County adopts 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan to retain FEMA funding eligibility
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Summary
Queen Anne's County Commissioners adopted Resolution 25-06 approving the 2025 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which updates vulnerabilities, prioritizes 38 mitigation actions and preserves eligibility for FEMA mitigation grants.
The Queen Anne's County Commissioners on June 24 adopted Resolution 25-06 to approve the county's 2025 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan—prepared with consultant Smith Planning and Design, county emergency management staff and a 97-member hazard mitigation planning committee—updates the county's assessment of hazards, critical facilities and social vulnerability and prioritizes mitigation actions. Michelle King and Eric Mezick of Smith Planning and Design presented highlights to the commission and said the plan integrates FEMA community lifelines and is structured so jurisdictions in the county (including incorporated towns) can adopt the plan for multi-jurisdictional FEMA eligibility.
The plan includes 38 new mitigation action items with prioritized project sheets designed to streamline future FEMA grant applications. County staff said the plan's adoption is required to remain eligible for FEMA mitigation grant funding and other federal programs that use an up-to-date mitigation plan as a condition of grant award.
Commission staff reported on public engagement efforts during plan development, including a public survey in English and Spanish, a QAC TV video, interviews, public meetings and hard-copy outreach for residents without internet access. The county said it has already submitted at least one mitigation grant application tied to projects identified in the draft plan.
The board moved to adopt Resolution 25-06 and the motion carried. The plan, which also required Maryland Department of Emergency Management review, was approved by FEMA prior to the board action.
Why it matters: Adoption keeps the county and participating towns eligible for federal hazard mitigation funds and provides a prioritized suite of projects the county can pursue to reduce future hazard impacts.
What’s next: Staff will work with towns in the county for their adoptions of the multi-jurisdictional plan and will advance high-priority mitigation projects to funding applications.
Ending note: Commissioners thanked county emergency staff and the consultant team for public outreach and plan preparation.
