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Home My WebLink AboutAgenda - 09-01-20; 8-g - Approval of Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: September 1, 2020 Action Agenda Item No. 8-g SUBJECT: Approval of Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan DEPARTMENT: Emergency Services ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution of Adoption Kirby Saunders, Emergency Management Coordinator, 919-245- 6135 UNDER SEPARATE COVER: Sarah Pickhardt, Emergency Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Management Planner, 919-245-6138 Plan (717 Pages) Only Available Sasha Godwin, Emergency Electronically at Management Planner, 919-245-6160 httl,).-Ilwww.enohawhml,).com/assets//,)df/ documents/EnoHaw%20HMP%20Revis ed%20Review%20Draft.pdf 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) (PL 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 the Town of Carrboro, the Town of Chapel Hill, the Town of Hillsborough, the County of Durham and its encompassed municipalities, the County of Alamance and its encompassed incorporated areas, updated the "Orange County Hazard Mitigation Plan" in accordance with State and Federal requirements. The plan was adopted by the BOCC on June 16, 2015. For this 2020 update, Person County and its encompassed incorporated areas have joined the planning process. In an effort to reduce costs associated with hazard mitigation planning, the State prioritizes planning funding provided to counties to those who collaboratively create regional hazard mitigation plans with neighboring jurisdictions that are face comparable or similar hazards. The goal is to combine efforts and have counties create comprehensive, multi-county/multi- 2 jurisdictional plans while using fewer resources. No local control is lost by any participating entity in the regional plan, and each participant retains the right to 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-2019 to work with Wood, 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), assessments from the Triangle Regional Resiliency Study, 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 June 2020. The State returned comments on July 10, 2020, and the local planning team returned the plan with requested revisions. The plan was returned with the suggested revisions on July 13, 2020 for approval and NC Emergency Management returned an official approval letter on July 17, 2020. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently reviewing the plan and is expected to issue an approval within the next 30 days. 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 are no direct negative financial impacts 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. A fundamental premise of mitigation strategy is that current dollars invested in mitigation activities will significantly reduce the demand for future dollars by reducing the amount needed for emergency recovery, repair, and reconstruction following a disaster. SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goals are applicable to this item: • GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their dependents. • GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang activity, substance abuse and domestic violence. While natural hazards cannot be prevented, the community can use various means to reduce the vulnerability of people and damage to property. The community can reduce exposure to future natural hazards by managing the location and characteristics of both the existing and 3 future built environment. By utilizing location and construction techniques, the community can mitigate negative impacts and reduce future damage to both human lives and property. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: The following Orange County Environmental Responsibility Goal impact is applicable to this item: • RESULTANT IMPACT ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND AIR QUALITY Assess and where possible mitigate adverse impacts created to the natural resources of the site and adjoining area. Minimize production of greenhouse gases. Mitigation calls for conservation of natural and ecologically sensitive areas (such as wetlands, floodplains, and dunes) which enables the environment to absorb some of the impact of hazard events. In this manner, this plan helps the community attain a level of sustainability, ensuring long-term environmental health for the community as a whole. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign the attached resolution adopting the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. 4 RES-2020-050 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION 2020 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" (PL 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 2015 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 2020 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 adopts, by way of this resolution, the revised "Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan" as approved by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management. This the 1st day of September, 2020. Penny Rich, Chair Orange County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: COUNTY SEAL David Hunt Deputy Clerk to the Board