The Risk Assessment Matrix, presented in Table 12, was created in 2004 and several hazard mitigation actions are carried over in the 2015 plan. The new matrix reflects updated priorities, including response to climate change and accelerated sea rise. Priorities are indicated as: High, Medium and Low, based on their ability to affect mitigation of probably hazards in Warren. These priorities have been updated, with an increased emphasis on planning for climate change. This matrix also is based on historic damage, safety of the population, property protection and overall consistency with the strategies presented in the updated Comprehensive Plan and the Emergency Operations Plan. Time frames are defined as short (1 month to a year), medium (1 to 3 years) and long term (3 years to an ongoing process). The goals of the 2015 plan include:
Goal 1: Strengthen planning efforts to identify, clarify and communicate natural hazards and use them for public information and outreach.
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Action 1.1: Maintain GIS records of major flood events to locate patterns of flooding for future mitigation activities, including secondary roads.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Planning and Community Development, RIEMA, Statewide Planning
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Time Frame: Short term with quarterly updates.
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Benefit: Future mitigation planning
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Cost: $6,000 per year (as part of GIS program)
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Financing Source: Town budget, FEMA grants
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Action 1.2: Expand public education efforts focusing on flood hazards, building regulations and fire prevention for property owners. Include education on home insurance coverage for natural hazards and measures that homeowners can take to reduce their home insurance deductibles and personal liability for wind damage during hurricanes or severe storms.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Planning and Community Development
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Future mitigation planning
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Cost: $1,000 per year (tax bill mailing, website, printed flyers)
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Financing Source: Town budget, FEMA
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Action 1.3: Educate the public on tree species appropriate for property protection and proper upkeep.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Public Works, Tree Commission, URI Outreach Center
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Future mitigation planning
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Cost: $500 per year (website, printed flyers)
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Financing Source: Town Budget, RIDEM grants, private grant sources
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Action 1.4: Maintain information connections with state and federal agencies on sea level rise and its impacts on Warren property and public infrastructure.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Public Works, Planning and Community Development, URI Coastal Resources Center, CRMC
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Future mitigation planning
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Cost: $0
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Financing Source: NA
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Action 1.5: Pursue funding for hazard mitigation planning and implementation
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Action Type: Mitigation
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Priority: Medium
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Lead Department: Planning and Community Development, RIEMA, FEMA
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Future mitigation planning
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Cost: Variable. Depends on grant matching requirements
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Financing Source: FEMA grants, Town budget
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Goal 2: Ensure that the Town’s regulatory structure reduces exposure to natural hazards, and is built into Building Inspections, Planning and Zoning review.
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Action 2.1: Inspect and evaluate structures and privately owned buildings/facilities for code compliance
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Action Type: Mitigation
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Priority: High
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Lead Departments: Planning and Community Development, Building and Zoning, Public Works
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Time Frame: Short Term--Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance in rewrite.
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Benefit: Public safety
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Cost: Variable. Incorporated within Comprehensive Plan, Planning Board Subdivision Regulations, Zoning Ordinance revisions.
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Financing Source: Depending on source, public/private grants, Town budget
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Action 2.2: Review best practices and implement hazard mitigation policies for historic structures and utilize the Town’s tax credit program for historic property improvements
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Action Type: Mitigation
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Priority: Medium
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Lead Department: Planning and Community Development, Building and Zoning, State Historic Preservation Office, RIEMA
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Time Frame: Short Term--Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance in rewrite.
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Benefit: Preservation of historic and cultural assets
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Cost: $2,000 in staff time
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Financing Source: NA
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Action 2.3: Disallow variances from flood regulations for new construction located within a flood zone.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Building and Zoning
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Time Frame: Short Term--Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance in rewrite.
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Benefit: Public safety and property protection
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Cost: $5,000 in staff, legal contractors’ time
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Financing Source: Town budget
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Action 2.4: Ensure that housing and structures primarily used by Special Populations are routinely inspected with the establishment of an annual inspection schedule and that future construction of Special Population facilities are not located in areas of known flooding and/or storm surge.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Building and Zoning
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety and property protection
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Cost: $3,000 in staff time
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Financing Source: Town budget
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Goal 3: Protect property through structural projects and maintenance as well as the acquisition of land that serves as a natural buffer.
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Action 3.1: Work with RIDOT to complete drainage improvements through the installation of innovative water catchments and removal technology in areas subject to severe flooding. With RIDOT, pursue immediate corrective action on evacuation routes that are obstructed by frequent and significant flooding, in particular, Route 114 at the Warren Bridge.
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Action Type: Mitigation
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Public Works, Planning and Community Development
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety, property protection, protection of infrastructure
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Cost: Variable depending on RIDOT programming and funding.
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Financing Source: Clean Water Finance Agency, RI DEM, FEMA, Town budget
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Action 3.2: Continue tree-trimming program and planting programs for severe weather-resistant tree species. Identify trees that may cause wind damage to emergency shelters, power sources or power lines and have them removed.
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Action Type: Mitigation
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Public Works, Tree Commission
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety, protection of infrastructure
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Cost: $3,000-$10,000
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Financing Source: National Grid, Town budget, RI DEM
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Action 3.3: Pass a Tree Ordinance that defines how utility companies and the Town must trim trees to maintain tree strength and symmetry to withstand high wind events.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: Medium
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Lead Department: Public Works
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Time Frame: Medium Term
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Benefit: Public safety, protection of infrastructure
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Cost: $2,000 in staff time, legal contracting
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Financing Source: NA
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Action 3.4: Protect wetlands, marshes and other fragile areas along Town rivers and streams by purchasing land, cleaning up areas and restoring wetlands that serve as natural buffer.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Planning and Community Development
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Time Frame: Short Term--part of Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance in rewrite.
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Benefit: Public safety, protection of property, protection of infrastructure
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Cost: TBD. The Town maintains a Local Open Space Bond authority, but sensitive property acquisition can be supported by grant funding as well.
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Financing Source: USDA, RI DEM, Town Open Space Bond funds
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Action 3.5: Implement projects for high flood areas for green infrastructure improvements to reduce water retention (pervious pavement, bioswales).
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Action Type: Mitigation
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Priority: Medium
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Lead Department: Public Works
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety, protection of infrastructure, protection of private property
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Cost: $200,000 per project (depending on scale), eligible for State Revolving Fund loans.
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Financing Source: Clean Water Finance Agency, RI DEM, FEMA, Town budget
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Goal 4: Protect public services and infrastructure.
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Action 4.1: Continue monitoring sewer lines to identify maintenance and replacement needs and repair sewer lines where leakages are found.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Public Works, Sewer Department
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Time Frame: Short Term
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Benefit: Protection of infrastructure, public safety
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Cost: Monitoring estimated at $15,000 annually. Repairs estimated at $1.5 million or more. Grant funding can support both monitoring and repairs.
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Financing Source: Town budget, RI DEM
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Action 4.2: Continue to meet the national requirements for the Fire Department.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Fire Department
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety
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Cost: $5,000
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Financing Source: Town budget, grants
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Action 4.3: Upgrade marine communication and equipment procedures to ensure safety along the Town’s waterways.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: Medium
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Lead Department: Harbormaster
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety, protection of property, protection of infrastructure
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Cost: $5,000
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Financing Source: Town budget, grants
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Action 4.4: Protect Warren’s water sources and distribution method for clean water supply.
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Action Type: Planning
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Priority: High
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Lead Department: Bristol County Water Authority
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Time Frame: Long Term
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Benefit: Public safety, protection of property, protection of infrastructure
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Cost: TBD
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Financing Source: Clean Water Finance Agency, RI DEM, Town budget
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