For Immediate Release Mm/Dd/Yy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2009

Hazard Mitigation Public Workshop

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Dane County Emergency ManagementReference #

Press Release

Public invited to comment on natural hazard mitigation plan

Dane County is soliciting comments on the recently updated Dane County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. The plan includes an assessment of the impacts of natural hazards such as floods, tornadoes, and winter storms and a strategy with long-term solutions and alternatives for minimizing potential impacts to people and property. The plan will allow the County and participating jurisdictions to be eligible for mitigation grant funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The planning process is a cooperative effort between Dane County and 40 local jurisdictions within the county. (A map showing participating jurisdictions is attached.)

Dane County Emergency Management will be hosting a public workshop on this topic, held on Tuesday, July 21st, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at Madison Fire Station 11, 4011 Morgan Way.

This meeting will give people the opportunity to talk directly with County staff who have been working on the project. The meeting will provide an overview of the plan, its goals and mitigation strategies, and allow for public comments prior to the plan being finalized. Residents, elected officials, emergency responders and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.

Some examples of recommendations included in the plan are applying for federal grants to construct tornado shelters in mobile home parks, implementing a voluntary program for acquisition or relocation of flood-prone properties, and working with builders, utilities and insurance companies to create incentives to assist people in making their homes resistant to damaging winds or power outages.

A draft plan and a comment form can be downloaded from the project website after July 20 at Hard copies will be made available on request.

The public comment period is July 20th through August 5th. All comments will be considered and incorporated into the plan, as appropriate. Following the comment period the plan will be submitted to FEMA for review and approval, and subsequently adopted by the participating jurisdictions. To submit comments or for more information, contact David Janda, Emergency Management, 608-266-5950 .

Persons requiring an interpreter, materials, alternate formats, or other accommodations to access this meeting are encouraged to contact David Janda, 266-5950 or 267-1597 (TTY) at least 72 hours prior to the meeting.

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