Work to Update Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan Beginning

Effort Being Led by Upper Loup NRD

Thedford, Nebraska – For every $1 spent on hazard mitigation, $4 in post storm cleanup and rebuilding is saved, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Proactive hazard mitigation planning allows a community to take actions to reduce or eliminate threats from natural disasters. To help guide future hazard mitigation projects, Upper Loup Natural Resource District is undertaking an effort to update the region’s Hazard Mitigation Plan, originally approved by FEMA in August of 2009. Hazard mitigation plans (HMP) are a requirement of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, administered by FEMA, and once a community, county, or district is part of an approved plan they become eligible for up to a 75% cost share for a wide variety of projects listed in the plan. Hazard Mitigation Plans are required to be updated on a five-year cycle and the current Upper Loup Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan will expire August 2014.

A hazard mitigation plan is a publicly-guided document that identifies vulnerability to natural disasters such as flood, drought, earthquake, wildfire, winter storm, tornado/high wind storm, dam failure, etc. The plan establishes goals, outlines specific mitigation options, and prioritizes projects which may reduce or eliminate loss of life and potential damages to property when future disasters occur.

This planning effort is being guided by a Planning Team consisting of representatives from the NRD, counties, and some jurisdiction in the plan area as well as representatives from the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) and the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Public input will be gathered throughout the duration of the plan development through online tools and public meetings. All communities, public school districts, and other taxing authorities within the NRD are eligible to participate.

The Upper Loup Natural Resource District has hired JEO Consulting Group, Inc. (JEO) to assist with the plan development over the next 12 to 16 months. JEO assisted in completing the district’s current Hazard Mitigation Plan. This hazard mitigation plan update is funded by a FEMA planning grant. The cost is shared 75% through federal funding and 25% through a local match provided by the Upper Loup Natural Resources District.

For more information on this planning effort, contact Anna Baum, Upper Loup NRD General Manager, at 308.645.2250 or by email at abaum@upperloupnrd.org.