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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 06-16-2015 - 6j 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: June 16, 2015 Action Agenda Item No. 6-j SUBJECT: Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No Planning and Inspections ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: 1. Resolution of Adoption Kirby Saunders, EM Coordinator, 245-6135 2. North Carolina Emergency Ashley Moncado, Planner II, 245-2589 Management Letter of Approval Perdita Holtz, Planner III, 245-2578 Josh Hollingsworth, EM Planner, 245-6138 UNDER SEPARATE COVER 3. Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (Only Available Electronically at hLtp-://www.oranqecountvnc.qov/der) artments/emergency services/eno- haw regional hazard mitigation plan. PLO PURPOSE: To approve a resolution adopting the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan as approved by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management. BACKGROUND: In October of 2000, the "Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000" (DMA 2000) (Public Law 106-390) was signed into law, which amended the "Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act of 1988." DMA 2000 requires local governments to adopt a hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding. To remain eligible for funding, each local government must update the hazard mitigation plan every five years. In addition, North Carolina General Statute §166-A - 19.41 states as a condition of State public assistance funds following a disaster "the eligible entity shall have a hazard mitigation plan approved pursuant to the Stafford Act." Previously, Orange County, in partnership with the Town of Carrboro and the Town of Hillsborough, updated the "Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan" in accordance with State and Federal requirements, and the most recent plan was adopted by the BOCC on May 6, 2010. Recently, in an effort to reduce costs associated with hazard mitigation planning, the State began prioritizing planning funding provided to counties to those who collaboratively created regional hazard mitigation plans with neighboring jurisdictions that are facing comparable or similar hazards. The goal was to combine efforts and have counties create comprehensive, multi-county/multi jurisdictional plans while using fewer resources. 2 Because of this, Orange County has partnered with the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Hillsborough, the Durham County and its encompassed municipalities, and Alamance County and its encompassed incorporated areas to develop the new Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. No local control is lost by any participating entity in the regional plan, and each participant retains the right for apply for State or Federal funding. Furthermore, as an additional benefit, any combination of participants can choose to share the cost of any required local match when applying for project funding. In accordance with State and Federal regulations, the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Planning Team, which consists of representatives from Orange County Planning and Inspections, Orange County Emergency Services, and the other participating jurisdictions, began meeting in mid-2014 to work with AECOM, a contractor provided by the State, to create the new Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Collectively, the team evaluated past hazards and incidents, the geographical profile, the population profile, recently updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and other data to compile a profile for the region. Additionally, mitigation goals, strategies, and actions were developed for the region. A draft of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was submitted to the State Hazard Mitigation Officer for review in April 2015. The State returned comments on April 29, 2015, and the local planning team returned the plan with requested revisions. The plan was returned with the suggested revisions on May 8, 2015 for approval, and North Carolina Emergency Management returned an official approval letter on May 25, 2015. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently reviewing the plan and is expected to issue approval within the next 30 days. The Plan, noted as Attachment 3, is available electronically at: servicesfeno- hw_ regional hazard mitigation plan.php. Local government approval of the plan is occurring ahead of the expected FEMA approval in order to ensure necessary deadlines are met. If FEMA's review results in any significant revisions, the plan will be brought back to the BOCC for re-adoption at a later date. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no direct financial impact associated with the adoption of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. The State has provided funding for contracting services associated with compiling the plan. State and Federal law require a jurisdiction to have an adopted and approved hazard mitigation plan in place to be eligible for hazard mitigation assistance funds. Work at the local level was accomplished using existing County and local staff. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the attached resolution adopting the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 3 RES-2015-037 Attachment 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION ENO-HAW REGIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN WHEREAS, in October 2000, the President of the United States signed into law the "Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000" (Public Law 106-390) to amend the "Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Act of 1988" which requires local governments to adopt a mitigation plan in order to be eligible for hazard mitigation funding; and WHEREAS, Federal mitigation planning regulations require local mitigation plans to be updated and resubmitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for approval every five years in order to continue eligibility for Federal Emergency Management Agency hazard mitigation assistance programs; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute §166-A - 19.41, approved by the North Carolina General Assembly in June 2001, requires local governments to have a hazard mitigation plan approved in order to receive state public assistance funds; and WHEREAS, County staff along with representatives from partnering jurisdictions in conjunction with contract services have performed a comprehensive review and evaluation of the newly created Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and have updated the plan as required under regulations at 44 CFR Part 201 and according to guidance issued by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management; and WHEREAS, the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management has deemed the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan compliant with Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, as well as with relevant state requirements; and WHEREAS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has received a draft of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and is currently reviewing; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of County Commissioners of Orange County hereby adopt, by way of this resolution, the "Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan" as approved by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management. This the 16th day of June, 2015. Earl McKee, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: COUNTY SEAL Donna Baker Clerk to the Board Attachment 2 4 North Carolina Department of Public Safety Emergency Management Pat McCrory,Governor Michael A. Sprayberry,Director Frank L.Perry,Secretary May 27, 2015 Kirby Saunders Orange County Emergency Management Coordinator 510 Meadowlands Drive Hillsborough, NC 27278 RE: Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan Mr. Saunders: I am pleased to advise that NCEM has completed our review of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan for compliance with state and federal hazard mitigation planning requirements contained in 44 CFR 201.6(b)-(d). We have determined that the plan is compliant with state and federal requirements, subject to formal community adoption. In order for FEMA to issue formal approval of the plan, participating jurisdictions in the Eno- Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan must submit documentation that a final public opportunity for comment has been provided, and that the plan has been officially adopted by your governing body. Upon receipt of these items, we will coordinate with FEMA to secure documentation of their formal approval of the plan. Thank you for your efforts in organizing and leading this regional planning effort. Please let me know when I may be of assistance to you. Sincerely, � tc G►eE ! Chris Crew, CFM State Hazard Mitigation Officer MAILING ADDRESS: OFFICE LOCATION: 4236 Mail Service Center 4105 Reedy Creek Road Raleigh NC 27699-4236 Raleigh,NC 27607-3371 www,ncem.org ` Telephone: (919)825-2500 Fax: (919)715-9191 An Equal Opportunity Employer