Posted: 10/23/07
Houston County to join with disaster mitigation planning
By Charlie Warner
Argus Editor
The flash floods that struck Houston County this past August left a major path of destruction, much of which is still being repaired. But are there structures that could be built, and programs that could be put into place that could prevent some of the destruction should another "500-year" event ever occur again?
The Houston County Board of Commissioners listened to a presentation by Kristen Sailer, state hazard mitigation officer, about a state mitigation grant program that is available to counties, townships, and municipalities.
The program, funded by FEMA, assists states and local communities in implementing long-term hazard mitigation measures following a major disaster declaration. The programís objectives are:
ïTo prevent future loss of life and property due to disaster;
ïTo implement state or local hazard mitigation plans;
ïTo enable mitigation measures in the disaster area to be implemented during immediate recovery from a disaster:
ïTo provide funding for previously identified mitigation measures that reduce damages throughout the county.
Sailer explained some of the mitigation projects could include:
ïAcquisition and relocation of structures from hazard-prone areas;
ïRetrofitting, such as elevating structures to protect them from future damage;
ïStructural hazard control, such as debris basins or drainage improvements;
ïConversion of overhead power lines to underground.
The mitigation programs are funded 75 percent by the federal government with the remaining 25 percent picked up by a local match. The local match could be divided between the state (if state funding can be secured), county, township, and/or private property owner.
Sailer added that $8 million to $10 million is available from the federal government for mitigation plans to help curb future flooding.
Commissioner Larry Graf said he feels FEMA needs to look upstream from Houston County, and work with Fillmore and Winona counties to help reduce the amount of water that moves from those counties into Houston County. Sailer agreed, and noted her department is currently working with both counties.
At the present time, Sailerís department would like to get as many of the counties affected by the August floods on board. Once those counties are on board, committees will be formed to start putting together mitigation plans to improve the flooding situations. The planning stage of the program could take between six months and two years. She added there are also grants available to help pay for the planning part of the mitigation program.
Commissioner Ann Thompson felt Houston and Fillmore counties should be working together on this project. It was also felt EMS Director Kurt Kuhlers and the Root River Soil and Water Conservation District should be involved.
It was the consensus of the board to move forward with the program and asked Kuhlers if he could work with Sailer and other FEMA officials in developing the program.
In other action:
Purchasing group being formed
County Personnel Director Tim Comstock updated the board on a joint powers purchasing group that is being formed in southeast Minnesota. According to Comstock Houston, Fillmore, Winona, Olmsted, and Mower counties are in the process of developing a joint powers agreement for purchasing various services, including medical and health services.
"Weíre finding that different geographical areas require different types of services for their residents," Comstock said. "And by having a larger customer base, we will be able to negotiate better prices. That, and the fact we should be able to streamline administrative costs, should be a significant cost savings to each of the five counties involved.
"This has worked very well in other areas of the state, and we are confident we will be able to offer better services and lower costs to our residents," Comstock added.
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