Changes Made During this Plan Update

2.2 Changes Made During this Plan Update

The update of the mitigation plan used an iterative planning process for making several changes and enhancements to the previous version of the mitigation plan. The following section provides an overview of the significant updates reflected within this plan.

• 
  The overview of community profile sections changed to reflect the recent census data (2010) and changes within the county
  

• 
  Several variables were included in the community profile that did not previously exist
  
• 
  Update of the mitigation goals
  
• 
  A capability assessment was conducted
  
• 
  The hazard risk assessment was completed and updated to account for the disasters and changes within the community that occurred in the past five years
  
• 
  The overview of mitigation goals, objectives, and strategies was updated to reflect new goals, new objectives, and new strategies
  
• 
  Processes were created to ensure governance and accountability of the plan
  
• 
  A monitor and maintain section was created to ensure the plan remains updated
  
• 
  Three hazard scenarios were modeled (flood, tornado, and hazard material release)
  
• 
  Mitigation strategies/projects for each participating jurisdiction were developed, with each jurisdiction identifying at least one new action that did not exist in the previous plan.
  

The following sections constitute the actual mitigation update and are a columniation of all the participants’ effort.The information in each section plays an integral role in the mitigation planning process and is interdependent upon the entirety of the planning process.

Section 3: Community Profile

In many jurisdictions, including Valley County, a detailed and in-depth community profile is developed as a key element of the hazard mitigation plan; however, its utility goes far beyond this plan alone.  The Community Profile Section is an overview of the political governance, economy, geography, climate, population, community assets, future development and trends, and the commercial and industrial make-up of Valley County. The community profile provides the county with a solid foundation for developing a common operational picture for mitigation, but can also be referenced for other activities, such as THIRA, emergency training, exercises, and actual incidents.

To complete the community profile the Disaster and Emergency Service (DES) Coordinatoror his representatives contacted numerous agencies, conducted research, and examined several technical reports and records. Valley County utilized a community effort for planning to design an effective mitigation plan. The input from a variety of stakeholders who will be part of any disaster recovery were involved in the planning process, these include elected officials, first responders, emergency management, health care providers, public works, road departments, businesses, and the public.

The following pages provide a broad range of information that serves to provide a context for the subsequent sections in this plan. This information is divided into five broad categories:

1. 
   General Historical Overview
   
2. 
   Physical Characteristics
   
3. 
   Population and Demographics
   
4. 
   Community Conditions
   
5. 
   Critical Infrastructure
   

This information was used in a subsequent assessment section to determine the type and magnitude of the county’s risks.

The county and community profile is an important aspect of the hazard mitigation process. This profile serves to recognize and familiarize the reader with the potential impacts of hazards, specifically: people, property, jobs, natural resources, and crops. This informational provides a general picture of the make-up of Valley County.

Several documents were essential in the writing of this plan. The community profile recaps these resources for the purpose of providing the general environment of Valley County.
A correctly written hazard mitigation plan will help secure the life, wellness, and security of its residents, avert repetitive damages due to various hazards, and furnish a faster recovery process when a disaster does occur. In addition, there is an increased sense of cooperation and communication among the public along with an increased potential for funding mitigation, recovery, and reconstruction projects.

3.1 General Overview

Valley County founded in 1893, is a county located in the northeastern part of in the U.S. State of Montana and the county seat is Glasgow. The total area is 5,062 square miles and 2.7% of the county is water. The population in 2010 was 7,369 and the population density is 1.5 people per square mile. The largest and only city in the county is Glasgow.
Valley County is bounded by Daniels and Roosevelt Counties on the east, McCone and Garfield Counties on the south, Phillips County on the west, and Saskatchewan, Canada on the north.  The Fort Peck Indian Reservation encompasses much of the eastern portion of the county. The City of Glasgow is the county seat and incorporated towns include Fort Peck, Nashua, and Opheim, unincorporated areas include Frazer, Lustre, Richmond, Hinsdale, and St. Marie. Fort Peck Reservoir and the Fort Peck Dam form the southern county boundary.  The Milk River and Porcupine Creek flow into the Missouri River downstream from the dam.  

Table 9: Incorporated Cities and Towns in Valley County and Population

City/Town	Population
Glasgow (County seat)	3,250
Fort Peck	233
Nashua	290
Opheim	85
Frazer*	362
Hinsdale*	217
St. Marie*	264

*These are census-designated places

Figure 2: Map of Valley County

3.1.1 Historical Setting:

American Indians inhabited the region for centuriesand these nomadic tribes were provided ample food from the extensive buffalo and pronghorn antelope herds. The Nakoda, Lakota, and Dakota peoples alternately inhabited and claimed the region from the 16th to the late 19th centuries. In 1804 the Lewis and Clark expedition came within 15 miles of the future site of the city of Glasgow and noted the extensive herds of buffalo and various game. In 1851 the US government formed the first treaty with the Native American tribes, in 1885 the tribes engaged in the last known buffalo hunt in the region, and in 1887 a treaty was signed where the tribes surrendered 17.5 million acres, and in 1888 the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was formed removing the tribes from the Glasgow area.
Glasgow, named after the city in Scotland, was founded in 1887 as a railroad town by James J. Hill, who was responsible for creating many communities along the Hi-Line. Glasgow grew during the 1930s when President Franklin Roosevelt authorized the construction of the Fort Peck Dam, which became a major source of employment for the Glasgow area.
During World War II the Glasgow Army Airfield housed the 96th Bombardment Squadron and 614th Bombardment Squadron, which flew the B-17 Flying Fortresses, at different times during the war. Starting in December 1944 a German POW camp was established at the facility, lasting until the end of the war. After the war ended the base was closed, and part of the facility eventually became the present day Glasgow Airport. Glasgow was the death place of Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Speirs, famed member of Easy Company, 101st Airborne.
In the 1960s the population rose to about 6,400 due to the nearby presence of the Glasgow Air Force Base, which was home to the Strategic Air Command (SAC) air command and B-52 bombers, which were used during the Vietnam War and the Cold War. A significant amount of mid-century modern architecture, much of which survives to this day, was built in Glasgow during this period. After the deactivation and closure of the base in 1969, Glasgow's population began declining, reaching about half its pre-base closure maximum by 1990. The population loss rate stabilized in 90s and Glasgow currently functions as the major regional administrative, shopping, and service hub for Valley County and the areas beyond.

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