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Dana Point adopts five-year Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, clears path for federal mitigation grants
Summary
City council adopted the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan developed with Jacob Green & Associates, a FEMA- and state-reviewed plan that qualifies the city for federal hazard-mitigation grants and commits to an annual maintenance process.
Dana Point adopted a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) that FEMA and the State of California have reviewed and conditionally approved; city staff said adoption qualifies the city to apply for federal hazard-mitigation grants.
Emergency services coordinator Lawrence Meyerhoffer and consultant Patrick Marshman (Jacob Green & Associates) told the council the plan identifies five natural hazards (earthquake, flood, wildfire, tsunami, severe weather) and two human-caused hazards (hazardous-material releases and risks associated with the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station). The plan inventories critical facilities, evaluates vulnerabilities and lists mitigation projects and programs across planning, administrative, technical, financial and outreach categories.
Meyerhoffer said the planning process began after the city won a FEMA grant in October 2022, a hazard mitigation working group of 37 stakeholders was formed in 2023, and the city conducted public outreach including a two-week public review and a 45-day state review. The state approved the plan in November 2024 and FEMA issued approval pending city adoption in January 2025.
The plan lists mitigation measures ranging from building-code and capital-improvement projects to the city's CERT volunteer program, EOC exercises and an OC Sheriff mass-notification integration (AlertOC). Meyerhoffer highlighted OCFA and utility coordination, the free OCFA home assessment referenced in the OCFA briefing, and a provision to reference the mitigation plan in the general-plan safety element per Senate Bill 2140 to improve grant match rates.
Council moved and seconded the item and voted to adopt the plan; councilmembers praised staff for a thorough product and the plan's role in qualifying the city for federal funding.
Lede provenance: staff presentation introducing the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and summary of FEMA/state review and outreach.
Nut graf provenance: Plan identifies hazards, critical facilities and mitigation projects and establishes an annual review and five-year update cycle required by FEMA.
Ending: The council adopted the plan; staff will follow the plan maintenance schedule and pursue eligible FEMA mitigation grants.
