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<br />HAZARD MITIGATION TEAMS 2-2-2-2 <br /> <br />One of the areas to be explored is the relocation of structures in the <br />( floodplain, which received major damage, to areas outside of the floodplain. Team <br />rrenbers point out that it makes little sense to rebuild a severely damaged hare or <br />business in the sane area where the flooding took place, Since the structure must <br />be rebuilt anyway, they point out, it is !lOre reasonable to rebuild it in an area <br />not subject to flooding. <br />Another problem which is associated with alrrost every flood is the extensive <br />damage to privately owned bridges sparming creeks and rivers. Many were built in <br />years past with little attention to the problem of potential flooding. When <br />flooding occurs, debris lodges against the bridges causing the water to back up, , <br />flooding adjacent structures. The additional pressure of the water and debris <br />weakens the bridges and often destroys them causing additional debris and obstruc- <br />tions in the S'IJOl1en wat.eJ:way. <br />An approach of the Hazard Mitigation Team is to suggest the devel.oprent of <br />mininun design and CXlllStruction standards for the replacerrent of privately owned <br />bridges that were darraged. The new design wouJ.d provide for nore substantial <br />structures with larger openings making them less likely to catch debris in future <br />flooding . <br />Although nest Estes Park residents received warning of the f:[.ooding, another <br />area of potential interest for the Hazard Mitigation Team is an evaluation and <br />suggestion of possible i.n{>rovelrents in the warning and evacuation plan. A ncre . <br />foJ:Illalized plan would provide for warning in a variety of ci.rclm5tances and not <br />rely upon the chance of scrreone seeing or hearing the f1ood.ing in upstream areas. <br />other areas being studied by the team are the possible redesigning and <br />perhaps relocating of the hydroelectric facility at Cascade Lake, evaluation of <br />current city <lIld county codes for building CXlllStruc:ti.cn and reccrmendations 'for <br />land use planning. The fish hatchery will also be looked at with possible <br />reocmrendations for recovery and protective treaSUreS. Dam safety IreaSures will <br />also be stu:lied alOng with a variety of programs for educating the public to the <br />potential hazards of the area. <br />Richard Widner, Estes Park Director of Public W::>rks, and a IIBIi:ler of the <br />Hazard Mitigation Team, feels there are anple OWOrtunities for reducing the <br />inpact: of future flooding in Estes Park. He said, "We will look at each reocmrend- <br />ation very closely and inplarent art:i which we feel are realistic and ec:onanically <br />feasible. " He stressed that every effort must be made to avoid any future flooding <br />of the magnitude of July 15th. He added, "We were extrerely lucky this tiJre with <br />such a 101/ loss of life. Next tiJre we may not be so forttmate." <br /> <br />, <br />I <br /> <br />'r.' , <br />,'. . <br /> <br />\ <br /> <br />-0- <br />