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Mariposa releases draft 2025 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan update for public review
Summary
Consultant AECOM and county emergency management officials presented an updated Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) that aligns recent county plans, updates hazard profiles, and lists 10 priority projects for the next five years; the document is open for public comment before submittal to Cal OES and FEMA.
Mariposa County officials on Feb. 4 presented the public draft of the county's fourth Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, a document required under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 for eligibility for certain federal mitigation and recovery funds. The draft is available for public review and comment before county submittal to California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA.
The update was prepared by AECOM lead planner Anna Davis in partnership with the county Office of Emergency Services. Davis said the update follows federal guidance that requires hazard-mitigation plans to be refreshed every five years and incorporates new 2020 census data, geocoded critical facilities and a crosswalk to other county plans.
Why it matters: A FEMA-approved mitigation plan is a condition of eligibility for some federal mitigation grants and for certain post-disaster funding. The update integrates recent county planning efforts and identifies priority projects intended to reduce future disaster impacts, lower response and recovery costs and strengthen funding access.
Major changes and priorities: Davis told the board the update reclassifies and geocodes critical county assets; updates hazard profiles to reflect recent hazard science and local conditions; and aligns recommendations with the county's Community Wildfire Protection Plan and the Mariposa Creek Parkway master plan. The consulting team proposes 10 priority projects for the next five years, including expanded fuel management, home hardening programs, hazardous-tree removal, community resilience centers and nature-based bank and slope stabilization work related to burn scars and stream-bank risk.
Public review and schedule: The draft was released for public comment and outreach, including flyers, social media and a county web posting; the public-review window will remain open through the end of the week for initial comment and the county expects to submit to Cal OES and FEMA for review. Staff and the consultant said they expect to bring an adoption item to the Board of Supervisors in May 2025; FEMA review and approval will follow and the plan would formally close out in July 2025.
Who spoke: Anna Davis of AECOM summarized the scope and timeline. Raquel Sandoval of the Sheriff's Office OES introduced the presentation. Sheriff Jeremy Bridal and Planning Director Stephen (Steve) described the importance of aligning the plan with county safety elements and recovery work and thanked the multi-agency steering committee.
How to review and comment: The draft plan is posted on the county website and can be reviewed through a QR code distributed in meeting outreach. The consultant encouraged residents, community organizations and county departments to submit comments during the public-review period so the county can finalize the submission to state and federal reviewers.
