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5.1 What Is A Capability Assessment?

The purpose of conducting a capability assessment is to determine the ability of a given jurisdiction to implement mitigation strategies. More specifically, the capability assessment helps to determine what mitigation actions are likely to be successfully implemented given the fiscal, technical, administrative and political framework of a jurisdiction. A capability assessment also provides an opportunity to assess existing plans, policies and current processes already in place.A capability assessment is required for plan approval.

5.1.1 Conducting the Capability Assessment

To yield insight into the jurisdiction’s capability to mitigate hazards, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Team administered a multi-part self-assessment that consisted of two surveys.The first survey collected information regarding existing local plans, policies, programs, and ordinances.The survey also asked the participants to assess how much influence various mitigation elements (plans, policies, programs, and ordinances) had on the governance of their jurisdictions.The second survey consisted of questions relating to the fiscal, technical, administrative, and political will of the jurisdiction.Participants were asked to determine their capability with regard to the various administrative categories.Representatives from Valley County and the jurisdictions in the plan update were invited to participate.

5.1.2 Hazard Mitigation Plans, Policies, Programs and Ordinances

An evaluation of existing plans, programs, and policies was conducted to provide insight into how mitigation was achieved in the past and how might it be achieved in the future. An assessment was conducted to determine if and/or what plans existed and if they were utilized in the governance of the jurisdiction’s mitigation activities.Finally, participants were asked to rank their capability with regard to mitigation and how comprehensiveness (interconnected) the identified local plans, policies, programs, and ordinances.The following are the results of the self-assessment.

Table 78: Plans Policies Programs and Ordinances in Place

Evaluation of Existing Plans, Policies, and Ordinances
• HMP: Hazard Mitigation Plan • DRP: Disaster Recovery Plan • CLUP: Comprehensive Land Use Plan • FMP: Floodplain Management Plan • SMP: Stormwater Management Plan • EOP: Emergency Operations Plan • COOP: Continuity of Operations Plan • SARA: SARA Title III Emergency Response Plan • TRANS: Transportation Plan									• CIP: Capital Improvements Plan (that regulates infrastructure in hazard areas) • COMP: comprehensive PLAN • REG-PL: Regional Planning • HPP: Historic Preservation Plan • ZO: Zoning Ordinance • FDPO: Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance • NFIP: National Flood Insurance Program • BC: Building Codes
Plans	HMP	DRP	CULP	FMP	SMP	EOP	COOP	SARA	TRANS	CIP	COMP	REG-PL	HPP	ZO	FDPO	NFIP	BC	Score
Jurisdiction
Valley County	X		X	X	X	X		X		X	X			X		X	X	M
Fort Peck	X		X		X	X		X			X						X	L
Glasgow	X		X	X	X	X					X			X		X	X	M
Opheim	X		X			X		X			X						X	L
Nashua	X		X	X		X					X					X	X	L

Note:Scores of High, Moderate and Limited were determined by a self-assessment completed by the jurisdictions.
The first part of the capability assessment survey indicated that there is generally moderate to alow degree of existing plans, policies, and ordinances used to conduct mitigation. It was further suggested that the level of communication between and within agencies only occurred during the last mitigation plan update or after a significant event like a major flood.All indications suggest that Valley County should institute actions that will enhance its ability to support a comprehensive mitigation program.

5.1.3 Recommendations

As several jurisdictions have participated in the National Flood Insurance Program and have requested assistance for mitigation projects, it is obvious that mitigation actions are occurring across Valley County and within the participating jurisdictions. However, mitigation actions seem to be fragmented across several local plans, policies, programs, and ordinances.As such, it is recommended that efforts should be made to unify the county and participating jurisdictions so that mitigation efforts are coordinated and that the reporting of these activities is centralized. The county and jurisdictions should agree on a management process that establishes a governance committee to oversee the mitigation planning process, evaluatesmitigation actions, reports mitigation actions for theinclusion of plan updates, and other activities that will help to support a comprehensive mitigation plan program.Finally, this update should reflect the noted recommendations by including a management strategy to strengthen capabilities and ensure the county’s mitigation program is treated and managed as a true existing risk reduction program.

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