Archuleta County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan update available for public review and comment

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By Mike Le Roux

Special to The SUN

Would you like to learn more about what Archuleta County is doing to minimize the impacts of floods, dam failures, wildfires, hazardous materials incidents and other hazards? A draft of the county’s updated Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is being made available for public review and comment. The plan assesses risks posed by natural and man-made hazards, identifies ways to reduce those risks and allows the county to remain eligible for mitigation funding from FEMA. A Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC) that includes representatives from various county departments, Pagosa Springs, Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District and the Pagosa Fire Protection District updated the plan over the past eight months with assistance from a consultant. The plan identifies hazard mitigation goals and a variety of mitigation projects with the intent of reducing losses from hazard events before they occur again. The planning committee is now soliciting public comment on the plan before it is finalized and submitted for FEMA review and approval. The comment period will close Feb. 1. The plan and a comment form can be accessed at www.surveymonkey.com/r/ArchHMPcomment.