HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2007 (40) •
RESOLUTION APPROVING AN ALL HAZARDS
MITIGATION PLAN FOR ST. CROIX COUNTY
Resolution No. qU C2[ 7)
St. Croix County, Wisconsin
WHEREAS, hazard mitigation planning is the process of developing a set of actions designed to
reduce or eliminate long -term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County has worked through its Emergency Management and
Communications Committee to develop the St. Croix County All Hazards Mitigation Plan to assess the
magnitude of hazard risks and develop strategies for minimizing or reducing these risks; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County has adopted a Shoreland/Wetland Zoning Ordinance, a Floodplain
Ordinance, and Subdivision Regulations which apply throughout the unincorporated areas of the county
in accordance with State of Wisconsin statutes which are enforced, in part, to mitigate the impacts of
natural hazard events; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County Emergency Management provides emergency management
planning, coordination, response, and recovery support to all communities in St. Croix County; and
WHEREAS, St. Croix County towns, villages, and cities participated in the planning process
through a presentation to the Town's Association, a town hazard assessment survey, meetings, the review
of the draft strategies, and other communication; and
WHEREAS, the planning meetings for this effort were open to the public, properly noticed in
accordance with Wisconsin's Open Meetings Law, received special attention in the County's official
newspaper, and included a special public informational meeting on August 22, 2007; and
WHEREAS, adoption of the St. Croix County All Hazards Mitigation Plan by the County Board
of Supervisors will make the County and its towns eligible for federal grant dollars for hazard mitigation
projects.
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THEREFORE, be it resolved that the St. Croix County Board of Supervisors adopts the St. Croix
County All Hazards Mitigation Plan as the official all hazards mitigation plan for the County with the
intent of implementing the plan as funding and resources allow.
Offered by the Emergency Management and Communications Committee
YES NO ABSTAIN ABSENT SUPERVISOR SIGNATURE
ES1 1E1 0 El Chuck Mehls C r / , i
14 El E] 111 Julie Speer J s 'Mt
❑ 0 Denise
Gunderson i 1 ,IL / • )t''
NO CI ❑ 0 M Clarence / 1
alick '
0 0 ❑ x John M. Borup
This Resolution was adqpted by the St. Croix County Board
Reviewed by Corporation Counsel on f 1 of Supervisors on ,J) e( wrtbe/ i g c_ no
C U �J14^'ti.,.,J e, 4,4 ,- Greg Tin ierman, Corporation Counsel I Cindy Cll, County Clerk
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St. Croix County All Hazards Mitigation Plan
Project Summary
St. Croix County was awarded FEMA Pre- Disaster Mitigation Grant Program funds for the preparation of an All
Hazards Mitigation Plan, and, working through its Emergency Management Office, contracted with West
Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to develop its plan.
What is Hazard Mitigation Planning?
Hazard Mitigation Planning is the process of developing a set of actions designed to reduce or eliminate long-
term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects. The general scope and requirements for hazard
mitigation planning are defined by the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 and the Code of Federal
Regulations (FEMA 44 CFR Part 201).
Why develop a Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan?
By mitigating the potential impacts of natural disaster events, the plan strategies are intended to save lives,
reduce injuries, reduce economic losses, and protect property and infrastructure. A FEMA- approved Hazards
Mitigation Plan is now required to be eligible for Federal grant dollars for hazard mitigation projects under the
following FEMA programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, Pre - Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, and
Flood Mitigation Grant Program.
How was the plan developed?
Meetings, mailings, and surveys with communities, the Town's Association, various stakeholders, and key
County departments were conducted. The County Emergency Management & Communications Committee
served as a plan steering committee, to help guide the process, review draft materials, and assist with strategy
identification. Following a public information meeting on 8/22/07, the draft plan was then reviewed by
Wisconsin Emergency Management to ensure all required guidelines were met.
Is this planning effort County -wide?
Yes. Once adopted by the County Board, the plan would cover all unincorporated areas in St. Croix County.
During the planning process, RPC staff worked with the cities and villages to address their unique hazard risks
and issues in the plan. Adoption of the plan by their respective councils or boards will meet the eligibility
requirements for FEMA mitigation grant dollars, allowing the cities and villages to also apply for these funds.
Fiscal Impacts
The plan is largely advisory and a pre- requisite for pursuing FEMA grant dollars. The majority of strategies
utilize existing program budgets for implementation (e.g., ordinance update, land -use planning policy guidance).
For some other strategies, the Plan identifies potential grant programs as a funding source. But, as stated within
the Plan, the recommended strategies will be implemented as resources (e.g., funding, staffing, time) allow.
Plan strategies are generally prioritized, offering guidance in the implementation of this Plan based on available
resources, potential partnerships, and changing conditions.
General Plan Scope
The steering committee identified those hazard risks of greatest threat to St. Croix County for assessment within
the plan. These risks included:
Tornadoes & High Winds Winter Storms (including ice, extreme cold, etc)
Pandemic Flu Thunderstorms (including hail, lightning, etc)
Hazardous Materials Spills Flooding (including dam failure)
Drought Nuclear Accident
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Some Key Findings & Recommended Strategies
Tornadoes & Thunderstorms Thunderstorms are very frequent with 4.3 severe events reported each year.
While there is a higher vulnerability to tornados, they are less frequent. The County has a significant tornado
damage history (e.g., 1899 New Richmond was 8 deadliest in U.S. history, 1958 Colfax, 1982 Star Prairie area,
2005 Hammond). In 2000, 4.7% of housing stock were mobile homes, 57% of which were in unincorporated
areas. Plan strategies include storm shelter initiative for mobile home parks, additional warning sirens, updating
the Fairgrounds emergency plan, a mobile home anchoring project, promoting the use of weather radios at
campgrounds /resorts, and requiring new mobile home parks to maintain a shelter and emergency plan.
Winter Storms & Extreme Cold On average, there has been 3.3 severe winter storms per year. Interstate 94
and winter kill of alfalfa have been the most significant recent vulnerabilities. Between thunderstorms and
winter storms /ice, about 36% of lost customer hours for the Electric Cooperative have been due to tree damage.
Some localized ice damming concerns. Plan strategies include working with UW- Extension on a power
generator loan program for smaller dairy operations and partnering to identify populations with special needs in
times of emergency (e.g., elderly or those requiring medical treatment (e.g., dialysis) in remote, rural areas).
Flooding Significant flooding occurs about once every 1.3 years. Stormwater flooding in southern portions of
County is more frequent, while river flooding is less frequent. Fluctuating groundwater levels has been a
contributing factor in some areas (Bass & Perch Lakes, Deer Park). There have been 37 NFIP claims on 24
properties in the County, with concentrations along Bass Lake and the St. Croix River in the Town of Troy. The
Village of North Hudson has the largest total value of improvements potentially located in a floodplain. High
hazard dams all reported as well maintained with current emergency operating plans. Plan strategies include
discouraging development in floodplains and dam shadows, acquisition of floodprone properties should funding
allow, and continue annual review of dam emergency action plans to ensure calling lists are up -to -date.
Drought Agricultural droughts experienced once every 5 -6 years on average. In 2003, grain corn and soybean
crop yields were down 17% and 47% respectively due to winter kill and drought. Drought impacts vary widely
based in large part on soil types. Extreme heat can lower milk production and can cause death for livestock in
confined spaces. Some anecdotal concerns that high - capacity wells used in north - central portions of the County
may be impacting groundwater levels, but good water quantity overall in the County. Plan strategies include
continuing with pest and nutrient management workshops and monitoring of groundwater quantity concerns.
Pandemic Flu There has been no human -to -human transmission of avian flu documented. From 2003- 2006,
267 cases of avian flu were reported worldwide and none in North or South America. Approximately 60% of
those cases documented since 2003 resulted in death. The County Public Health Office has been very active
working with local and regional officials and agencies on pandemic flu planning, procedures, and training. Plan
strategies include continuing the strong planning and educational efforts, including identifying mass clinic
locations and certified volunteers for pharmaceutical distribution.
Hazardous Materials From 2000 to 2004, there have been 8.25 reported hazard materials incidences each
year, nearly half of which were methamphetamine related. There are two deep -well casing areas in the County,
while residents expressed significant concerns over an additional plume of contaminants from a landfill in the
Town of Star Prairie. Closed depressions, 32 EHS planning facilities, 2 rail lines, I -94, 1 oil pipeline, 3 natural
gas transmission lines, and the high rate of development, often on private wells, all add to the groundwater
contamination risks and vulnerabilities. Plan strategies including continued monitoring and analysis of
groundwater concerns and educational efforts on the deep -well casing areas and closed depressions.
Nuclear Accident Very low risk overall, though the County does lie within the Ingestion Pathway Zone (IPZ)
for the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant. Direct radiation or inhalation from an accidental release at the
Plant would likely be limited to a 10 -mile radius. The primary vulnerability to St. Croix County would be the
potential of transport of radioactively contaminated crops or dairy products into the County from areas closer to
the Plant. Far less likely is potential airborne contamination of soils or vegetation in the County. Related plan
strategies focused on education and an all- hazards approach to response training.
11/19/07