(Independence, OR) – The City of Independence is in the process of updating their existing Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan (NHMP). This work is being performed in cooperation with the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement – Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) utilizing funds obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. With re-adoption of the plan, the City of Independence will maintain its eligibility to apply for federal funding towards natural hazard mitigation projects. This local planning process includes a wide range of representatives from city, special districts, and county government, emergency management personnel, and outreach to members of the public.
A natural hazards mitigation plan provides communities with a set of goals, action items, and resources designed to reduce risk from future natural disaster events. Engaging in mitigation activities provides jurisdictions with a number of benefits, including reduced loss of life, property, essential services, critical facilities, and economic hardship; reduced short-term and long-term recovery and reconstruction costs; increased cooperation and communication within the community through the planning process; and increased potential for state and federal funding for recovery and reconstruction projects.
An electronic version of the updated draft City of Independence NHMP addendum will be available for formal public comment beginning April 8, 2024. To view the draft please visit: https://www.polkconhmp2023.com/2024-plan
If you have any questions regarding the City of Independence NHMP addendum or the update process in general, please contact: Gerald Fisher, Public Works Director at (503) 838-1212 or gfisher@ci.independence.or.us; or Michael Howard, Director for the Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience at (541) 346-8413 or mrhoward@uoregon.edu.
