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<br />Geographic Information Systems (GIS) <br />& Mapping Subcommittee <br /> <br />Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and <br />Natural Hazard Mitigation <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />The increasing complexities of modern life and the <br />demands on dwindling resources require an inte- <br />grated view of social and environmental factors. On <br />this new frontier Geographic Infonnation Systems <br />(GIS) are having a profound effect on how we look at <br />the world. GIS unites computerized mapping and <br />data bases so users can capture, display and edit <br />natural resource, environmental and urban data <br />bases in ways that were just not possible before. <br /> <br />Wise land use planning is an integral part of natural <br />hazard mitigation. GIS is an important planning tool <br />that can identify geographic areas prone to natural <br />hazards such as landslides, earthquakes, and floods. <br />With GIS, local officials have the best tool available <br />for making educated decisions in the face of develop- <br />ment pressure. <br /> <br /> <br />Present Local Government <br />Planning Activities <br /> <br />Local governments are required by Colorado Stat- <br />utes to prepare and adopt comprehensive plans for <br />the physical development of their respective jurisdic- <br />tions. <br /> <br />Colorado Land Use Statutes <br /> <br />Colorado statutes enable municipalities and counties <br />to control the use of land within their respective ju- <br />risdictions. Other statutes that authorize inter-juris- <br />dictional planning and regulation or give one <br />jurisdiction certain powers over land use in a differ- <br />ent jurisdiction are: <br /> <br />CBS 31-23-255, which requires a municipality to <br />notify the county, as well as the Land Use Commis- <br />sion and State Geologist, of proposed major develop. <br />ment activity (covering five or more acres of land) <br />prior to approving any zoning change, subdivision or <br />building pennit application associated with that ac- <br />tivity. <br /> <br />CBS 30-28-136, which requires counties to submit a <br />copy of any preliminary plan for a subdivision to <br />each municipality located within two miles of the <br />proposed site, and to allow 24 days for review before <br />taking action. <br /> <br />CBS 29-2()"105, which authorizes and encourages <br />local governments to cooperate or contract with <br />other units of government for purposes of planning <br />or regulating the development ofland. <br /> <br />CBS 3()..28.105, which enables municipalities and <br />counties to fonn multi-county and joint city/county <br />planning commissions, known as regional planning <br />commissions, for the purpose of conducting studies <br />and making and adopting a regional plan for the <br />physical development of the region. <br /> <br />Today, local governments are faced with shrinking <br />budgets and are looking for ways to more efficiently <br />manage and deliver public services. GIS can assist <br />local governments with multiple tasks such as: <br />. Taxation . Boundary changes <br />. Zoning changes . Natural resources <br />management <br /> <br />19 <br />