To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Art Morales, Fire Chief
Title
Resolution: Adopting of the 2015 Douglas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Body
________________________________________________________________________________
Executive Summary
The Town of Castle Rock (ToCR) worked with the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management (County), four other jurisdictions and one special district to update the 2010 Denver Regional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (adopted in October 2011), resulting in this comprehensive update. The 2015 Douglas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) demonstrates the community’s commitment to reducing risks, serves as a tool to help decision makers direct mitigation activities and resources, and satisfies the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 allowing The Town of Castle Rock to remain eligible to receive certain federal disaster assistance: Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Pre- Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs.
The County followed a planning process prescribed by FEMA, which began in August 2014 with the formation of a hazard mitigation planning committee (HMPC) comprised of key County representatives, and other regional stakeholders. The HMPC conducted a risk assessment that identified and profiled hazards that pose a risk to the County/municipalities, assessed the vulnerability to these hazards, and examined the capabilities in place to mitigate them. The County/municipalities are vulnerable to several hazards that are identified, profiled, and analyzed in this plan. Floods, wildfires, and severe weather are among the hazards that can have a significant impact on the County/municipalities.
Finally, participation in a regional effort such as this is preferred by both state and federal officials as opposed to each individual entity developing their own plan. In the event of a large disaster, we would most likely need to respond as a region so it only makes sense to plan as a region. The Town also participates in the regional homeland security effort, which addresses man-made disasters. By supporting the process to address natural disasters, we ensure that both natural and man-made disasters are being addressed.
Notification and Outreach Efforts
The Public Safety Commission has been advised of this plan and process, and recommends its adoption.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
The Town has previously participated in this process and adopted the plans in 2005 and 2011. As a result of this participation, the Town received a $4700.00 matching grant to purchase NOAA weather radios that were distributed to approximately 300 residents and businesses within the community. The Town also received reimbursement for costs associated with the severe winter storms experienced in 2006 and 2007. Fortunately, the Town has not experienced any major natural or man-made disasters where extensive state or federal aid has been needed.
Discussion
While the plan addresses the County as a whole, the Town has a specific section (Annex B) in the plan that includes a risk assessment, demographics at risk, values at risk, and current and future mitigation measures. Examples of risks for the Town of Castle Rock include wildland fire, flooding, severe storms including lightning and hail, and winter storms, including blizzards. The LHMP identifies three mitigation actions specific to the Town:
• Stream Stabilization and Flood Control on Major Drainageways. (Resp: ToCR)
• Plum Creek/North Meadows Extension Flood Erosion Protection-Storm Drainage System. (Resp: ToCR)
• Crystal Valley Stormwater Collection Re-Design. (Resp: ToCR)
Each of these mitigation actions has already been identified and funding approved as part of their respective departmental priorities.
Since the plan is 635 pages, it has not been included in this document. However, staff remains available to provide any specific information on this plan if requested by Council.
Budget Impact
There is no budget impact by adopting this plan as the mitigation measures identified in the plan are already part of each Department’s ongoing efforts.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends approving the motion and adopting the plan.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve A Resolution Adopting the Douglas County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.”
Attachments
Attachment A Resolution
Attachment B Powerpoint