk serves as the outline for most Plans. Generally, the Crosswalk requires Hazard Mitigation Plans to include the following: Description of the Planning Process Hazard Identification Hazard Profile Vulnerability Assessment (County) Risk Assessment (Municipal) Hazard Mitigation Strategy Identification and Analysis of Mitigation Actions Implementation Prioritization Hazard Mitigation Project Opportunity Form for each participating municipality Plan Maintenance Process Description of Existing Planning Tools Plan for Continued Public Involvement Documentation of Adoption by the County and each participating municipality

4 What is the County doing? Per official notification provided to York County Municipalities on January 4, 2005, the York County Commissioners have appointed the York County Planning Commission and the York County Emergency Management Agency to prepare a Hazard Mitigation Plan for the County of York. This Plan is being prepared to enable the municipalities of York County to be eligible for funding under the HMGP. Each municipality will have the option of adopting the Plan by resolution in order to qualify for HMGP funds. Those municipalities who choose not to adopt may prepare their own Plan, but will be required to be consistent with the County Plan. Currently, the State is strongly encouraging Hazard Mitigation Plans to be completed at the County level. This recommendation is being made due to the fact that most hazards expand beyond municipal boundaries, disaster declarations are made at the County level, and decisions regarding priority for funding may be made at the County level depending on the circumstances involved. A Countywide Plan also provides for consistency. Progress Made To Date Representatives from both County Agencies have had three of five allotted meetings with URS, a FEMA consultant designated to guide York County through the preparation of this Plan. A list of identified hazards has been generated from the State Hazard Mitigation Plan, Municipal Surveys, County Comprehensive Plan, and existing knowledge. Each of the identified hazards was profiled, then prioritized by frequency and severity on a risk matrix. Hazards identified on the risk matrix and given a ranking of medium-medium to high-high will be addressed further by the Plan (see risk matrix below). Individual municipalities will have the opportunity to identify hazards not identified as priority for York County on their Hazard Mitigation Project Opportunity Forms. These forms will be included in the Plan. F R E Q U E N C Y High Medium Low York County Hazard Risk Matrix Fires (Wild/Urban) Hazardous Materials (fixed/transportation) Terrorism Extreme Temp. Lightning Earthquake Land Slides Land Subsidence Radon Severe Storms Drought Tornados Civil Disorder Low Medium High SEVERITY Flooding Nuclear Incidents Dam Failure

5 Upcoming Public Meeting A public meeting has been scheduled for July 28, 2005, at 7:00 P.M. in Room 1 of the County Annex Building at 118 Pleasant Acres Road, York, PA The purpose of this meeting will be to provide general background information, get input on what has been completed, and guidance for future work to be completed. Further Information To obtain additional information, please contact one the individuals listed below. Name Telephone # Roy Livergood* rlivergood@ycpc.org Joe Heffner jheffner@ycpc.org John Seitz jseitz@ycpc.org Wade Gobrecht wgobrecht@ycpc.org Jeff Joy jsjoy@ycdes.org * Project Manager Planning Perspectives is a newsletter created by the staff of the York County Planning Commission. It covers current topics of interest in the field of Urban and Regional Planing. If you have a suggested topic for future issues, contact Felicia Dell at

6 York County Hazard Mitigation Plan B. Public Meeting Notice A7-6 Public Meeting Notice