CHENANGO COUNTY – With a goal to have an updated county-wide mitigation plan in place as soon as possible, the Chenango County Planning Department is making headway working with local municipalities to identify at-risk areas in times of natural disaster.
Given the number of natural disasters, namely flooding in Chenango County in recent years, the department has been working closely with municipal leaders and highway superintendents to update the county’s 2008 hazard mitigation plan. The plan is a necessary effort for the county and municipalities to maintain eligibility for state and federal funding that benefits residents, businesses and other institutions reeling from natural disaster.
Each municipality in the county is responsible for submitting their own plan to the county Department of Planning before the compiled document is submitted to the feds for review.
“We’re trying to have all the municipalities and general public take a look at it and give extra feedback,” explained Rena Doing, planner at the county Department of Planning and Development. “We have been reaching out to them and working with them to fine-tune some of the details in their plans.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency requires that a hazard mitigation plan be updated every five years in order to qualify for federal assistance. Since the existing plan was last updated in 2008, the five-year bench mark has come and gone, though that doesn’t mean the county will not receive funding should a disaster occur before the updated plan is completed, Doing noted.
“As long as we are actively trying to update it and can show that, we have been told that we would be eligible for funding if something happens,” she said.
To help in the project, the county has contracted with the New Jersey based company Tetra Tech, Inc., a provider of consultation, engineering and technical services. Tetra Tech is also the architect of the 2008 mitigation plan; and while the agreement comes at a $70,000 price tag for local taxpayers, county officials say the possible payoff of FEMA funding is well worth the investment.
City of Norwich Emergency Management Officer, A. Jones, has been looking at different areas within Norwich city limits that can be improved to prevent damage in the inevitable case of flooding in the future.
“As a city, we sat down and looked at some of the things we can do. Most of the city is in a floodplain, so most of our plan revolves around flooding,” Jones said.
The city’s mitigation plan was brought before members of the Joint Committee earlier this month, identifying five project potentials that reduce risk. Projects include dredging the upper reservoir off state Highway 23, and examining ways to help residents flood-proof their homes.
“There are things people can do inside their homes to help prevent flooding damage,” Jones said. “The intent of this plan isn’t just to benefit the city itself. This is something that will help residents too.”
In addition to flooding which primarily impacts townships along the rivers in the county, the hazard mitigation plan will also address weather hazards that include high winds, hail, lighting, landslides, tornados, earthquakes, and severe winter weather.
The Chenango County Department of Planning and Development is currently reaching out to local and regional stakeholders to provide feedback on municipal plans. County residents are encouraged to review their municipality’s plan on the department’s website, www.co.chenango.ny.us/hazard-mitigation-plan.
The department aims to have all municipal plans submitted to the state for approval by late January.