Page Left Blank Intentionally Section 1: Introduction

Section 1: Introduction

1. 
   Revise sections of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
   
2. 
   Govern costs of federal disaster assistance.
   

Organize a national program for pre-disaster mitigation.

3. 
   Streamline dispensation of disaster relief.
   

Hazard mitigation planning is a collaborative process that jurisdictions take to develop a plan which outlines how they will protect themselves from hazards.FEMA requires that this planning process occurs in all counties in states across the nation.Failure to comply with these requirements will result in that county or local government unit not being eligible for certain aspects of federal mitigation funding.

1. 
   County Profile – This chapter contains information on ValleyCounty’s history, demographics, physical features, infrastructure, and emergency response
   
2. 
   Hazards Profile – This chapter identifies and profiles the various hazards addressed in the plan
   
3. 
   Risk Assessment – This chapter provides a risk assessment for each local governmental unit covered in the plan
   
4. 
   Goals, Objectives, and Mitigation Strategies – This chapter identifies the specific mitigation steps the participating jurisdictions have committed toachieving the goals of the plan
   
5. 
   Plan Administration – This chapter outlines how the plan will be administered, including implementation tables for chapter four.
   

The plan provides guidelines for dealing with present and future hazards.More specific steps are outlined in the county emergency response plans, watershed plans, county water plans, and zoning ordinances.The written plan does not replace existing operational mitigation plans currently in use, but supplements them, helping to reinforce and/or improve present and future mitigation.The finished plan depicts a unified and continuous effort and commitment by many dedicated people in Valley County, all participating jurisdictions, as well as Montana Homeland Security Emergency Management, and FEMA.

1.1 Plan Goals and Authority

The goals of the Valley County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan are to:

• 
  Increase community understanding of emergency management and build support for hazard mitigation
  
• 
  Develop, promote, integrate and track mitigation strategies
  
• 
  Continue to improve and enhance the county's emergency management program
  
• 
  Increase the economic stability, core values, and quality of services of the county
  
• 
  Increase mitigation resources to eliminate or minimize harm done to people, property, jobs, and natural resources in Valley County by natural and manmade hazards
  

The Valley County Hazard Mitigation Plan has been developed in accordance with requirements set forth in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 establishes the framework for pre-disaster hazard mitigation planning and provides the legal basis for state, local, and tribal mitigation planning requirements. The newly introduced Section 322 highlights the importance of coordinating hazard mitigation efforts among state, tribal, and local jurisdictions. Under 44 CFR §201.6 local governments must have a FEMA approved hazard mitigation plan in order to apply for and/or receive mitigation funding through existing hazard mitigation assistance programs. Three of the most common mitigation funding programs are detailed below:

1.2 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration. Authorized under Section 404 of the Stafford Act and administered by FEMA, HMGP was created to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters.
The program enables mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster. These mitigation measures include:

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  Acquisition of real property from willing sellersand demolition or relocation of buildings to convert the property to open space use
  
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  Retrofitting structures and facilities to minimize damages from high winds, flood, or other natural hazards
  
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  Safe room construction.
  
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  Elevation of flood prone structures
  
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  Development and initial implementation of vegetative management or invasive species programs
  

It is estimated that for every dollar spent

on mitigation activities, four dollars

are saved in disaster caused damages.

Congressional Budget Office (2007)

Minor flood reduction projects that do not duplicate the flood prevention activities of other Federal agencies

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  Localized flood control projects, such as certain ring levees and floodwall systems, designed specifically to protect critical facilities
  
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  Post-disaster evaluations of potential building codes modifications
  
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  Hazard mitigation planning
  

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