To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Norris W. Croom III, Fire Chief
Title
Resolution Adopting the 2021 Douglas County Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Body
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Executive Summary
The Town of Castle Rock worked with the Douglas County Office of Emergency Management and numerous other jurisdictions within Douglas County to update the 2015 Douglas County Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (adopted in February 2016), resulting in this comprehensive update. The 2021 Douglas County Local Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) 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, such as 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 2020 with the formation of a local planning committee comprised of key County representatives and other regional stakeholders. The committee conducted a risk assessment that identified and profiled hazards that pose a risk to the County and municipalities, assessed the vulnerability to these hazards, and examined the capabilities in place to mitigate them. The County and 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 and municipalities as a whole.
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, resources would be needed from multiple entities within the County and potentially the State and Federal governments. By engaging and supporting the process to address natural disasters, we ensure that natural disasters planning, mitigation, and response are being addressed.
Finally, to quote from the plan:
“The 2021 Plan reduces risk for those who live, work, and visit within the Douglas County planning area. The resources and background information lay groundwork for local mitigation activities and partnerships.”
Notification and Outreach Efforts
Feedback from the public was solicited as part of this planning process, and other Town departments were included in the development of the mitigation projects.
History of Past Town Council, Boards & Commissions, or Other Discussions
The Town has previously participated in this process and adopted the plans in 2005, 2011, and 2016. As a result of previous 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 has also previously received reimbursement for costs associated with the severe winter storms. Fortunately, the Town has not experienced any major natural 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 (starting on page 9.3-46 in Volume II) 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 NHMP identifies twelve (12) mitigation actions specific to the Town:
• Stream Stabilization and Flood Control on Major Drainageways
• Reconstruction/rehabilitation of small scale jurisdictional dams
• Castle Rock Reservoir No. 2
• Development and adoption of a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
• Plum Creek to Rueter-Hess Reservoir Pipeline, Pump Station, and Outlet Structure
• Chatfield Westside Pumpback Project
• Rueter-Hess Fill Pipeline
• Develop a Town-wide Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
• Explore feasibility of developing a Post-Disaster Recovery Plan
• Perform needs assessment and gap analysis to determine need for a full-time Emergency Manager
• Develop a public safety message on flood safety
• Join the countywide wildfire partnership
Each of these mitigation actions has already been identified and funding approved, or will be requested in future budgets, as part of their respective departmental priorities.
Staff remains available to provide any specific information on this plan if requested by Council.
Budget Impact
There is no specific 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 the Resolution as introduced by title.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Resolution
Attachment B: Powerpoint
Exhibit 1: Volume 1
Exhibit 2: Volume 2
Exhibit 3: Appendices