COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – After almost four years of work, Branch County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is scheduled to come before the Branch County Board of Commissioners during their work session on Thursday.
Work on the plan started in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Coldwater City Manager Keith Baker said during last week’s City Council meeting the Plan defines a process for identifying, quantifying, and reducing risk in Branch County.
Each of the municipal entities have been asked to pass resolutions in favor of the plan.
The plan was drafted by the Branch County Planning Committee using FEMA guidelines. It describes the process through which Branch County will manage it.
The Coldwater City Council passed a resolution in support of the plan last week.
The Branch County Board of Commissioners approved paying over $5,500 in May towards the Hazard Mitigation Plan which is required for communities to apply for grants. The County partnered with Prein & Newhof, as spearheaded by the City of Coldwater, to develop the plan.
The City requested funding assistance from the county as the plan cost more than originally expected, due to revisions and communication. The City has previously paid $15,700 toward the project.
The goal of the Hazard Mitigation Plan is to minimize or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from known hazards by identifying and implementing cost-effective mitigation actions.
Potential hazards include floods, extreme heat, thunderstorms, wind, lightning, drought, tornados, hail, winter storms, wildfires and dam failures.
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