Agenda 09-16-2025; 8-a - Minutes for August 26, 2025 Business Meeting

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13 1 b. Approval of Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2 The Board approved a resolution adopting the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan as 3 approved by the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (NCEM). 4 5 BACKGROUND: In October 2000, the "Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000" (DMA 2000) (Public Law 6 106- 390) was signed into law amending the "Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 7 Act of 1988." DMA 2000 requires local governments to adopt a hazard mitigation plan in order to 8 be eligible for hazard mitigation funding. To remain eligible for funding, each local government 9 must update the hazard mitigation plan every five years. 10 11 In addition, North Carolina General Statute §166-A - 19.41 states as a condition of State public 12 assistance funds following a disaster that "the eligible entity shall have a hazard mitigation plan 13 approved pursuant to the Stafford Act." 14 15 In an effort to reduce costs associated with hazard mitigation planning, the State prioritizes 16 planning funding provided to counties to those who collaboratively create regional hazard 17 mitigation plans with neighboring jurisdictions that are face comparable or similar hazards. The 18 goal is to combine efforts and have counties create comprehensive, multi- 19 county/multijurisdictional plans while using fewer resources. No local control is lost by any 20 participating entity in the regional plan, and each participant retains the right to apply for State or 21 Federal funding. Furthermore, as an additional benefit, any combination of participants can 22 choose to share the cost of any required local match when applying for project funding. 23 24 In accordance with State and Federal regulations, the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation 25 Planning Team, which consists of representatives from Orange County Planning and Inspections, 26 Orange County Emergency Services, and the other participating jurisdictions began meeting in 27 September 2024 to work with WSP, a consultant provided by the State, to create the 2025 update 28 to the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan. Collectively, the team evaluated past hazards 29 and incidents, the geographical profile, the population profile, recently updated Flood Insurance 30 Rate Maps (FIRMs), assessments from the Triangle Regional Resiliency Study, and other data to 31 compile a profile for the region. Additionally, mitigation goals, strategies, and actions were 32 developed for the region. 33 34 A draft of the Eno-Haw Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan was submitted to the State Hazard 35 Mitigation Officer for review in April 2025, and NCEM approved the plan in May 2025. The 36 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently reviewing the plan and is 37 expected to issue an approval. Local government approval of the plan is occurring ahead of the 38 expected FEMA approval in order to ensure necessary deadlines are met. If FEMA's review 39 results in any significant revisions, the plan will be brought back to the BOCC for re-adoption at 40 a later date. 41 42 Sarah Pickhardt, Division Chief of Emergency Management, introduced the item. 43 Chair Bedford asked her to explain a bit about the Emergency Management team. 44 Sarah Pickhardt explained her team's role in coordinating the county's disaster response, 45 preparedness, recovery, and mitigation across all hazard types from hurricanes to hazardous 46 spills. She said when local resources might be overwhelmed, her team connects needs with 47 resources rather than taking over scenes. 48 Sarah Pickhardt introduced Hannah Tuckman, Emergency Management Planner, who 49 made the following presentation: 50