Program Name:
Nez Perce County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Administering Agency:
Nez Perce County, State of Idaho
Contact:
Betty L Clack, AICP Director, Planning and Building Services
Address:
PO Box 896, Lewiston, ID, 83501-0896
Telephone:
208-799-3089
Fax:
208-799-3149
E-mail:
bettyclack@co.nezperce.id.us
Program Summary
With the
help of Dr. Terry Howard of Strata, Inc., in 1999 Nez Perce County
Commissioners and the Planning Department developed a plan to apply basic
geologic mapping to geotechnical characteristics and delineate
geologic-hazard areas for local hazard mitigation. Priority areas of
expected growth were established for new geologic mapping performed by the
Idaho Geological Survey. Then, Terry Howard, the County’s geotechnical
contractor, interpreted the engineering properties and material
characteristics of the geologic units to establish “geotechnical terrain
units” that were integrated into the planning department’s Geographic
Information System. Each geotechnical terrain unit (Gtu) includes a
description of its capabilities for the following categories: slope, ground
water, erosion, soils, earthwork, roadways, foundations, septic systems, and
site-specific study. The Nez Perce County Hazard Mitigation Plan promotes
site-specific geotechnical studies as part of the County Planning and
Building Services issuance of building permits. The plan was adopted by the
County Commissioners in 2003 and is thus policy. The identification of
need, the research and interpretation, and the adoption for mitigation by
Nez Perce County is serving as a model for the rest of Idaho’s counties and
cities.
Program Operational
Since 2003
Major Purpose
The major
purpose was to address the mitigation of natural hazards in rapidly
developing areas of Nez Perce County which is the core of the Lewiston
Metropolitan Statistical Area (U.S. Dept. of Labor).
Specific Activities
and Operations
The Nez Perce County Board of Commissioners addressed the issue by securing
a mitigation planning grant from DHS/FEMA through the Idaho Bureau of
Homeland Security. The Lewiston-Nez Perce County of Emergency Management was
designated the project lead, with support from a mitigation steering
committee, the County GIS Coordinator and County Planner. The Nez Perce
County Mitigation Plan has the rigorous analysis and expected features of a
typical plan.
The reason for nomination is that a key feature of the Nez Perce County plan
is a pilot program which formally incorporates mitigation into every
application for a building permit. The risk of flooding, wildland fire,
landslide, and earthquake are characterized for every parcel in Nez Perce
County. The project that produced it was a partnership of local government
with geotechnical consultants to translate new geologic map products to
geotechnical units and finally to areas of low, medium and high hazards.
Local jurisdictions adopted the maps for sign-off by developers and
recommendations for site specific studies.
The Nez Perce County Information Services Department had previously
developed a GIS mapping system (including rural addressing) to meet
requirements of the enhanced 911 architecture. A separate GIS layer for
each of the selected hazards was created. To have meaningful results, an
in-depth, site-specific hazard analysis of landslide and wildland
fire-potential was conducted. National and/or engineering standards were
used throughout the analysis. The process used for each hazard was to
conduct a risk assessment, geo-reference the map data, and them develop
parameters to characterize the risk areas. Since the hazard maps are
geo-referenced to the existing rural addressing system, identifying the
site-specific risk potential is now possible.
In adopting the Nez Perce County Hazard Mitigation Plan, the Board of County
Commissioners established policy that required any new building permit
applicant be provided four maps of their parcel, which graphically depict
flood, wildland fire, landslide and earthquake-potential areas of their
property. Accompanying each map is a two column explanation of the (1) risk
categories of the hazard, and (2) mandatory and/or recommended mitigation
measures for each risk category.
New Approaches and
Methods
This program is the first known in Idaho to bridge the gap between hazards
mitigation and land use planning without confrontational mandates. It also
engages private and business sectors in the mitigation process.
Program Funding
Start-up costs:
$50,000
Source:
Nez Perce County
Annual Budget:
$50,000 per year for 3 years
Source: Nez
Perce County
Program Staffing
2 FTE
Program Origins
This program originated in the State and is fully implemented. We are
unaware of similar programs elsewhere.
Achievement of Stated
Purposes
There are
no hard data to show reduction of exposure to hazards, since there have been
no events impacting new building projects. However the program has received
publicity and applicants have signed an acknowledgment of having seen the
maps and mitigation actions, so that there is a growing awareness of hazards
and loss-reduction strategies in the community.
Obstacles Other States
Might Encounter
The program
is being considered by other Idaho counties due to the flexibility of use by
local jurisdictions. The level of implementation is based on local
acceptability of the program, which is a vital issue in Idaho and
contributes to its acceptance.
