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Council adopts multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update to qualify for FEMA mitigation funding
Summary
The council voted to adopt the 2025 Exeter and West Greenwich Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update, a document that identifies hazards, inventories critical infrastructure and lists 90 mitigation actions. Adoption makes the towns eligible for certain state and federal mitigation grants after state and FEMA review.
The Exeter Town Council adopted a resolution approving the 2025 Exeter and West Greenwich Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan update.
A council member (identified in the meeting as Doreen) presented the plan and described it as the culmination of a year-long process. The presenter noted the last update occurred in 2005 and said the 2025 plan incorporates new hazard categories (including PFAS and cyanobacteria water-quality concerns, cybersecurity threats and updated floodplain information), an updated inventory of critical facilities, and a prioritized list of 90 mitigation actions.
The resolution was drafted to allow minor editorial adjustments required by the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) and FEMA during their review without requiring the council to re-adopt the document. The presenter said the state review period is 30 days and FEMA's is 90 days; once FEMA approves the plan the towns become eligible to apply for federal hazard-mitigation grant funding for pre- and post-disaster projects.
The council approved the resolution by voice vote. The presenter and staff thanked Fairweather Science Consulting (the consultant on the plan), the Town of West Greenwich and multiple local departments for their participation in drafting the plan.
Why it matters: Adoption is a prerequisite to apply for FEMA hazard-mitigation funding and provides an updated, town-level risk assessment and a prioritized list of projects and actions to reduce long-term disaster risk.
