Rice County adopts updated hazard mitigation plan to preserve FEMA funding eligibility

Rice County commissioners voted to adopt an updated county Hazard Mitigation Plan that officials said has been approved by FEMA and Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management and must be formally adopted locally to preserve eligibility for federal hazard mitigation funding.

The emergency management official presenting the plan said county staff worked with the University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota HSEM and FEMA to refresh the plan after it became outdated. "Adoption ensures the community is aligned with municipalities and is required for eligibility under FEMA's hazard mitigation assistance program," the official said, noting the plan identifies vulnerabilities and strategies to reduce risks from floods, severe storms and other natural hazards.

During public comment, Tina Stadler asked why contact people listed for hospitals and municipalities were inconsistent across jurisdictions. The emergency management official explained the plan reflects positions held at the time the update began and that staff will work to provide an insert with current local contact information for the county's copy. The official also clarified the plan focuses on natural hazards; emergency management handles man‑made incidents (including terrorism and nuclear incidents) separately.

The board approved the plan by voice vote. County staff said adoption keeps Rice County eligible for FEMA hazard mitigation assistance grants for projects that reduce disaster risk; without local adoption, jurisdictions risk losing access to those funds.

The action is procedural: adoption aligns the county with state and federal requirements and enables pursuit of grant funding for mitigation projects. Staff indicated they will update local contact lists and coordinate any required resubmissions to state and federal partners.