HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2294 - For the adoption of the 2010 Snohomish County Natural Hazards mitigation plan updateRESOLUTION FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE 2010 SNOHOMISH
COUNTY NATURAL HAZARDS MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE
Resolution No.;;.).1'1
WHEREAS,all of Snohomish County is exposed to natural hazards that present risks to
life,property,the environment,and the economy;and
WHEREAS,proactive mitigation can reduce or eliminate these risks;and
WHEREAS,pursuant to the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (P.L.106-390,dated Oct.30,
2000)and 44 CFR §201,the Federal Emergency Management Agency requires the
adoption and maintenance of a natural hazard mitigation plan as a condition of eligibility
for certain pre-and post-disaster mitigation grant funds;and .
WHEREAS,a coalition of35 Planning Partners,including Snohomish County,Cities,and
Special Purpose Districts,have updated the 2005 Snohomish County Natural Hazards
Mitigation Plan in accordance with the processes and requirements established by 44 CFR
§206.1.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Marysville:
1.Adopts in its entirety Volume 1 and,Part 1;Chapter 9 of Part 2;and the Appendices
of Volume 2 of the 2010 Snohomish County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan
Update,as amended.
2.Will utilize the adopted portions of the 2010 Snohomish County Natural Hazard
Mitigation Plan Update to guide pre-and post-disaster mitigation of the City of
Marysville's identified hazards.
3.Will coordinate the strategies identified in the 2010 Snohomish County Natural
Hazard Mitigation Plan Update with other planning efforts under its jurisdictional
authority.
4.Will continue to support the County's Mitigation Steering Committee and
collaborate with the established planning partnership as described by the Update's
Guiding Principle,Goals,and Objectives.
This resolution was passed by motion on this ;}..7,.;A day of September 2010.
CITY OF MARYSVILLE
<
ATTEST TO:
~-
CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
CITY ATTORNEY
...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA;Public Law 106-390)is federal legislation enacted to promote
proactive,pre-disaster planning as a condition of receiving elements of financial assistance under the
Robert T.Stafford Act.The DMA established a pre-disaster hazard mitigation program and new
requirements for the post-disaster hazard mitigation grant program.It enconrages state and local
authorities to work together on pre-disaster planning,and it promotes "sustainable hazard mitigation,"
which includes the sound management of natural resonrces,local economic and social resiliency,and the
recognition that hazards and mitigation must be understood in the largest possible social and economic
context.The enhanced planning network called for by the DMA helps local governments articulate
accnrate needs for mitigation,resulting in faster allocation of funding and more cost-effective risk
reduction projects.
Snohomish County and a partnership of local governments within the County have developed and
maintained a hazard mitigation plan to reduce future loss of life and property resulting from disasters.
Hazard mitigation is the use of long-and short-term strategies to reduce or alleviate the loss of life,
personal injury,and property damage that can result from a disaster.It involves strategies such as
planning,policy changes,programs,projects,and other activities that can mitigate the impacts of hazards.
The responsibility for hazard mitigation lies with many,including private property owners;business and
industry;and local,state and federal government.It is impossible to predict exactly when and where
disasters will occnr or the extent to which they will impact an area,but with careful planning and
collaboration among public agencies,stakeholders and citizens,it is possible to minimize losses that
disasters can cause.
PLAN UPDATE
Federal regulations require hazard mitigation plans to describe a method and schedule for monitoring,
evaluating,and updating the plan.Prescribing an update schedule establishes an opportunity to reevaluate
recommendations,monitor the impacts of actions that have been accomplished,and determine if there is a
need to change the focus of mitigation strategies.DMA compliance is contingent on meeting the plan
update requirement.A jurisdiction covered by a plan that has expired is not able to pnrsue elements of
federal funding under the Robert T.Stafford Act for which a current hazard mitigation plan is a
prerequisite.
The partnership oflocal governments in Snohomish County collaborated on the development of the initial
Snohomish County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan from 2003 to 2005.The plan was approved by the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)on April 27,2005,making the partnership eligible for
multiple FEMA mitigation grant programs.Dnring the 5-year initial performance period of the plan,the
partnership has completed or initiated ongoing action on over 70 percent of the 261 initiatives identified
in the initial plan.
While the initial performance of this plan was viewed as a success,the partnership's annual progress
reporting has identified various enhancements that would enable the plan to better support the needs of
the partnership:
•Use of best available data to npdate the risk assessment portion of the plan.
•Use of available tools to enhance the risk assessment to better support future grant
applications and emergency management programs of the partnership.
• A comprehensive .update of the tsunami hazard risk assessment using new data and
technology.This was a specified action in the initial mitigation plan.
•Meeting requirements specified under the DMA and Community Rating System programs.
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...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Re-engaging the public to see if their perception of risk within the planning area has changed
since the initial effort.
•Using the update process to re-energize and educate the partnership on the many funding
opportunities the plan can enable.
PLAN UPDATE METHODOLOGY
Phase 1-0rganize and Review
A planning team was assembled to provide technical support for the plan update,consisting of key
County staff from the Department of Emergency Management (DEM)and the Surface Water
Management (SWM)division of the Department of Public Works,as well as a technical consultant.The
fIrst step in developing the plan update was to re-organize the planning partnership.The initial planning
effort covered 43 local governments (13 municipalities and 30 special purpose districts)within
Snohomish County.Due to mergers,consolidations and voluntary resignation,the partnership was
downsized to 35 planning partners for the plan update,as shown in Tables ES-I and ES-2.All 35
planning partners committed to the process by providing letters of intent to participate in the process as
well as agreeing to planning partner expectations prepared by the planning team.
TABLE ES-1.
PLANNING PARTNER MUNICIPALITIES
Arlington
Darrington
Gold Bar
Granite Falls
Index
Lake Stevens
Marysville
Monroe
Snohomish
Stanwood
Sultan
Snohomish County
TABLE ES-2.
SPECIAL PURPOSE DISTRICT PARTNERS
Snohomish Co.Fire District #1
Snohomish Co.Fire District #3
Snohomish Co.Fire District #4
Snohomish Co.Fire District #5
Snohomish Co.Fire District #7
Snohomish Co.Fire District #19
Snohomish Co.Fire District #24
Snohomish Co.Fire District #26
North County Regional Fire Authority
Alderwood Water/Wastewater District
Cross Valley Water District
Highland Water District
Mukilteo Water District
Silver Lake Water District
Darrington School District
Sultan School District #311
Snohomish County Dike District #2
Marshland Flood Control District
Stillaguarnish Flood Control District
French Slough Flood Control District
Snohomish County Health District
Snohomish County PUD
Northshore Parks and Recreation District
A 12-member steering committee was assembled to oversee the development of the plan,consisting of
planning partner staff,citizens,and other stakeholders in the planning area.A key function of the Steering
Committee was to re-confmn the guiding principal,goals and objectives for this updated plan.Full
ES-3
...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
coordination with other county,state and federal agencies involved in hazard mitigation occurred from
the onset of the plan update process.
A multi-media public involvement strategy centered on a hazard preparedness questionnaire was also
implemented under this phase,as well as a comprehensive review of the existing plan and the State
Hazard Mitigation Plan.Additionally,a comprehensive review was performed of existing programs that
may support or enhance hazard mitigation actions.
Phase 2-Update the Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is the process of measuring the potential loss of life,personal injury,economic injury,
and property damage resulting from natural hazards.This process assesses the vulnerability of people,
buildings and infrastructure to natural hazards.It focuses on the following parameters:
Hazard identification and profiling
•The impact of hazards on physical,social and economic assets
•Vulnerability identification
•Estimates of the cost of damage or costs that can be avoided through mitigation.
The risk assessment for this hazard mitigation plan meets the requirements outlined in Chapter 44 of the
Code of Federal Regulations (44CFR).Phase 2 occurred simultaneously with Phase 1,with the two
efforts using information generated by one another to create the best possible risk assessment.This was
the most comprehensive phase of the plan update process.All facets of the risk assessment of the plan
were re-visited by the planning team and updated with the best available data and technology.
Phase 3-Engage the Public
A public involvement strategy was developed by the Steering Committee that maximized the capabilities
of the planning partnership.This strategy was implemented by the planning team and included three
public meetings early in the plan update process,two public meetings to review the draft plan,distribution
of a hazard mitigation survey,a County-sponsored website dedicated to the plan update,and multiple
media releases throughout the process.
Phase 4-Assemble the Updated Plan
The planning team and Steering Committee assembled key information from Phases I and 2 into a
document to meet the DMA requirements for all planning partners.Under 44CFR,a local hazard
mitigation plan must include the following:
A description of the planning process
•Risk assessment
•Mitigation strategy
Goals
Review of alternatives
Prioritized "action plan"
•Plan maintenance section
Documentation of adoption.
The updated plan contains two volumes.Volume I contains all components that apply to all partners
and the broader planning area (plan process,outreach strategy,plan maintenance,risk assessment,
goals,objectives and countywide initiatives).Volume 2 contains all components that are jurisdiction-
ES-4
...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
specific (ranking of risk,capability assessment,an action plan,prioritization of that action plan and a
status report on prior actions).Each planning partner has a dedicated chapter in Volume 2.
Phase 5-Plan Adoptionllmplementation
Once pre-adoption approval has been granted by Washington's Emergency Management Division and
FEMA Region X,the final adoption phase will begin.Each planning partner will individually adopt the
updated plan.
A plan implementation and maintenance section included in this document details the formal process for
ensuring that the plan remains active and relevant.The plan maintenance process includes a schedule for
monitoring and evaluating the plan's progress annually and producing a plan revision every 5 years.
Throughout the life of this plan,a steering committee representative of the original committee will
provide a consistent source of guidance and oversight.
The plan adoption phase includes strategies for continued public involvement and incorporation of the
recommendations of this plan into other planning mechanisms of the City,such as the comprehensive
plan,capital improvement plan,building code,and development design guidelines.
MITIGATION GUIDING PRINCIPLE,GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The following principle guided the Steering Committee and the planuing partnership in selecting the
initiatives contained in this plan update:
Guiding Principle-'--Through partnerships,reduce the vulnerability to natural hazards in order
to protect the health,safety,welfare and economy of the community.
The Steering Committee and the planning partnership established the following goals for the plan update:
Goal I-Reduce natural hazard-related injury and loss of life.
Goal 2-Reduce property damage.
•Goal 3-Promote a sustainable economy.
Goal 4--Maintain,enhance and restore the natural enviromnent's capacity to absorb and
reduce the impacts ofnatural hazard events.
Goal 5-Increase public awareness and readiness for disasters.
Plan objectives were developed via a facilitated exercise that focused on finding objectives that meet
multiple goals.The objectives are listed in Table ES-3.
ES-5
...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TABLE ES-3.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE OBJECTIVES
Objective Goals for which it
Number Objective Statement can be applied
0-1 Eliminate or miPimize disruption oflocal government operations caused by 1,3
natural hazards.--------------.---
0-2 Increase resilience of infrastructure.1,2,3........._.........
0-3 Consider the impacts ofnatural hazards on future land uses in Snohomish 2,3,4
---------------------
County.
0-4 Reduce natural hazard-related risks and vulnerability to potentially isolated 1,5
-."..-..-.__.__.-.--populations in Snohomish County.
0-5 Sustain reliable local emergency operations and facilities during and after a 1,2,3
disaster.-------------------
0-6 Seek mitigation projects that minimize environmental impacts or seek ways to 2,3,4
-------------------
mitigate their impacts on the environment.
0-7 Consider open space land uses within identified high-hazard risk zones.2,4
--------------------
0-8 Improve systems that provide warning and emergencv communications.1,5
--------------------
0-9 Enhance understanding of natural hazards and the risk they pose.2,3,5
--------------------
0-10 Educate the public on the risk from and preparedness for natural hazards and 1,2,5
-------------------
ways to mitigate their impacts.
0-11 Seek mitigation projects that provide the highest degree of natural hazard 2,4
--------------------
protection at the least cost.
0-12 Minimize the impacts of natural hazards on current and future land uses by 1,2
--------------------
providing incentives for hazard mitigation.
0-13 Support agricultural preservation within the context of floodplain management.1,2,3,4
-------------------
0-14 Retrofit,purchase,or relocate structures in high hazard areas,including those 1,2,3,4
known to be repetitively damaged..
MITIGATION INITIATIVES
Mitigation initiatives are activities to reduce or eliminate losses resulting from natural hazards.Mitigation
initiatives are the key element of the hazard mitigation plan update.By implementing these initiatives,the
planning partnership will strive to become disaster-resistant through sustainable hazard mitigation.
Although adoption of this plan makes the planning partners eligible for FEMA grant funding,the
purposes of the plan go beyond grant eligibility.It was important to the planning partnership and the
Steering Committee to look at initiatives that will work through all phases of emergency management.
Some of the initiatives outlined in this plan are not grant eligible but were chosen for their effectiveness in
achieving the goals of the plan.A series of countywide initiatives were identified,as summarized in Table
ES-4.Jurisdiction-specific initiatives are listed in Volume 2 of this plan.
ES-6
...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TABLE ES-4.
ACTION PLAN-COUNTYWIDE MITIGATION INITIATIVES
Possible Funding
Hazards Administrating Sourc.es or Time
Mitigation Initiative Addressed Agency Resources Linea Objectives
CW-I:Provide coordination and technical All DEMand Existing Short term 1,2,14
assistance in the application for grant funding SWMjointly programs for the Ongoing
that includes assistance in cost VB.benefit two lead
analysis for grant eligible projects agencies
.............................-.......-.--..--.__.---.-..-.-.---------------------------------------------
CW-2.Provide countywide updates to the All DEM Possible DHS Short term 4,5,9,10
Hazard Identification and Vulnerability grant funding for
Analysis using best available science and future
"technology as new hazard-specific data enhancements;
becomes available (e.g.,avalanche,tsunami,DEM operational
landslide)funds
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CW-3.County to assume lead role in the All SWM SWM funding,Short term 3,4,9,10
update/re-study of floodplains as a cost share Ongoing
Cooperating Technical Partuer with FEMA through FEMA
under new RiskMAP program for all planning RiskMAP
partners.program
------------_.............._................................_........__.----------------------------
CW-4:Provide basin-specific floodplain Flood SWM SWMfunding Short term 4,9,10
information in the form of an informational Ongoing
brochure to all planning partuers that request
them annually for dissemination to county
floodplain residents and identified repetitive
loss areas.This outreach project will be
designed according to the CRS criteria for
outreach projects and will be contingent upon
available funding to implement the initiative.
_._._-_.__._--------_._-----_.__..__....._-_......._~._.._.~......~............_-_._--------------------
CW-5:.Sponsor and maintain a natural All DEMwith DEM operational Short 8,9,10
hazards informational website to include the support from budget Term
following types of information:SWM
·Hazard-specific information such as /
warning,private property mitigation
alternatives,important facts on risk and
vulnerability·Pre-and post-disaster information such as
notices of grant funding availability·CRS creditable information·Links to planning partuers'pages,FEMA
and Washington Emergency Management·Plan information such as progress reports,
mitigation success stories,update
strategies,Steering Committee meetings.
ES-7
...EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
TABLE ES-4.
ACTION PLAN-COUNTYWIDE MITIGATION INITIATIVES
Possible Funding
Hazards Administrating Sources or Time
Mitigation Initiative Addressed Agency Resources Line"Obiectives
CW-6.Coordinating with all planning All Planning State and federal Longtenn 3,6,7,11,
partners,water resource inventory area Partner Cities,grant funding 13,14
planning units,and other stakeholders in the SWM,
Connty,seek the acquisition of high-risk Snobomish
parcels that could provide significant open County Parks
space benefits such as the attenuation of the Dept.
impacts of natural hazards and beneficial
environmental functions (e.g.,enhancement of
habitat for threatened or endangered species).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CW-7:The Steering Committee will remain All DEM to be No impactoD Short-tenn All
as a viable body over time to monitor progress lead existing funding
ofthe plan,provide technical assistance to coordinating
planning partners and oversee the update of agency with
the plan according to schedule.This body will support from
continue to operate under the ground rules the SCNBMP
established at its inception.Planning
Partners
-------------------------------------------..._.-..._---_....-._--_._._-._._._-----------------_._--
CW-8:All planning partners that committed All DEM To be funded Short-tenn All
to the update effort will formally adopt this under existing
plan once pre-adoption approval has been programs for all
granted by Washington Emergency planning partners
Management and FEMA Region X.
Additionally;each planning partner will
adhere to the plan maintenance protocol
identified chapter 7 of the plan_All actions
under this initiative will be coordinated by
DEM
a_Short tenn ~I to 5 years;Long tenn~5 years or greater
IMPLEMENTATION
Full implementation of the recommendations of this plan will require time and resources.Specific
recommendations and plan review protocols are provided to evaluate changes in vulnerability and action
plan prioritization after the plan is adopted.The true measure of the plan's success will be its ability to
adapt to the changing climate of hazard mitigation_Funding resources are always evolving,as are state
and federal mandates_Snohomish County and its planning partners have a long-standing tradition of
proactive response to issues that may impact local citizens.Each local government will assume
responsibility for adopting the recommendations of this plan and committing resources toward
implementation.The framework established by this plan identifies a strategy that maximizes the potential
for implementation based on available and potential resources_It commits all planning partners to pursue
initiatives when the benefits of a project exceed its costs_The planning partnership developed this plan
with extensive public input,and public support of the actions identified in this plan will help ensure the
plan's success.
ES-8