AG 2002 08 19 (Regular) - Laserfiche WebLink

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I. The Federal Government, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has long recognized the need for comprehensive hazard mitigation. The hazard mitigation plan required under Section 409 of Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act is typically developed in a post-disaster situation; however, the plan developed after a disaster is essentially a pre-disaster plan for the next emergency. Hazard mitigation is the only phase of emergency management that can break the cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. J. In addition to the Stafford Act, there have been two Executive Orders dealing w/th flood losses. Executive Order 11988 is used by FEMA to deny disaster assistance in a repetitively flooded area. Instead, technical and financial resources of existing prOgrams are used to help residents with relocation expenses and to prevent reoccupation of residential properties. The effect of this order is to mitigate furore flood damages by encouraging residents to relocate. K. Federal and state hazard mitigation officers limit federal and state investments in floodplains through Executive Order 11990. This order restricts the availability of Federal Housing Administration (FHA), and Veterans Housing Administration (VHA) low-interest loans to homebuyers, the availability of Small Business Administration loans for future development, and Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funds. The effect is to reduce the financial incentive that encourages development in an identified flood hazard area. L. In June, 2001 the North Carolina General Assembly passed Senate Bill 300, An Act to Amend Laws Regarding Emergency Management. This bill requires all local governments to have a hazard mitigation plan, approved by the North Carolina Emergency Management Division, in effect by August 1, 2002. Failure to comply will result in the loss of state public assistance funds in the event of an emergency situation. M. Cabarms County must create a hazard mitigation plan to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 300 and provide a more secure environment for the citizens of the county. N. Planning is the key to making mitigation a proactive process and to ensuring that land subject to hazards is identified and managed appropriately to reduce future damage. Planning .ensures individual mitigation Projects and initiatives are coordinated and so that all local ~ governments work together and no single action or project hinders the overall goal of creating a safer Cabarrus County. Additionally, planning plays an important part in generating community understanding of and support for hazard mitigation. The hazard mitigation planning process serves to publicize hazard information and create a forum for discussion of how best to balance · the public interest and private property rights. IH. Mission. Cabarms County and the municipalities in the county will develop and implement a hazard mitigation plan no later than August 1, 2002. This plan will help to reduce or eliminate the effects of natural or man-made hazards on the citizens of the county and their property. A. Concept. Cabarms County Government will develop a basic hazard mitigation plan for all areas of the county. Local municipalities may opt to be included in the county plan or they may develop their own mitigation plan. Those municipalities that rely on the Cabarrus County Draft Basic Plan v.3.1 _/2-,. ~ 3 1 July 2002