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County's hazard mitigation planning process kicks off March 6

(Photo above: In 2021, crews take down hazardous trees that were burned during the 25 Mile Fire on Shady Pass Road near Lake Chelan.)

 

Efforts will update Natural Hazard Mitigation, Community Wildfire Protection plans

Local government stakeholders in the Chelan County planning area are meeting on March 6 at the Confluence Technology Center to participate in the first round of Steering Committee meetings to update the Chelan County Hazard Mitigation and Community Wildfire Protection plans, two important plans used to identify natural hazards and their risks to the area.

A hazard mitigation plan describes an area’s vulnerability to the various natural hazards present with the county, along with an array of actions and projects for reducing key risks. A Community Wildfire Protection Plan focuses on reducing risk from wildfire. While natural disasters cannot be prevented from occurring, implementing mitigation strategies can make communities more sustainable and disaster-resilient and protect people and property.

Responding to federal mandates in the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-390), the planning partnership was formed to pool resources and create a uniform hazard mitigation strategy that can be consistently applied to the Chelan County planning area. The planning partnership includes Chelan County; the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Entiat and Chelan; Cascadia Conservation District and local fire districts.

During this process, citizens will be asked to contribute by sharing local knowledge of an area’s vulnerability to hazards based on past occurrences.  Public involvement will be solicited via a multi-media campaign that will include public meetings, web-based information, questionnaires and updates on the plan’s progress. 

Each planning process will be overseen by a Steering Committee made up of stakeholders from within the planning area. The Steering Committees will meet regularly throughout the planning process and the majority of these meetings will be open to the public. People can RSVP to attend in-person or join virtually through the Zoom link found in the meeting agendas, which will be posted to the project website prior to the meeting.

All meetings will be held at the Confluence Technology Center, 285 Technology Way in Wenatchee, unless otherwise noted on the meeting agendas. The meeting on March 6 will run from 12:30 to 2 p.m. for the Hazard Mitigation Plan and 2:30 to 4 p.m. for the Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

Meeting agendas and information on the plan, and the purposes for planning can be found on the project website. This website serves as the primary means for the public to gain information on the plan and participate in the planning process. Information on the public meetings and the Steering Committee meetings is also available on this website. The public is encouraged to provide input on all phases of this plan’s development.

Any questions or comments regarding this process are encouraged and should be directed to Lisa Dowling of the Chelan County Natural Resources Department at 509-667-6533 or Lisa.Dowling@co.chelan.wa.us.

Last Updated: 02/29/2024 12:13 PM

Chelan County Calendar

Upcoming events and schedules at the county!

  • 18
    Dec 2024
    01:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Hearing Examiner - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    By Zoom Video Conference or in person
  • 18
    Dec 2024
    06:00 PM - 09:00 PM

    Planning Commission - December 18, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    400 Douglas Street
  • 11
    Dec 2024
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Chelan County Civil Service Commission

    Posted by: Human Resources

    The Chelan County Civil Service Commission will be meeting on December 11, 2024.

    Chelan County Commissioners Office, CM Conference Room 1
  • 04
    Dec 2024
    09:00 AM - 11:00 AM

    Hearing Examiner - December 4, 2024

    Posted by: Community Development

    Chelan County Administrative Building or zoom
  • 26
    Nov 2024
    09:30 AM - 10:30 AM

    Public Meeting: Public Canvassing Board Meetings

    Posted by: Chelan County Elections

    The Canvassing Board of Chelan County, pursuant to RCW 29A.60.160, will hold public meetings at the dates and times listed below. The meetings of the Canvassing Board are open, public meetings under the applicable provisions of chapter 42.30 RCW, and each meeting shall be continued until the activity for which the meeting is held has been completed.

    Chelan County Auditor’s Office