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<br />Mitigation Strategy Report <br />FEMA.1134.DR-NC <br /> <br />State of North Carolina <br />Division of Emergency Management <br /> <br />clogged waterways. While storm drainage improvements offer an important means to alleviate flooding, <br />allempts should be made to coordinate projects with other communities as part of a comprehensive <br />basin-wide plan. By coordinating efforts, downstream residents can reduce the likelihood of experiencing <br />increased flood damages due to drainage improvements upstream. <br /> <br />> Dune Stabilization <br /> <br />Dunes provide the first line of defense for coastal communities. Dune stabilization is a very inexpensive <br />mitigation measure used to maintain protective dune systems without causing negative environmental <br />impacts. Two techniques that can be used to accomplish this task include the use of sand fencing and <br />dune revegetation. Sand fencing captures windblown sand, which speeds up the natural process of <br />dune formation. Dune revegetation, like sand fencing, helps speed up the accretion of sand. Vegetation <br />also helps dune stabilization by holding sandy soils together, thereby reducing erosion. However, a <br />dune's creation, destruction, and re-creation is a natural process. Therefore, as iong as people continue <br />to live along the coast, dune stabilization will remain an ongoing effort rather than a one time action. <br /> <br />> Formulation and Implementation of Local Hazard Mitigation Plans <br /> <br />The development and implementation of a local Hazard Mitigation Plan provides a community the <br />means to identify and carry out those measures necessary to reduce future hazards. A sound hazard <br />mitigation plan should address most of the mitigation measures that are discussed in this report, <br />Therefore, the plan, if properly designed and implemented, provides one of the most comprehensive <br />approaches to hazard mitigation. When coordinated with a community's comprehensive plan, the <br />document can help guide development and environmental planning decisions, including capital <br />improvements, the dedication of open space, the provision of infrastructure, and other municipal <br />functions. The Town of Nags Head, for example, has developed a Hurricane and Storm Mitigation <br />Reconstruction Plan which incorporates long-term community development goals into their overall <br />mitigation program. <br /> <br />> Education and Training of Public Officials and Citizens <br /> <br />The education and training of public officials and citizens is crucial to the implementation of effective <br />mitigation strategies. Typical areas of emphasis include hazard awareness and identification, project <br />development, and project implementation. EM is involved in several measures to help communities <br />and public officials recover from Hurricane Fran. Programs include HMGP Applicant Workshops, <br />floodplain management site visits, Resources for Recovery meetings, and riverine and coastal <br />community assistance efforts. HMGP Applicant Workshops discussed eligibility requirements and <br />provided technical information to those needing assistance. Floodplain management site visits involved <br />working with those public officials responsible for administering the local flood ordinance and encouraging <br />non-participating communities to join the program. Resources for Recovery meetings provided <br />information to public officials about State and federal funding sources. Riverine and coastal community <br />assistance efforts helped local officials with questions tied to NFIP, CAMA, Coastal Barrier Resources <br />Act (CBRA), HMGP, and substantial damage determinations. Future outreach efforts include state- <br />wide NFIP and Hazard Mitigation workshops and the development of a Hazard Mitigation course for <br />State and local officials. <br /> <br />> Purchase of Undeveloped Special Flood Hazard Area Property <br /> <br />The purchase of property in undeveloped flood prone areas prior to its development can be an especially <br />effective means to eliminate future flood hazards. This eliminates the need for local, State and federal <br />governments to expend additional time, effort and money protecting citizens and property. In addition, <br />it serves to protect natural habitat. Typically the undeveloped property, once purchased, is held in <br />perpetuity as open space or greenways. This provides additional recreational opportunities and increases <br />local property values. <br /> <br />Page 7 <br />