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<br />Introduction <br /> <br />In the aftermath of Hurricanes Bertha and Fran in 199(" the North Carolina Enu:rgcncy !\lanagement Di\'ision <br />(I'-jCE0ID) began \,"orking \\"ith cOlnmunitles to JCt]uirc f1ooJpronc residential structures through the Hazard <br />,\Iitigotion C;r:tnt Program (11:-'ICI'). .\11 property aC'Juired through the Hi\ICl' must be dedicated and maintained as <br />open space: to prc\TtH future flood Janugcs. 1\s a result, cotnnll1t1itics prt'paring to in1plclTIcnt acquisition projects are <br />facing ,\-ith two Ill:ljor issues: what to uo with the structure once it is acquired and how to manage and maintain the <br />open space. Comnl11nitics arc encouraged to work with their project Inanagcr as they in'Tcstigate alternatives. <br />l-f~lCP acquisition projects Clll pro\Tidc many benefits to the cornmunity, in addition to preventing future <br />flood damage.; to thar structure. These benefits include: prOl11otion of recycling and waste reduc60n efforts; water <br />llualit~. protection; flood h:lz:ud reduction; habitat and wildlife restoration; housing and comn1uruty development <br />enhancen1ellt; and training. Public safety agencies can use hoolcs slatcd for dClnolition can pr()\~idc as sites for training <br />acti\'ities such as simulated hostage situations, chen1ical spills, and fire suppression. <br />This brochure was deycloped in order to proyioe information and guidance on alternatives to ueJl1olition and <br />options for open space management. Also included arc potential sources of federal and state assistance. \Vhen <br />exploring alternati\TS to delllolition there arc seyeral factors to consider: How old is rhe structure? \X/hat is the <br />condition of [he structure? ,\re there public agencies or nonprofit organizat.ions that would benefit from all or parts of <br />the structure? Does [he structure ha\'e any uni<-Jue architectural features? Is the structure suitable for a training <br />exercise by local public safety agencies (i.e., elnergency manageI11ent, fire, police)? <br />,\ C0t11lllunity can answer these tJuestions then compare the en\~ironrnental, social and other benefits of each <br />:Jlterllati\T. .\fter this eyaluation, rhe Inost appropriate ahcrnatiye or cotnbination of alternatiyes can be selected. For <br />c:\::lIl1ple, a slructure not suitable for relocation or deconstruction could be stripped of sah'ageable tnateriaIs by a local <br />nonprofit agency and used for training before being demolished. <br />\,(.'ilh landfill space at a prcl11ium in tnost cot1ullunities, alternati\TS that reduce the atl10utH of demolition <br />debris and proyide the greatest benefits to C01l1tl1Unity as a whole should be considered, Clearly, relocation offers the <br />grcatest benefits as the entire structure is Iluintaincd in use. Total dC111olition provides the fewest benefits and <br />gencratcs the greatest :l1110unt of w.Jste. As a result, this should be the last option. Regardless of the options chosen, a <br />cotnmunity should make their plans at the Sa111e tin1c they arc going through the aC<-Juisition process. This "\vill enable a <br />community to lake :llh-antage of opporhlllities itnmediatcly after acquisition and reduce the potential for vandalism. <br />