MITIGATION STRATEGIES
Strategies to mitigate or reduce specific hazard risks are developed during the hazard mitigation plan update process and may vary from very simple to complex. Typically hazard mitigation strategies are classified into six broad categories: (1) Prevention, (2) Property Protection, (3) Public Education & Awareness, (4) Natural Resource Protection, (5) Emergency Services, (6) Structural Projects. These broad categories are defined below.
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Hazard mitigation action items are the answer to the "so what?" question in hazard mitigation. The purpose of hazard mitigation action items is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects. They provide local governments clear steps to achieve their mitigation goals. You can review and comment on the draft Chapter 18: Mitigation Strategies by clicking HERE.
As part of Somerset's 2022 Plan Update, existing action items were reviewed and new action items were developed. Action items are developed based on conclusions drawn from the hazard mitigation plan, stakeholder feedback, public input, and various related planning documents. The action items included in Somerset County's 2017 Hazard Mitigation Plan were reviewed by stakeholders to determine their status within the last 5-year planning cycle (2017-2021). The full results of the review are contained in Appendix A: Mitigation Action Items Update of this Plan Update. You can view this appendix by selecting the link below.
Prevention
Government administrative or regulatory actions or processes that influence the way land and buildings are developed and built. These actions also include public activities to reduce hazard losses. Examples include planning and zoning, building codes, capital improvement programs, open space preservation, and storm water management regulations.
Natural Resource Protection
Actions that, in addition to minimizing hazard losses also preserve or restore the functions of natural protection systems. These actions include sediment and erosion control, stream corridor restoration, watershed management, forest and vegetation management, and wetland restoration preservation.
Property Protection
Actions that involve the modification of existing critical and public facilities, buildings, structures, and public infrastructure to protect them from hazards. Examples include acquisition, elevation, relocation, structural retrofits, storm shutters, and infrastructure modification.
Emergency Services
Actions that protect people and property during and immediately after a disaster or hazard event. Services include warning systems and emergency response services.
Public Education & Awareness
Actions to inform and educate citizens, elected officials, and property owners about potential ways to mitigate for hazards that can occur in the County. Such actions include outreach programs, projects, real estate disclosure, hazard information centers, and school-age and adult education programs.
Structural Projects
Actions that involve the construction of structures to reduce the impact of a hazard event. Such structures include dams, levees, floodwalls, seawalls, retaining walls, barrier islands, and safe rooms.