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The Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for the Thurston Region  

A Disaster Can Strike at Anytime

Thurston County, Washington is susceptible to a variety of natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanic eruptions, severe storms, and wildfires. Since 1962, Thurston County has received 21 Federal Disaster Declarations

Natural Hazard Mitigation Planning in the Thurston Region

Twenty local governments, special districts, colleges, and other public agencies have participated in the development of the multi-jurisdictional “Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for the Thurston Region” (see the list of participants here). This plan was approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on October 6, 2003. The purpose of the plan is to:

• Provide a methodical approach to mitigation planning
• Enhance public awareness and understanding of natural hazards
• Create a decision-making tool for policy and decision makers
• Promote compliance with state and federal program requirements
• Assure inter-jurisdictional coordination of mitigation related programming
• Create jurisdiction specific hazard mitigation plans for implementation

The current plan is set to expire October 5, 2008. The Emergency Management Council of Thurston County is responsible for the plan’s monitoring, maintenance, and five year update. Thurston County Emergency Management Division is sponsoring the update to the plan and has contracted Thurston Regional Planning Council to manage and coordinate the plan’s update. The region’s hazard mitigation planning partners are in the process of updating the plan.

For further information, please contact: Paul Brewster, Associate Planner, at 360-956-7575

More information about the plan and the planning process can be accessed through these links:

“Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan for the Thurston Region” (2003) – Download the Plan

What Is Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning?

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Hazard Mitigation Planning Requirements

Hazard Mitigation Planning Approval Process

Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Website

FEMA Mitigation Planning Guidance and “How-To” Guides

Washington State Emergency Management Division HMGP Website

Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington: Hazard Mitigation Planning in Washington (general information, references, and links to other plans).

What Is Natural Hazards Mitigation Planning?
A Strategy for Community Sustainability and Resiliency

In an effort to manage risks, contain costs, and promote sustainable communities, the federal government outlined new mitigation planning requirements for states, tribes, and local governments in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). This act emphasizes planning for disasters before they occur.

Although it is difficult to predict when the next disaster will occur, or the extent of an event, communities can take action. Local governments, private sector organizations, and community members can engage in decision making processes that incorporate community sustainability and disaster resistance principles into community development practices. This process is known as hazard mitigation planning. Natural hazard mitigation planning serves to reduce or eliminate the immediate and long-term impacts to people and property from natural hazards and their effects.

All states, tribes, and local governments must develop, adopt, and receive federal approval of their hazard mitigation plan in order to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds.

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is available to states following a Presidential declaration of a major disaster. The program is administered by the State of Washington and overseen by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This program is enacted by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Section 404 of Public Law 93-288, as amended. Eligible applicant include State government, local governments, Indian tribes, special districts, and certain private non-profit organizations that provide like-government services and facilities. The purpose of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is to:

• Significantly reduce or permanently eliminate future risks to lives and property from severe natural hazards
• Provide funds to implement projects identified in state or local hazard mitigation plans
• Enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster
  

Hazard Mitigation Planning Requirements

A hazard mitigation plan must meet specific federal terms of compliance that are reviewed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The planning process is basically broken into the following steps:

1. Organize and engage planning participants such as local governments, technical experts, businesses, community members, and other appropriate stakeholders
2. Identify hazards that pose significant dangers to a jurisdiction/community
3. Assess the jurisdiction’s risks and vulnerabilities for each hazard based on historical events and other reliable data sources
4. Determine what populations, community assets, and critical facilities are potentially in harm’s way
5. Estimate potential financial losses for each type of hazard
6. Create appropriate goals and objectives to respond to the risks and vulnerabilities identified
7. Develop a prioritized list of mitigation initiatives or action items that can bolster a community’s resilience to the effects of hazards – they must be cost effective and environmentally sound solutions
8. Solicit public input on the draft plan
9. Adopt, Implement, and monitor the plan
10. Evaluate and update the plan at least every five years

Hazard Mitigation Plan Approval Process

A local government and tribal hazard mitigation plan is developed and approved as follows:

• A draft plan is developed with community-wide stakeholder input and public process
• The draft plan is submitted to the Emergency Management Division of the Washington State Military Department for preliminary review
• The State forwards the plan to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region X, for preliminary review
• If the State and FEMA find the plan satisfactory, they will grant the draft plan a preliminary approval (if the reviewers recommend improvements, the local plan is modified and returns to step 2)
• Local governments adopt the plan through their governing bodies
• The final plan is resubmitted to the State for final review
• The State forwards the final plan to FEMA where it is processed for federal approval

Local Approved Plans in Thurston County

The following Jurisdictions have a federally approved hazard mitigation plan through the "Natural Hazards Mitgation Plan for the Thurston Region":

Existing Planning Partners

TRPC   2424 Heritage Court SW, Suite A Olympia, WA  98502   info@trpc.org   (360) 956-7575

©Thurston Regional Planning Council 2002