Boone County News Release
For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Boone County Commission Administrative Coordinator
Phone: (573) 886-4312
Boone County Hazard Mitigation Plan Approved by FEMA
August 19, 2010
The update of the Boone County Hazard Mitigation Plan has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) pending adoption by the County and participating communities and educational institutions. The plan allows participants to apply for FEMA mitigation funds for projects aimed at lessening the impact of natural hazards on lives and property. The updated plan is now returning to the participating jurisdictions for adoption by the local governing councils.
The update, led by planners from the Mid-Missouri Regional Planning Commission, is the culmination of six months of work by a wide representation of county/community leaders and citizens. “The planning process required the county and our communities to review our vulnerabilities and prepare a plan for those likely events,” said Southern Boone County Commissioner Karen M. Miller. “It is much easier to try and mitigate a potential problem than to wait until it becomes an emergency. It was a great process.”
“The Hazard Mitigation Plan is an essential part of the entire Emergency Management function,” said Zim Schwartze, Director of Public Safety/Joint Communications for Boone County/Columbia. “This process is key in our attempt to prevent the loss of lives, injuries, and property damage.”
There are five FEMA grant programs aimed at mitigating the effects of natural disasters.Typical mitigation projects include buyouts of repetitively flooded properties, tornado safe rooms, low-water crossing improvements, and stream bank stabilizations. In the past, Boone County has received funding for stream bank stabilization projects on Smith Hatchery Road and Jemerson Creek Road.
The following jurisdictions are participating in the plan: Boone County, Ashland, Centralia, Columbia, Hallsville, Hartsburg, Huntsdale, Rocheport, Sturgeon, Centralia R-VI School District, Columbia Public Schools, Southern Boone School District, Sturgeon R-V School District, Stephens College, and the University of Missouri.
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