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HomeMy WebLinkAbout059-074~GK . CpG~ . ~ ~, ~ BOARD OF SUPERVISORS .~~w », Northern Shenandoah Valley Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan RESOLUTION ADOPTING A NATURAL HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN FOR NORTHERN SHENANDOAH VALLEY COMMUNITIES: WHEREAS, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, as amended, requires that local governments develop and adopt natural hazard mitigation plans in order to receive certain federal assistance, and WHEREAS, a Mitigation Advisory Committee ("MAC") comprised of representatives from Clarke County, Frederick County, Page County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, the City of Winchester, and the Towns of Berryville, Boyce, Edinburg, Front Royal, Luray, Middletown, Mount Jackson, New Market, Shenandoah, Stanley, Stephens City, Strasburg, Toms Brook, and Woodstock was convened in order to study the Northern Shenandoah Valley's risks from and vulnerabilities to natural hazards, and to make recommendations on mitigating the effects of such hazards on the Northern Shenandoah Valley; and WHEREAS, a request for proposals was issued to hire an experienced consulting firm to work with the MAC to develop a comprehensive natural hazard mitigation plan for the Northern Shenandoah Valley; and WHEREAS, the efforts of the MAC members and the consulting firm of Dewberry, in consultation with members of the public, private and non-profit sectors, have resulted in the development of a Hazard Mitigation Plan for the Northern Shenandoah Valley including Frederick County, Virginia; and NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Frederick County, Virginia that the Hazard Mitigation Plan dated January 2007 is hereby approved and adopted for Frederick County, Virginia. A copy of the plan is attached to this resolution. ADOPTED by the Board of Supervisors for Frederick County, Virginia this 11th day of April 2007. ATTE Joh .Riley, Jr. (A~PPR,~OVED_: Richard C. Shickle (Clerk of the Frederick County) (Chairman, Board of Supervisors) Resolution # 059-07 US. Department of Homeland Secariiv Region IEl One Independence Mall, Sixth Floor 615 Chestnut Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-~0~ iQE4A~@Tj~F44 /1, l= o~~~ ~ .~ ~~f~?„ND SfL~ f#EC 2 8 ~QQ6 Ms. Deborah G. Mills State Hazard Mitigation Program Manager Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Emergency Management 1U5D1 Trade Court RicIurwnd, Virginia 23236-3713 Dear Ms. Mills: We have reviewed the Northern Shenandoah Valley Multi-Jurisdictional Hazards Mitigation Plan, based on the standards contained in 44 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 201, as authorized by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000), and 44 CFR, Part 78.5 Flood Mitigation Plan Developrnen#. These criteria address the planning process, hazazd identification and risk assessment, mitigation strategy and plan maintenance requirements. The plan received a "satisfactory" rating for all required criteria. However prior to formal approval, each participating municipality in Northern Shenandoah Planning District Commission (NSPDC) is required to provide FEMA an adoption resolution and a final electronic copy of the adopted plan. We commend you for your dedication demonstrated in supporting the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) and the Commission's commitment to reduce future disaster losses. If you have questions, please contact Robert E. Linclc at (215) 931-5514. tv~vw.fema.gnv Background Beginning in 2003, the Commonwealth of Virginia encouraged the twenty-one planning districts in the commonwealth to take the lead on the development of local hazard mitigation plans. These plans, which are required by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2K), help local governments to determine their risks and vulnerabilities and to identify projects to reduce these risks. The plan developed under the auspices of the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission includes Clarke County, Frederick County, Page County, Shenandoah County, Warren County, the City of Winchester, and the Towns of Berryville, Boyce, Edinburg, Front Royal, Luray, Middletown; Mount Jackson, New Market, Shenandoah, Stanley, Stephens City, Strasburg, Toms Brook, and Woodstock. The planning district assembled a Mitigation Advisory Committee (MAC) comprised of representatives of the participating jurisdictions. The MAC worked with contractor support, Dewberry, to develop the plan, and provided input at key stages' of the planning process. In addition, the plan was discussed at various public meetings, including a listening session to which over 60 organizations were invited to attend along with the general public. Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment - The Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment consists of three parts: 1. Identification of hazards that could affect the Northern Shenandoah Valley 2. Profile of hazard events and determination of what areas and. community assets are the most vulnerable to damage from these hazards 3. Estimate of losses and prioritization of the potential risks to the community Hazards were ranked by the steering committee to determine what hazards they believe have the largest impact on their communities. Certain hazards were not addressed due to the infrequency of occurrence and/or limited impact. Table I-1 a,~mmarizes the results of the hazard identification, which is explained fully in Section V of this plan. ~. ~ ~ , a ~ . _ . .~. ~ ~ ~~ Section I. Executive Summary The Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment describes each of the hazards in levels of detail consistent w' h h 1 varying > rt eac p amm~g consideration level. The Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment shows that snow storms generally have greater impact than ice storms. According to the flood analysis, potential flood losses are highest in Frederick County, the City of Winchester and the Town of Front Royal. In addition, rural azeas are impacted more by drought and wildfire than urban areas. Capability Assessment The Capability Assessment evaluates the current capacity of the communities of the Northern Shenandoah Valley to mitigate the effecu of the natural hazards identified in the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. By providing a summary of each jurisdiction's existing capabilities, the Capability Assessment serves as the foundation for designing an effective hazard mitigation strategy., Table I-2 summarizes the Capability Self=Assessment provided by the participating jurisdictions. Clarke County e k Hi h Hi _ ~q Moderate Limited Moderate Moderate/H Co untyc High High High High High High Pa e County Limited Moderate Moderate Limited Moderate Mod Shenandoah Coun Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate erate Moderate Warren County Cit of Hi h Li Hi h Moderate Moderate Hi h Moderate/Hi y Winchester mited Moderate Limited Limited Moderate Limited Mitigation Strategy The Northern Shenandoah Valley MAC members used the results of the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment as well as the Capability Assessment to develop goals and mitigation strategies for their jurisdictions. The committee members developed the following nineteen goals in four categories: A. CommuaityAwareaess A.I. Encourage leadership within the public and private sector organizations to prioritize and implement local, county, and regional hazard mitigation activities as a public value. A.2. Establish cooperative relationships between the public, private, and non-profit sectors to enhance our preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation for hazard events. A.3. Support pre-disaster mitigation and remedial efforts, should damage from a natural hazard event occur. A.4. Introduce hazard awareness and risk reduction principles into the community's daily activities, processes, and functions. A.S. Develop and implement education and outreach programs to increase public awareness of the risks associated with natural and. man made hazards. A.6. Improve community education and communication as they relate to disasters. __ B. Local Capacity B.I. Assess the extent of our vulnerability to natural and man-made environmental hazards. B.2. Enhance the capabilities of local government to lessen the impacts of future disasters. B.3. Improve hazard assessment information to make recommendation to discourage new .development and encourage preventative measures for existing development in areas vulnerable to natural and man-made hazards. B.4. Leverage additional federal, non-federal, and state resources in meeting natural disaster resistance goals. B.S. Encourage scientific study of natural and man-made hazards and the development of data to support mitigation strategies for those hazards that are a threat to the region and localities within. C..Property Protection C.1. Minimize the impact of natural and man-made hazards on property with the region and localities within and promote future disaster resistant development. C.2. Protect new and existing public and private infrastructure and facilities from the effects of natural and man-made hazards. C.3. Reduce damage to personal and public property including critical facilities. D. Public Safety D.1. Enhance the safety of residents and businesses by protecting new and existing development from the effects of natural and man-made hazards through efficient policies and procedures. D.2. Ensure public health and safety within the region and localities within before, during, and following hazardous events. D.3. Protect the citizens to the best of our abilities from natural and man-made environmental hazards to reduce the loss of life and personal injury. D.4. Create coordinated regional emergency response criteria to establish services through the use of federal, state, regional and local resources utilizing a regional reciprocating agreement. In addition, the committee identified and prioritized actions for each jurisdiction. The priorities differ somewhat from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Each jurisdiction's priorities were developed based on past damages, existing exposure to risk, community goals, and their capabilities as identified in the Capability Assessment. Plan Maintenance Procedures The plan outlines a procedure for implementing, maintaining, and updating the plan. The Mitigation Advisory Committee that was established by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission to develop this plan will remain active in monitoring and updating the plan. A working group also will be responsible for setting measures of success. A 5-year written update to the plan must to be submitted to the state and FEMA Region III, unless disaster or other circumstances (e.g., changing regulations) lead to a different time frame. Efforts will be made to inform the public of the implementation and updating of the mitigation plan throughout the next five years. Conclusion This plan symbolizes the continued commitment and dedication of the Northern Shenandoah Valley's local governments and community members to enhancing the safety of residents and businesses by taking actions before a disaster strikes. Although nothing can be done to prevent natural hazard events from occurring, the region is now poised to minimize the disruption and devastation that so often accompanies these disasters. __ __ _____u~~ ~~u Y1~~C« cnncal services, buildings, facilities and infrastructure at risk to natural and man-made hazards and undertake cost-effective mitigation measures.