Humboldt Operational Area 

Hazard Mitigation Plan

Background

The Humboldt Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP)

Who is Involved?

Linkage Kit for Jurisdictions wishing to link to the plan

Related Links

Background:

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires local governments to adopt a federally approved Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to receive pre and post-disaster mitigation funds. The DMA emphasizes planning for disasters before they occur. In response to this opportunity a planning partnership of eligible local governments within the Humboldt Operational Area formed to develop a local hazards mitigation plan to address multiple hazards faced by Humboldt County communities.

This web page has been established to provide all interested citizens and stakeholders within the planning area access to the plan as well as information about plan implementation and grant opportunities.

The Plan inventoried potential natural hazards that the defined planning area is most vulnerable to, assessed the risk to the planning area’s citizens, buildings and critical facilities and developed a mitigation strategy to reduce the risk of exposure and allow a swift and organized recovery should a disaster occur. The natural hazards that this plan addresses include:

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The Humboldt Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP):

On December 11, 2007 the  Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted and approved, by resolution, the HMP. Subsequently, on January 28, 2008 FEMA approved the HMP. The Final Draft of the HMP can be viewed on this site. All local government planning partners have or will soon be adopting the plan based on their various governing body schedules. Please see the list of Planning Partners and contact the designated representative if you would like more detailed information.  

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Who is Involved?

There are 26 Planning Partners participating in this program from a broad range of jurisdictions including all of Humboldt County's 7 cities and several special services districts. Planning Partners are jurisdictions that have participated in the process along with the County to the extent that they are included in the completed Hazard Mitigation Plan with their own Annex. This Annex is equivalent to having their own plan which makes them eligible for hazard mitigation funding from FEMA.

A 17 member Steering Committee was formed to oversee the details of drafting and implementing the plan. The Steering Committee Membership consists of stakeholder representatives from a variety of local agencies and organizations with interests and experience relevant to the Hazard Mitigation program. The purpose and structure of this committee is guided by the Steering Committee Ground Rules.  Now that the HMP is complete the Steering Committee remains active and meets twice a year to oversee progress reports and the process of expanding the hazard mitigation partnership.  If you are interested in the activities of this committee, you are welcome to review their meeting Agendas and Minutes. 

A Planning Team was assembled to draft the plan and facilitate stakeholder involvement. This team consisted of County Planning staff from the Community Development Services Department and consultant staff from Winzler & Kelly Consulting Engineers and TetraTech. 

Cybelle Immitt with the County Planning Division and Dan Larkin of the County Office of Emergency Services are coordinating plan maintenance and act as public liaisons and can be reached at (707)268-3736 and (707) 268-2502 respectively. You can also email a comment or question. 

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Linkage Kit for Jurisdictions wishing to link to the plan:

Even though the initial development of the HMP included 26 planning partners, not all eligible local governments within the defined planning area are included in the plan. It is assumed that some or all of these non-participating local governments may chose to “link” to the HMP at some point in time to gain eligibility for programs under the DMA. If a jurisdiction wishes to start the process of linking on to the HMP they must submit a letter of intent to link to the the Humboldt Operational Area Point of Contact. A linkage package will then be sent to the interested jurisdiction including a CD ROM containing the following documents:

• Administrative Process for linking to the plan
• Expectations for Planning Partners linking to the plan
• Special Purpose District Template
• Special Purpose District Template Instructions for Completion

• Catalog of Hazard Mitigation Alternatives

• Technical Assistance Request Form 

• Section 201.6 of Chapter 44, the Code of Federal Regulations (44CFR), which define the federal requirements for a Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.

• Volume 1 of the Humboldt Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan
• Volume 2 of the Humboldt Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan

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Related Links

Office of Emergency Services Hazard Mitigation Portal

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Planning Web Page. 

Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services

Humboldt County Fire Safe Council and Master Fire Protection Plan

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