Public engagement sought for Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee

Print
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Tuesday, Sept. 13, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve a resolution establishing a Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, formally beginning the 2023 Plan Update for Lake County’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, or LHMP.

The Lake County Office of Emergency Services will chair the committee, composed of county and local stakeholders.

One representative from each supervisorial district is invited to serve on the committee.

Members of the public interested in this important position are encouraged to submit a letter of intent. Letters are due by 5 p.m. Sept. 21.

They can be postmarked and mailed to the Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Attn: OES/HMP, P.O. Box 489, Lakeport, CA 95453, or or delivered in person to the Sheriff’s Main Office, 1220 Martin St., Lakeport.

About the plan

Floods, drought, wildfires, and severe weather are just a few of the hazards of concern in Lake County.

While natural hazards such as these cannot be entirely prevented, hazard mitigation plans form the foundation for a community's long-term strategy to reduce disaster-related losses, by breaking the repeated cycle of disaster damage and reconstruction.

Developing and maintaining the LHMP is a requirement of the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.

Plans expire every five years, and must be updated to maintain eligibility for certain federal disaster assistance and hazard mitigation funding programs. Lake County’s LHMP was last updated and approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in July 2018.

Public participation encouraged

An important part of the planning process is public input. The public is invited to actively participate in the development of the 2023 Update.

To start the process, residents are encouraged to share their knowledge of local hazards through a public survey, available on the website and social media.

Additional opportunities for information and feedback are available several ways:

• Follow www.facebook.com/lakecountyOES for ongoing public information and education regarding hazard mitigation and all things emergency management.

• Visit any Lake County Library branch to review hard copies of all planning components during the planning process.

• Attend in-person meetings around the lake (announced on social media and posted to the website).

• Visit www.lakesheriff.com/about/OES/HMP to learn more about hazard mitigation, the planning process and progress, upcoming events and more.

Questions about the plan or process can be emailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..