Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan

Like most states and local jurisdictions, Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley counties and the state of Montana are not immune to hazards that may affect their communities. Each year brings new concerns and an increasing probability of a natural or man-made disaster, such as severe storms, flooding and tornadoes. The dramatic increases of severe hazard in the 21st century compounded by the influx of nontraditional and vulnerable populations in eastern Montana creates a situation ripe for disaster.

Whether it be an aging population, the out-migration of the young or the sudden growth of the oil industry, the counties of Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley have experienced tremendous change. Likewise, over the past three decades, the Nation has witnessed an alarming increase in the frequency and impact of large-scale emergencies and disasters. As a whole, the Nation has experienced a significant increase in direct and indirect costs, as well as economic disruption and loss of life, from disasters. For this reason, Congress passed Public Law 106-390, the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, in order to control federal costs of disaster assistance by initiating a national sustained program for pre-disaster hazard mitigation at the local level. Consequently, there is a growing commitment on the part of all levels of government to invest in the development and maintenance of multi-hazard mitigation plans that can provide the foundation for effective pre- and post-disaster mitigation actions.

In accordance with 44 CFR 201.6(d)(3), the local jurisdiction is required to review and revise its plan. Mitigation plan maintenance involves monitoring, evaluating and updating the plan every five years in order to be eligible for project grant funding.

Although the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 is a much-needed program, its inherent programmatic constraints limit the effectiveness of local governments to secure funding and implement necessary mitigation actions. For example, The Disaster Mitigations Act of 2000 established FEMA’s nationally competitive Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program: however, since its inception, funding has been limited nationwide.

While funding is limited, substantial mitigation funding is available for local governments in a post-disaster environment through various FEMA programs, such as Sections 404 and 406 of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. Furthermore, additional funding sources are available through various pre- and post-disaster programs operated by other federal agencies.

Daniels, Roosevelt, Sheridan and Valley counties have hired Integrated Solutions Consulting (ICS) from West Fargo, N.D., to update our Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plans (PDM). We have completed Task 1 – Organizing recourses – which consisted of coordinating with the Mitigation Planning Team, updating process and identifying hazards.

Task 2 – Risk Assessment – Community profile, hazard profile and various analyses, which consists of community profile, risk (vulnerability, disaster modeling, etc.) and estimating losses.

Task 3 – Prioritize Mitigation Strategy – which consists of reviewing and analyzing the results of hazard profiles and loss estimation, updating goals and objectives, reviewing the implementation strategy and capabilities assessment.

To be completed are Task 1, public involvement; Task 3, identification and prioritization of mitigation actions; Task 4, a complete multi-hazard mitigation plan update, which consists of writing, printing and distributing draft of the updated plan and reviewing the documented planning process. Task 5 – finalize update.

Valley County, City of Glasgow and Towns of Fort Peck, Nashua and Opheim invite your input concerning mitigation projects to be added to the updated Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan. For those wishing to participate in this opportunity, a list of the recommended projects can be found online at valleycountymt.net. Input will be accepted up until 30 days upon the date of this announcement. If you have any questions, please contact Rick Seiler, Valley County Disaster and Emergency Coordinator, at [email protected] or 406-263-1479.