County Planning Department urging municipalities to adopt hazard mitigation plan
The county's planning department is encouraging municipalities to adopt its revised hazard mitigation plan to remain eligible for monetary federal aid which would lessen the financial burden of natural disasters. (File Photo)
CHENANGO COUNTY - The Chenango County Planning Department is pressing local municipalities to adopt its newly revised hazard mitigation plan, arguing that a failure to do so could cost local towns and villages substantial state and federal emergency aid.
For weeks, the department has promoted the plan to town boards in all four corners of the county. County Planner Shane Butler explained the county’s hazard mitigation plan must be updated every five years, the goal being to better prepare for natural disasters. And under federal guidelines, municipalities simply won’t be eligible for emergency assistance without adopting it.
“The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA have approved this plan, pending adoption by at least 50 percent of the county’s municipalities,” Butler said. “We’ve been going to all the different municipalities. Some of them have requested us to attend their town board meetings to tell them why they need to adopt it.”
Several municipalities have already adopted the plan, but Butler noted the department’s still shy of the 50 percent needed. Once it reaches that threshold, the county and participating municipalities remain eligible for grants for mitigation projects that reduce the impact of disastrous events - projects like property acquisition and structure demolition, structure elevation, and undertakings that protect from flooding, wind, and wildfires.
The Planning Department cites long-term benefits of mitigation planning, including better preparation for potential hazards, more disaster-resistant communities, a feasible game plan for when disasters do happen, reduced long-term damages to human health and property, and fewer repair costs for the local tax base.
This year, planners included COVID-19 in the plan, narrowing the scope of the already existing pathogens section. It also included algae blooms which have become more prevalent in Chenango County lakes in recent years.
The hazard mitigation plan was approved by the county’s Planning and Economic Development Committee this month and will go before the County Board in September. While there’s no deadline, Butler said the sooner the county can adopt the plan, the better.
For weeks, the department has promoted the plan to town boards in all four corners of the county. County Planner Shane Butler explained the county’s hazard mitigation plan must be updated every five years, the goal being to better prepare for natural disasters. And under federal guidelines, municipalities simply won’t be eligible for emergency assistance without adopting it.
“The Department of Homeland Security and FEMA have approved this plan, pending adoption by at least 50 percent of the county’s municipalities,” Butler said. “We’ve been going to all the different municipalities. Some of them have requested us to attend their town board meetings to tell them why they need to adopt it.”
Several municipalities have already adopted the plan, but Butler noted the department’s still shy of the 50 percent needed. Once it reaches that threshold, the county and participating municipalities remain eligible for grants for mitigation projects that reduce the impact of disastrous events - projects like property acquisition and structure demolition, structure elevation, and undertakings that protect from flooding, wind, and wildfires.
The Planning Department cites long-term benefits of mitigation planning, including better preparation for potential hazards, more disaster-resistant communities, a feasible game plan for when disasters do happen, reduced long-term damages to human health and property, and fewer repair costs for the local tax base.
This year, planners included COVID-19 in the plan, narrowing the scope of the already existing pathogens section. It also included algae blooms which have become more prevalent in Chenango County lakes in recent years.
The hazard mitigation plan was approved by the county’s Planning and Economic Development Committee this month and will go before the County Board in September. While there’s no deadline, Butler said the sooner the county can adopt the plan, the better.
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