Title
Sheriff’s Office recommending the Board:
1) Receive a presentation of the Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) from the Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services Staff; and
2) Adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 187-2024 adopting the 2024 MJHMP update which is incorporated in the El Dorado County General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element by reference.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) requires local governments to develop and adopt pre-disaster mitigation plans in order to minimize property damage and the risk to public health and safety that might result from the effects of natural or man-made disasters. A MJHMP assesses risk and vulnerabilities and identifies and prioritizes mitigation projects. The 2024 MJHMP update, approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on August 29, 2024, makes the County eligible for FEMA Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) grant programs. FEMA requires that the MJHMP be updated every five years to maintain eligibility for grants.
This MJHMP update is a customized plan tailored for El Dorado County and its four participating jurisdictions and is an update to the previous MJHMP adopted in 2019, which expires in 2024. The related General Plan Amendment adopts the 2024 MJHMP update into the General Plan by reference. California adopted Assembly Bill (AB) 2140 (Hancock) in 2006, which added provisions specifying what is to be included in a MJHMP and requires a linkage between local jurisdiction’s MJHMP and the safety element of their general plan. AB 2140 requires a jurisdiction to adopt the MJHMP into the safety element of the general plan in order to be eligible for an increased share of disaster relief funding under the California Disaster Assistance Act.
The increasing cost of disaster recovery in the nation and the State of California over the past decades has prompted a renewed interest in determining effective and holistic approaches to minimize natural hazards. Hazard mitigation planning plays an important role in building community resilience through the identification of hazards, assessment of vulnerabilities, and the development of mitigation actions.
The County recognized the importance of developing a customized and updated MJHMP and was responsible for initiating the update in 2023. The goal of the MJHMP update is to develop practical, attainable, and cost-effective mitigation actions. These actions aim to reduce vulnerability to the identified hazards and lessen the impact of hazard events on human life, property, and the economy. The County contracted with WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. to facilitate and develop the updated MJHMP. Subsequently, the plan was prepared pursuant to the requirements of the DMA of 2000, so that the County would become eligible for FEMA HMA, Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant programs.
Goal Alignment:
This MJHMP update identifies resources, information, and strategies for reducing risk from natural hazards. Mitigation strategies in the plan were collaboratively developed to best meet the needs of the County’s planning partners, stakeholders, and their citizens. One of the benefits of hazard mitigation planning and specifically convening a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) is the ability to pool resources and eliminate redundant activities within a planning area that has uniform risk exposure and vulnerabilities.
This MJHMP update builds on mitigation goals, policies, and mitigation actions and projects developed as part of similar plans, programs, and studies such as the 2022 General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element, the 2023 CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit (AEU) Strategic Plan, the El Dorado County Emergency Operations Plan, and the El Dorado County Wildfire Evacuation Analysis. This plan will also help guide and coordinate mitigation activities throughout the County’s planning area, as defined by the El Dorado County limits. The 2024 MJHMP update was developed to meet the following objectives:
• Meet or exceed requirements of the DMA of 2000.
• Enable the County to use federal HMA and BRIC grant funding to reduce risk through mitigation.
• Create a risk assessment that focuses on the County’s hazards of concern.
• Maintain and implement the MJHMP to identify natural hazards, minimize or eliminate their effects, and reduce prospective costs of reparations before any natural hazard takes place consistent with Goals 6.1-6.4 and Goals 6.10-6.16 in the El Dorado County General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element.
• Create a single planning document that integrates all participating jurisdiction, planning partner, and stakeholder input into a framework that supports partnerships and coordination within the County.
• Meet the planning requirements of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) if the County chooses to participate in this program in the future.
• Coordinate existing plans and programs so that high-priority initiatives and projects to mitigate possible disaster impacts are funded and implemented.
Discussion:
To begin the MJHMP update process, in June 2023, the County issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) (#23-990-071) seeking a qualified consultant to help prepare an update to the County’s MJHMP. In August 2023, the County selected WSP USA Environment & Infrastructure Inc. as its consultant.
County staff and WSP Environment & Infrastructure Inc. began the MJHMP update process with an evaluation of the existing 2019 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), a compilation of background information, the development of a Community Outreach Strategy, and the establishment of a HMPC comprised of both County staff and external agency and organization partners. County staff was comprised of representatives from El Dorado County Office of Emergency Services (OES), the Planning and Building Department, the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resiliency, the Office of Education, and the Public Health Department.
The four participating jurisdictions included the City of Placerville, Cameron Park Community Services District, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, and El Dorado County Office of Education. Key planning partners and stakeholders included the El Dorado Food Bank, the City of South Lake Tahoe, Elder Options, Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprise Inc., Marshall Hospital, and the Tahoe City Public Utilities District. Public participation was an important part of the MJHMP update process. The public outreach for the MJHMP update included deliberate engagement with planning partners, stakeholders, and community groups with an acute interest and/or experience in hazard mitigation issues as well as opportunities for the general public to participate and inform the MJHMP update.
The planning process began with a kick-off meeting with the HMPC on October 31, 2023. The meeting covered the scope of work for the MJHMP update and an introduction to the DMA requirements. During the planning process, the HMPC communicated through virtual planning work sessions, emails, and monthly virtual meetings. WSP Environment & Infrastructure, Inc. distributed draft planning documents via email to the County OES and then distributed materials to the HMPC. The HMPC met an additional three times during the planning period (November 27, 2023; January 23, 2024; and March 18, 2024).
The risk assessment focused on potential impacts from avalanche; dam failure; debris flows and landslides; drought, water shortages, and tree mortality; earthquake; erosion; extreme heat; seiche; heavy rain, thunderstorms, hail, and lightning; heavy snow and winter storms; tornadoes and high winds; subsidence; and wildfire. Mitigation actions addressed prevention, property protection, public education and awareness, natural resource protection, emergency services, and improved management practices for structural projects. The actions were then prioritized using the STAPLEE criteria (social, technical, administrative, political, legal, economic, and environmental).
Public Outreach:
According to the DMA of 2000 (CFR § 201.6(b)), public involvement in hazard mitigation plans is required. This involvement includes providing opportunities for the public to comment on the plan during its drafting stage and before approval, as well as involving neighboring communities, organizations that represent undeserved and socially vulnerable populations, and local and regional agencies engaged in hazard mitigation activities in the planning process. To facilitate this outreach, the County developed a Community Outreach Strategy for the MJHMP update. The strategy aimed to ensure meaningful participation from County citizens, public officials, and stakeholder groups in the planning process. It outlines various engagement platforms used by the County to notify and involve stakeholders and the public, including email notifications, press releases, and social media postings. Additionally, the County formally engaged Alpine County, Amador County, Douglas County, Placer County, and Sacramento County as neighboring jurisdictions during the planning process, and to comment on the Administrative Draft MJHMP.
The County also circulated a bilingual public survey in English and Spanish for the MJHMP update for a four-month period and facilitated two public workshops. The first public workshop was held during the development of the Draft MJHMP on February 27, 2024 and the second public workshop was held once the Draft MJHMP was available for public review on April 18, 2024. The Public Review Draft MJHMP was available for public comments for 14 days between April 10, 2024, through April 23, 2024. The County compiled public comments on the planning process, hazard profiles, risk assessment, and the Draft MJHMP during public review. Formal comments on the draft plan were gathered through email submissions and an online form. The County incorporated public input by reviewing the comments and revising the MJHMP prior to submittal to California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and FEMA Region IX.
Environmental Review:
Development and adoption of the El Dorado County MJHMP update is a planning document to prepare the County for foreseeable emergencies and other risks. As the plan indicates, implementation of any of the mitigations identified will be a post-adoption actions subject to staff review on a case-by-case basis. Accordingly, the plan is not a project subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) given that (i) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15378(a), the plan does not have a potential for a direct physical change or reasonably indirect physical change in the environment, (ii) State Guidelines section 15061(b)(3) provides that actions are not subject to CEQA where it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment, and (iii) the plan itself is a continuing administrative or maintenance activity, such as general policy and procedure making, or governmental administrative activity, and will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment in accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b).
Policy Implications:
The purpose of the Stafford Act, as amended by the DMA of 2000, is to “reduce the loss of life and property, human suffering, economic disruption, and disaster assistance costs resulting from natural disasters.” Section 322 of the Stafford Act specifically addresses mitigation planning and requires state and local governments to prepare MJHMPs as a precondition to receiving FEMA HMA and BRIC grant funding. The requirements of Title 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Section 201.6 includes regulations that must be met before FEMA will approve a MJHMP. MJHMPs must also be updated every five years in order for jurisdictions to remain eligible for FEMA HMA and BRIC funding.
This action is consistent with the following El Dorado County General Plan Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element goals and supporting objectives:
• Goal 6.1: Implement a coordinated approach to hazard and disaster response planning.
• Objective 6.1.1: Implement the El Dorado County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan.
• Goal 6.2: Minimize fire hazards and risks in both wildland and developed areas.
• Goal 6.3: Minimize the threat to life and property from seismic and geologic hazards.
• Goal 6.4: Protect the residents of El Dorado County from flood hazards.
• Goal 6.10: Provide a resilient water supply that will meet the demand of residents, businesses, and visitors.
• Goal 6.11: Identify and maintain adequate evacuation routes in the incorporated and unincorporated County.
• Goal 6.12: Increase resistance to pests and disease on agricultural and forest lands.
• Goal 6.13: Create an effective regulatory system to minimize injury and damage due to extreme heat events.
• Goal 6.14: Protect public health and safety through preventative intervention.
• Goal 6.15: Reduce impacts to people and property from high wind events.
• Goal 6.16: Reduce impacts to people and property caused by severe weather events.
Staff conducted a general plan consistency analysis and found the MJHMP’s goals, objectives, and mitigation actions align with the Public Health, Safety, and Noise Element. The County can maintain this alignment through ongoing implementation, annual evaluations, and regular MJHMP updates.
This action is also consistent with the goal of the CAL FIRE AEU to reduce the loss of life, property, watershed values, and other assets at risk from wildfire through a focused pre-fire management program.
By maintaining consistency in goals, objectives, and actions, these plans ensure a comprehensive approach to mitigating risks from natural disasters. The focus on adaptability, hazard preparedness, and targeted mitigation measures across key areas enhances the County’s capacity to protect lives, property, and vital sectors of the economy. This integrated approach promotes long-term safety, resiliency, and sustainability for El Dorado County.
Effective November 1, 2004, a mitigation plan approved by FEMA and the California Emergency Management Agency (now known as Cal OES) was required from any community that wished to obtain funding from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, or the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program to reduce potential damages during a natural disaster. In 2005, the El Dorado County MJHMP was prepared by El Dorado County, the incorporated communities of Placerville and South Lake Tahoe, and participating local districts. On March 29, 2005, the Board approved and signed Resolution 071-2005 adopting the MJHMP. The MJHMP is to be updated every 5 years.
The MJHMP is based on a hazard identification and risk assessment of all the areas in El Dorado County that could be impacted and includes a review of the County’s current hazard reduction capabilities. Specific recommendations have been made to reduce the risks and the effects of local disasters should they occur. An additional element was required for the five-year update to the MHMP adopted in 2010. That element is that the MHMP had to be included in the Safety Element of the General Plan adopted pursuant to subdivision (g) of Government Code Section 65302. The requirement was met in the 2010 MHMP adoption and approved by FEMA and Cal OES in April 2012.
The 2017 proposed 5-year MHMP update was submitted and required several revisions based on new and evolving FEMA standards. FEMA, Cal OES, El Dorado County Sheriff’s OES, and the El Dorado County Emergency Preparedness and Response Division completed these revisions in January 2019. This was approved by the Board on April 23, 2019, with Legistar file 19-0568.
ALTERNATIVES
N/A
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
04/23/2019 Legistar file 19-0568
12/20/2011 Legistar file 11-1402
12/15/2009 Legistar file 09-1474
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Various County departments and agencies such as the Planning and Building Department, the Office of Wildfire Preparedness and Resiliency, the Office of Education, the Public Health Department, City of Placerville, Cameron Park Community Services District, Georgetown Divide Public Utility District, the El Dorado Food Bank, the City of South Lake Tahoe, Elder Options, Mother Lode Rehabilitation Enterprise Inc., Marshall Hospital, and the Tahoe City Public Utilities District
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact related to this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Return a signed Board Resolution to Sheriff’s OES for distribution to FEMA and Cal OES.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Safe and Healthy Communities
Priority: Strengthen Emergency Response Capabilities and Effectiveness
CONTACT
Lieutenant Troy Morton