Boundary County leading project to update Hazard Mitigation Plan

Boundary County has begun the process of updating its Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The county hosted a “kickoff” meeting on Dec. 13 in Bonners Ferry to assemble the planning team assigned to work on this project. The All-Hazard Mitigation Plan examines risks posed by several natural hazards, including flood, earthquake, landslide, wildfire, severe weather and others. The plan also addresses some technological hazards such as hazardous materials events and dam failure, among others. The planning process will define these hazards, consider potential impacts to our community, and develop strategies to reduce those impacts.

The planning team consists of representatives from a variety of local agencies, organizations, governments, and groups, who meet regularly to complete the project. Northwest Management, Inc. has been retained by Boundary County to collaborate with the planning team and update the plan, including the hazard risk assessment, hazard mapping, vulnerability analysis, mitigation strategy, and the documentation of the planning process.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires counties to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years to remain eligible for federal funding of hazard mitigation projects. Bonners Ferry, Moyie Springs, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho are also currently recognized as adopting jurisdictions in the plan and will adopt this updated version. The plan will meet requirements and standards set forth by both FEMA and the Idaho Office of Emergency Management.

Community input will also play a key role throughout the planning process. Public meetings, reviews of the plans, and a public comment period will be announced in the future. The current version of the Boundary County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan can be accessed and viewed by the public upon request. This update project, including the state and federal approval process, is expected to be completed by December 2022.

Questions can be addressed to Boundary County Emergency Management at 208-290-5316 or via email at aoneel@boundarycountyid.org.