Josephine County

(Fall 2010 - Summer 2011)

OPDR Project Contact: Emma Stocker; estocker@uoregon.edu; 541.346.8213

Josephine County Contact: Jenny Zeltvay; jlzeltvay@co.josephine.or.us

A Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) forms the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. It creates a framework for risk-based decision making to reduce damages to lives, property, and the economy from future disasters.

Jurisdictions with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved mitigation plans are eligible for federal grant funding to implement those mitigation items identified in the plan. However, jurisdictions are required to review, update, and re-seek FEMA approval of their plans every five years in order to maintain grant eligibility.

In 2010 / 2011, OPDR will assist Josephine County with reviewing and updating its existing natural hazards mitigation plan. Specific project details are described below.

Plan Drafts

Two sections of the NHMP are now available for public review and comment.

• Hazard Identification, History,and Risk Assessment: This section describes the hazards and potential impact on Josephine County.
• Mitigation Actions: This section documents specific ways that the county can reduce risk of disasters due to natural hazards.

Send comments to Emma Stocker, estocker@uoregon.edu.

Meetings

Additional Project Contacts

• Dennis Sigrist, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, Oregon Emergency Management: dennis.j.sigrist@state.or.us
• Joseph Murray, Emergency Management Specialist, Oregon Emergency Management: joseph.murray@state.or.us