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Pine County begins update to hazard mitigation plan required by federal disaster rules
Summary
County commissioners were briefed on the kickoff for Pine County's hazard mitigation plan update, a federally required five-year planning process that municipalities must complete to remain eligible for FEMA mitigation funding.
Pine County officials said the county has begun updating its hazard mitigation plan as required by federal rules governing access to Federal Emergency Management Agency mitigation funds. County commissioners were briefed on the kickoff meeting for the plan and the public-engagement steps that will follow.
A county representative explained that federal guidance requires jurisdictions to maintain an up-to-date hazard mitigation plan to be eligible for certain FEMA disaster-mitigation dollars. The plan must be updated every five years and should catalog prior hazard events, identify vulnerable infrastructure and list mitigation projects the county could pursue to be eligible for future funding.
Commissioners noted Pine County has experienced major flood events in the past decade; participants referenced large floods in 2012 and in either 2014 or 2016 during the discussion. Staff said the plan will document past flood events and infrastructure vulnerabilities, including culverts, roads and stormwater facilities. The representative explained that listing a culvert or road segment in the mitigation plan makes a future FEMA application for upsizing or replacement eligible if that feature is damaged in a qualifying disaster.
The update process will include additional meetings and public input. County staff said there will be at least one more internal meeting before the draft plan is released for public comment and that the plan's contents will guide future mitigation projects eligible for federal funding. No formal board action was taken beyond receiving the briefing and noting next steps for public engagement and plan development.
