Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
(FINAL DRAFT)
BuncombeCounty
CountyWideAllHazardsMitigationPlan
I. II. III. IV. V. VI. VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI.
What is Hazard Mitigation...1 Purpose of Hazard Mitigation Plan1 Hazard Mitigation Planning Process..2 Overview of Buncombe County11 Map of Buncombe County with Municipal Boundaries.12 Hazard Identification and Analysis..14 Vulnerability Assessment..22 Map of 100-Year Flood Plain in Buncombe County..26 Map of Snow at 3,000 feet or Higher..27 Map of Wildfire Risk in Buncombe County.28 Map of Buncombe County Land Stability Index.29 Map of General Land Uses in Buncombe County.30 Map of Proposed Land Use in Buncombe County ..31 Repetitive Loss Properties ..32 Map of Repetitive Loss Properties 34 Community Capability Assessment........36
XVII. Map of Buncombe County Fire Districts........42 XVIII. Analysis of Community Goals..........44 XIX. Hazard Mitigation Strategy51
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XX. XXI.
XXII. Plan Review, Update & Revision ...........61 Capability Assessments and Mitigation Strategies for Municipal Jurisdictions XXIII. City of Asheville......63 XIV. XV. XVI. Town of Biltmore Forest....73 Town of Black Mountain....80 Town of Montreat ..100
XVII. Town of Weaverville....116 XVIII. Town of Woodfin......124 XV. A. B. C. D. E. F. Multi-jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Actions.133 Appendix A Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Committee Members Appendix B NCDC Weather Events January 1, 1990 to April 30, 2011 Appendix C Hazard Severity Indices Appendix D Parcel Count and Value for Hazard Areas Appendix E Critical Facilities Maps Appendix F Resolutions Adopting Hazard Mitigation Plan
iii
WhatisHazardMitigation? HazardMitigationisdefinedassustainedactionthatreducesoreliminateslongtermriskto peopleandpropertyfromnaturalhazardsandtheireffects.(FEMA:NationalMitigation Strategy,1995).Thisisanongoingefforttolessenthepotentialfornaturalhazardstobecome disastersassuchhazardsdonotbecomedisastersuntiltheycollidewiththehuman,orbuilt, environment.Throughtheapplicationofmitigationtechnologiesandpractices,Buncombe Countycanensurethatfewerofitscitizensbecomevictimsofthesedisasters. (www.fema.gov/mit/whatmit.htm). ThedefinitionofHazardMitigationreferencedabovedifferentiatesactionsthathavealong termimpactfromthoseactionsthataremorecloselyassociatedwithpreparednessfor, immediateresponseto,andshorttermrecoveryfromaspecificevent.Thisdefinition intentionallyfocusesonactionsthatproducerepetitivebenefitsovertimeinaneffortto encourageaproactive,ratherthanreactive,approachtodealingwithnaturalhazards.This alsoinvolvestherealizationthatfundingspentonmitigationmeasureswillreducethe economicdisasterthatoftenaccompaniesthenaturalhazardeventthroughdestructionof property,lossorinterruptionofjobs,andclosingordisablingbusinesses. (www.ncem.org/mitigation/page3.html). PurposeofaHazardMitigationPlan AlocalHazardMitigationPlanestablishesthecommunityscommitmenttomitigationgoals, objectives,policiesandprograms.Bystatingthegoalsandobjectivesthatthejurisdiction hopestoachieve,theplancanhelptocreateanimportantconnectionbetweenthepublic interestandtheproposedmitigationstrategy.AlocalHazardMitigationPlanalsoservesasa vehicletoeducatethepublicregardingnaturalhazardsandmitigationpractices,thereby increasingpublicawarenessoftherisksfacingthemasresidentsofthecommunityaswellas toolsandresourcesavailableforreducingthoserisks.Suchaplan,then,servesasaguidefor theimplementationofgoals,objectives,policies,andprogramsasitalsoeducatesthe community.ThepreparationandadoptionofalocalHazardMitigationPlanisalsoa requirementforreceivingmanytypesofmitigationandpostdisasterrecoveryfunds.(NCDEM: LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual,November1998). 1
HazardMitigationPlanningProcess TheMinimumCriteriaforLocalHazardMitigationPlansestablishedbytheNorthCarolina DivisionofEmergencyManagement(NCEM)setsforththefollowingprocessforlocal governmentstouseindevelopingtheirplan: 1. HazardIdentificationandAnalysis 2. VulnerabilityAnalysis 3. CommunityCapabilityAssessment 4. AnalysisofCommunityGoals 5. HazardMitigationStrategy 6. AdoptionandImplementation 7. UpdateandRevision Eachstepisdiscussedindetailinsubsequentsectionsofthisdocument.BuncombeCounty establishedacommitteeofrepresentativesfromCountyandmunicipalgovernmentstocarry outthehazardmitigationplanningprocess.Publicinvolvementwasencouragedthroughout thisprocess.ThefollowingtimelinedetailsthedevelopmentoftheHazardMitigationPlanfor BuncombeCounty,theCityofAsheville,theTownsofBiltmoreForest,BlackMountain, Montreat,Weaverville,andWoodfin.Alljurisdictionswereincludedintheoriginalplanandare continuingparticipants. BuncombeCountysinitialMultiJurisdictionHazardMitigationPlanreceivedFEMAapproval pendingadoptioninOctober2004.AfteralljurisdictionsformallyadoptedtheplanFEMA grantedfinalapprovalinJune2005.FEMAsHazardMitigationPlanrequirementsstatethat theplanmustbeupdatedeveryfiveyears.Acommitteeofrepresentativesfromthecounty andallmunicipaljurisdictionswasestablishedtocarryoutthefiveyearupdate.Eachsectionof theplanwasreviewedandrevisedifneeded.Themainportionoftheplanwasreviewedbyall committeerepresentativeswithCountystaffmakingrevisionsasnecessarywherediscussed. Revisionsweresharedwithmunicipalrepresentatives.Municipalrepresentativeswere responsibleforrevisingtheirportionsoftheplan.Insomecasesmunicipalrepresentativesmet individuallywithCountystaffforassistanceinrevisingtheirsectionsoftheplan.Alistingof committeemembersislocatedinAppendixA.Thefollowingtabledetailstheplanningprocess fortheinitialHazardMitigationPlanaswellasthePlanUpdate. 2
Table1HazardMitigationPlanningProcess
DATE 2/11/00, 4/12/00, 5/25/00, 6/22/00, 7/2/00 EVENT ProjectImpactCoordinating CommitteeMeetings DESCRIPTION CoordinatingCommitteeformsandbegins work.TheCoordinatingCommitteeincludes representativesfromBuncombeCountyand municipalgovernments,thepublic,andthe privatesector.TheconceptofProjectImpactis introduced.RequirementtodevelopaHazard MitigationPlanisexplained.Committee membersareencouragedtojoinRisk AssessmentSubCommittee. TheProjectImpactportionoftheCountysweb siteprovidesthepublicinformationon BuncombeCountysHazardMitigationPlanning Initiativeincludingmeetingdates,timesand locations. ThelocalRedCrossChapterisdevelopinga HazardMitigationPlanfortheirservicearea. TheProjectImpactCoordinatorisaskedto participateinthisprocess.TheProjectImpact CoordinatorbriefsRedCrosscommittee membersontheCountysHazardMitigation Planningprocess. TheRiskAssessmentSubCommitteeincludes representativesfrombothCountyand municipaljurisdictionsaswellasthenonprofit sector.RiskandVulnerabilitysurveysare distributed. CoordinatingCommitteeisbriefedregarding the10/9meetingoftheRiskAssessmentSub Committee.CoordinatingCommitteemembers areagaininvitedandencouragedtojointhe subcommittee. Risksurveyiscompletedforeachjurisdiction. Resultsarediscussed.Vulnerabilitysurveyis scheduledtobeturnedinatthe12/11/00 meeting. PublicinformationeventheldatLowesHome ImprovementWarehouseinWestAsheville. Informationismadeavailabletothepublicand themediaregardingProjectImpactandthe developmentoftheCountysHazardMitigation Plan.Informationincludesdate,timeand locationofnextCoordinatingCommitteeand RiskAssessmentSubcommitteemeetings. VulnerabilitySurveyiscompletedforeach jurisdiction.Resultsarediscussed.TheProject ImpactCoordinatorreceivedarequestfor
9/18/00
9/21/00
10/9/00
10/26/00
ProjectImpactCoordinating CommitteeMeeting
11/20/00
RiskAssessmentSub CommitteeMeeting
11/11/00
LowesWinterSafetyDay
12/11/00
RiskAssessmentSub CommitteeMeeting
12/27/00
January2001
1/25/01
2/12/01
February May2001
2/27/01
3/22/01
4/23/01
proposalsforinternshipprojectsfromthe MasterofPublicAdministrationprogramatthe InstituteforGovernment(UNCChapelHill). Thedecisionismadetosubmitaproposalfora teamofinternstoevaluatelocalordinancesin termsofhazardmitigationtechniques(i.e.do localpoliciessupport/hinderhazard mitigation?). AshevilleSmokeHockeyWinter Publicinformationevent.Inadditiontowinter SafetyNight safetyinformation,informationonthe developmentofBuncombeCountysHazard MitigationPlanismadeavailabletothepublic. Informationincludesdate,timeandlocationof nextCoordinatingCommitteemeeting. Internshipproposalaccepted. InpreparationfortheinternprojecttheProject ProjectImpactCoordinator ImpactCoordinatormeetswithRisk collectsinformationtobe AssessmentSubCommitteememberstogather reviewedbytheinternteam. localordinancestobereviewedbytheintern team. ProjectImpactCoordinating CoordinatingCommitteeisbriefedontheRisk CommitteeMeeting AssessmentSubCommitteemeetingsof 11/20/00and12/11/00aswellastheintern project. InternteamfromtheInstitute InternteammeetswiththeProjectImpact ofGovernmenttravelsto Coordinator,EmergencyServicesDirector, Ashevilletobeginthe NCEMPlanner,andCountyPlanningstaffto evaluationoflocalordinances. discusstheHazardMitigationPlanandbegin reviewoflocalordinances.Internteamtours theCountytoviewpastHazardMitigation GrantProjectsandtoviewthelayoftheland. Internsaregivenalistofcontactsforeach jurisdiction. ProjectImpactCoordinator ProjectImpactCoordinatoractsasliaison overseestheinternteamas betweentheinternteamandotherCountyand theycompletetheproject. municipalrepresentatives.Reviewsdraftsof projectreportastheyarecompleted. RedCrossMitigation ProjectImpactCoordinatorcontinuesto CommitteeMeeting provideassistancetothelocalRedCross Chapterastheydevelopamitigationplanfor theirservicearea.RedCrosscommitteeis updatedonthedevelopmentoftheCountys HazardMitigationPlan. ProjectImpactCoordinating CoordinatingCommitteeis updatedonthe CommitteeMeeting statusoftheinternprojectandtheHazard MitigationPlan. ProjectImpactSigning RepresentativesfromFEMAandNCEM,the Ceremony ProjectImpactCoordinatingCommittee, ProjectImpactPartners,Countyandmunicipal officialsandrepresentatives,membersofthe public,andthemediaareinvitedtocelebrate
5/9/01
June2001
07/19/01
asBuncombeCounty,andthemunicipalities locatedtherein,formalizetheirProjectImpact Partnership.DuringtheceremonytheProject ImpactCoordinatorbriefsattendeeson BuncombeCountysHazardMitigationPlanning Initiative. Theinternteamsubmitsareportaddressing thestatusoflocalordinancesintermsofhazard mitigation.Overalllocalordinancesappearto beingoodstandingintermsofsupporting hazardmitigation. ProjectImpactCoordinatordiscussesinterns reportwithmunicipalrepresentatives.
August2001
01/15/02
02/07/02
02/20/02
March2002
03/27/02
04/15/02
CoordinatingCommitteeisbriefedonthe internteamsfinalreportandonthestatusof theCountysHazardMitigationPlan. Surveyofareautilitycompanies Utilitycompaniesprovidingservicein BuncombeCountyaresurveyedtodetermineif theyhavedisasterresponseplansinplace. ProjectImpactCoordinator Additionalinformationisgatheredinorderto gathersadditionalinformation writethefirstdraftoftheHazardMitigation Plan. PreliminaryDraftofHMP ProjectImpactCoordinatorsubmitspreliminary draftofHMPtoCountyEmergencyServices DirectorandPlanningDepartmentforreview andcomment. FirstdraftofHMPsubmittedto Afterminorrevisionstothepreliminarydraft, NCEMforreview/approval theProjectImpactCoordinatorsubmitsfirst completeddrafttoNCEMforreview/approval. NCEMreturnsrevision UponreviewingthefirstdraftofBuncombe requirements CountysHMP,NCEMreturnscommentsand revisionrequirements.ProjectImpact Coordinatorbeginsworkonseconddraft. Municipalitiesnotifiedof Municipalitiesarenotifiedofreviewcomments revisionrequirements fromNCEMandthatadditionalinformationis requiredfromtheirjurisdictionsforpreparation oftheseconddraftoftheHMP. Datarequestedfrom ProjectImpactCoordinatorrequestslocations MetropolitanSewerageDistrict ofallpumpstationsandfinishedfloor (MSD) elevation(s)ofthesewagetreatmentplant. NFIPRepetitiveLossdata ProjectImpactCoordinatorrequestsNFIP requested. repetitivelassdatafromNorthCarolinasState NFIPrepresentative. Additionalinformationreceived ProjectImpactCoordinatorreceivesall frommunicipalities requestedinformationfrommunicipal jurisdictions.
04/30/02
05/15/02
5/20/02
06/06/02
06/20/02
06/24/02
08/26/02
08/26/02
09/05/02 09/24/02
October2002
06/24/2003
ProjectImpactCoordinatorreceivesrepetitive lossinformationfromtheNFIP.Beginsto locateparcels. ConsultationwithCountyGIS ProjectImpactCoordinatormeetswithCounty Coordinator GISCoordinatortodiscusscurrentdatalayers andplannedimprovements. PumpStationdatareceived ProjectImpactCoordinatorreceivesdatafrom MSDregardinglocationofpumpstationsin relationtothe100yrfloodplain.Again requestsinformationonseweragetreatment plant(finishedfloorelevations). Allrepetitivelossparcels ProjectImpactCoordinatorandCountyandCity located. ofAshevilleFloodplainAdministratorslocateall parcelsonNFIPrepetitivelosslist.Itis confirmedthatoneoftheparcelslistedas beinginBuncombeCountyisactuallylocatedin MadisonCounty. FEMAseminaronHazard ProjectImpact CoordinatorattendsHMP MitigationPlanning sessionattheSoutheasternDisasterResistant Requirements. CommunitiesSummitinCharleston,SC.Interim rulesareexplained. Dataonseweragetreatment ProjectImpactCoordinatorcontactsMSDto plantrequested. remindthemoftherequestforthefinished floorelevation(s)fortheseweragetreatment plant. DatareceivedfromMSD ProjectImpactCoordinatorreceivesfinished floorelevationsforallstructuresatthe seweragetreatmentfacility.Allareabovebase floodelevation. NotificationfromNCEMof ReceivednotificationthatNCEMwillnowuse FEMAscriteriaforHazard FEMAscriteriaforevaluatingHazardMitigation MitigationPlans PlansratherthanthepriorNCEMMinimum CriteriaforLocalHazardMitigationPlans. SecondDraftofHMPsubmitted ProjectImpactCoordinatorfinalizessecond toNCEM draftofHMPandsubmitstoNCEMforreview. NCEMreturnsrevision UponreviewingtheseconddraftofBuncombe requirements CountysHMP,NCEMreturnscommentsand revisionrequirements.Planwasreviewed usingFEMAsinterimcriteria. Revisionrequirementsand ProjectImpactCoordinatorreviewstherevision FEMAinterimcriteriareviewed requirementsagainstFEMAsinterimplanning criteria.Decisionismadenottosubmitathird draftuntilFEMAfinalizestheplanningcriteria. HazardMitigationPlanning EmergencyManagementPlanner(former workshop ProjectImpactCoordinator)attendsHazard MitigationPlanningpresentationbyNCEM MitigationBranchStaff.FEMAsfinalplanning criteriaispresented.
NFIPdatareceived.
1/30/2004 5/21/2004
8/23/2004 10/18/2004
12/16/2004
Jan.05to Nov.08
RevisionsaremadetoCountyandmunicipal portionsoftheplan. NoticeofPublicMeeting NoticeofPublicMeetingispostedinthe AshevilleCitizenTimes.Thepublicwillhave theopportunitytocommentontheHMPon Thursday,December11,2003. ThirdDraftofHMPavailablefor ThirddraftofHMPisavailableforpublicreview publicreview. intheCountyaswellasmunicipaljurisdictions. PublicMeeting PublicMeetingisheldbyBuncombeCounty andthemunicipaljurisdictionslocatedtherein. PublicCommentistakenonthethirddraftof BuncombeCountysHMP. ThirdDraftofHMPsubmitted EmergencyManagementPlannerfinalizesthird toNCEMforreview. draftofHMPandsubmitstoNCEMforreview. NCEMreturnsrevision UponreviewingthethirddraftofBuncombe requirements. CountysHMPNCEMreturnsrevision requirements.PlanwasreviewedusingFEMAs FinalCriteria. FourthDraftofHMPsubmitted EmergencyManagementPlannerfinalizesthird toNCEMforreview. draftofHMPandsubmitstoNCEMforreview. FEMARegionIVandNCEM FEMARegionIVandNCEMstatethat approveBuncombeCountys BuncombeCountysHMPisapprovedpending HMP. adoptionbytheCountyandeachmunicipal jurisdiction. NoticeofPublicHearing NoticeofPublicHearingispublished.Public Hearingisscheduledfor01/04/2005.Public commentwillbetakenonHMP.PublicHearing includestheCountyandallmunicipal jurisdictionslocatedtherein. HazardMitigationGrantand InaccordancewithMitigationStrategy7 HurricaneRecoveryAct BuncombeCountyappliesfor,andreceives AcquisitionProjects funding,andcarriesoutprojectsforthe acquisitionofpropertiesdamagedinthe2004 floods. PublicHearing PublicHearingheldpriortoadoptionofHazard MitigationPlan. HazardMitigationPlanAdopted TownofBlackMountainadoptstheHazard MitigationPlan. HazardMitigationPlanAdopted TownofWeavervilleadoptstheHazard MitigationPlan. HazardMitigationPlanAdopted BuncombeCountyadopts theHazard MitigationPlan. HazardMitigationPlanAdopted TownofWoodfinadoptstheHazardMitigation Plan. HazardMitigationPlanAdopted TownofMontreatadoptsHazardMitigation Plan. HazardMitigationPlanAdopted TownofBiltmoreForestadoptsHazard MitigationPlan.
HMPisrevised.
3/22/2005 12/11/2007
6/23/2008
GetItTogetherBuncombe County
6/23/2008 October2008
PublicMeeting RiskToolDevelopment
2/16/2009
RiskToolDevelopment
3/5/2009 3/16/2009
RiskToolPrototype RiskToolupandrunning
3/18/2009
HazardMitigationPlanUpdate CommitteeMeeting
CityofAshevilleadoptstheHazardMitigation Plan. CollegesandUniversitieswithina100mile radiusofAshevillewereinvitedtoattenda seminaronEmergencyResponseand MitigationPlanningissuesforthecampus setting.Informationwaspresentedonnatural andmanmadehazardsinWesternNorth Carolina,hazardmitigationprincipals, emergencyresponseissuesuniquetoacampus environment,andemergencypreparedness. BuncombeCountysHazardMitigationPlanwas availableforreviewandtheupcomingPlan UpdateProcesswasdiscussed.Nocomments werereceived. PreparednessSeminarheldinconjunctionwith BuncombeCountyCitizenCorpsandLandof SkyRegionalCouncil.Informationpresentedon naturalhazardsinBuncombeCounty, BuncombeCountysHazardMitigationPlanand upcomingPlanUpdate,andEmergency Preparedness.Attendeesincludedmembersof thegeneralpublicaswellasrepresentatives fromtheRetiredSeniorVolunteersProgram, WesternHighlandsMentalHealthNetwork, FosterGrandparentsProgram,Buncombe CountyJuvenileDetentionCenter,Buncombe CountyDepartmentofSocialServices,Asheville HousingAuthority,UnitedWay,Alzheimers Association,AmericanRedCross,andYWCA. Publicinvitedtocommentontheplan.No commentsreceived. MetwithRenaissanceComputingInstitute (RENCI)attheNCEmergencyManagement AssociationFallConferencetodiscussthe developmentofanonlineRiskand VulnerabilityAssessmentTooltoaidinthe updateofBuncombeCountysHazard MitigationPlan MetwithRENCItooutlinedataandfunctions necessaryforausableRiskandVulnerability AnalysisTool ReviewedprototypeofRiskandVulnerability AssessmentToolandsuggestedchanges. FunctionalversionofRiskAssessmentTool readyfordeploymenttoHazardMitigationPlan UpdateCommittee MetwithrepresentativesfromBuncombe Countyandallmunicipaljurisdictionstodemo RENCIsRiskAssessmentToolanddiscussthe
4/24/2009
RiskToolUpdate
5/12/2009
5/19/2009
6/22/2009 6/26/2009
7/16/2009 9/24/2009
9/28/2009 October2009
Nov.2009 Aug.2010
requirementsfortheHazardMitigationPlan Update. MetwithRENCItoreviewlatestversionofRisk AssessmentTool.DiscussedstatusofHazard MitigationPlanUpdate. MetwithrepresentativesfromBuncombe Countyandallmunicipaljurisdictionstocheck statusofHazardMitigationPlanUpdate. SeminarheldinconjunctionwithBuncombe CountyCitizenCorpsandLandofSkyRegional Council.FocusedonContinuityPlanningbut includedinformationonnaturalhazardsin BuncombeCounty,BuncombeCountysHazard MitigationPlanandupcomingPlanUpdate,and EmergencyPreparedness.Inviteesincluded smallbusinesses,nonprofits,local collaboratingagenciesandacademia. Attendeesincludedmembersofthegeneral publicandrepresentativesfromMountainArea CommunityServices,AshevilleAreaHabitatfor Humanity,AshevilleJewishCommunityCenter, YMCA,CentralUMC,GroceUMC,andSt. TimothyUMC. MetwithCityofAshevilletoreviewupdatesto theirportionoftheHazardMitigationPlan PublicEducationeventheldinconjunctionwith anAshevilleTouristsBaseballGame. Informationpresentedonnaturalhazardsin BuncombeCounty,BuncombeCountysHazard MitigationPlanandupcomingPlanUpdate,and EmergencyPreparedness. HazardMitigationPlanupdatereceivedfrom TownofBlackMountain PublicEducationeventheldfrom5:00amuntil 7:00pmatareaLowesHomeImprovement Stores.Includedmediacoverageandmanylive shotsthroughouttheday.Information presentedonnaturalhazardsinBuncombe County,BuncombeCountysHazardMitigation PlanandupcomingPlanUpdate,and EmergencyPreparedness.Locationsincluded Asheville(TunnelRoad),WestAsheville, Weaverville,andArden. HazardMitigationPlanupdatereceivedfrom CityofAsheville. EmergencyManagementPlannerpresented informationonthedevelopmentandfunctions oftheRiskTool. Countyandmunicipalitiescontinuetoworkon updatingtheHazardMitigationPlan.
Dec18,2009
PresidentialDisaster Declarationforwinterstorm
7/9/2010 8/5/2010
UpdatetoHazardMitigation Plan MeetingwithTownofBiltmore Forest UpdatetoHazardMitigation Plan UpdatetoHazardMitigation Plan SubmittedforNCEMreview NCEMreviewcomments and requiredrevisionsreceived RevisionssubmittedtoNCEM forreview FeedbackfromNCEM Revisionrequirementswere communicatedtothe municipalities
PresidentialDisasterDeclarationapprovedfor December18,2009winterstorm.Countyand municipalitiesarecollectingdamageand expendituredataandadministeringpublic assistancefunds. HazardMitigationPlanupdatereceivedfrom TownofWoodfin MetwithTownofBiltmoreForesttodiscuss updatestotheirportionoftheHazard MitigationPlan HazardMitigationPlanupdatereceivedfrom TownofBiltmoreForest. HazardMitigationPlanupdatereceivedfrom TownofWeaverville. DraftofHazardMitigationPlanUpdateand CrosswalksubmittedtoNCEMforreview. NCEMreturnsCrosswalkwithreviewcomments andrequiredrevisions. RevisionstotheBuncombe CountyMitigation StrategiesweresubmittedtoNCEMforreview. TheBuncombeCountyMitigationStrategies formatwasapprovedbyNCEM. RequiredRevisionswereexplainedtothe MunicipalUpdateCommitteerepresentatives viaemail.RevisedBuncombeCounty MitigationStrategieswereattachedasan example. RevisionstoHazardMitigationPlanUpdate receivedfromTownofBiltmoreForest. RevisionstoHazardMitigationPlanUpdate receivedfromCityofAsheville. RevisionstoHazardMitigationPlanUpdate receivedfromTownofMontreat. RevisionstoHazardMitigationPlanUpdate receivedfromTownofWeaverville.
AlistingofHazardMitigationPlanUpdateCommitteemembersislocatedinAppendixA. 10
OverviewofBuncombeCounty BuncombeCountyismainlyruralwithcorridorsofresidentialandcommercialdevelopment extendingoutfromtheurbancenters.ThecountyisnestledwithintheAppalachian Mountains,andissurroundedbystateandnationalforests.Therearesixmunicipalitieswithin BuncombeCounty(populationof227,875in2008):Weaverville(3,231in2008),Woodfin (5,992in2008),BlackMountain(8,597in2008),Montreat(714in2008),BiltmoreForest(1,548 in2008),andAsheville(78,313in2008)(www.osbm.state.nc.us)1.Themedianageof BuncombeCountyresidentsis38.9with21.5%oftheCountyspopulationundertheageof18 and15.6%overtheageof65(www.commerce.state.nc.us). Ashevilleisthelargestofthemunicipalities,andislocatedonahilloverlookingtheFrench BroadRiver.WeavervilleandWoodfinarenorthofAshevillealongUS19/23.BlackMountain andMontreatareeastofAsheville,alongUS70andI40.BiltmoreForestislocatedsouth alongUS25.ThepopulationgrowthinBuncombeisexpectedtocontinuesteadily.The projectedgrowthratethrough2010is13%.Thegrowthratefor20102020isexpectedtobe 10.7%.Thefollowingdecadesgrowthrate(20202030)isexpectedtobe8.4%.Buncombe Countyisexpectedtohaveapopulationof279,890bytheyear2030(www.osbm.state.nc.us). Themountains,theBiltmoreHouseEstate,theUniversityofNorthCarolinaatAsheville,anda rapidlygrowingartcommunitycombinetofosteravibranttourismindustryandcreatea magnetforretirement. ThisHazardMitigationPlanincludesBuncombeCountyandthesixmunicipaljurisdictions locatedtherein(i.e.,theCityofAsheville,andtheTownsofBiltmoreForest,BlackMountain, Montreat,Weaverville,andWoodfin). AmapofBuncombeCountyshowingthemunicipalboundariesisonthefollowingpage.
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TherearetwopublicschoolsystemswithintheCounty:AshevilleCitySchoolsand BuncombeCountySchools.TheAshevilleCitySchoolssystemencompasses6 elementaryschools,2middleschools(onedesignatedforatriskstudents),and1high school(www.asheville.k12.nc.us).TheBuncombeCountySchoolssystemcontains23 elementaryschools,1intermediateschool,7middleschools,and6highschools.The CountysystemalsohastwooneCommunityHighSchoolsdesignatedforatrisk studentsingrades9through12(http://eclipse.co.buncombe.k12.nc.us).TheUniversity ofNorthCarolinaatAshevilleisapartofthe16campusStateUniversitysystem. AshevilleBuncombeTechnicalCommunityCollegeisapartoftheStateCommunity Collegesystem.TherearealsothreeprivatecollegeslocatedwithinBuncombeCounty: SouthCollege,MontreatCollege,andWarrenWilsonCollege (www.ashevillechamber.org). In2009BuncombeCountyhadatotalworkforceof149,750individuals.Seventy percentofthetotalworkforcewasemployedinoneofthefollowingfivecategories: LeisureandHospitality(13.8%),PrivateEducationandHealthService(18.4%),Retail (13.4%),Manufacturing(10.8%),orGovernment(14.3%).Theaverageunemployment rateforBuncombeCountyfor2009was8.5%.ThiswaslowerthanboththeState (10.4%)andnational(8.8%)rates(data.bls.gov).Themedianhouseholdincomein BuncombeCountywas$36,666in2000.Thisfigureincreasedto$45,885in2009 (www.ers.usda.gov).Thisisanincreaseof25%.ThepercapitaincomeofBuncombe Countyresidentswas$20,384in2000.Thisfigureincreasedin2009by27%to$25,957 (www.ashevillechamber.org). TheclimateinBuncombeCountyischaracterizedasmoderatewithanannualaverage temperatureof55.6degreesFahrenheit.BuncombeCountysaverageannualrainfallis 47.07inchesandtheaverageannualsnowfallis13.3inches.Theaverageelevation abovesealevelis2,165feet(www.ashevillechamber.org).Thehazardsthatthreaten thecountyandmunicipalitiesareseverewinterstorms,utilityfailure,flooding,drought, hazardousmaterials,landslides,earthquakes,wildfire,damfailure,andtornadoes. ThesehazardsarediscussedindetailinthenextsectionHazardIdentificationand Analysis.Inthelasttwentyyears,therehavebeenfourdisasterdeclarationsfor BuncombeCounty,forwinterstormsandflooding.Inadditiontotheselargescale disasters,therehavebeencountlesslocalizedfloodingevents,whichhavebeenequally seriousforcommunitymembers.TheSwannanoaRiver,theIvyRiver,andareasin Hominy,Candler,andBiltmoreVillageareknownforrepetitiveflooding.
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HazardIdentificationandAnalysis HazardidentificationandAnalysisisthefirststepoftheHazardMitigationPlanning process.Byidentifyingandanalyzingthehazardsfacingtheirjurisdictionthe communityisabletodeterminewhichspecifichazardsitshouldfocusitsattentionand resourceson.InconductingthehazardidentificationandanalysisphaseoftheHazard MitigationPlan,BuncombeCountyutilizedthecriteriasetforthbytheNorthCarolina DivisionofEmergencyManagementinKeepingNaturalHazardsfromBecoming Disasters:ABasicWorkbookforLocalGovernments(October2000): TypeDifferenthazardscallfordifferentmitigationmeasures.The preferredapproachistoconsiderallthehazardsthatthreatenthe communityandfocusonthosethatposethegreatestrisk. LikelihoodofOccurrenceEstimatethelikelihoodofeachtypeofhazard occurringinyourarea.Thisestimateshouldbebasedonlocalhistorical evidence. HighlyLikely:near100%probabilityinthenextyear. Likely:between10%and100%probabilityinthenextyear,oratleast onechanceinthenext10years. Possible:between1%and10%probabilityinthenextyear,oratleast onechanceinthenext100years. Unlikely:lessthan1%probabilityinthenextyear,orlessthanone chanceinthenext100years. LocationCertainareas,suchasfloodplainsandsteepslopes,aremore pronetohazardsthanothers.Manyoftheseareasarereadilyidentifiableon maps.Identifytheareasthataremostvulnerabletoeachnaturalhazardand markwhethertheycoverasmall,medium,orlargeproportionofthe community. ImpactEachcommunityshoulddeterminethelikelyimpactfromeach hazardthreat.Impactisacombinationoftheseverityoftheevent,its magnitude,andthedensityofhumanactivityinthatareaaffected. 14
Catastrophic
Magnitude Morethan50%
Critical
25to50%
Limited
10to25%
Negligible Lessthan10%
Severity Multipledeaths.Complete shutdownoffacilitiesfor30daysor more.Morethan50percentof propertyisseverelydamaged. Multiplesevereinjuries.Complete shutdownofcriticalfacilitiesforat least2weeks.Morethan25 percentofpropertyisseverely damaged. Someinjuries.Completeshutdown ofcriticalfacilitiesformorethan oneweek.Morethan10percentof propertyisseverelydamaged. Minorinjuries.Minimalqualityof lifeimpact.Shutdownofcritical facilitiesandservicesfor24hoursor less.Lessthan10percentof propertyisseverelydamaged.
HazardIndexSomenaturalhazardshaveextraordinaryimpacts,butoccur infrequently(forexample,severeearthquakes).Otherhazardsoccur annuallyorseveraltimesadecade,butcauselessdamage(forexample, floods).Thislastcolumnidentifieswhichtypeofriskeachhazardposesfor thecommunity.Likelihoodisrankedfrom1to4withunlikelybeinga1 andhighlylikelybeinga4.Locationisrankedfrom1to3withsmall locationreceivinga1andlargelocationreceivinga3.Impactisranked from1to4withnegligibleeventsequatingto1andcatastrophicevents equatingto4.Highlikelihood,highimpacthazardsshouldrankasprimary objectives. Table2HazardIdentificationandAnalysisforBuncombeCountysummarizesthis processforourcommunity.
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Likelihood of Occurrence
(i.e., highly-4, likely-3, possible-2, unlikely-1) Severe Winter Storm Utility Failure Flooding Drought Hazardous Materials Landslide Dam Failure Earthquake Wildfire Tornado Likely (3) Possible (2) Highly (4) Likely (3) Highly (4) Highly (4) Possible (2) Likely (3) Likely (3) Possible (2)
Impacts
(i.e., catastrophic-4, critical-3, limited-2, negligible-1)
Hazard Index
(i.e., rank by combining how much impact & how frequently this hazard affects your community) 8 7 7 6 6 6 5 5 5 4
Limited (2) Critical (3) Limited (2) Limited (1) Negligible (1) Negligible (1) Limited (2) Negligible (1) Negligible (1) Negligible (1)
Medium (2)
Small (1) Small (1)
Small (1)
Small (1) Small (1) Small (1)
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BuncombeCountyidentifiedseveralhazardsthatthreatenourjurisdictiontovaryingdegrees.Thesehazards wereidentifiedthroughanextensiveprocessthatutilizedinputfromRiskAssessmentSubcommittee members,Stateandlocaldataofpastevents,andtheNationalClimaticDataCentersStormEventsDatabase. ThisanalysisrevealedthatthemunicipaljurisdictionswithinBuncombeCountyfacethesamehazardsasthe unincorporatedareasoftheCounty.2Hazardmapsareincludedforthe100yearfloodplain,areasabove 3,000feetinelevation(increasedvulnerabilitytowinterstorms),landstabilityindex,andwildfire.Thoseare theonlyhazardareasthatwearecapableofmappingatthistime.Asweaddadditionaland/orimproved datalayerstoourGISdatabasewemaybecapableofproducingadditionalhazardmapsinfutureadditionsof thisdocument.Fordetailedinformationonweathereventsfrom1990toApril30,2011seeAppendixB. Earthquake Anearthquakeisasudden,rapidshakingoftheearthcausedbythebreakingandshiftingofrockbeneaththe earthssurface.Theforcesofplatetectonicshaveshapedtheearthovermillionsofyearsasthehugeplates thatformtheearthssurfacemoveslowlyover,under,andpasteachother.Generallythismovementis gradualbut,atothertimes,theplatesarelockedtogether,unabletoreleasetheaccumulatingenergy.When theaccumulatedenergygrowsstrongenough,theplatesbreakfreecausingthegroundtoshake.Ground shakingfromearthquakescancollapsebuildingsandbridges;disruptgas,electric,andphoneservice;and sometimestriggerlandslides,avalanches,flashfloods,fires,andhuge,destructiveoceanwaves(tsunamis). Earthquakesstrikesuddenly,withoutwarning.Earthquakescanoccuratanytimeoftheyearandatanytime ofthedayornight.(www.fema.gov/diz01/equakes.htm). EarthquakeshaveoccurredthatwerecenteredinBuncombeCountyin1916(Mag.5.5,MMIVII)and1957 (Mag.3.7,MMIVI).Thereisnorecordofsignificantdamageforeitherevent.Earthquakeshaveoccurredthat werecenteredinsurroundingcountiesin1957(McDowellCountyMag.4.1,MMIVI),1957(JacksonCounty Mag.4.0,MMIVI),1981(HendersonCountyMag.3.5,MMIVI),2002(MadisonCountyMag.2.2),2005 (MadisonCountyMag.3.8),2007(RutherfordCountyMag.2.8),and2009(HendersonCountyMag.2.5). Thereisnorecordofsignificantdamageforanyoftheseevents.SeeAppendixCforexplanationofthe RichterMagnitudeScale.BuncombeCountylieswithintheEasternTennesseeSeismicZonewhichextends fromCharleston,SCnorthwestintoeasternTennesseethecurvesnortheasttocentralVirginia.Thisregion hasthepotentialtoproduceanearthquakeofsignificantintensityinthefuture(NCDEM:LocalHazard MitigationPlanningManual,November1998).Geographicallytheentirecountycouldpotentiallybeaffected byearthquakes.BasedonpastincidentsandNCDEMclassification,anearthquakehavinganegligibleimpact onasmallareaforBuncombeCountyislikelytooccur.Therefore,earthquakeisassignedahazardindexof5 outofapossible11. 2 WhentheinitialHazardMitigationPlanwaswrittentheTownsofBiltmoreForestandMontreatdidnothaveamappedSpecial
FloodHazardArea(100yearFloodplain).Sincethattimetheareahasbeenrestudiedandourmapshavebeenupdated.All municipaljurisdictionsnowhaveamappedSpecialFloodHazardAreaandparticipateintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram.
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Tornado Atornadooccurswhenarapidlyrotatingfunnelshapedcloudextendingdownwardfromthebaseofasevere thunderstormcomesintocontactwiththegroundoranyobjectsontheground.(NOAADefinitionsand PreparednessPagewww.nws.noaa.gov/er/okx/Preparedness.html).Sincetornadoesstrikewithlittleorno warning,onceatornadowatchorwarningisissued,itistoolatetoprotectyourhomeandbelongings (www.fema.gov/projectimpact).BecausethemountainousareasofWesternNorthCarolinadisrupttheinflow ofairnearthesurfaceofsqualllinesandindividualthunderstorms,organizedthunderstormactivity,and, consequently,tornadicactivity,islessinthisregionthanintheeasternpartofthestate(NCDEM:LocalHazard MitigationPlanningManual,November1998). MinortornadoesoccurredinBuncombeCountyin1976,1977,1993and1999.SeeAppendixBformore informationabouttheseevents.AllpastoccurrenceswereF0.ForanexplanationoftheFujita/PearsonScale seeAppendixC.Geographicallytheentirecountycouldpotentiallybeaffectedbytornadoes.Basedonpast incidentsandNCDEMclassification,atornadohavinganegligibleimpactonasmallareaofBuncombeCounty isapossibleoccurrence.Therefore,tornadoesareassignedahazardindexof4outofapossible11. Flood Afloodistheinundationofanormallydryareacausedbyhighflow,oroverflowofwaterinanestablished watercourse,suchasariver,stream,ordrainageditch;orpondingofwateratornearthepointwherethe rainfell.Thisisadurationtypeeventwithasloweronsetthanflashflooding,normallygreaterthan6hours. FlashFloodingisfloodingwhichfollowswithinafewhours(usuallylessthan6hours)ofheavyorexcessive rainfall,damorleveefailure,orthesuddenreleaseofwaterimpoundedbyanicejam.(NOAAGlossaryof HydrologicTerms). BuncombeCountyexperiencedmajorfloodingin1916,1940,1976,1977,1982,and2004(2separateevents occurred10daysapart).SeeAppendixBformoreinformationabouttheseevents.Minorfloodingevents haveoccurredalmostannually.Allpastoccurrenceswerecharacterizedasatleast100yeareventsandlikely 500yeareventsinsomeareas.Datafromthemostrecentfloodingevent(2004)indicatesamaximum recordedflooddepthof15feetorless.BasedonpasteventsandNCDEMclassification,afloodhavinga limitedimpactonasmallareaofBuncombeCountyishighlylikelytooccur.Therefore,floodingisassigneda hazardindexof7outofapossible11.Amapofthe100yearfloodplainisincludedinthesectionentitled VulnerabilityAnalysis. SevereWinterStorm SevereWinterStormscanincludevariouscombinationsofthefollowingfactors:snow,sleet,ice,orfreezing rain;strongwinds;andextremecold.Accumulationsofsnowandicecancollapsebuildings,bringdown powerlines,andmaketraveltreacherous.Strongwindscanknockdowntreesandutilitypoles.Sustained windsof35milesperhourcombinedwithsnowfallproduceblizzardconditionswithlowvisibility(1/4mileor less),severedrifting,anddangerouswindchills.Prolongedexposuretotheextremecoldofwinterstormscan leadtofrostbiteorhypothermiaandbecomelifethreatening.(NOAAWinterStorms:TheDeceptiveKillersA GuidetoSurvival,November1991). SevereWinterStormsoccurredin1977,1993,1998,and2009.SeeAppendixBformoreinformationabout theseevents.Thegreatestsnowdepthatanyonetimeduringtheperiodofrecordwas20inchesrecordedon 18
March13,1993.However,anecdotalreportsindicatedepthsof2to3feetinsomeareasofthecountyfor thatevent.MinoreventscausingproblemsinisolatedareasoftheCountyoccuralmosteveryyear.Snow accumulationtendstobegreaterinareasabove3,000feetinelevation.BasedonpasteventsandNCDEM classification,aseverewinterstormhavingalimitedimpactoveralargeportionofBuncombeCountyislikely tooccur.Therefore,severewinterstormsareassignedahazardindexof8outofapossible11.Amap indicatingareasabove3,000feetinelevationisincludedinthesectionentitledVulnerabilityAnalysis. Landslide ALandslideisthedescentofamassofearthandrockdownaslope.ALandslidemaybecausedwhenwater fromrainandmeltingsnowsinksintotheearthonthetopofaslope,seepsthroughcracksandporesin underlyingsandstone,andthenencountersalayerofslipperymaterial,suchasshaleorclay,inclinedtoward thevalley.Ifthesupportissufficientlyweakenedamassofearthandrockslidesdownalongthewell lubricatedlayer.Landslidesmayalsobetriggeredbyearthquakes(encarta.msn.com).Thesteepslopes, fragilesoils,andacidproducingrockformationsofWesternNorthCarolinaplaceBuncombeCountyathigh riskofalandslide.InSeptember2004intenserainfallfromtheremnantsofHurricanesFrancesandIvan triggeredatleast400landslidesthroughoutwesternNorthCarolina.FollowingtheseeventstheNorth CarolinaDepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResourcesconductedafieldstudytodocumentthenumber, locationandextentofpreviouslandslidesinBuncombe,Haywood,Henderson,Jackson,Macon,andWatauga Counties.Thisstudyrevealed1,253landslidefeaturesthroughoutBuncombeCounty(314landslidesand938 landslidedepositareas).AccordingtoaNorthCarolinaLandslideFactSheetproducedafterthisstudy... landslidedepositsarewheresignificantvolumesofunconsolidatedsoilandrockfragmentshaveaccumulated overtime,fromseveralprocessessuchasdebrisflows,debrisslides,androckfalls.Mostmappeddepositsare likelyprehistoric,buthaveyettobeverifiedbymodernagedatingtechniques.AccordingtoNCDENRdata mostrecentsignificantlandslideeventsinclude:astormeventinNovemberof1977thattriggeredover60 debrisflowsintheBentCreekarea;adebrisflowintheStarnesCovecommunitytriggeredbytheremnantsof HurricaneIvaninSeptemberof2004thatdestroyedonehome,damaged2vehicles,destroyedthegarageof anotherhomeanddamagedtheroad;andarockslidethatcausedsignificantdamagetotheBroadRiverFire DepartmentinJulyof2005duringtheremnantsofTropicalStormCindy.Thedebrisdepositvolumefromthe 2004StarnesCoveeventwasestimatedtobe7,500to10,000cubicyardsofearthenmaterial.Thevolume estimatedidnotincludedebrisfromthedamagedanddestroyedstructures.Volumeestimateswerenot availableforthe1977and2005events. BasedonNCDEMclassification,alandslidehavinganegligibleimpactonasmallareaofBuncombeCountyis highlylikelytooccur.Therefore,landslidesareassignedahazardindexof6outofapossible11. Wildfire Awildfireistheuncontrolledburningofwoodlands,brush,orgrasslands.Thepotentialforthethreatof wildfireisdependentuponsurfacefuelcharacteristics,recentclimateconditions,currentmeteorological conditionsandfirebehavior.Fallisaparticularlydangeroustimeforwildfirebecauseofthedryvegetation producedbyhotdrysummers(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual,November1998).Ignition canbecausedbyadiscardedcigarettebutt,improperlyextinguishedcampfire,strayspark,lightening,etc. Onceawildfirethreatensacommunity,itsoftentoolatetoprotecthomesandbelongings.Inareasthat havebeenburnedbywildfires,somehousesremainwhiletheneighboringhousesaredestroyed.These housesaremisnamedmiraclehouses.Thesehousesoftensurvive,notbecauseofamiracle,butbecauseof 19
specificstepstheownerhastaken,inregardtolandscapingandlocationoftreesandbushes,forthepurpose ofcreatingdefensiblespaceshouldawildfireoccur(www.fema.gov/projectimpact). AccordingtodatafromtheNationalClimaticDataCenter(Appendix)therewerenomajorwildfiresin BuncombeCounty.However,informationfromtheNorthCarolinaForestServiceindicatesthatwildfires occurredinBuncombeCountyin1986(25acres),1999(500acres),2006(54acres),2007(187acres),2008 (287acres),2009(98acres)and2010(34acres).BasedonpastincidentsandNCDEMclassification,awildfire havinganegligibleimpactonasmallareaofBuncombeCountyislikelytooccur.Therefore,wildfireis assignedahazardindexof5outofapossible11. HazardousMaterials TwomajorInterstateHighways,I26andI40,passthroughBuncombeCounty.Tankertruckscarrying hazardousmaterialstravelthesehighwaysonacontinualbasis,bringingwiththemthechanceofahazardous materialsincidentsuchasaspill.Manyindustriesintheareaalsomaintainquantitiesofhazardousmaterials onhandforuseintheirdailybusiness.Suchusealsocarrieswithittheriskofaspill. Areviewofeventssince1983revealsmultiplehazardousmaterialincidentseachyear.However,themajority oftheseeventswereminorincidentsoflimitedconsequence.Basedonpastevents,ahazardousmaterials incidenthavinganegligibleimpactonasmallareaofBuncombeCountyishighlylikelytooccur.Therefore, hazardousmaterialsincidentsareassignedahazardindexof6outofapossible11. UtilityFailure Utilityfailureisaninterruptioninelectrical,telephone,water,orsewerservice.Failureofutilitiescanoccur asaconsequenceofmanyofthehazardeventspreviouslydiscussed.Utilityfailurecanalsohappenasa standaloneeventduetotechnicalproblemswithintheutilitycompanyitself.Outagesmaybeconfinedto smallareaswithintheCounty,butthereisthepotentialforwidespreadutilityfailurewhichwouldconstitutea disasterinandofitself. In1990theCityofAshevilleexperiencedatotallossoftelephoneserviceduetotechnicalproblems.This incidentleftover45,000customerswithouttelephoneservice.In2004floodingfromtheremnantsof HurricaneFranceswipedoutfeederlinesfromtheNorthForkReservoirshuttingdowntheAshevilleWater Systemforfivedays.Thisleft100,000customerswithoutwater.Thesetwoeventsaretheonlymajorutility failuresofrecord.Geographicallytheentirecountycouldpotentiallybeaffectedbyutilityfailure.Basedon pastincidentsautilityfailurehavingacriticalimpactoveramediumsizedareaofBuncombeCountyis possible.Therefore,utilityfailureisassignedahazardindexof7outofapossible11. Drought/HeatWave Adroughtmaybedefinedasaconditionwhereandwhenthewatersupplyisdeficientenoughforalong enoughperiodoftimetodamagethegrowthofvegetation,industrialproduction,ordomesticactivities.The NationalDroughtMitigationCenterstatesthatInthemostgeneralsense,droughtoriginatesfroma deficiencyofprecipitationoveranextendedperiodoftime,resultinginawatershortageforsomeactivity, group,orenvironmentalsector.Droughtmayormaynotbeaccompaniedbyintenseheat.Thisheatnot onlyexacerbatesthedroughtconditionbyincreasingevaporation,itmayalsoleadtohealthrelatedillness suchasheatexhaustionorheatstrokeoraggravatecertainmedicalconditions. 20
BuncombeCountyexperiencedsignificantdroughtconditionsfivetimesinthepast80years.Thedroughts occurredinthemid1930s,1998,2002,2007and2008(NOAA).Significantdroughteventshaveoccurred threetimesinthepasttenyears.Thedroughteventin2007reachedExceptionalstatus(accordingtothe PalmerDroughtSeverityIndex)onAugust21,2007.ForanexplanationofthePalmerDroughtSeverityIndex seeAppendixC.Geographicallytheentirecountycouldpotentiallybeaffectedbydroughtand/orheatwave. ThereisthelikelyoccurrenceofadroughthavingalimitedimpactoveramediumsizeareaofBuncombe County.Therefore,droughtisassignedahazardindexof6outofapossible11. DamFailure Adamfailureoccurswhenthestructureretainingthewaterfailstofunctioninthemannerforwhichitwas designedandconstructed.Thefailuremayvaryintimefromaprolongeddeteriorationofthestructuretoan almostinstantaneousfailureinwhichthedamgivesawaycompletelyandwithoutwarning.Damfailuremay becausedby:overtopping,structurefailure(ordamage),orseepage.TherearemanydamsintheCounty thataretoosmalltocomeunderthejurisdictionoftheStateDamSafetyLaw.Adammustbefifteenfeet highandbecapableofimpoundingatleasttenacrefeet,orbeclassifiedashighhazardpotentialtobe regulated.Highhazardpotentialmeansthathumanlifecouldbelostifthedamweretofail,major infrastructurewouldbelost,orsignificantpropertydamagewouldbedone.Thisdesignationinnoway impliesthatthe damisdeficientorlikelytofail(NCDENR). BuncombeCountyhas32damsclassifiedashighhazardpotential.Whilethesedamsarescattered throughoutthecountythehighestlevelofriskisalongtheSwannanoaRiverbelowtheBeeTreeandNorth ForkDams.ThisareaextendsalongUS70HighwayfromSwannanoatoBiltmore.Inabreechinvolvingthe ProbableMaximumPrecipitationthemaximumflooddepthwithintheinundationareawouldbe58.5feet. Thesedamshavethegreatestimpoundmentand,therefore,largerinundationareas.Theonlydamfailureto causesignificantdamageoccurredwhentheBearWallowDamalongNewfoundCreekfailedonFebruary22, 1976.Theprivateearthendambrokeat2:30amdestroyingonehomeandkillingafamilyof4.Itispossible thatadamfailurehavinglimitedimpactoverasmallareacouldoccur.Therefore,damfailureisassigneda hazardindexof5outofapossible11.
NOTE:BecauseBuncombeCountysriskofTsunamisisextremelyslight,theyarenotanalyzedinthisdocument.
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InanefforttoconductamoredetailedVulnerabilityAnalysis,BuncombeCountysEmergencyPlannerworked withstafffromtheRenaissanceComputingInstitutes(RENCI)engagementcenterattheUniversityofNorth CarolinaAshevilletodeveloptheconceptforamultihazardrisktooltoaidintheupdateoftheHazard MitigationPlan.Inthepreviousversionoftheplanflooddamagewastheonlyhazardvulnerabilityassessed intermsofpotentialdollarvalues.RENCIstaffsoughtoutexistingdatasourcesthatwouldallowadditional hazardareastobeoverlainwithtaxparcelsanddevelopedamultihazardrisktoolthatproducesmapsofthe areasaswellasreportsofnumbersandvaluesofparcelsinthedefinedhazardareas.Datasourceswere foundforlandslidesandwildfire.Alayerwascreatedtoshowparcelsabove3,000feetinelevationtoidentify propertiesthatmaybemorevulnerabletowinterstorms.AsinthepreviousversionofthisplanFlood InsuranceRateMapswereusedasthebasisforanalyzingfloodvulnerability.Thedatasourceforeachhazard isdiscussedinthesubsequentsubsections. FloodVulnerability ToassessvulnerabilitytofloodingtheMay28,2010BuncombeCountytaxparcelswereintersectedwiththe floodwayasdefinedbytheNorthCarolinaFloodMappingProgram.AnSQLquerywasthenusedtoobtainthe parcelcount,totalacres,andmarketvalue,classifiedbyoccupancy(vacant/occupied)andparceltype (agricultural,commercial,industrial,residential,andother).Notethatagriculturalincludeshorticulturaland forestedlands,andotherincludesparcelsclassedforcommunityservices,parks,publicservice,and recreation.Allparcelsthatintersectthefloodwayatanypointweretaggedasbeinginthefloodway(for parcelsconsistingofmultipleacresthiscouldmeanthataparcelisclassifiedatgreatfloodriskwhenthe majorityoftheland,andanystructures,isactuallyoutsidethefloodway).Thesamemethod(subjecttothe samelimitations)wasusedtodeterminethenumber,typesandvaluesofparcelsinthe100yearfloodplain. Thedatadoesnottakeintoaccountbasefloodelevationorfinishedfloorelevationswhichareintegralto determiningpotentialflooddamage.ManystructureswithinthefloodplainpredateBuncombeCountys 22
FloodDamagePreventionOrdinanceandinitialFloodInsuranceRateMapsandfinishedfloorelevationsare notavailable.Floorelevationdataisalsorequiredforcalculatingbenefit/costratiosforpotentialhazard mitigationgrantprojects.AddingbuildingfootprintsandfinishedfloorelevationstoBuncombeCountysGIS datawouldyieldamoreaccuratecountofvulnerablestructuresandwouldbeabeneficialuseoffuture funding. Thisanalysisshowsatotalof6,842parcels(98,529.78totalacresor24.72%oftotalBuncombeCounty acreage)withatotalmarketvalueof$4,227,333,900locatedatleastpartiallywithinthe100yearfloodplain. Oftheseparcels4,924areoccupied(totalvalueof$3,942,854,200)and1,918arevacant(totalvalueof $284,479,700).Oftheaforementionedparcels2,314(27,403.16totalacresor6.88%oftotalBuncombe Countyacreage)withatotalmarketvalueof$1,451,418,000arealsolocatedatleastpartiallywithinthe floodway.Thefloodwayisthechannelofariverorotherwatercoursethatcarriesthedeepest,fastest waterdownstream.Parcelsinthisareaareatthegreatestriskofflooddamage.Ofthefloodwayparcels 1,658areoccupied(totalvalueof$1,352,533,200)and656arevacant(totalvalueof$98,884,800).Atable showingthebreakdownofparceltype,buildingvalues,improvementvalues,andlandvaluesisincludedin AppendixD. ThemostrecentFloodInsuranceRateMapsandFloodInsuranceStudywereadoptedonJanuary6,2010.The CountysFloodDamagePreventionOrdinancewasalsoupdatedatthattime.ThechangestotheOrdinance includeprohibitingnewhabitablestructuresinthefloodway;requiringelevationcertificatestobecompleted forstructuresbuiltinthe100yearfloodplain;increasingthefreeboardrequirementto2;andstrengthening theappealsandprotestprocedures. Withinthenewmapsthereareover190milesofdetailedstudyarea;1160milesoflimiteddetailedstudy area;and817milesofredelineatedstreams.TheCountymapsshow10,772basefloodelevationsestablished onatotalof145FIRMpanels.TheCountysAzoneshaveallbecomeAE,withtheexceptionofLakeJulian. Withthisupdate,allwaterwaysmappedinthe100yearfloodplainbylimiteddetailstudymethodshavenon encroachmentwidthsthatareregulatedasfloodways,butarenotphysicallyshownonthefloodmaps.Cross sectiondataexistsonthemappanels,andnonencroachmentwidthsforthesecrosssectionsareshowninthe FloodInsuranceStudy. WinterStormVulnerability Togeneratethisreport,theMay28,2010BuncombeCountytaxparcelswereusedasastartingpoint.ArcGIS fromESRIwasusedtointersecttheparcelswiththeLIDARelevationfileforBuncombeCounty.Allparcelsthat containedatleastoneelevationvalueof3000feetoraboveweretaggedasbeinginthewinterstormhazard area.ASQLquerywasthenusedtogettheparcelcountandtotalacres,classifiedbyoccupancy (vacant/occupied)andparceltype(agricultural,commercial,industrial,residential,andother).Notethat 'agricultural'includeshorticulturalandforestedlands,and'other'includesparcelsclassedforcommunity services,parks,publicservice,andrecreation. Thisreportisconservativebecauseittreatsanentireparcelatriskifanypartofitisover3000feet;therefore theparcelcountandtotalacreagearehigherthanmightbethecaseifotherfactorswereconsidered.These otherfactorsincludelocationsofbuildingsontheparcels;expectediceorsnowaccumulationatvariousparts oftheparcel;andtheprobabilityofwinterstormsaffectingtheparcel.Furthermore,theelevationcutoffof 3000feetisnotbasedonanyriskanalysisbutratheristhecutoffvaluechosenbyBuncombeCountyfor findingparcelsatriskfromwinterstorms. 23
Thisassessmentindicatedatotalof5,141parcels(153,677.45totalacresor38.56%oftotalBuncombeCounty acreage)withatotalmarketvalueof$2,701,084,700aregreaterthan3,000feetinelevation.Oftheseparcels 1,967areoccupied(totalvalueof$2,148,743,100)and3,174arevacant(totalvalueof$552,341,600).Atable showingthebreakdownofparceltype,buildingvalues,improvementvaluesandlandvaluesisincludedin AppendixD. LandslideVulnerability ToassessvulnerabilityforlandslidestheMay28,2010BuncombeCountytaxparcelswereintersectedwitha landstabilityindexlayercreatedbytheStateGeologistsOfficeofNCDENR.Thislayerisarasterlayerwith valuesindicatingforagivenareawhetherthoseforcesconducivetobriningthelanddownarelessormore thantheforcesconducivetoholdingthelandupforahypothetical125mmrainfallevent.Allparcelsthat intersectanyoftheunstableareaswerethenidentified.UnstableAreashavea100%probabilityofinstability. AnSQLquerywasthenusedtogettheparcelcount,totalacres,andmarketvalue,classifiedbyoccupancy (vacant/occupied)andparceltype(agricultural,commercial,industrial,residential,andother).Notethat agriculturalincludeshorticulturalandforestedlands,andotherincludesparcelsclassedforcommunity services,parks,publicservice,andrecreation. Thefieldworkinthepreparationofthelandstabilityindexlayerwasnotconductedattheparcellevel. Howeveritisourcurrentbestavailabledata.Ifanypartofaparcelintersectedtheunstableareathis analysisclassifiedtheentireparcelasunstable.ThedatashowsunstableareasofBuncombeCounty indicatingthatindividualparcelsintheindicatedareasarepotentiallyatriskofimpactfromalandslide. Confirmingtheriskforindividualparcelswouldrequiremoredetailedanalysisandwouldbeagooduseof futuremitigationfunds.Thisassessmentrevealedapotentialtotalof7,618parcels(214,497.75totalacresor 53.84%oftotalBuncombeCountyacreage)withatotaltaxvalueof$5,475,920,829classifiedasUnstable Area.Oftheseparcels4,054areoccupied(totaltaxvalue$4,713,992,079)and3,564arevacant(totaltax value$761,928,750).Atableshowingthebreakdownofparceltype,buildingvalues,improvementvaluesand landvaluesisincludedinAppendixD. WildfireVulnerability ToassessvulnerabilitytowildfiretheMay28,2010BuncombeCountytaxparcelswereintersectedwitha layerofwildfireriskgeneratedbytheSouthernGroupofStateForestersfortheSouthernWildfireRisk AssessmentProject.ThislayercalledtheLevelofConcernIndexisarasterlayerwithvaluesrangingfrom0to 100.Theindexisdeterminedbyusingtheprobabilityofanygivenacresburning,theexpectedfiresize,the projectedrateoffirespread,theexpectedsuppressiondifficulty(basedonfueltype,topography,andsoil type),andthepresenceofimportantstructures(transportation,infrastructures,plantations,andurban interface.).Allparcelsthatintersectanyareawherethelevelofconcernwas78ofgreaterweretaggedas beinginthehighwildfireriskarea.AnSQLquerywasthenusedtogettheparcelcount,totalacres,and marketvalue,classifiedbyoccupancy(vacant/occupied)andparceltype(agricultural,commercial,industrial, residential,andother).Notethatagriculturalincludeshorticulturalandforestedlands,andotherincludes parcelsclassedforcommunityservices,parks,publicservice,andrecreation.Thisreportisconservative becauseittreatsandentireparcelatriskifanypartofitintersectsthehighwildfireriskarea;thereforethe parcelcountandtotalacreagearehigherthanmightbethecaseifotherfactorswereconsidered,suchas locationsofbuildingswithintheparcelboundaries.Additionallytemporalchangeshaveoccurredsincethese datasetswerecollectedin2006andsomepartsofthisdatamaynolongerrepresentpresentsurface conditions.Howeverthisisourcurrentbestavailabledataintermsofassessingpotentialwildfirerisk. 24
Thisassessmentindicatedatotalof7,783parcels(63,311.3totalacresor15.89%oftotalBuncombeCounty acreage)withatotalmarketvalueof$1,890,688,300intheHighWildfireRiskclassification.Ofthese parcels5,960areoccupied(totalvalueof$1,704,230,000)and1,823arevacant(totalvalueof$186,458,300). Atableshowingthebreakdownofparceltype,buildingvalues,improvementvaluesandlandvaluesis includedinAppendixD. Inahazardeventthesenumbersdonotrepresentthetotallosspotentialfortheseproperties.TotalMarket Valueaccountsforthevalueofthepropertyandthestructureslocatedtherein.Occupiedresidential propertiesalsohavethepotentialfordamagetopersonalpropertysuchashouseholdcontentsandmotor vehicles.Occupiedagriculturalpropertiespossessthesamepersonalpropertylosspotentialasresidential propertiesandalsoincludepotentiallossesintermsofdamagetolivestock,crops,andequipment.Occupied commercialandindustrialparcelsmayexperiencegreatlossesindamagetoequipmentandinventory. Themapsonthefollowingfourpagesinclude:the100yearFloodPlain,AreasAbove3,000feetinElevation, GeneralLandUses,andtheTrendLineGrowthAlternative(projecteddevelopmentbasedoncurrenttrends). TheGeneralLandUsesandtheTrendLineGrowthAlternativemapsweretakenfromBuncombeCountys ComprehensiveLandUsePlanUpdate(2006).The2006ComprehensiveLandUsePlanisourmostaccurate sourceoflandusedata.BecausethesetwomapsarecopiestakendirectlyfromtheLandUsePlan,andnot producedfromorincludedintheCountysGISdatalayers,wearenotcapableofoverlayingthehazardareas onthelandusemaps.
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AspartofthisVulnerabilityAnalysis,criticalfacilitieswereidentifiedandmapped(see AppendixE).TheFederalEmergencyManagementAgency(FEMA)definesacritical facilityasafacilityineitherthepublicorprivatesectorthatprovidesessentialproducts andservicestothegeneralpublic,isotherwisenecessarytopreservethewelfareand qualityoflifeintheCounty,orfulfillsimportantpublicsafety,emergencyresponse, and/ordisasterrecoveryfunctions.Criticalfacilitieswereidentifiedas:daycarecenters, fireandpolicestations,EMSbases,hospitals,schools,electricsubstations,sewage pumpstations,andtelephoneswitchstations. Themapsappeartoindicatethatmanyofthesefacilitiesarelocatedwithinhazard areas.Therearetworeasonsforthis:1)themapsareprintedin8X11tofiteasily intothisdocument.Printingthemapsinalargersizeeliminatesmostofthisproblem;2) thedatapointsusedincreatingthismaparebasedonentireparcelsofland.Whenthe symbolsidentifyingthefacilitiesareplottedonthemaptheirplacementisbasedonthe centeroftheparcelandnotontheactuallocationofthestructure.Thisoftenmakesit appearthatstructuresarelocatedwithinthefloodplainwhen,inreality,theyarenot. BuncombeCountysGISdatabaseiscurrentlyunderdevelopment.Asnewdatalayers arecreated(suchasbuildingfootprints)moreinformationwillbeavailableforinclusion inanalysessuchasthis. Theonlyfacilitiesfoundinthefloodplainweretwopumpstationsandthetreatment plantforMetropolitanSewerageDistrict.Furtherinvestigationrevealedthatbothof thepumpstations,aswellasthestructurescomprisingthetreatmentplant,are elevatedonfillandareabovethe100year(i.e.base)floodelevation. RepetitiveLossProperties Repetitivelydamagedstructureswerealsoidentifiedandmappedaspartofthis analysis.ThemapwascreatedusinginformationfromtheNationalFloodInsurance Program(NFIP)repetitivelosslist.Propertiesareplacedonthislistoncetherehave beentwopaidinsuranceclaimsfor$1,000ormorewithinatenyearperiod.Atotalof sixpropertiesareshown,fourwithintheCountysjurisdiction(allresidential),one withintheCityofAsheville(commercial),andoneincorrectlylisted.Ofthefour propertieswithintheCountysjurisdiction,onehasbeenacquiredbytheCounty throughFEMAsHazardMitigationGrantProgram(HMGP).AsperHMGPrequirements thestructurethatwaslocatedonthispropertyhasbeendemolishedandtheproperty willbeheldasopenspaceinperpetuity.Theremainingthreepropertieswithinthe Countyhaveatotalvalueof$653,700.Theaveragevalueofeachpropertyis $217,900.Inadisastereventpotentiallossescouldbegreaterbecauseofcontents. Between1994and2004thesethreepropertiesaccountedforeightclaimstotaling $129,620.62oranaverageof$16,202.58perclaim.Thesepropertieswillbeprioritized forfuturemitigationfunds.ShouldHazardMitigationGrantProgramfundsbecome availableownersofthesepropertieswillbenotifiedoftheirstatusontheRepetitive LossListandaskediftheyareinterestedinparticipatingintheacquisitionprogram.The 32
propertythatwasintheCitysjurisdictionhadtheoriginalstructuresrazedandwas filledintobeabovebasefloodelevationpriortotheconstructionofanewstructure. ThepropertythatisincorrectlylistedisneartheborderofMadisonandBuncombe Counties.Areviewof911StreetAddressingrecordsshowsthatthepropertyislocated inMadisonCounty. BasedonthecriterianotedaboveforapropertytobeplacedontheNFIPRepetitive LossList,itispossibleforpropertiestoincurrepetitiveflooddamageandnotappearon thislist.ThiscouldoccurifthepropertywasnotinsuredthroughtheNFIPorifthe propertyhadmultipleinsuranceclaimsthatwereunderthe$1,000thresholdormore thantenyearsapart.WhiletheCountydoesnotmaintainrecordsofthistype,itis commonknowledgethatthebusinesseslocatedonSwannanoaRiverRoad,offof BiltmoreAvenue,haveexperiencemultiplefloodingevents.ThisareaisintheCityof Ashevillesjurisdiction. Themappedproperties,aswellasthosediscussedonSwannanoaRiverRoadcouldbe prioritizedforacquisitionifHazardMitigationGrantProgramfundsareavailableto BuncombeCountyand/ortheCityofAshevilleinthefuture.
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CommunityCapabilityAssessment ACommunityCapabilityAssessmentgagesthejurisdictionscurrentpositioninrelationtohazardmitigationas wellasitsabilitytoimplementfuturehazardmitigationmeasures.ThisstepintheHazardMitigationPlanning processevaluatescurrentordinances,programs,policies,andproceduresthatrelatetohazardmitigationin ordertodeterminetheirstrengthsandweaknesses.Strengtheningexistingpoliciesandprograms,and/or implementingnewones,requirestheexaminationofthecommunityslegal,institutional,political,fiscal,and technicalcapabilities(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual,November1998). Ingeneral,localgovernmentspossessonlythatlegalauthoritythatisdelegatedtothembytheirhomestate. Thisprinciple,knownasDillonsRule,appliestoallofNorthCarolinaspoliticalsubdivisions.NorthCarolina grantsawidevarietyofpowerstoitslocaljurisdictions.However,localregulationsenactedwithinthe parametersoftheStatesenablingauthoritymustconformtotheconstitutionalframework,bothstateand federal,withinwhichallactsofgovernmentmusttakeplace.ExamplesofsuchlimitationsincludetheFifth AmendmenttotheUnitedStatesConstitution,anditsStatecounterpart,thatrequireprivatepropertybe takenforpublicpurposesonlyafterpaymentofjustcompensationandtheFourteenthAmendmentrequiring thatallgovernmentalactivitybeundertakenonlywithintheproceduralrequirementsofdueprocessoflaw (NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual,November1998). Alllocalgovernmentpowersfallintooneormoreofthefollowingcategories:regulation,acquisition, taxation,andspending.RegulatorypowersgrantedbytheStateofNorthCarolinatoitslocalitiesinclude generalpolicepower,buildingcodesandbuildinginspections,andlanduse.Landuseregulationscanbe furtherdividedintozoning,floodwayregulation,planning,andsubdivisionregulation(NCDEM:LocalHazard MitigationPlanningManual,November1998). ReviewofPolicies,Programs&Ordinances ThroughtheNorthCarolinaInstituteofGovernment,BuncombeCountyreceivedagrantthatenableda completereviewofourcommunitysordinances,policies,andprogramsintermsoftheirabilitytosupport hazardmitigation.AteamofinternsfromtheUniversityofNorthCarolinaatChapelHillMastersofPublic AffairsprogramconductedthereviewintheSpringof2001. Table4,CommunityCapabilityReview,liststheordinancesandpoliciesthatwerereviewedfromeach jurisdictioninconductingtheCommunityCapabilityAssessment:
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Table3CommunityCapabilityReview
Jurisdiction Buncombe County Ordinances, Policies and Programs Reviewed Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance* Subdivision Ordinance Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Ordinance Watershed Protection Ordinance Manufactured Home Parks Ordinance Zoning Ordinances Land Use Plan Budget Fiscal Year 2010 2011* Storm Water Ordinance* Administration Ordinance (City Council, Boards, Commissions, and Committees) Development Ordinance (Partial Copy Flood Plain Regulations and Erosion & Sedimentation Control) Stormwater Management Ordinance Budget Fiscal Year 2000-2001 Zoning Ordinance Budget Fiscal Year 2010-2011* Subdivision Regulations Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance Stormwater Management Ordinance Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance Subdivision Regulations Zoning Code Building Regulations* Flood Plain Regulations* Subdivision Ordinance Zoning Ordinance Montreat Tomorrow Committee: Report & Recommendations Subdivision Ordinance Zoning Ordinance Emergency Policies & Procedures (Bomb Threats, Hazardous Materials Incidents, Incident Command, Emergency Action Plan) Water Emergency Operations Plan & Use Restrictions Weaverville Code Chapter 10 Environment 10-1 Storm, Subsurface Drainage Systems Weaverville Code Chapter 8 Civil Emergencies Steep Slope Development Ordinance* Grading Ordinance* Land Use Regulations (Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, Bylaws of the Planning and Zoning Board of Adjustment, Communications Tower Regulations, Sedimentation Control Regulations) Land Use Plan Memorandum from Chief of Police Re: Critical Incident Responses Budget Fiscal Year 2000-2001
City of Asheville
Town of Montreat
Town of Weaverville
Town of Woodfin
*ThesedocumentswerereviewedbyCounty/Municipalstaffonly.
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Overalleachjurisdictionspoliciesandplansreceivedafavorablereview.Thefollowingisanexcerptfromthe internsfinalreport: Ingeneral,wefoundthatmanycommunitieshadalreadyestablishedeffectivehazard mitigationpolicies,especiallyinregardstoflooding,erosion/sedimentationcontrol,and stormwatermanagement.Ourconcernswerefocusedonthegeneralintentstatementsfor eachdocument,impervioussurfaces,otherpotentialhazards,andconsistencybetweenthe policiesofeachmunicipality. Hazardmitigationisarelativelynewfieldandmanydocumentsdidnotmentionitasagoal ofthecommunity.Somedocumentsincludedhealth,generalwelfare,andsafety,butwe feltthatamoreexplicitmentionofhazardmitigationwouldbehighlyeffective. Impervioussurfaceswereanotherareaofconcernduetothelackofregulationsinmany towns,especiallywhentownshadestablishedstormwatermanagement, erosion/sedimentationcontrol,andfloodingasimportantissuesthatwerehighlyregulated. Althoughsomehazardswerementionedindetail,wewereconcernedthatthepotentialfor otherhazardswasnotaddressed.Mostnotably,landslidesandseverewinterstormswere neglected,despitethemoderatetohighriskoftheseeventsintheBuncombeCountyarea. Consistencybothwithinandbetweenpolicydocumentswasproblematicwhenthegoalsof differentdocumentscouldoftenbeseenasconflicting.Forexample,ZoningOrdinances generallyexistedforthecommunityshealth,safety,andgeneralwelfare,whileLandUse Planswerefocusedondevelopment.Thesegoalscanoftenbeinconflictanditisnotclear wherethecommunityhastrulyplaceditspriorities. (WillAlexander,TanyaConklin,ErinMcIntyre,andJimWright:CommunityCapability Assessment,May2001). SpecificrecommendationswillbediscussedinthesectionentitledMitigationStrategies. BuncombeCountyisacharteredcountythatisgovernedbyafivememberBoardofCommissioners.The BoardofCommissionersappointsaCountyManager.TheBoardofCommissionersischoseneveryfouryears inpartisanelections.TheCommissionerssetpolicy,determinebudgetsforCountyagenciesandsetproperty taxratesfortheentireCounty.TheCountyManageristhechiefadministrativeofficer,andpreparesand recommendstheannualbudget.TheCountyManagerisalsoresponsibleforprogramdevelopmentand personnelmanagement(BuncombeCountyBudgetFiscalYear2002).Table4FormsofMunicipal GovernmentinBuncombeCountyliststhetypeofgovernmentforeachofBuncombeCountyssix municipalities. 38
Table4FormsofMunicipalGovernmentinBuncombeCounty
Details MayorElected4yearterm CityofAsheville 6CouncilMembersElectedAt Large4yearStaggeredterms NonpartisanPrimary&General Election TownofBlack CouncilManager MayorElected2yearterm Mountain 5AldermenElectedAtLarge2 yeartermsNonpartisanPrimary &GeneralElection TownofBiltmore MayorCouncil MayorElected2yearterm Forest (TownAdministrator) 3CommissionersElectedAt Large2yeartermsNonpartisan Primary&GeneralElection TownofMontreat MayorCouncil MayorElected4yearterm (TownAdministrator) 3CommissionersElectedAt Large4yearStaggeredterms NonpartisanPrimary&General Election TownofWeaverville CouncilManager MayorElected4yearterm 5CommissionersElectedAt Large4yearstaggeredterms NonPartisanPrimary&General Election TownofWoodfin MayorCouncil MayorElected2yearterm (TownAdministrator) 6AldermenElectedAtLarge4 yearStaggeredtermsNon partisanPrimary&GeneralElection TakenfromFormsofGovernmentofNorthCarolinaCitiesbyDavidM.Lawrence.InstituteofGovernment, 1998.SomeoftheoriginalinformationupdatedbyBuncombeCountyBoardofElections. AllemergencymanagementoperationsforBuncombeCountyarecoordinatedbytheBuncombeCounty EmergencyManagementDepartment.Whilecitiesandtownsmayelecttohavetheirownemergency managementagency,allmunicipalitieswithinBuncombeCountyhavesignedanordinancedesignatingthe countyagencyastheleadagencyforemergencymanagement.Theregulatoryauthorityforemergency managementinBuncombeCountyissetforthintheBuncombeCountyEmergencyManagementordinance andbyNorthCarolinaGeneralStatute166A. Municipality FormofGovernment CouncilManager
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Technical&FiscalCapability BuncombeCountyEmergencyManagementcoordinatesallresourceneedsrequiredduringadisaster. EmergencyManagementalsomaintainsemergencyplansforvariouscountydepartments.Damage assessmentisalsocoordinatedthroughthecountyemergencymanagementoffice.Intheunincorporated areasoftheCountydamageassessmentishandledbyEmergencyManagementstaffand/orlocalfire departmentpersonnel;municipalitiesgenerallyconductdamageassessmentviatheirinspectionorfire departments.Afteraseriousemergencyordisasteroperation,BuncombeCountyEmergencyManagement forwardsalldamagereportstostateorfederalgovernmentsfortheirconsideration. BuncombeCountyEmergencyManagementalsocoordinatessuchthingsasshelteropenings,emergency feedingofvictimsafteradisasterandevacuationofvictimsduringanemergencyordisaster.TheCounty maintainssomedisastersuppliesbutgenerallyreliesontheAsheville/MountainAreaRedCrossasthe designatedemergencyshelteroperatorforBuncombeCounty.BuncombeCountyEmergencyManagement alsomaintainsthecountyEmergencyOperationsPlan(EOP),theBuncombeCountyResourceManual,and otherplansasneeded.TheEOPasanexamplesetsforthfunctionalresponsibilitieswithinthevarious departmentstoensurepromptemergencyresponseanddeliveryofnecessaryservices.Thedecisionto activatetheEOPrestswiththeCountyEmergencyManagementDirectorordesignee.TheEOPisgenerally updatedevery2years.TheResourceManualcontainsaninventoryofallCountyandmunicipalowned emergencyequipment,equipmentownedbyotheragenciesthatcanbeutilizedintheeventofadisaster,as wellaslistingsofareavendorsandbusinesseswheresuppliesandequipmentcanbeobtained. BuncombeCountyisservedbytwentyonefiredepartments.Table5BuncombeCountyFireDepartments liststhesedepartments,whethertheyarestaffedbypaidorvolunteerpersonneloracombinationofboth, andthelevelofEmergencyMedicalCertificationofthepersonnel.
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Table 5 Buncombe County Fire Departments Department Staffing EMS Certification (Minimum) EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Intermediate EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Intermediate EMT EMT-Intermediate EMT Intermediate EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Intermediate EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Intermediate EMT-Intermediate EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Intermediate EMT-Intermediate EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Intermediate EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Defibrillation EMT-Defibrillation
Asheville (also serves Biltmore Forest) Paid Barnardsville Paid/Volunteer Beaverdam Paid/Volunteer Black Mountain (also serves Montreat) Paid/Volunteer Broad River Paid/Volunteer Buncombe Rescue Paid/Volunteer Enka-Candler Paid/Volunteer Fairview Paid/Volunteer French Broad Paid/Volunteer Garren Creek Paid/Volunteer Jupiter Paid/Volunteer Leicester Paid/Volunteer Reems Creek Paid/Volunteer Reynolds Paid/Volunteer Riceville Paid/Volunteer Skyland Paid/Volunteer Swannanoa Paid/Volunteer Upper Hominy Paid/Volunteer Weaverville Paid/Volunteer West Buncombe Paid/Volunteer Woodfin Paid/Volunteer TheAshevilleFireDepartmentisstaffedsolelybypaidpersonnel.AllfiredepartmentswithintheCountyare staffedbyacombinationofbothpaidandvolunteerpersonnel.AllfiredepartmentswithintheCountyare staffedbycertifiedEmergencyMedicalTechnicians(EMTs).TherearefourlevelsofEMTcertification:EMT, EMTDefibrillation,EMTIntermediate,andEMTParamedic.TheBroadRiverFireDepartmentisstaffedatthe EMTlevel.TenoftheCountystwentyonefiredepartmentsarestaffedbypersonnelwithaminimumof EMTDefibrillationcertificationandtheremainingtendepartmentsarestaffedwithpersonnelwitha minimumofEMTIntermediatecertification. AmapofBuncombeCountyindicatingthefiredistrictboundariesisonthefollowingpage.
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Table6UtilityCompaniesServingBuncombeCountyliststhosecompaniesthat provideserviceswithinBuncombeCounty.Whenevermultiplecompaniesarelistedfor thesameutilityservicetheyarelistedinorderfromlargestserviceareatosmallest. Table 6 Utility Companies Serving Buncombe County UtilityService Electricity UtilityCompany ProgressEnergy FrenchBroadElectricMembership Corporation DukePower AT&T Frontier(formerlyVerizon) AshevilleWaterResources WeavervilleWaterDepartment WoodfinSanitaryWaterandSewer District(sewerserviceprovided throughMSD) MetropolitanSewerageDistrict(MSD) AverysCreekSanitaryDistrict PublicServiceCompanyofNorth Carolina
MajorTelephoneCarriers Water
Sewer NaturalGas
ProgressEnergyistheprimaryproviderofelectricalserviceinBuncombeCounty. FrenchBroadElectricMembershipCorporationprovideselectricalserviceforasmall portionofnorthernBuncombeCounty.AT&Tistheprimarytelephoneserviceprovider inBuncombeCounty.VerizonprovidestelephoneserviceinWeavervilleand BarnardsvilleinthenorthernpartoftheCounty.Therearealsonumerouswireless, cable(IP)telephoneprovidersthroughouttheCounty.AshevilleWaterResourcesisthe largestproviderofwaterserviceinBuncombeCounty.TheWeavervilleWater DepartmentprovideswatertotheTownofWeavervilleandtheWoodfinSanitaryWater andSewerDistrictprovidesservicetotheTownofWoodfin.ThetownsofBlack MountainandMontreatalsooperatewaterdepartments.Inadditiontomunicipal waterservice,manyresidentsofBuncombeCountyareservedbyprivatewellsand springs.TheMetropolitanSewerageDistrict(MSD)isthelargestproviderofsewer serviceinBuncombeCounty.TheAverysCreekSanitaryDistrictprovidessewerservice toasmallareaofsouthernBuncombeCounty.TheAverysCreekSanitaryDistrictowns andmaintainsthesewerlinesintheirdistrictbuttheyrelyonMSDforsewage treatment.InadditionmanyresidentsofBuncombeCountyhavesepticsystemsas opposedtomunicipalsewerservice. AlloftheutilitycompaniesservingBuncombeCountywerecontactedtodetermineif theyhaveemergencyanddisasterresponseprotocolsinplace.Allutilitycompanies, 43
exceptAverysCreekSanitaryDistrict,havesuchpoliciesandproceduresinplace. AverysCreekSanitaryDistricthasacontractoronstandbyforlinerepairsbutdoesnot haveaformalemergency/disasterresponseplan. BuncombeCountyhasallocatedsignificantresourcestoemergencymanagementin termsofequipment,personnelandtraining.Theutilitycompaniesservingourarea haveallocatedresources(i.e.stafftime)todevelopemergencyanddisasterresponse protocols.BuncombeCountyhasalsodemonstrateditsabilitytoleverageadditional funds.Examplesofsuchfundinginclude:FEMAsHazardMitigationGrantProgram whichfundedtheacquisitionanddemolitionofstructureslocatedinthefloodplain; FEMAsProjectImpactgrantwhichhelpedtofundthedevelopmentofthisplan; DepartmentofJusticegrantsforterrorismpreparedness;andlocalfiredepartments havereceivedcontributionsfromvariousprivatefundingsources. AnalysisofCommunityGoals Goalsarestatementsofconditionsthataredesiredtobeachievedatsometimeinthe future.Goalsareusuallydescriptiveratherthanquantifiedstatementsandshouldbe expressedingeneralterms.Agoalisnotatoolforachievingsomethingelse.Goals shouldnotbenegativeobservationsaboutthecommunitybutshouldbestructuredas positivestatementsthatareattainable(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanning Manual,November1998). Reducingrisksposedbynaturaldisasterstopeopleandpropertyistheprimarygoalin hazardmitigationplanning.However,goalsarebeststructuredwhentheyrepresenta crosssectionofpublicinterests.Whenhazardmitigationgoalsarewritteninthisway, itillustratesthewaysinwhichmitigationisintermingledwithotherpublicconcerns. Forexample,thegoalsofahazardmitigationplanmaysupportsuchinterestsas creatingopenspace,preservingnaturalareas,improvingwaterquality,orsustaining farmland.(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual,November1998). ThestatedgoalsofBuncombeCounty,andthemunicipalitieslocatedtherein,were reviewedfortheirrelevancetohazardmitigation.Thefollowinggoalstatementswere takenfromtheFiscalYear2010BudgetDocumentsofBuncombeCountyandits incorporatedjurisdictionsbecauseoftheirrelevancetohazardmitigation:
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Goals
Improvewaterqualitythroughpollutantsourcereduction andpubliceducation(Environmental). Balancetheneedforadditionaleconomicandpopulation growthopportunitieswithenvironmentalstewardship throughwellplannedinfrastructureexpansion(Economic andPhysicalDevelopment). PreservetheMountainsincludingsteepslopesandridges settingclearbalancedstandards(Growth&Development). Encourageathoughtfulprocessoflandsubdivisionand development,consideringtheimportanceofpreserving openspaceandtherelationshipbetweenadjacent developments(Growth&Development). Ensurepreservationofopenspace(Growth&Development). Facilitatesafeandresponsiblelandusedevelopmentina timelymanner(Planning&Development). Provideprofitable,environmentallysustainableagricultural systems(CooperativeExtension). Protect,conserveandenhancethenaturalresourcesof BuncombeCounty(CooperativeExtension). Provideacomprehensiveenvironmentalawarenessprogram (Soil&WaterConservation). Reducefirelossthrougheffectivedeliveryoffirecode enforcementservices(AshevilleFireDepartment). Provideefficientandtimelymaintenanceandrepairofwater mains,servicelines,valves,andfirehydrantsthroughoutthe watersystem(WaterResourcesFund). Developgeographicinformationsystem(GIS)databasesfor PowellBillmaps,streetclassifications,trafficoperations, stormwaterprojects,sidewalkamenities,andoverallwork orderrelatedservices(PublicWorks). Completestreetresurfacing,sidewalk,stormdrainage,and specialassessmentprojectsasscheduledandbudgeted (PublicWorks). Administerandenforcesoilerosionandstormwater ordinances,planreviewdelegation,andallpertinent permittingprocessesinaccordancewithallapplicablelocal, State,andFederalrequirements(Engineering). Encouragesustainabledevelopmentandpromote redevelopment(Planning&Development). Ensurethecontinuedsafetyandintegrityofexistinghousing stockthroughinspectionofexistingresidentialhousingunits inaccordancewiththeAshevilleMinimumHousingCode (BuildingSafety).
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CityofAsheville(contd) TownofBiltmoreForest
TownofBlackMountain
Provideconsistentcodeenforcementacrossthedepartment andeducatecontractorsanddesignersoncodechangesand issues(BuildingSafety). Continuetoprovideanexcellentleveloffireprotectionand ahighlevelofpoliceprotection. Facilitatesafeandresponsiblelandusedevelopmentina timelymanner(PlanningandDevelopment). Provideefficientandtimelymaintenanceandrepairof watermains,servicelines,valvesandfirehydrants throughoutthewatersystem. Completestreetresurfacingandstormdrainage,atahigh level,asscheduledandbudgeted. AdministerandenforceSoilErosionandStormwater OrdinancethroughBuncombeCounty. ContinuetheenforcementoftheStateBuildingCodeby BuncombeCounty. AdministerandenforcetheStormwaterManagement OrdinancethroughBuncombeCounty. TheadministrationoftheFloodDamagePrevention OrdinancebytheTownAdministrator. Revise/Updatetwentyyearwaterfacilitiesplan(Governing Board&WaterOperations).Continuesystem improvements,andupdatesofsystemwithnew developments. RegularupdatesofSafetyManual(Administration). Provide95%oftherequiredandrequestedcode enforcementandpubliceducationactivities(Fire Department). Increasethetraininghoursforpaidandvolunteerstaff(Fire Department). CoordinatewithPublicWorkstomaintainneededfireflows andproperhydrantdistributioninareasofnew development(FireDepartment). ExpandGIScapabilitiestoincludeapplicationsforother departments;i.e.watermeterlocations,stormdrainage,fire hydrants(Planning&Development). TimelyCodeenforcementofbuilding,planningandzoning regulations.(PlanningDepartment). EnforcefederallymandatedStormWaterregulations. (Planning&Development). Continuetoinvestigateandexplorealternativewater sourcesprovidereportoutliningviablealternatives(Public Works). Regularlyscheduled(BiWeekly,SpecialEvents,and Holidays)landscapemaintenancetothoseareasnot maintainedbyothers(StreetDepartment).
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TownofBlackMoutain (contd)
Provideforcleanstreetsbyensuringthattheyareswepton aweeklybasisduringhightrafficmonths(Street Department). UpdateWaterSystemMappingtoGISFormat(toinclude locationsofwatermeters,lines,andhydrants)(Water Operations). Allocationforpurchaseofwatertocoverpotentialdeclinein wellproductioncapability(WaterOperations).Formalize agreementswiththeTownofAshevilleandtheTownof Montreat.
TownofMontreat
TownofWeaverville TownofWoodfin
Didnotsubmitdataforthisanalysis. Continuefundingforthereplacementofdrainagesystem structures(pipes,catchbasins,inlets,etc.)thathavebeen identifiedintheInventoryofStormDrainageStructuresas beinginneedofimmediatereplacement(StreetDepartment PowellBill). Completethereplacementofstormdrainagestructuresthat arepartoftheStormDrainageGrantPrograminaccordance withavailablefunding(StreetDepartmentPowellBill). Continueallroutinemaintenanceactivitiesofthe Department(StreetDepartmentPowellBill). ContinuefirepreventionprogramsforthemonthofOctober (NationalFirePreventionMonth)andtheentireyear(Fire Department). Hostfirepreventionclassesatthefirestationand communitymeetingsthroughouttheyear(FireDepartment). SupporttheinitiativesoutlinedintheLandUsePlan includinga)establishingatransitionalzoningdistrict,b) improvinghousingqualityandappearanceatthemobile homeparks,c)completepreparationsforandenactmentof thenewFederalStormWaterRegulations,d)developariver frontdevelopmentplanaspartofarevisedcommunity masterplanwhichiscurrentlybeingreviewedande)study andevaluatethebestuseoflandnearourinterstate accesses(PlanningandZoningDepartment).
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CityofAsheville TownofBiltmoreForest
TownofBlackMountain
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TownofBlackMountain (contd)
Toprovidethroughtheeffortsofproperpreplanning, managementofresourcesandfiscalcontrol,alevelof professionalfireandrescueservicesequaltothegrowthof ourtown,thereforesustainingthebestpossibleDepartment ofInsuranceRatingforthecommercialandresidential propertyownersinthecommunity(FireDepartment). Provideforthehealth,safetyandwelfareofthepeopleof BlackMountainbyassuringfairapplicationofallapplicable federal,stateandlocallawsregulatinglanduse,building constructionandcodecompliance.Toprovideguidanceto theBoardofAldermenthatenhancesthequalityoflifeand characteroftheTownofBlackMountainforallresidents (Planning&Development). ToprovideandpreservetheinfrastructureoftheTown;to enhanceandimprovetheaestheticbeautythroughoutthe Town(StreetDepartment). ToProvideandpreservetheinfrastructureoftheTownby maintainingroads,streets,bridges,sidewalks,etc.inorder topromotesafetravelandsafeconduct(StreetDepartment PowellBill). ToprovidetotheTownofBlackMountainacontinuous supplyofhighqualitywateratareasonablecost(Water Operations).
TownofMontreat
TownofWeaverville
TownofWoodfin
Didnotfurnishdataforthisanalysis SeeSectionXVIITownofWeaverville TheStreetDepartmentprovidesstreetservicestothe residentsofWoodfin.TheStreetDepartmentisresponsible forstormwatermanagement,roadrepairandresurfacing, mowingandrightofwaymaintenance(StreetDepartment). ThePlanningandZoningboardservesasanadvisoryboard totheBoardofAldermen.ThePlanningandZoningboard supervisesthepreparationofspecialstudies,landuse policies,anddraftsofordinancesandrecommendsany revisionstotheAlderman.TheBoardalsooverseesthe complianceofthezoningordinance,floodzoneregulations, housingandsubdivisionregulationsandservesasaboardof appeals.
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HazardMitigationStrategy Mitigationstrategiesshouldbedevelopedonacasebycasebasisforeachlocalityto reflectlocalconditions,needs,anddesires.Duringourhazardmitigationplanning processacomprehensivevarietyofmitigationstrategieswereexamined.TheNorth CarolinaDivisionofEmergencyManagementsToolsandTechniques:PuttingaHazard MitigationPlantoWork,alongwithsamplemitigationstrategiesfromother jurisdictions,providedthebasisforthisanalysis.Mitigationstrategieswereidentified andthenprioritizedaccordingthefollowingcriteria: Costbenefitreview ResultsofHazardIdentificationandAnalysis ResultsofVulnerabilityAssessment ResultsofCommunityCapabilityAssessment Effectivenessinmeetinghazardmitigationgoalsandcomprehensiveplangoals. Costbenefitsreviewwasgivenspecialemphasis,inlightofitspossibleusein environmentalreviewsforHMGP,FMA,andotherfederalhazardmitigationprojects. Themitigationstrategiesarelistedinpriorityorder.SeeTable8HazardMitigation Actions(page132)foralistingofmitigationactionsthatcorrespondwiththeidentified strategies. 1.Incorporatehazardmitigationintotheplanningprocessofeachjurisdiction. Aspreviouslystated,thegoalsandprinciplesofhazardmitigationoftencutacrossmany aspectsofthepublicinterest.Becauseofthis,manyofthepoliciesandprocedures reviewedduringtheCommunityCapabilityAssessmentwerealreadypositivesteps towardhazardmitigation.Thenextstepistomakeaconsciousefforttointegrate hazardmitigationintotheplanningprocessofeachjurisdiction.Inordertoeducatethe AdministrationandPlanningDepartmentsofeachjurisdictionabouttheimportanceof hazardmitigation,arepresentativefromoneofthosetwodepartmentsfromeach jurisdictionwillserveonacommitteetoreviewthecompleteddraftoftheHazard MitigationPlanpriortoitsadoption.ThiscommitteewillalsoincludetheCountys DirectorofEmergencyManagementandtheEmergencyManagementPlanner.This groupofpeoplewillthenevolveintotheHazardMitigationPlanEvaluationandRevision CommitteetobediscussedlaterinthesectionUpdatesandRevisions.Additionally, eachjurisdictionwillbeprovidedwithresourcesdiscussinghazardmitigationconcepts suchastheNorthCarolinaDivisionofEmergencyManagementsTools&Techniques: PuttingaHazardMitigationPlantoWork(October,1999)andKeepingNaturalHazards FromBecomingDisasters:ABasicWorkbookforLocalGovernments(May,2000).The EmergencyManagementPlannerwillberesponsibleforcoordinatingthiscommittee. ThecommitteewillbeformedandfunctionalpriortoJanuary1,2005. 51
StatusOngoing UponreceiptofFEMAapprovaleachjurisdictionindependentlyadoptedtheBuncombe CountyHazardMitigationPlan.BuncombeCountyhasclearlydemonstratedthe strategyofincorporatinghazardmitigationintoplanningprocessesasevidencedin updatestoHazardMitigationStrategies2and3(immediatelyfollowing).Additionally, inMay2005,mostdepartmentswithintheCountycompletedaDisasterReadiness SurveyinconjunctionwiththedevelopmentoftheBuncombeCountyContinuityof OperationsPlan.Includedwithinthissurveyisinformationastothestorageofdata;a listofalternatepersonnelwhocouldberesponsibleforcriticalfunctionsandprocesses; identificationofalternatefacilities;andcontactinformationforpersonnelandcritical vendors. Whilewehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategy(asevidencedby updatestoStrategies2and3)BuncombeCountywillcontinuetointegratehazard mitigationintoitsplanningprocesses.Thiswillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfive yearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 2.Evaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded. TheevaluationofpoliciesandordinancesfortheCommunityCapabilitysectionofthis documentprovidevaluableinformationaboutBuncombeCountysexistingmitigation planning.Inaddition,valuableinformationwasidentifiedabouttheexistingmitigation planningeffortsandanyincorporationotherjurisdictionshavecompleted.However, localconditionsareconstantlychangingduetoincreaseddevelopment,changesin technology,changesinlocalmitigationcapabilities,ornaturaldisasterevents.Itis becauseoftheseeverchangingconditionsthatevaluationmustbeanongoingprocess. Therefore,theinitialCommunityCapabilityAssessmentshouldbeviewedasastarting pointratherthananendresult.Becausetheseconditionsdonotchangeatregular intervals,itisdifficulttoestablishatimelinedictatinghowoftenordinancesandpolicies shouldbereviewed.Thephraseasneededshouldbeinterpretedasanytimethe communityexperiencesasignificantchangeinconditionssuchasrapiddevelopment ortechnologicalchange.Appropriatetimesforevaluationalsooccurwhenlocalofficials noticetheeffectsofapatternofslower,butsteady,changesovertime.Finally,thebest windowofopportunityforpolicyevaluationmaycomefollowinganaturaldisaster event.Thisiswhenthepolicieseffectivenesscandiscerned. 52
StatusOngoing DuringthedraftingperiodofitsoriginalHazardMitigationplanBuncombeCounty implementedrevisionstoitsManufacturedHomeParkOrdinance.Thechangestothe ManufacturedHomeParkOrdinanceincludedstrengtheningtherequirementsforroad designandconstruction.Suchrequirementsareintendedtoimproveemergency vehicleaccesstotheCountysmanufacturedhomeparks.Responsibilityforthis elementfallstostaffoftheEmergencyManagementandPlanningDepartmentsas needsemerge. Inrecentyears,BuncombeCountyhasmaderevisionstoitsSubdivisionordinances.The changestotheSubdivisionOrdinanceincludedstrengtheningtherequirementsfor erosioncontrolandforroadconstructionandturnaroundspaces.Theerosioncontrol requirementshelptopreventhazardssuchaslandandrockslidesandensuresite stability.Requirementsforroaddesignandconstructionhelptoprovideadequate accessforemergerencyvehicles.In2005requirementswereaddedtorequire geotechnicalreports,soilsmaps,andcompactiontestingforroads.Hillside developmentson25%orgreaterslopeareincreasinglyrestrictedwiththe2006 changes.Densityisdecreasedandlotsizesareincreased;densityallowancesareno longermadeforpublicseweraccess.Limitationsonmaximumimperviousand disturbedsurfacesareaddedwhichapplytoindividuallotswith25%orgreaterslope withinhillsidesubdivisions.In2007changesweremadewhichrequirethatbuilderson lotssubjecttothemaximumimperviousanddisturbedareassubmitascaledsiteplan showingtheareasofdisturbanceandimperviouscover.Provisionswereincludedto allowandencourageclusterdevelopmentinhillsidesubdivisions. In2006BuncombeCountyupdateditsComprehensiveLandUsePlan.Thestudymade specificrecommendationsregardingrapidlyurbanizingareas,environmentallysensitive portionsoftheCounty,andanumberofstrategiesforfutureplanning.Significantly,the studyrecommendedCountywidezoningwithtraditionaltypezoningwithintheMSD sewerservicearea,settingforthpermitted,conditionalandprohibitedusesbyzoning district,aswellasdimensionalrequirementsforbuildingplacement,height,andlot sizes;andoutsidethisareaenforcinganOpenUsedistrictwherethereareconditional userequirementsandapprovalforcertainlanduses.Anotherrecommendationwasto concentratedevelopmentinexistingandemergingcommercialcenters(shownonthe ProposedLandUseMaponpage32ashubs)preservingsurroundingareasina relativelyruralstateordevelopedatlowerdensities.Thisminimizesdemandfor infrastructureandservicesacrossabroadgeographicalarea.Theintendedoutcomeis reduceddevelopmentpressureinareasnotwellsuitedfordevelopment.The2006 LandUsePlanUpdatestatesthattheproposedhubsarelocatedawayfromsteepslopes andfloodplains,parcelsinthefarmlandpreservationprogramandconservation easements.TheCountyenactedcountywidezoningin2007,andin2009,theCourtof AppealsmadearulingwhichoverturnedzoninginthoseareasoftheCountyoutsidethe LimestoneandBeaverdamdistricts.TheBoardofCommissionersenactedanew 53
countywidezoningordinanceinDecember2009.TheOrdinancewasnotchallengedin Courtandhasbeenactiveforoversixmonths. TheErosionControlordinanceforBuncombeCountywasrevisedin2006torequirea StormwaterpermitpriortoissuingaLandDisturbingpermit;increasedthereviewfeeto $400/acre;andaddedrequirementsforfillandcutslopessothatfillslopescanbeno steeperthan2:1,andcutslopesnosteeperthan1.5:1,atamaximumof20feetin height. TheStormWaterManagementordinancewasenactedin2006.BuncombeCountys ordinancemeetsstaterequirementsforwaterquality,whilealsoprovidingalevelof protectionforpropertyownersadjacenttodevelopmentagainstanincreaseinstorm waterrunoffinrateandvolume.Theordinanceappliestoalllanddisturbingactivityof oneacreorgreater,andtocommercialactivityonaparceloneacreorgreaterinsize. WhilewehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategyBuncombeCountywill continuetoevaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded.Thiswillbeanon goingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 3.Ensureenforcementofordinances. Developingsound,strongordinancesisonlythebeginning.Thesepoliciesareonly effectiveiftheyareconsistentlyenforced.Atrackingsystemrelatedtoperformance measureshasbeendevelopedtoensureconsistencyinenforcement.Thissystem includesdataonthenumberofplansacceptedandrejectedandthenumberofwarning andcitationsissued.Thisprocesshasbeenestablishedandisfunctioning. StatusProcessdevelopmentandimplementationComplete.EnforcementOn going. In2003theCountybeganusingapermittingsoftwaresystem,TidemarkAdvantage.All Countydevelopmentpermitsaretrackedthroughthissystemincludingthefollowing: BuildingPermitsandInspections;ErosionControl;StormWater;Floodplain Management;SepticandWell;Zoning;Subdivision;andIvyWatershed.Eachdiscipline canissuepermitsbasedonthestatusofotherrequiredpermitsthroughthis communicativetrackingsoftwareprogram.Freezesandholdsonprojectscanbe placed,andindividualtasklistscanbegeneratedforeachcase. In2009,BuncombeCountyinstitutedabiweeklyTechnicalReviewCommittee. Committeemembersincludethefollowing:PlanningDirector,FireMarshal,Erosion Controlofficer,StormWaterengineer,BuildingPermitsandInspectionsDirector, Floodplainordinanceadministrator,Subdivisionordinanceadministrator,andZoning Staff.Thecommitteeprimarilymeetstoreviewsubdivisionplans,inregardtotheir individualdiscipline,priortothesubmittaltothePlanningBoard.Inaddition,proposed 54
changestovariouslanddevelopmentordinancesarediscussed,andmembersupdate oneanotherontheprojectsstatus. Againwehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategy.Howeverensuring enforcementofordinancesisanongoingprocess(unlikeastructuralmitigationproject thathasdefinitebeginningandendpoints).Thiswillbeanongoingstrategyforthe nextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 4.Educatethepublicregardinghazardmitigation. Thoughtherearemanymeasuresthatlocalgovernmentscantaketoprotectthehealth andsafetyoftheircitizens,propertyownersalsohavearesponsibilitytoprotecttheir homes,families,andbusinesses.Localgovernmentscanassistinthistaskbymaking hazardmitigationinformationavailabletothepublic. AportionoftheBuncombeCountywebsiteincludesdetailedinformationonhazard mitigation.TheCountyhasalsosuppliedhazardmitigationinformationforairingonthe BuncombeCountycabletelevisionchannel.TheBuncombeCountyEmergencyServices Officeparticipatesinvariouspubliceducationeventsmultipletimesperyear.Examples include:SevereWeatherAwarenessWeek,EmergencyPreparednessMonth,Fire PreventionWeekandothertimesasrequested.HazardMitigationinformationis includedinthesepresentations.VariousEmergencyServicesStaffareinvolvedinthese activitiesdependingonthespecifictopic. AspartofPlanningandDevelopmentstaffresponsibilityinenforcinglanddevelopment ordinances,variousgroupsaretargetedfordisseminatinginformation.Overthepast fewyears,informationhasbeensharedtotheHomebuildersAssociation;Womenin Constructiongroup;EngineersAssociation;MobileHomeAssociation;localschool groups;andothers.StaffattheSoilandWaterConservationDistrictworkwithproperty ownersandlocalfarmerseverydayonstreamprotectionandrestorationissues, informingthemonsiteaboutvariousmethodstoreducetheirimpactonwaterquality aswellasstreamchannelandflowchanges. StatusOngoing PublicEducationisacontinualprocess.Itisnotpossibletodesignasinglepublic educationcampaignofferedoveraspecifiedtimeperiodandconsiderthisstrategy completed.ThepopulationofBuncombeCountyiseverchanging.Aspeoplemovein andout,residentsage,businessescloseandnewonesopentheneedsandcomposition ofcommunitieschange.Thereforethiswillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfive yearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 55
5.Addresstheissuesofstormwatermanagementandimpervioussurfaces. Stormwatermanagementprogramscanbeanimportantstepinfloodanderosion control.Asdevelopmentoccurs,naturalgroundcoverisreplacedwithimpervious surfacessuchasstreets,parkinglots,andbuildings.Theresultisanincreaseinsurface runoffwhichcarriespollutantstobodiesofwater.Whenastormeventoccurs,heavy concentrationsofpollutantsmayresultalongwithfloodingofstreetsandwaterways. Stormwaterissurfaceflowwaterfromprecipitationthataccumulatesinandflows throughnaturaland/ormanmadestorageandconveyancesystemsduringand immediatelyfollowingastormevent.Asstormwatertravels,itcarriespollutantsto rivers,lakes,wetlands,andgroundwaters,impactingwaterquality.Poormanagement ofstormwatercanleadtoimpairedwaterbodies,degradedanimalhabitats,polluted drinkingwater,increasedflooding,andhydrologicchangestostreams,lakes,wetlands andrivers.(InformationderivedfromDesigningandImplementinganEffectiveStorm WaterManagementProgram,AmericanPublicWorksAssociation,underU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyagreement,1998). ThroughtheCleanWaterActof1972,increasedaccountabilityforprotectingwater qualitywasplacedonpollutantdischargers.TheActrequiredstatestosurveytheir watersanddetermineanappropriateuseforeach,andthensetspecificwaterquality criteriaforvariouspollutantstoprotectthoseuses.TheCleanWaterActalso introducedtheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES).TheNPDES programrequiresanyonedischargingapollutantfromapointsourceintowatersto obtainaNPDESpermit. TheCleanWaterActfocuswasonindustrialandmunicipalwastewater,orpointsource pollution.Stormwaterrunoffisnonpointsourcepollution.Newregulationsfromthe EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyincludeaddingstormwaterdischargesunderthe NPDESprogram.TheseregulationsarereferredtoastheEPAsPhaseIIRegulations. ThesenewrequirementsarethesecondphaseofanEPAmandatetocontrolstorm water.ThefirstphaseaffectedlargercitiesinNorthCarolina.Thesecondphase requiressmallermunicipalities,includingallsixwithinBuncombeCounty(Asheville, BiltmoreForest,BlackMountain,Montreat,Weaverville,andWoodfin),toimplement stormwatermanagementplans.Italsorequiressomecounties,includingBuncombe,to facecertainrequirements,aswell. TheEPAPhaseIIRegulationswereannouncedinDecember1999andrequirestatesto implementstormwatermanagementmethodsbyMarch2003.NorthCarolinas DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)ischargedwith implementingthefederalrequirementsinthestate.TheDivisionofWaterQualityin DENRisleadingtheeffort.Thereisstillsomequestionastowhetherornotcounties, sincetheytypicallydonotownoroperatethemunicipalstormsewersystems,aregoing tobechargedwithcarryingoutthesixrequiredcomponentsofthePhaseIIregulations. 56
Thesixrequiredcomponentsare: Publicinvolvement/participation Publiceducationandawarenessprograms Detectionandeliminationofillicitconnectionstothemunicipalseparatestormsewer systems(MS4s) Managementofpostconstructionstormwaterrunoff Constructionsitestormwaterrunoffcontrols Pollutionprevention/goodhousekeepingformunicipaloperations(publicfacilities) StatusAdoptionofordinanceanddevelopmentofSotrmwaterManagementProgram Complete.RefiningStormwaterManagementProgramandenforcementof regualtionsOngoing. TheStormwaterManagementordinanceinBuncombeCountywasenactedin2006. Theordinancemeetsstaterequirementsforwaterquality,whilealsoprovidingalevel ofprotectionforpropertyownersadjacenttodevelopmentagainstanincreaseinstorm waterrunoffinrateandvolume.Theordinanceappliestoalllanddisturbingactivityof oneacreorgreater,andtocommercialactivityonaparceloneacreormore. BuncombeCountyhiredandengineerandastormwatertechniciantoreviewplans, issuepermits,inspectsites,andtoenforceallrequirementsofthisordinance. InthecomingyearsBuncombeCountywillcontinuetoevaluateandrefineitsStorm waterManagementProgram.AddressingtheissuesofStormwatermanagementand impervioussurfaceswillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigation Planningcycle. 6.ContinueparticipationintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramandinvestigate participationintheNFIPsCommunityRatingsSystem. BuncombeCountyformallyadoptedthenewestFEMAfloodplainmapsontheeffective date,January6,2010.Duringthisprocess,theCountyalsoadopteditsrevisedFlood DamagePreventionOrdinance,basedonthestatesmodelordinanceandapprovedby theNCDivisionofEmergencyManagementFloodplainMappingSection.Thechanges totheOrdinanceincludeprohibitingnewhabitablestructuresinthefloodway;requiring elevationcertificatestobecompletedforstructuresbuiltinthe100yearfloodplain; increasingthefreeboardrequirementto2;andstrengtheningtheappealsandprotest procedures. EachofthemunicipalitiesparticipatesintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram. BuncombeCountyadministratestheFloodDamagePreventionOrdinancesforthe TownsofWeavervilleandWoodfin.TheCityofAsheville,andTownsofBlackMountain andBiltmoreForestadministratetheirordinancesindividually. 57
FloodDamagePreventionOrdinanceadministratorsinmostjurisdictionswithinthe CountyareCertifiedFloodplainManagers(CFM)andmustearncontinuingeducation creditsannuallytomaintaintheircertification.Thiscontinuedefforthelpstoensure thatouradministratorsareknowledgeableaboutchangesinregulationsandthatour OrdinancesareadministeredincompliancewithNFIPregulations. TheNationalFloodInsurancePrograms(NFIP)CommunityRatingSystem(CRS)was implementedin1990asaprogramforrecognizingandencouragingcommunityflood plainmanagementactivitiesthatexceedtheminimumNFIPstandards.UndertheCRS, floodinsurancepremiumratesareadjustedtoreflectthereducedfloodriskresulting fromcommunityactivitiesthatmeetthethreegoalsoftheCRS:(1)reducefloodlosses; (2)facilitateaccurateinsurancerating;and(3)promotetheawarenessofflood insurance(www.fema.gov/nfip/crs.htm).TheCRSrequirementsarerevisedeverythree years. StatusCRSparticipationDeferred.WordingofStrategyUpdated(Intheoriginal planthisstrategyreferencedonlyinvestigationofCRSrequirementsandnotcontinued participationintheNFIP). DuetotheremappingprocessthatoccurredfollowingthefloodsofSeptember2004 andtheproceduresandtimelinethatwerenecessaryfortheadoptionoftheupdated FloodInsuranceRateMaps,participationintheCommunityRatingsSystemwas deferredforfutureconsideration.BuncombeCountywillpursueCRSparticipation duringtheupcomingfiveyearplanningcycle. 7.Continuetocarryoutthehazardmitigationplanningprocessandseekfundingfor emergingneeds. Theidentificationanddevelopmentofthesemitigationstrategiesshouldnotbeviewed asaconclusionbutasonestepinacyclicalprocess.ThisHazardMitigationPlanisa documentthatwillcontinuetoevolveaschangesoccurinBuncombeCounty. Proceduresforthemonitoring,evaluation,update,andrevisionofthisplanaresetforth inthefinaltwosectionsofthisdocument.Inadditiontothestepsenumeratedtherein, thecontinuationofthehazardmitigationplanningprocessalsoincludesseekingout fundingsourcesforemergingneeds.Thepreparationofthisplanhasrevealedtheneed forimprovedoradditionalGISdatalayers(specificallyprojectedgrowthandbuilding footprints)aswellasamethodfordeterminingthepotentialdollarlossesfor governmentpropertiesandforfuturedevelopment.Fundingforupdatingstafftraining andcertification,aswellasequipment,isalsoaperpetualneedinourcurrentworldof rapidlychangingtechnology.Futureareasofneedcouldalsoincludeadditionalfunds forthepurchaseofrepetitivelossstructuresand/orotherstructureswithinthe floodplain,fundingforfinishedfloorelevationstudiesofuninsuredfloodplainstructures tofacilitatecost/benefitanalysisofpotentialacquisitionprojects,andthepurchaseof handheldGPSunitstoaidintheenforcementoftheErosionControlandFloodDamage 58
PreventionOrdinances.ResponsibilityforthiselementfallstostaffoftheEmergency ManagementandPlanningDepartmentsasneedsemerge. StatusOngoing Asadirectresultofthe2004floodsproducedbytheremnantsofTropicalStorm FrancesandHurricaneIvan,BuncombeCountyusedHazardMitigationGrantProgram andNorthCarolinaHurricaneRecoveryActfundingtopurchase17floodplainproperties (15.56acres)primarilyinCandlerandSwannanoa.HMGPandHRAfundingrequiredthe demolitionandremovalofallstructuresandimpervioussurfaces.Fundingconditions furtherrequiredthatdeedrestrictionsbeplacedoneachparceltoensurethatthe propertiesaremaintainedasopenspaceforperpetuity. ThisisanotherongoingstrategyfortheupcomingfivehearHazardMitigationplanning cycle.Currentfundingneedsarenotedinredinthefirstparagraphofthissection. Additionalneedswillberecordedastheyemerge. AdoptionandImplementation BuncombeCountysMultiJurisdictionhazardMitigationPlanreceivedFEMAapproval pendingadoptioninOctober2004.Eachjurisdictionformallyadoptedtheplan accordingtotheirstandardprocedures.Suchproceduresincludeprovidingnoticeofa publichearinginthelocalnewspaper,havingthedocumentavailableforreviewbythe public,holdingthepublichearing,andadoptingtheplanatthegoverningbodysnext meetingfollowingthepublichearing.Adoptionresolutionsfromeachjurisdictionare locatedinAppendixF.ThefiveyearPlanUpdateisbeingsubmittedforapproval pendingadoption.AdoptingthePlanUpdatepriortoitsapprovalcouldresultin multipleadoptionproceedingsif,uponreviewbyNCEMorFEMA,revisionstothe updatearenecessary.Submittingtheupdateforapprovalpendingadoptionprevents eachjurisdictionfromhavingtoconductadoptionproceedingsmultipletimes. 59
MonitoringandEvaluation Monitoringandevaluationaretheongoingprocessesofcompilinginformationonthe outcomesresultingfromimplementationofthehazardmitigationplan.Thisfacilitates theidentificationofrevisionsneededtorespondtochangesinregionalandlocal conditions.Localconditionsareconstantlychanging.Localmitigationplansmustalso changeinresponsetochangesbroughtaboutthroughincreaseddevelopment,changes intechnology,andchangesinlocalmitigationcapability.Thereisalsoavaluable windowofopportunityforevaluatingtheHazardMitigationPlanfollowinganatural disasterevent.Effectivemonitoringandevaluationwillalsoprovideinformationon localcompliancewithstateandfederalmandates(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigation PlanningManual,November1998). BuncombeCountysEmergencyManagementPlanner,alongwiththeHazardMitigation PlanEvaluationandRevisionCommitteedescribedinthefollowingsectionofthis document,willevaluatetheplanbasedonthefollowingcriteria: Dothegoalsandobjectivesaddresscurrentandexpectedconditions? Hasthenatureormagnitudeorriskschanged? Arethecurrentresourcesappropriateforimplementingtheplan? Arethereimplementationproblems,suchastechnical,political,legalorcoordination issueswithotheragencies? Havetheoutcomesoccurredasexpected? Didtheagenciesandotherpartnersparticipateintheplanandplanningprocessas proposed? DuringthePlanUpdatehazardeventsforthepastfiveyearswerereviewedand incorporatedintotheHazardIdentificationandRiskAnalysis.MitigationStrategies wereimplemented,evaluated,andrevised,ifnecessary,astheywerecarriedout.See priorsectionsforindividualmitigationstrategiesfordetailsofevaluation. 60
PlanReview,UpdatesandRevisions Duetounforeseencontingenciesandchangingtimesandconditions,Updateand Revisionisanecessarypartofthehazardmitigationplanningprocess.Updates addresschangesthathavetakenplaceinthelocalareasincetheplanwascreatedand adopted.Suchchangesmayincludeadditionaldevelopment,implementationof mitigationefforts,theoccurrenceofanaturaldisaster,orchangestostateorfederal regulationsandrequirements(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual, November1998). WhileMonitoringandEvaluationareongoingprocesses,UpdateandRevision shouldoccuratregularlyscheduledintervals.PlanReviewwilloccurannuallyaswellas partofadebriefingfollowingtheoccurrenceofadisasterevent.AHazardMitigation PlanEvaluationandRevisionCommitteeshouldbeestablishedtoincludetheCounty DirectorofEmergencyManagement,theEmergencyManagementPlanner,anda representativefromeithertheAdministrationorPlanningDepartmentfromtheCounty andeachincorporatedjurisdiction.ThiscommitteewillreviewtheHazardMitigation Planaminimumofonetimeperyearormoreoftenifchangingconditionssodictate. FEMAplanningcriteriastatethattheplanmustundergoUpdateandRevisioneveryfive years.TheHazardMitigationPlanEvaluationandRevisioncommitteewillformally updateandrevisetheplanaminimumofonceeveryfiveyears.Thesecommittee meetingswillbeopentothepublicandpublicparticipationintheupdateandrevision oftheHazardMitigationPlanwillbeencouraged.
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CityofAshevilleHazardIdentification&Analysis TheCityofAshevilleconcurswithBuncombeCountysHazardIdentification&Analysis describedpreviouslyinthisdocument. CityofAshevilleTechnical&FiscalCapability TheCityofAshevilleFireDepartmentcoordinatesallresourceneedsrequiredduringa disasterthroughBuncombeCountyEmergencyManagement.TheCityofAsheville maintainsaComprehensiveEmergencyManagementPlanfortheCityofAshevillethat dovetailsandispartofBuncombeCountysplan.Damageassessmentiscoordinated throughtheFireandBuildingSafetyDepartments.Fire,BuildingSafety,Engineering, andFinanceDepartmentswillforwardalldamagereportstoBuncombeCounty EmergencyManagement.ThereportsareforwardedasaspreadsheetthatBuncombe CountyEmergencyManagementcanusetocollectthedataneededforaCounty declarationofemergencyortorequestastateorfederaldeclarationofemergencyfor assistance. AshevilleParksandRecreationcoordinateswiththeFireDepartmentshelteropenings andemergencyfeedingofvictimsafteradisaster.TheCitysplaniscoordinatedwith BuncombeCountyEmergencyManagement.TheFireDepartmentcoordinates evacuationofvictimsduringanemergency.TheCityofAshevillemaintainssome disastersuppliesbutreliesontheAsheville/MountainAreaRedCross.The ComprehensiveEmergencyManagementPlanfortheCityofAshevilleisupdated annuallyandexercisedannually.TheEmergencyPlansetsforthfunctional responsibilitieswithinthevariousdepartmentstoensurepromptemergencyresponse anddeliveryofnecessaryservices.ThedecisiontoactivatetheEmergencyPlanisa tieredprocessbeginningwiththeresponsibledepartmentandfinallywiththeCity ManagerandMayor.AlistofresourcesavailablefromwithinthedifferingCity Departmentsthatwouldbeavailableintheeventofadisasterismaintainedand updatedannually.ThislistiskeptasaresourcemanualfortheCityofAshevilleinthe ComprehensiveEmergencyManagementPlanfortheCityofAshevilleasAnnexI TheCityofAshevilleFireDepartmentisacareerdepartmentstaffedentirelywithpaid personnel.TheDepartmenthasthreeshiftscommandedbyaDivisionChief.TheCityis dividedintotwobattalionswithaBattalionChiefassignedtoeachbattaliononallthree shifts.MostdepartmentpersonnelarecertifiedasFirefighterII,HazardousMaterials Operations,andRescueTechnicianI.Inaddition,thedepartmentmaintainsaminimum numberofpersonneloneachshiftcertifiedandtrainedasAquaticRescueTechnician, HazardousMaterialsTechnician,HazardousMaterialsSpecialist,ConfinedSpace,High Angle,FireandLifeSafetyEducator,FireOfficer,DriverOperator,andotherspecialized fireandrescuecertificationsandtraining.ManyoftheEmergencyResponseBranch personnelareFireInspectionLevelIcertifiedwhiletheFireMarshalDivisionpersonnel, DivisionChiefs,AssistantChiefs,andFireChiefareencouragedtomaintainaFire 63
InspectionIIIcertificate.AllpersonnelmustbeEmergencyMedicalTechnician certifiedbyNorthCarolinaOfficeofEmergencyMedicalService.Thedepartmenthas 237certifiedpersonnelforresponse. TheAshevilleFireandRescueDepartmentprovidesservicestotheTownofBiltmore ForestandAshevilleSuburbanFireDistrictthroughcontractswiththeTownofBiltmore ForestandBuncombeCounty,respectively. CityofAshevilleHazardMitigationStrategy Mitigationstrategiesshouldbedevelopedonacasebycasebasisforeachlocalityto reflectlocalconditions,needs,anddesires.Basedonidentificationofthemost significanthazardsfacingCityofAshevilleanditsincorporatedjurisdictions,alongwith vulnerabilityandcapabilityassessments,thefollowingmitigationstrategiesare suggested: 1.Incorporatehazardmitigationintotheplanningprocessofeachjurisdiction. Aspreviouslystated,thegoalsandprinciplesofhazardmitigationoftencutacrossmany aspectsofthepublicinterest.Becauseofthis,manyofthepoliciesandprocedures reviewedduringtheCommunityCapabilityAssessmentalreadyhavepositivesteps towardhazardmitigation.Thenextstepistomakeaconsciousefforttointegrate hazardmitigationintotheplanningprocessofeachjurisdiction.Inordertoeducatethe Administration,Engineering,Fire,BuildingSafetyandPlanningDepartmentsofeach jurisdictionabouttheimportanceofhazardmitigation,arepresentativefromoneof thosefivedepartmentsfromeachjurisdictionwillserveonacommitteetoreviewthe completeddraftoftheHazardMitigationPlanpriortoitsadoption.Thiscommitteewill alsoincludetheCountysDirectorofEmergencyManagementandEmergency ManagementPlanner.ThisgroupofpeoplewillthenevolveintotheHazardMitigation PlanEvaluationandRevisionCommitteetobediscussedlaterinthesectionUpdates andRevisions.Additionally,eachjurisdictionwillbeprovidedwithresourcesdiscussing hazardmitigationconceptssuchastheNorthCarolinaDivisionofEmergency ManagementsTools&Techniques:PuttingaHazardMitigationPlantoWork(October, 1999)andKeepingNaturalHazardsFromBecomingDisasters:ABasicWorkbookfor LocalGovernments(May,2000).ThesepublicationsareonfilewiththeEmergency ManagementDivisionforreference. TheStormwaterServicesManagerisresponsibleforrepresentingtheCityofAshevilles PublicWorksDepartment.AssistantFireChiefortheirdesigneeisresponsiblefor representingtheCityofAshevillesFireDepartment.Thishasalreadybeen implemented. StatusOngoing 64
TheCityofAshevilleinBuncombeCountywillcontinuetointegratehazardmitigationin toitsplanningprocesses.ThiswillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazard MitigationPlanningcycle. 2.Evaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded. TheevaluationofpoliciesandordinancesfortheCommunityCapabilitysectionofthis documentprovidedvaluableinformationonCityofAshevillespositionintermsof existingmitigationplanning.However,localconditionsareconstantlychangingdueto increaseddevelopment,changesintechnology,changesinlocalmitigationcapabilities, ornaturaldisasterevents.Itisbecauseoftheseeverchangingconditionsthat evaluationmustbeanongoingprocess.Therefore,theinitialCommunityCapability Assessmentshouldbeviewedasastartingpointratherthananendresult.Because theseconditionsdonotchangeatregularintervals,itisdifficulttoestablishatimeline dictatinghowoftenordinancesandpoliciesshouldbereviewed.Thephraseas neededshouldbeinterpretedasanytimethecommunityexperiencesasignificant changeinconditionssuchasrapiddevelopmentortechnologicalchange.Appropriate timesforevaluationalsooccurwhenlocalofficialsnoticetheeffectsofapatternof slower,butsteady,changesovertime.Finally,thebestwindowofopportunityfor policyevaluationmaycomefollowinganaturaldisasterevent.Thisiswhenyoucan trulydiscernthepolicieseffectiveness. Forexample,CityofAshevillerecentlyreviseditsFloodhazardordinance.Thechanges totheFloodhazardordinanceincludedstrengtheningrequirementsintheunnumbered Azones.Suchrequirementsareintendedtoimprovesafetywhenbuildingstructures intheareasidentifiedaszoneAontheFEMAFIRMmaps.Thisordinancewas adoptedbyCityCouncilonMarch12,2002.Acopyoftheordinanceislocatedin AppendixFattheendofthisdocument. Also,theInternationalBuildingCodesandFireCodewereadoptedbyNorthCarolina andtheCityofAshevillefornewconstruction.TheInternationalBuildingCodehasan appendixonfloodregulationsbutithastobeadoptedbyeachmunicipalitytobeable toenforcethissection.SincetheCityofAshevillesEngineeringDepartmenthasthe responsibilitytoenforcetheFloodOrdinancewhichislocatedintheUnified DevelopmentOrdinanceitwasnotnecessarytoadopttheIBCatthistime. TheDirectorofPublicWorksisresponsibleforrepresentingtheCityofAshevillesPublic WorksDepartment.TheFireChiefisresponsibleforrepresentingtheCityofAshevilles FireDepartment.TheChiefCodeEnforcementOfficerisresponsibleforrepresentingthe BuildingSafetyDepartment.ThePlanningDirectorwillberesponsibleforthePlanning Department.Thishasalreadybeenimplementedandwearereportingdataaboutand revisionsofenforcementofordinances. StatusOngoing 65
TheCityofAshevillehasadoptedtheInternationalBuildingCodesandFireCodesas approvedbytheStateofNorthCarolina.TheCityisworkingonsteepslopeordinances alongwithfloodcontrolordinancesandthestormwaterordinance.Theerosion controlrequirementshelptopreventhazardssuchaslandandrockslidesandensure sitestability. WhilewehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategytheCityofAshevillewill continuetoevaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded.Thiswillbeanon goingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 3.Ensureenforcementofordinances. Developingsound,strongordinancesisonlythebeginning.Thesepoliciesareonly effectiveiftheyareconsistentlyenforced.Atrackingsystemhasbeendevelopedinthe CityofAshevilletoensurethattheordinancesarebeingenforcedconsistently.TheCity ofAshevillewillmovedalldevelopmentdepartmentpersonnelwhoreviewandinspect newconstructionintothePublicWorksbuildingat161SouthCharlotteStreeton September1,2009.Thiswillallowallplanstobereviewedforcodeandordinance consistencybenefitingthecustomerandassuringcompatibilityoftheordinanceswith appropriatecodes. StatusProcessdevelopmentandimplementationComplete.EnforcementOn going. TheCityofAshevilleTechnicalReviewCommittee.Committeemembersincludethe following:Planning,FireMarshal,ErosionControlofficer,Stormwaterengineer, BuildingPermitsandInspections,Floodplainordinanceadministrator,andZoningStaff. Thecommitteeprimarilymeetstoreviewplans,inregardtotheirindividualdiscipline, priortothesubmittaltotheZoningBoard.Inaddition,proposedchangestovarious landdevelopmentordinancesarediscussed,andmembersupdateonanotheron projectsstatus. ThisinformationistrackedintheCityofAshevilleDevelopmentServicesCenter comprehensivecomputerdatabaseusingtheHTENavLinesystemforapprovalsand denials.Agencieshavetoapproveaprojectbeforeaconstructionpermitisissued. DenialofaprojectrequireschangesbythedevelopertomeetCityordinanceswithout specialapprovalbytheCityCouncil. Wehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategy.Howeverensuring enforcementofordinancesisanongoingprocess.Thiswillbeanongoingstrategyfor thenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 66
4.Educatethepublicregardinghazardmitigation. Thoughtherearemanymeasuresthatlocalgovernmentscantaketoprotectthehealth andsafetyoftheircitizens,propertyownersalsohavearesponsibilitytoprotecttheir homes,families,andbusinesses.Localgovernmentscanassistinthistaskbymaking hazardmitigationinformationavailabletothepublic. BuncombeCountymaintainsaportionofthewebsitethatincludesdetailed informationonhazardmitigation.TheCountyhasalsosuppliedhazardmitigation informationforairingontheCountysGovernmentAccesscabletelevisionchannel.The CityofAshevillejurisdictioniswithintheCountyandhasitsownwebsiteandcould includesimilarinformationonthissiteorincludealinktotheCountyssite.TheCityof Ashevillecurrentlymaintainsalocalgovernmentinformationtelevisionchannel availabletothecabletelevisionchannelalongwiththeCityofAshevillemaintainedweb sitetogetinformationtothecitizens. ThePublicRelationsPersonwillberesponsibleforthisitem.TheCityofAshevilleis reportingdataaboutthis. StatusOngoing TheCityofAshevilleisapartofBuncombeCounty.TheCitydoesmultipleeducation outreachprogramsonchangestotheCityordinancesandenforcement.Weuse multiplestrategiessuchastelevision,radioPSAannouncements,printpublicationssuch asthelocalnewspaper,theCityoperatedtelevisionchanneloncableTV,andopen meetingswithcitizeninputtogettheinformationtothemembersofthecommunity. PublicEducationisacontinualprocess.Itisnotpossibletodesignasinglepublic educationcampaignofferedoveraspecifiedtimeperiodandconsiderthisstrategy completed.ThepopulationoftheCityofAshevilleiseverchanging.Aspeoplemovein andout,residentsage,businessescloseandnewonesopentheneedsandcomposition ofcommunitieschange.Thereforethiswillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfive yearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 5.Addresstheissuesofstormwatermanagementandimpervioussurfaces. Byimplementingastormwatermanagementprograms,floodingcanbereduced,offsite sedimentationcanbepreventedbyrequiringadequateerosioncontrolmeasuresand thestormwatermeasurescanreducepollutantsfromenteringstreams.As developmentoccurs,naturalgroundcoverisreplacedwithimpervioussurfacessuchas streets,parkinglots,andbuildings.Theresultisanincreaseinsurfacerunoffwhich carriespollutantstobodiesofwater.Whenastormeventoccurs,concentrationsof pollutantsmayresultalongwithfloodingofstreetsandwaterways.Stormwateris surfaceflowwaterfromprecipitationthataccumulatesinandflowsthroughnatural 67
and/ormanmadestorageandconveyancesystemsduringandimmediatelyfollowinga stormevent.Asstormwatertravels,itcarriespollutantstorivers,lakes,wetlands,and groundwaters,impactingwaterquality.Poormanagementofstormwatercanleadto impairedwaterbodies,degradedanimalhabitats,polluteddrinkingwater,increased flooding,andhydrologicchangestostreams,lakes,wetlandsandrivers.(Information derivedfromDesigningandImplementinganEffectiveStormWaterManagement Program,AmericanPublicWorksAssociation,underU.S.EnvironmentalProtection Agencyagreement,1998). ThroughtheCleanWaterActof1972,increasedaccountabilityforprotectingwater qualitywasplacedonpollutantdischargers.TheActrequiredstatestosurveytheir watersanddetermineanappropriateuseforeach,andthensetspecificwaterquality criteriaforvariouspollutantstoprotectthoseuses.TheCleanWaterActalso introducedtheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES).TheNPDES programrequiresanyonedischargingapollutantfromapointsourceintowatersto obtainaNPDESpermit.ThesemustbeobtainedfromtheDivisionofWaterQuality. TheCleanWaterActfocuswasonindustrialandmunicipalwastewater,orpointsource pollution.Stormwaterrunoffisnonpointsourcepollution.Newregulationsfromthe EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyincludeaddingstormwaterdischargesunderthe NPDESprogram.TheseregulationsarereferredtoastheEPAsPhaseIIRegulations. TheCityofAshevillebecameaNPDESPhaseIIprograminJuly1,2005.Thesenew requirementsarethesecondphaseofanEPAmandatetocontrolstormwater.Thefirst phaseaffectedlargercitiesinNorthCarolina.Thesecondphaserequiressmaller municipalities,includingallsixwithinBuncombeCounty(Asheville,BiltmoreForest, BlackMountain,Montreat,Weaverville,andWoodfin),toimplementstormwater managementplans.Italsorequiressomecounties,includingBuncombe,tofacecertain requirements,aswell. TheEPAPhaseIIRegulationswereannouncedinDecember1999andrequirestatesto implementstormwatermanagementmethodsbyMarch2003.NorthCarolinas DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)ischargedwith implementingthefederalrequirementsinthestate.TheDivisionofWaterQualityin DENRisleadingtheeffort.Thereisstillsomequestionastowhetherornotcounties, sincetheytypicallydonotownoroperatethemunicipalstormsewersystems,aregoing tobechargedwithcarryingoutthesixrequiredcomponentsofthePhaseIIregulations. 68
Thesixrequiredcomponentsare: Publicinvolvement/participation Publiceducationandawarenessprograms Detectionandeliminationofillicitconnectionstothemunicipalseparatestorm sewersystems(MS4s) Managementofpostconstructionstormwaterrunoff Constructionsitestormwaterrunoffcontrols Pollutionprevention/goodhousekeepingformunicipaloperations(publicfacilities) TheCityofAshevillevoluntarilyhashadaStormwatermanagementprogramsinceJuly 1,1994.OnJuly1,2009,theCitywasdelegatedasaStormwaterPhaseIIprogram undertheNPDESprogram.TheCityofAshevilleadoptedthestormwaterordinanceon August21,2007,whichrequiresbothqualityandquantitycomponentsofstormwater controlfordevelopment.TheStatesentcommentstomunicipalitiesinlateOctoberfor theirreviewandcomments.TheCityofAsheville(NCS000435)madeafewcomments andsubmittedthembacktothestatewithinthespecifiedtimeframe.Thepermitshall becomeeffectiveJanuary1,2004unlessotherwiseinstructed. TheDirectorofPublicWorkswillberesponsibleforthisitem. StatusPhaseIIUpdateofordinanceandSotrmwaterManagementProgram Complete.RefiningStormwaterManagementProgramandenforcementofregualtions Ongoing. TheStormwaterManagementPhaseIIordinanceintheCityofAshevillewasupgraded July1,2009.Theordinancemeetsstaterequirementsforwaterquality,whilealso providingalevelofprotectionforpropertyownersadjacenttodevelopmentagainstan increaseinstormwaterrunoffinrateandvolume.TheCityofAshevillehasa stormwatertechniciantoreviewplans,issuepermits,inspectsites,andtoenforceall requirementsofthisordinance. AddressingtheissuesofStormwatermanagementandimpervioussurfaceswillbean ongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle.
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6.OnceHazardMitigationPlanisadopted,investigateparticipationintheNational FloodInsuranceProgramsCommunityRatingsSystem. TheNationalFloodInsurancePrograms(NFIP)CommunityRatingSystem(CRS)was implementedin1990asaprogramforrecognizingandencouragingcommunityflood plainmanagementactivitiesthatexceedtheminimumNFIPstandards.UndertheCRS, floodinsurancepremiumratesareadjustedtoreflectthereducedfloodriskresulting fromcommunityactivitiesthatmeetthethreegoalsoftheCRS:(1)reducefloodlosses; (2)facilitateaccurateinsurancerating;and(3)promotetheawarenessofflood insurance(www.fema.gov/nfip/crs.htm).TheCRSrequirementsarerevisedeverythree years.TherewillbenewCRScriteriainplacefor2002.Thenewcriteriamayinclude givingCRScreditformultihazardmitigationplanning.Thisactivitywillbecoordinated throughtheCitysfloodhazardprogram.TheCityofAshevillewillbeworkingwiththe CRSrepresentativestohavetheCityintroducedintothisprogramassoonaspossible. ThePublicRelationsPersonwillberesponsibleforthisitem. StatusOngoing. TheCityofAshevilleparticipatesintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgram. Thiscontinuedefforthelpstoensurethatouradministratorsareknowledgeableabout changesinregulations,andthatourOrdinancesareadministeredincompliancewith NFIPregulations. 7.Continuetocarryoutthehazardmitigationplanningprocessandseekfundingfor emergingneeds. Theidentificationanddevelopmentofthesemitigationstrategiesshouldnotbeviewed asaconclusionbutasonestepinacyclicalprocess.ThisHazardMitigationPlanisa documentthatwillcontinuetoevolveaschangesoccurinCityofAsheville.Procedures forthemonitoring,evaluation,update,andrevisionofthisplanaresetforthinthefinal twosectionsofthisdocument.Inadditiontothestepsenumeratedtherein,the continuationofthehazardmitigationplanningprocessalsoincludesseekingoutfunding sourcesforemergingneeds.Fundingforupdatingstafftrainingandcertification,aswell asequipment,isalsoaperpetualneedinourcurrentworldofrapidlychanging technology.Futureareasofneedcouldalsoincludeadditionalfundsforthepurchaseof repetitivelossstructuresand/orotherstructureswithinthefloodplain,fundingfor elevationstudiesofZoneAfloodplainproperties,andthepurchaseofhandheldGPS unitstoaidintheenforcementoftheErosionControlandFloodDamagePrevention Ordinances. ForPart7,variouspersonswillberesponsiblesincetheyareresponsibleforcontinuing toupdatetheirportionoftheordinancesthatapplytotheCityofAsheville.ThePublic WorksDirectorisresponsibleforrepresentingtheCityofAshevillesPublicWorks 70
Department.TheFireChiefisresponsibleforrepresentingtheCityofAshevillesFire Department.TheChiefCodeEnforcementOfficerisresponsibleforrepresentingthe BuildingSafetyDepartment.ThePlanningDirectorwillberesponsibleforthePlanning Department.Thishasalreadybeenimplementedandwewouldbereportingdataas revised. StatusOngoing The2004floodsproducedbytheremnantsofTropicalStormFrancesandHurricane Ivan,theCityofAshevillethroughBuncombeCountyusedHazardMitigationGrant ProgramandNorthCarolinaHurricaneRecoveryActfundingtopurchasefloodplain propertiesalongtheSwannanoaRiver.HMGPandHRAfundingrequiredthe demolitionandremovalofallstructuresandimpervioussurfaces.Fundingconditions furtherrequiredthatdeedrestrictionsbeplacedoneachparceltoensurethatthe propertiesaremaintainedasopenspaceforperpetuity.Thisworkhasbeencompleted ThisisanotherongoingstrategyfortheupcomingfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanning cycle. AdoptionandImplementation TheHazardMitigationPlanReviewCommittee,asdescribedinHazardMitigation Strategy1,willreviewacompleteddraftoftheplanandrecommendanyneeded revisions.ThedraftoftheCountysHazardMitigationPlanwillthenbesubmittedtothe NorthCarolinaDivisionofEmergencyManagementMitigationBranchforapproval.If NCDEMmandateschangestheReviewCommitteewillmeetinordertoimplement NCDEMrecommendations.OnceNCDEMhasapprovedadraftoftheplaneach jurisdictionwillbeaskedtoadopttheplanaccordingtotheirstandardprocedures.Such proceduresincludeprovidingnoticeofapublichearinginthelocalnewspaper,having thedocumentavailableforreviewbythepublic,holdingthepublichearing,and adoptingtheplanatthegoverningbodysnextmeetingfollowingthepublichearing. 71
MonitoringandEvaluation Monitoringandevaluationaretheongoingprocessesofcompilinginformationonthe outcomesresultingfromimplementationofthehazardmitigationplan.Thisfacilitates theidentificationofrevisionsneededtorespondtochangesinregionalandlocal conditions.Localconditionsareconstantlychanging.Localmitigationplansmustalso changeinresponsetochangesbroughtaboutthroughincreaseddevelopment,changes intechnology,andchangesinlocalmitigationcapability.Thereisalsoavaluable windowofopportunityforevaluatingtheHazardMitigationPlanfollowinganatural disasterevent.Effectivemonitoringandevaluationwillalsoprovideinformationon localcompliancewithstateandfederalmandates(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigation PlanningManual,November1998). UpdatesandRevisions Duetounforeseencontingenciesandchangingtimesandconditions,Updateand Revisionisanecessarypartofthehazardmitigationplanningprocess.Updates addresschangesthathavetakenplaceinthelocalareasincetheplanwascreatedand adopted.Suchchangesmayincludeadditionaldevelopment,implementationof mitigationefforts,theoccurrenceofanaturaldisaster,orchangestostateorfederal regulationsandrequirements(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual, November1998). WhileMonitoringandEvaluationareongoingprocesses,UpdateandRevision shouldoccuratregularlyscheduledintervals,atleasteveryfiveyears,andaspartofa debriefingfollowingtheoccurrenceofadisasterevent.(Note:ThecityofAsheville partneringwithBuncombeCountyandBlackMountainiscurrentlydevelopingaflood riskmanagementplanfortheSwannanoaRiverWatershed)AHazardMitigationPlan EvaluationandRevisionCommitteeshouldbeestablishedtoincludetheCounty DirectorofEmergencyManagement,theEmergencyManagementPlanner,anda representativefromeithertheAdministrationorPlanningDepartmentfromtheCounty andeachincorporatedjurisdiction.ThiscommitteewillreviewandupdatetheHazard MitigationPlanaminimumofonetimeperyearormoreoftenifchangingconditionsso dictate.NewfloodplanmapswereadoptedJanuaryof2010.
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TownofBiltmoreForestTechnical&FiscalCapability BiltmoreForestisanincorporatedTowngovernedbyaMayorandthreememberBoard ofCommissioners.TheBoardofCommissionersappointsaTownAdministrator.The MayorandBoardofCommissionersarechoseneverytwoyearsinnonpartisan elections.TheCommissionerssetpolicy,determinetheTownbudgetandsetproperty taxrates.TheTownAdministrator,withtheassistanceoftheStaffandBoard,prepares andrecommendstheannualbudget.TheTownAdministratorisalsoresponsiblefor programdevelopmentandpersonnelmanagement. TheTownofBiltmoreForestisservedbytheBiltmoreForestPoliceDepartment(BFPD). BFPDpersonnelwouldbethefirstrespondersintheeventofadisaster.TheBFPDis staffedby9fulltimepaidofficerswith2officersservingeach12hourshift. FireProtectionisprovidedviacontractwiththeAshevilleFireDepartmentand emergencymedicalservice(EMS)isprovidedbyBuncombeCounty. AlthoughtheTownofBiltmoreForestmaintainsitsownEmergencyPreparednessPlan, BuncombeCountyEmergencyManagementcoordinatesallresourceneedsrequired duringadisaster. TheTowngenerallyreliesontheAsheville/MountainAreaRedCrossasthedesignated emergencyshelteroperatorforBuncombeCounty.TheTownmaintainstheTowns EmergencyPreparednessPlanandotherplansasneeded.Thedecisiontoactivatethe EmergencyPreparednessPlanrestswiththeTownAdministrator,DirectorofPublic Worksordesignee.TheEmergencyPreparednessPlanisgenerallyupdatedevery2 years.. UtilityServiceisprovidedby: Electricity ProgressEnergy Telephone AT&T Water RegionalWaterAuthorityofAsheville Sewer MetropolitanSewerageDistrict NaturalGas PublicServiceCompanyofNorthCarolina InadditionasmallnumberofresidentsofBiltmoreforesthavewellsandsepticsystems asopposedtowaterservicefromtheRegionalWaterauthorityandmunicipalsewer service. 73
TownofBiltmoreForestHazardMitigationStrategy 1.Incorporatehazardmitigationintotheplanningprocessofeachjurisdiction. Aspreviouslystated,thegoalsandprinciplesofhazardmitigationoftencutacrossmany aspectsofthepublicinterest.Becauseofthis,manyofthepoliciesandprocedures reviewedduringtheCommunityCapabilityAssessmentwerealreadypositivesteps towardhazardmitigation.Thenextstepistomakeaconsciousefforttointegrate hazardmitigationintotheplanningprocessofeachjurisdiction.Inordertoeducatethe AdministrationandPlanningDepartmentsofeachjurisdictionabouttheimportanceof hazardmitigation,arepresentativefromoneofthosetwodepartmentsfromeach jurisdictionwillserveonacommitteetoreviewthecompleteddraftoftheHazard MitigationPlanpriortoitsadoption.ThiscommitteewillalsoincludetheCountys DirectorofEmergencyManagementandtheEmergencyManagementPlanner.This groupofpeoplewillthenevolveintotheHazardMitigationPlanEvaluationandRevision CommitteetobediscussedlaterinthesectionUpdatesandRevisions.Additionally, eachjurisdictionwillbeprovidedwithresourcesdiscussinghazardmitigationconcepts suchastheNorthCarolinaDivisionofEmergencyManagementsTools&Techniques: PuttingaHazardMitigationPlantoWork(October,1999)andKeepingNaturalHazards FromBecomingDisasters:ABasicWorkbookforLocalGovernments(May,2000).The EmergencyManagementPlannerwillberesponsibleforcoordinatingthiscommittee. ThecommitteewillbeformedandfunctionalpriortoJanuary1,2005.TheAssistantto theTownAdministratorwillserveonthiscommitteefortheTownofBiltmoreForest. StatusOngoing UponreceiptofFEMAapproval,theTownindependentlyadoptedtheBuncombe CountyHazardMitigationPlan.TheTownupdatesstrategyofincorporatinghazard mitigationintoitsplanningprocessesasevidencedinupdatestotheHazardMitigation Strategy. Whilewehavemadestridesinimplementingthisstrategy,theTownwillcontinueto integratehazardmitigationintoitsplanningprocesses.Thiswillbeanongoingstrategy forthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningCycle. 2.Evaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded. TheevaluationofpoliciesandordinancesfortheCommunityCapabilitysectionofthis documentprovidedvaluableinformationonBiltmoreForestanditsincorporated jurisdictionspositionintermsofexistingmitigationplanning.However,localconditions areconstantlychangingduetoincreaseddevelopment,changesintechnology,changes inlocalmitigationcapabilities,ornaturaldisasterevents.Itisbecauseoftheseever changingconditionsthatevaluationmustbeanongoingprocess.Therefore,theinitial CommunityCapabilityAssessmentshouldbeviewedasastartingpointratherthanan 74
endresult.Becausetheseconditionsdonotchangeatregularintervals,itisdifficultto establishatimelinedictatinghowoftenordinancesandpoliciesshouldbereviewed. Thephraseasneededshouldbeinterpretedasanytimethecommunityexperiences asignificantchangeinconditionssuchasrapiddevelopmentortechnologicalchange. Appropriatetimesforevaluationalsooccurwhenlocalofficialsnoticetheeffectsofa patternofslower,butsteady,changesovertime.Finally,thebestwindowof opportunityforpolicyevaluationmaycomefollowinganaturaldisasterevent.Thisis whenyoucantrulydiscernthepolicieseffectiveness.SinceJanuary2005,two significantordinanceshavebeenadopted.ThesearetheStormwaterManagement OrdinanceandtheFloodDamagePreventionOrdinance.TheStormwaterPrevention OrdinancewaspresentedtotheBiltmoreForestBoardofCommissionersonMay8, 2007andadoptedatthatmeeting.TheFloodDamagePreventionOrdinancewas presentedtotheBiltmoreForestBoardofCommissionersonNovember10,2009and adoptedatthatmeeting. Whilewehavemadesignificantstridesinimplementingthisstrategy,theTownwill continuetoevaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded.Thiswillbean ongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningCycle. 3.Ensureenforcementofordinances. Developingsound,strongordinancesisonlythebeginning.Thesepoliciesareonly effectiveiftheyareconsistentlyenforced.Atrackingsystemshouldbedevelopedto ensureconsistencyinenforcement.Suchasystemshouldincludedataonthenumber ofplansacceptedandrejectedandthenumberofwarningandcitationsissued. BiltmoreForestdesignatestheBiltmoreForestZoningAdministratortoberesponsible forenforcingordinances.Alldesigneesshouldreportthisinformationtothe EmergencyManagementPlanner(orotherCountydesignee)onayearlybasis.This processhasbeenestablishedandisfunctioning. StatusOngoing Againwehavemadesignificantstridesinimplementingthisstrategy.Ensuring enforcementofordinancesisanongoingprocess(unlikeastructuralmitigationproject thathasdefinitebeginningandendpoints).Thestrategyistobeongoingforthenext fiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningCycle. 75
4.Educatethepublicregardinghazardmitigation. Thoughtherearemanymeasuresthatlocalgovernmentscantaketoprotectthehealth andsafetyoftheircitizens,propertyownersalsohavearesponsibilitytoprotecttheir homes,families,andbusinesses.Localgovernmentscanassistinthistaskbymaking hazardmitigationinformationavailabletothepublic.TheTownAdministratorandthe AssistanttotheTownAdministratorwillberesponsibleforeducatingthepublicthrough newsletters,specialalertsandothermeansasnecessary.Inaddition,theOrdinances, enforcedbytheTownofBiltmoreForestandBuncombeCountywillbeplacedonthe Townswebsite. StatusOngoing WefindthatPublicEducationisacontinualprocessanditisnotpossibletodesigna singlepubliceducationcampaignoveraspecifiedperiodandconsiderthisstrategy completed.ThepopulationofBiltmoreForestiseverchanging.Aspeoplemoveinand out,residentsage,businessescloseandnewonesopen,theneedsandcompositionof communitieschange.Thustherewillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyear HazardMitigationPlanningCycle. 5.Addresstheissuesofstormwatermanagementandimpervioussurfaces. Stormwatermanagementprogramscanbeanimportantstepinfloodanderosion control.Asdevelopmentoccurs,naturalgroundcoverisreplacedwithimpervious surfacessuchasstreets,parkinglots,andbuildings.Theresultisanincreaseinsurface runoffwhichcarriespollutantstobodiesofwater.Whenastormeventoccurs,heavy concentrationsofpollutantsmayresultalongwithfloodingofstreetsandwaterways. Stormwaterissurfaceflowwaterfromprecipitationthataccumulatesinandflows throughnaturaland/ormanmadestorageandconveyancesystemsduringand immediatelyfollowingastormevent.Asstormwatertravels,itcarriespollutantsto rivers,lakes,wetlands,andgroundwaters,impactingwaterquality.Poormanagement ofstormwatercanleadtoimpairedwaterbodies,degradedanimalhabitats,polluted drinkingwater,increasedflooding,andhydrologicchangestostreams,lakes,wetlands andrivers.(InformationderivedfromDesigningandImplementinganEffectiveStorm WaterManagementProgram,AmericanPublicWorksAssociation,underU.S. EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyagreement,1998). ThroughtheCleanWaterActof1972,increasedaccountabilityforprotectingwater qualitywasplacedonpollutantdischargers.TheActrequiredstatestosurveytheir watersanddetermineanappropriateuseforeach,andthensetspecificwaterquality criteriaforvariouspollutantstoprotectthoseuses.TheCleanWaterActalso introducedtheNationalPollutantDischargeEliminationSystem(NPDES).TheNPDES programrequiresanyonedischargingapollutantfromapointsourceintowatersto obtainaNPDESpermit. 76
TheCleanWaterActfocuswasonindustrialandmunicipalwastewater,orpointsource pollution.Stormwaterrunoffisnonpointsourcepollution.Newregulationsfromthe EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyincludeaddingstormwaterdischargesunderthe NPDESprogram.TheseregulationsarereferredtoastheEPAsPhaseIIRegulations. ThesenewrequirementsarethesecondphaseofanEPAmandatetocontrol stormwater.ThefirstphaseaffectedlargercitiesinNorthCarolina.Thesecondphase requiressmallermunicipalities,includingallsixwithinBuncombeCounty(Asheville, BiltmoreForest,BlackMountain,Montreat,Weaverville,andWoodfin),toimplement stormwatermanagementplans.Italsorequiressomecounties,includingBuncombe,to facecertainrequirements,aswell. TheEPAPhaseIIRegulationswereannouncedinDecember1999andrequirestatesto implementstormwatermanagementmethodsbyMarch2003.NorthCarolinas DepartmentofEnvironmentandNaturalResources(DENR)ischargedwith implementingthefederalrequirementsinthestate.TheDivisionofWaterQualityin DENRisleadingtheeffort.Thereisstillsomequestionastowhetherornotcounties, sincetheytypicallydonotownoroperatethemunicipalstormsewersystems,aregoing tobechargedwithcarryingoutthesixrequiredcomponentsofthePhaseIIregulations. Thesixrequiredcomponentsare: Publicinvolvement/participation Publiceducationandawarenessprograms Detectionandeliminationofillicitconnectionstothemunicipalseparatestorm sewersystems(MS4s) Managementofpostconstructionstormwaterrunoff Constructionsitestormwaterrunoffcontrols Pollutionprevention/goodhousekeepingformunicipaloperations(publicfacilities) Overthenexttwoyearperiod,stormwatermanagementbestpracticeswillbe identified,andastormwatermanagementprogramwillbedeveloped.LandofSky RegionalCouncilhasestablishedaRegionalStormwaterPlanningCommitteeincluding representativesfromBuncombeCountyErosionControl,EmergencyManagement,and PlanningDepartmentsaswellasrepresentativesfromallmunicipaljurisdictionswithin thecounty.Thiscommitteealsoincludespersonnelfromneighboringcountieswithin theFrenchBroadRiverwatershed.Theoutcomeofthisplanningprocesswillbea regionalstormwatermanagementplanfortheFrenchBroadRiverwatershed.As stated,thestormwatermanagementmustplanmustbedevelopedbyMarchof2003. TheDirectorofPublicWorksshallberesponsiblefordevelopingastormwater managementplanfortheTownofBiltmoreForest.
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StatusAdoptionofordinanceanddevelopmentofSotrmwaterManagementProgram Complete.RefiningStormwaterManagementProgramandenforcementof regualtionsOngoing. Inthecomingyears,BiltmoreForestwillcontinuetoevaluateandrefineitsStormwater ManagementProgramandissuesofStormwaterManagementandimpervioussurfaces willbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningCycle. 6.Continuetocarryoutthehazardmitigationplanningprocessandseekfundingfor emergingneeds. Theidentificationanddevelopmentofthesemitigationstrategiesshouldnotbeviewed asaconclusionbutasonestepinacyclicalprocess.ThisHazardMitigationPlanisa documentthatwillcontinuetoevolveaschangesoccurinBiltmoreForest.Procedures forthemonitoring,evaluation,update,andrevisionofthisplanaresetforthinthefinal twosectionsofthisdocument.Inadditiontothestepsenumeratedtherein,the continuationofthehazardmitigationplanningprocessalsoincludesseekingoutfunding sourcesforemergingneeds.Fundingforupdatingstafftrainingandcertification,aswell asequipment,isalsoaperpetualneedinourcurrentworldofrapidlychanging technology.ResponsibilityforthiselementfallstotheDirectorofPublicWorksand Administrationasneedsemerge. StatusOngoing ThisisanotherongoingstrategyfortheupcomingfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanning Cycle.Fundingneedsaretobenotedastheyemerge. AdoptionandImplementation TheHazardMitigationPlanReviewCommittee,asdescribedinHazardMitigation Strategy1,willreviewacompleteddraftoftheplanandrecommendanyneeded revisions.ThedraftoftheBiltmoreForestHazardMitigationPlanwillthenbe submittedtotheNorthCarolinaDivisionofEmergencyManagementMitigationBranch forapproval.IfNCDEMmandateschangestheReviewCommitteewillmeetinorderto implementNCDEMrecommendations.OnceNCDEMandFEMAhaveapprovedadraft oftheplanBiltmoreForestwilladopttheplanaccordingtostandardprocedures.Such proceduresincludeprovidingnoticeofapublichearinginthelocalnewspaper,having thedocumentavailableforreviewbythepublic,holdingthepublichearing,and adoptingtheplanatthegoverningbodysnextmeetingfollowingthepublichearing. 78
MonitoringandEvaluation Monitoringandevaluationaretheongoingprocessesofcompilinginformationonthe outcomesresultingfromimplementationofthehazardmitigationplan.Thisfacilitates theidentificationofrevisionsneededtorespondtochangesinregionalandlocal conditions.Localconditionsareconstantlychanging.Localmitigationplansmustalso changeinresponsetochangesbroughtaboutthroughincreaseddevelopment,changes intechnology,andchangesinlocalmitigationcapability.Thereisalsoavaluable windowofopportunityforevaluatingtheHazardMitigationPlanfollowinganatural disasterevent.Effectivemonitoringandevaluationwillalsoprovideinformationon localcompliancewithstateandfederalmandates(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigation PlanningManual,November1998). Review,UpdatesandRevisions Duetounforeseencontingenciesandchangingtimesandconditions,Updateand Revisionisanecessarypartofthehazardmitigationplanningprocess.Updates addresschangesthathavetakenplaceinthelocalareasincetheplanwascreatedand adopted.Suchchangesmayincludeadditionaldevelopment,implementationof mitigationefforts,theoccurrenceofanaturaldisaster,orchangestostateoffederal regulationsandrequirements(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigationPlanningManual, November1998). WhileMonitoringandEvaluationareongoingprocesses,UpdateandRevision shouldoccuratregularlyscheduledintervals.PlanReviewwilloccurannuallyaswellas partofadebriefingfollowingtheoccurrenceofadisasterevent.AHazardMitigation PlanEvaluationandRevisionCommitteeshouldbeestablishedtoincludetheTown Administrator,AssistanttotheTownAdministrator,DirectorofPublicWorksandChief ofPolice.ThiscommitteewillreviewtheHazardMitigationPlanaminimumofonetime peryearormoreoftenifchangingconditionssodictate. FEMAplanningcriteriastatethattheplanmustundergoUpdateandRevisioneveryfive years.TheHazardMitigationPlanEvaluationsandRevisioncommitteewillformally updateandrevisetheplanaminimumofonceeveryfiveyears.Thesecommittee meetingswillbeopentothepublicandpublicparticipationintheupdateandrevision oftheHazardMitigationPlanwillbeencouraged. 79
OverviewofBlackMountain TheTownofBlackMountainislocatedintheeasternportionofBuncombeCounty withintheSwannanoaRiverValleyatanapproximateelevationof2,400feet. Incorporatedin1893,theTownhasnowgrowntoapopulationof7,923. BlackMountainwasoriginallyknownasGreyEagleandlaternamedfortherangeof mountainsthatbordertheTowntothenorth.Atthetimeofincorporation,theTownof BlackMountainhadbecomeamajorpathwayforwestboundimmigrants,commercial trade,andthemountainrailroad.ThisstrategiclocationhelpedestablishBlack Mountainasoneofthemostprosperousandpicturesquecommunitiesinthecountry. HazardIdentificationandVulnerabilityAnalysis TheTownofBlackMountainconcurswithBuncombeCountysidentificationofhazards inourcommunity. Duringtheprocessofidentifyinghazards,theTownofBlackMountainchosetoconsider theintensityofthehazardratherthanthesizeandlocationofthehazard.Thiswas doneprimarilybecauseoftherelativelysmallsizeofBlackMountain(4,734acresor 6.83squaremiles)ascomparedwithBuncombeCounty. TheNationalEnvironmentalMappingandAnalysisCenter(NEMAC)/Renaissance ComputingInstitute(RENCI)atUNCAassistedwiththeidentificationofthefollowing hazardsandvaluationsofparcelswithintheTownofBlackMountainsJurisdiction.In additiontotheinformationfoundinthehazardidentificationandanalysisfor BuncombeCounty,BlackMountainhascompiledfurtherinformationdirectlyrelatingto certainhazardsinourcommunity. WinterStormsInMarchof1993theTownexperiencedamajorwinterstormevent thatwasnicknamedtheStormoftheCentury.Thisstormshutdownthetownfor severaldaysandresultedinapproximately491emergencycallsforserviceandwas estimatedtohavecausedover$500,000ofpropertydamageinBlackMountainalone. Minorwinterstormeventsoccuralmosteveryyear. 80
ParcelCountforWinterStormsforBlackMountainParcels>=3000ftElevation DRAFTDonotusenumbersforanyofficialcapacity.
Agricultural Parcels %TotalParcels Acres %TotalAcres
1 0 1
Parcels
0 0 0
Parcels
0 0 0
Parcels
7 82 89
Parcels
1 12 13
Parcels
9 94 103
81
ParcelValueforWinterStormsforBlackMountainParcels>=3000ftElevation
Agricultural TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue
ImprovedValue
82
0 0 0
Parcels
30 10 40
Parcels
4 0 4
Parcels
73 26 99
Parcels
18 5 23
Parcels
125 41 166
83
ParcelValueforFloodsforBlackMountainParcelsin500YearFloodplain
Agricultural TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue
ImprovedValue
84
0 0 0
Parcels
0 0 0
Parcels
0 0 0
Parcels
33 17 50
Parcels
7 2 9
Parcels
40 19 59
85
ParcelValueforWildfireforBlackMountainParcelsin>=MediumRisk
Agricultural
TotalMarketValue
LandValue
BuildingValue
ImprovedValue
86
1 0 1
Parcels
3 1 4
Parcels
1 0 1
Parcels
42 43 85
Parcels
3 15 18
Parcels
50 59 109
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ParcelValueforLandslidesforBlackMountainParcelsinUnstableArea Agricultural TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue Occupied $284,700.00 $223,100.00 $60,200.00 Vacant $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Total $284,700.00 $223,100.00 $60,200.00 Commercial TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue Occupied $3,387,300.00 $969,000.00 $2,411,700.00 Vacant $175,000.00 $175,000.00 $0.00 Total $3,562,300.00 $1,144,000.00 $2,411,700.00 Industrial TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue Occupied $1,395,400.00 $394,000.00 $1,001,000.00 Vacant $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 Total $1,395,400.00 $394,000.00 $1,001,000.00 Residential TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue Occupied $15,210,300.00 $3,382,600.00 $11,792,600.00 Vacant $9,270,000.00 $9,270,000.00 $0.00 Total $24,480,300.00 $12,652,600.00 $11,792,600.00 Other TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue Occupied $450,300.00 $450,300.00 $0.00 Vacant $6,776,300.00 $6,776,300.00 $0.00 Total $7,226,600.00 $7,226,600.00 $0.00 Total TotalMarketValue LandValue BuildingValue Occupied $20,728,000.00 $5,419,000.00 $15,265,500.00 Vacant $16,221,300.00 $16,221,300.00 $0.00 Total $36,949,300.00 $21,640,300.00 $15,265,500.00
ImprovedValue $1,400.00 $0.00 $1,400.00 ImprovedValue $6,600.00 $0.00 $6,600.00 ImprovedValue $400.00 $0.00 $400.00 ImprovedValue $35,100.00 $0.00 $35,100.00 ImprovedValue $0.00 $0.00 $0.00 ImprovedValue $43,500.00 $0.00 $43,500.00
TownofBlackMountainHazardMitigationStrategy BasedonidentificationofthemostsignificanthazardsfacingBlackMountain,alongwith vulnerabilityandcapabilityassessments,thefollowingmitigationstrategiesare suggested: MitigationGoal#1 IncorporatehazardmitigationintotheBlackMountainplanningprocess. TheTownwillalsocontinuetoworkwiththeCountysDirectorofEmergency Managementandtoserveonacoordinatingcommittee,aswellastodevelopand maintainitsGISdatabasetouseinmappingourstreets,sidewalks,watersystem, stormwatersystem,firehydrants,andfloodplains.TheTownwillalsoconsiderhazard mitigationinallplanreviewandinfrastructureplanningintothefuture. StatusOngoing Whilewehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategy(asevidencedby updatestoStrategies2and3)TownofBlackMountainwillcontinuetointergrate hazardmitigationintoitsplanningprocesses.Thiswillbeanongoingstrategyforthe nextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. Objective: IncorporatehazardmitigationintotheBlackMountainplanningprocessbycontinuing toIntegrateHMplanningintodevelopmentplanreviewprocesseswithinthePlanning andDevelopmentDepartment. MitigationGoal#2 Evaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded. TheTownhasupdatedallofitsLandUseOrdinances(includingbuildingregulations, subdivisionordinancesandzoningregulations)tobeconsistentwiththe2005NCGS updatestoauthorizingstatutesandtobetterincorporateHMandpublicsafetyneeds intolandusepolicies.TheseareslatedforadoptioninFY0910. StatusOngoing WhilewehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategyTheTownofBlack Mountainwillcontinuetoevaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded.This willbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. 89
MitigationGoal#3 Ensureenforcementofordinances. Developingsound,strongordinancesisonlythebeginning.Thesepoliciesareonly effectiveiftheyareconsistentlyenforced.TheTownhasimplementedaprocedurefor theenforcementandmonitoringofitsordinancesandprovidesmonthlyreportstoour boardofAldermen. StatusOngoing Wehavemadegreatstridesinimplementingthisstrategy.Howeverensuring enforcementofordinancesisanongoingprocess.(unlikeastructuralmitigation projectthathasdefinitebeginningandendpoints).Thiswillbeanongoingstrategyof thenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. Objective3.1 Ensureconsistencyinzoningandbuildinginspectionsenforcementand 3.1.4 ContinuetoenforcetheInternationalBuildingCode. InvolvelocalemergencystaffandHMprinciplesindevelopmentandpermitting review. MitigationGoal#4 Educatethepublicregardinghazardmitigation. Thoughtherearemanymeasuresthatlocalgovernmentscantaketoprotectthehealth andsafetyoftheircitizens,propertyownersalsohavearesponsibilitytoprotecttheir homes,families,andbusinesses.Localgovernmentscanassistinthistaskbymaking hazardmitigationinformationavailabletothepublic.TheBuildingandZoningPlanning andDevelopmentDepartmentwilleducatecontractors,developersanddesignerson codechangesandnewdevelopmentissues.TheTownwillalsocontinuewithand expandthefirepreventionprogramsinthefiredepartmenttoreducefirelosseswithin intheTownandtheEastBuncombeFireDistrict. Objective4.1 Educatethepublicabouthazardsprevalenttothearea. 4.1.1 Educatecontractors,developersanddesignersoncodechangesandnew developmentissues. 4.1.2 Providenewhomebuilderswithinformationonqualityredevelopment andsafehousingdevelopment.Theinformationismostefficiently dispersedattheBuildingInspectionsDepartmentandothercommunity owned,publicfacilitiesinTown. 90
Objective4.2 Publicizethedocumentsassociatedwithemergencyresponseandmitigation. 4.2.1 Manuallydisperseandhaveawebsitepostingwhichprovides informationaboutrelevantemergencyresponseactionsthepubliccan take. 4.2.2 Manuallydisperseandhaveawebsitepostingwhichprovides informationaboutrelevantemergencyresponseandpreparedness actionsthepubliccantake. 4.2.3 Manuallydisperseandhaveawebsitepostingwhichprovides informationaboutBuncombeCountysProjectImpactandtheCountys HazardMitigationPlanandrelevantmitigationmeasuresthepubliccan take. Objective4.3 Maintainandpublicizeacurrentactionplanforemergencyresponse. 4.3.1 ContinuetoupdatetheTownofBlackMountainEmergencyResponse Ordinanceonanannualbasisincludingrelevantpositionsandcontact informationchanges. StatusOngoing PublicEducationisacontinualprocess.Itisnotpossibletodesignasinglepublic educationcampaignofferedoveraspecifiedtimeperiodandconsiderthisstrategy completed.ThispopulationofTheTownofBlackMountainiseverchanging.Aspeople moveinandout,residentsage,businessescloseandnewonesopentheneedsand compositionofcommunitieschange.Thereforethiswillbeanongoingstrategyofthe nextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. MitigationGoal#5 Addresstheissuesofstormwatermanagementandimpervioussurfaces. Stormwatermanagementprogramscanbeanimportantstepinfloodanderosion control.Asdevelopmentoccurs,naturalgroundcoverisreplacedwithimpervious surfacessuchasstreets,parkinglots,andbuildings. TheTownjustcompletedaStormwaterManagementPlanwithassistancefromthe CleanWaterManagementTrustFund.ThisplanincludesaCIPforstormwater infrastructureimprovements,floodmitigation,streamandlakeprotection,and improvementstostormflowthroughournaturaldrainages.TheTownhasalsoadopted aPhaseIIStormwaterManagementPlanandmaintainsacurrentNPDESpermitwith theState. 91
Objective5.1 EstablishContinuetoimplementBestManagementPracticesandMeasurableGoalsfor eachofthesixrequiredcomponentsfortheBlackMountainStormwaterPlan. Publicinvolvement/participation Publiceducationandawarenessprograms Detectionandeliminationofillicitconnectionstothemunicipalseparatestorm sewersystems(MS4s) Managementofpostconstructionstormwaterrunoff Constructionsitestormwaterrunoffcontrols Pollutionprevention/goodhousekeepingformunicipaloperations(publicfacilities) StatusAdoptionofordinanceanddevelopmentofSotrmwaterManagementProgram Complete.RefiningStormwaterManagementProgramandenforcementof regualtionsOngoing. InthecomingyearsTheTownofBlackMountainwillcontinuetoevaluateandrefineits StormwaterManagementPogram.AddressingtheissuesofStormwatermanagement andimpervioussurfaceswillbeanongoingstrategyforthenextfiveyearHazard MitigationPlanningcycle. MitigationGoal#6 OnceHazardMitigationPlanisadopted,investigateparticipationintheNational FloodInsuranceProgramsCommunityRatingsSystem. TheTownparticipatesinTheNationalFloodInsurancePrograms(NFIP).TheTownwill continuetoenforcefloodhazardpreventionregulationsthatmeettheguidelinesofthe FederalandStateNFIPprogram. Objective6.1 InvestigateparticipationintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramsCommunityRatings System. 6.1.1 CoordinatethisactivitythroughtheCountysProjectImpact Coordinator/EmergencyManagementPlannerandtheFloodplain ManagementAdministratorfortheTown. 92
Statusdeferred DuetotheremappingprocessthatoccurredfollowingthefloodsofSeptember2004 andtheproceduresandtimelinethatwerenecessaryoftheadoptionoftheupdated FloodInsuranceRateMapsparticipationintheCommunityRatingsSystemwasdeferred forfutureconsideration.TheTownofBlackMountainwillpursuethisstrategyduring thenextfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanningcycle. MitigationGoal#7 Continuetocarryoutthehazardmitigationplanningprocessandseekfundingfor emergingneeds. Objective7.1 TownisparticipatinginregionalworktomitigatefloodingthroughSenateBill7funding. Townwillimplementstrategiesandseekfundingforfloodmitigation. Objective7.2 Recordallstructureswithinthefloodplain,aswellas,areasofrepetitivelossesdueto flooding. 7.2.1 Recordandmaintainalltaxparcelinformationandfloodplainlocationsin aGISsysteminordertobuildtheTownscapabilitytoidentifyareas needingfuturemitigation. Objective7.3 ImprovetheTownscapabilitytoidentifyareasneedingfuturemitigation. 7.3.1 Developadatabasethatidentifieseachpropertythathasreceived damageduetohazardsidentifiedwithinthismitigationplan.The databaseshouldalsoincludeataxidentificationnumberoftheproperty, adescriptionofthepropertydamage,thevalueofthedamage,andlinks tophotographsofthedamage.Developingthisdatabasewillallowthe Towntoeasilyidentifypropertiesathighriskofdamagefromcertain hazardsaswellasproperties,whichreceiverepetitivedamagefrom multiplehazards. StatusOngoing ThisisanotherongoingstrategyfortheupcomingfiveyearHazardMitigationPlanning cycle.Currentfundingneedsarenotedinredinthefirstparagraphofthissection. Assitionalneedswillberecordedastheyemerge. 93
AdoptionandImplementation ThedraftoftheBuncombeCountyHazardMitigationPlanwillbesubmittedtothe NorthCarolinaDivisionofEmergencyManagementMitigationBranchforapproval.If NCDEMmandateschangestheReviewCommitteewillmeetinordertoimplement NCDEMrecommendations.OnceNCDEMhasapprovedadraftoftheplaneach jurisdictionwillbeaskedtoadopttheplanaccordingtotheirstandardprocedures.Such proceduresincludeprovidingnoticeofapublichearinginthelocalnewspaper,having thedocumentavailableforreviewbythepublic,holdingthepublichearing,and adoptingtheplanatthegoverningbodysnextmeetingfollowingthepublichearing. MonitoringandEvaluation Monitoringandevaluationaretheongoingprocessesofcompilinginformationonthe outcomesresultingfromimplementationofthehazardmitigationplan.Thisfacilitates theidentificationofrevisionsneededtorespondtochangesinregionalandlocal conditions.Localconditionsareconstantlychanging.Localmitigationplansmustalso changeinresponsetochangesbroughtaboutthroughincreaseddevelopment,changes intechnology,andchangesinlocalmitigationcapability.Thereisalsoavaluable windowofopportunityforevaluatingtheHazardMitigationPlanfollowinganatural disasterevent.Effectivemonitoringandevaluationwillalsoprovideinformationon localcompliancewithstateandfederalmandates(NCDEM:LocalHazardMitigation PlanningManual,November1998). UpdatesandRevisions TheTownwillworkwiththecountytoupdateandrevisetheplanasneeded.
94
New, Goals/Objectives Continuation ImplementationMeasures Typeof orAmendment Strategy 1.IncorporatehazardmitigationintotheBlackMountainplanningprocess. 1.1.1 Reviewalldevelopment 1.1 Incorporatehazard proposalsfortheirhazard mitigationintotheBlack Preventative Continuation mitigationimpactsand Mountainplanning opportunities. process.
Responsible Party/Org.
Ongoing
Planning Director
Goals/Objectives 2.Evaluateandstrengthenexistingordinancesasneeded. 2.1 Strengthenexisting 2.1.1 Updatethezoning ordinancesasneeded. ordinancetoreflect mitigationplanningand safetyfactors. 2.1.2 Developamechanism thatwillensurereviewof appropriatepoliciesand proceduresfollowinga naturaldisasterevent. ImplementationMeasures Typeof Strategy New, Continuation orAmendment Target Completion Date Responsible Party/Org.
Preventative Preventative
Continuation
September2009
Continuation
Continuation
95
Goals/Objectives 3.Ensureenforcementofordinances 3.1.1 3.1 Ensureconsistencyin zoningandbuilding inspectionsenforcement. ImplementationMeasures Typeof Strategy New, Continuation orAmendment Target Completion Date Responsible Party/Org.
3.1.2
3.1.3
3.1.4
Developachecklistinour zoningandbuilding inspectionsdepartment Preventative toensureconsistencyin zoningenforcementand topreventomissionsin theevaluationofprojects. Developatrackingsystem inthebuildinginspections departmenttorecordthe numberofplansaccepted Preventative andrejectedandthe numberofwarningand citationsissued. Reportresultsof inspection/enforcement Public measurestotheProject Information ImpactCoordinator/ EmergencyMgt.Planner onasemiannualbasis. Preventative Continuetoenforcethe Property InternationalBuilding Protection Code.
Continuation
Ongoing
Planning Director
Continuation
Ongoing
Planning Director
NewPolicy
January1,2005 andcontinuous
Building Inspector
Continued Policy
Continuous
Building Inspector
96
Goals/Objectives
ImplementationMeasures
Typeof Strategy
Responsible Party/Org.
4.Educatethepublicregardinghazardmitigation. 4.1 Educatethepublicabout 4.1.1 Educatecontractors, hazardsprevalenttothe developers,anddesigners area. oncodechangesandnew developmentissues. 4.1.2 Providenew homebuilderswith informationonquality redevelopmentandsafe housingdevelopment. 4.2.1 Manuallydisperseand 4.2 Publicizethedocuments haveawebsiteposting associatedwithemergency whichprovides responseandmitigation. informationabout relevantemergency responseactionsthe publiccantake. 4.3.1 Continuetoupdatethe 4.3 Maintainandpublicizea TownsEmergency currentactionplanfor ResponseOrdinanceon emergencyresponse. anannualbasisincluding relevantpositionsand contactinformation changes.
Continuous
Ongoing
Building Inspector/ Zoning Administrator Building Inspector/ Zoning Administrator FirePrevention Officer
Public Information
Continuation
Ongoing
Preventative
Continued Policy
January1,2005 andcontinuous
97
ImplementationMeasures
Typeof Strategy
Responsible Party/Org.
Goals/Objectives Target New, Responsible Completion Continuation Typeof ImplementationMeasures Party/Org. Date orAmendment Strategy 6.OnceHazardMitigationPlanisadopted,investigateparticipationintheNationalFloodInsuranceProgramsCommunityRatingsSystem. 6.1.1 Coordinatethisactivity 6.1 Adoptrevisedfloodplain throughtheCountys mapswhenavailablefrom Floodplain Preventative Continuation Draftmaps ProjectImpact theNCFloodPlain availableAugust Administrator Coordinator/Emergency MappingProgram. 2009 ManagementPlannerand theFloodplain Management Administratorforthe Town.
98
Goals/Objectives
ImplementationMeasures
Typeof Strategy
Responsible Party/Org.
7.Continuetocarryoutthehazardmitigationplanningprocessandseekfundingforemergingneeds. NewProject January1,2007 Preventative 7.3.1 ParticipatewiththeCity 7.3 ImprovetheTowns Property andCountyonaregional capabilitytoidentifyareas Protection watershedstudy. needingfuturemitigation.
Planning Director
99