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Kodiak Island Borough completes update to multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan; adoption would restore eligibility for FEMA mitigation grants
Summary
Community Development staff presented a draft update to the borough's multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan. The plan follows FEMA and state guidance, includes public meetings and a 30-plus-day comment period, and—if adopted and approved by state and FEMA—would restore eligibility for FEMA hazard mitigation grant programs.
The Kodiak Island Borough Community Development Department presented an updated multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan to the assembly on Feb. 27, detailing the boroughwide process to assess hazards and propose mitigation actions.
"A hazard mitigation plan focuses on mitigating potential hazards by reducing risk and potential impacts of hazards such as loss of life and destruction of property," Community Development staff member Chris French said during the meeting.
French and his team said the prior plan expired in November 2024 and the updated draft incorporates a public participation component—public meetings, an online survey and a 30-plus-day comment period. The plan was prepared in accordance with the Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements.
French said the document includes hazard profiles for 11 categories of hazards identified by federal guidance, a vulnerability analysis of critical facilities, and a prioritized table of mitigation actions. He described mitigation plans as distinct from emergency operations plans: mitigation focuses on reducing risk before events, while emergency operations plans guide response during events.
Once the assembly adopts the resolution, staff will distribute the plan to municipal jurisdictions in the borough, send it to the state division and submit it to FEMA for approval. French said an approved plan restores eligibility to apply for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding; he cited the hydrology and hydraulic study for Russian River and Sergeant Creek as an example of a hazard mitigation grant project the borough obtained previously.
Assembly members asked about geographic scope (the plan covers the entire archipelago and villages) and whether reductions in FEMA funding would slow review; French said he had not been told of any review delays. Assemblymember Sherritt suggested the borough consider adding grant-writing capacity to help pursue mitigation funds; Manager Williams said departments have requested outside grant-writing help and staff would add that to budget considerations.
No final formal adoption vote is recorded in the Feb. 27 discussion transcript; staff asked the assembly to consider adopting the resolution and proceed with state and FEMA review.
