Local Mitigation Plan Review: Seattle, Washington

Section: Element C. Mitigation Strategy

Overview: The Seattle, Washington All-Hazard Mitigation Plan will be reviewed using the FEMA Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool from the FEMA Plan Review Guide (2011).  Complete the following steps:

1. Read Section 4.3 Element C Mitigation Strategy located on PDF pages 26-29 of the FEMA Plan Review Guide to learn section requirements;

http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?fromSearch=fromsearch&id=4859

2. Review the Seattle, Washington Plan for applicable content; 

http://clerk.ci.seattle.wa.us/~ordpics/31158_ex1.pdf

3. Prepare the Written Assignment by completing the Regulation Checklist including the required revisions area and a Plan Assessment Summary of Strengths and Areas for Improvement

Regulation Checklist Section Instructions: The purpose of the Checklist is to identify the location of relevant or applicable content in the Plan by Element/sub‐element and to determine if each requirement has been ‘Met’ or ‘Not Met.’ The ‘Required Revisions’ summary at the bottom of each Element must be completed to provide a clear explanation of the revisions that are required for plan approval. Required revisions must be explained for each plan sub‐element that is ‘Not Met.’ Sub-elements should be referenced in each summary by using the appropriate numbers (A1, B3, etc.), where applicable. Requirements for each Element and sub-element are described in detail in this Plan Review Guide in Section 4, Regulation Checklist.

Plan Assessment Section Instructions: The purpose of the Plan Assessment is to offer the local community more comprehensive feedback to the community on the quality and utility of the plan in a narrative format. The audience for the Plan Assessment is not only the plan developer/local community planner, but also elected officials, local departments and agencies, and others involved in implementing the Local Mitigation Plan. The Assessment is an opportunity for the reviewer to provide feedback and information to the community on: 1) suggested improvements to the Plan; 2) specific sections in the Plan where the community has gone above and beyond minimum requirements. 

After filling out the Regulation Checklist, prepare a Summary of Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement.  The Plan Assessment Summary must not reiterate the required revisions from the Regulation Checklist or be regulatory in nature, and should be open‐ended and to provide the community with suggestions for improvements or recommended revisions. It is recommended that the Plan Assessment Summary be prepared as a synopsis of the overall strengths and weaknesses of the Plan.  

Requirements: Complete the Regulation Checklist.  Any areas not applicable will be marked, “N/A.” The Plan Assessment Summary of Strengths and Opportunities will be one-two pages in length.

Title of Plan and Date of Plan
Reviewer’s name andDate of mitigation plan review:

REGULATION CHECKLIST
ELEMENT C. Mitigation StrategyRegulation (44 CFR 201.6 Local Mitigation Plans)	Location in Plan:Section & page number	Met	Not Met
C1. Does the plan document each jurisdiction’s existing authorities, policies, programs and resources and its ability to expand on and improve these existing policies and programs? (Requirement §201.6(c)(3))
C2. Does the Plan address each jurisdiction’s participation in the NFIP and continued compliance with NFIP requirements, as appropriate? (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(ii))
C3. Does the Plan include goals to reduce/avoid long‐term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards? (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(i))
C4. Does the Plan identify and analyze a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects for each jurisdiction being considered to reduce the effects of hazards, with emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure? (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(ii))
C5. Does the Plan contain an action plan that describes how the actions identified will be prioritized (including cost benefit review), implemented, and administered by each jurisdiction? (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(iv)); (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(iii))
C6. Does the Plan describe a process by which local governments will integrate the requirements of the mitigation plan into other planning mechanisms, such as comprehensive or capital improvement plans, when appropriate? (Requirement §201.6(c)(4)(ii))
ELEMENT C: REQUIRED REVISIONS:

Plan Assessment Section Summary of Strengths and Opportunities for Improvement: After completing the Regulation Checklist for Element C (above) present the strengths of the plan document and identify areas where these could be improved beyond minimum requirements.

Element C: Mitigation Strategy

Summary instructions: In one to two pages, describe how and the extent to which the Plan exceeds minimum requirements to document the Mitigation Strategy with respect to:

• Key problems identified in, and linkages to, the vulnerability assessment;
• Serving as a blueprint for reducing potential losses identified in the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment;
• Plan content flow from the risk assessment (problem identification) to goal setting to mitigation action development;
• An understanding of mitigation principles (diversity of actions that include structural projects, preventative measures, outreach activities, property protection measures, post-disaster actions);
• Specific mitigation actions for each participating jurisdictions that reflects their unique risks and capabilities;
• Integration of mitigation actions with existing local authorities, policies, programs, and resources; and Discussion of existing programs (including the NFIP), plans, and policies that could be used to implement mitigation, as well as document past projects.