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MODEL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN HANDBOOK Background and Purpose of Model Plan Handbook Proper pl~ing is essential for the success of any jurisdiction that develops a communit), development or improvement project. Proper planning is also necessary for effective hazard mitigation projects. The Handbook takes a methodical approach to mitigation, focusing upon the balance that is provided by the local team made up of elected officials, agency representatives, business people and interested citizens. each providing valuable input. Additionally, proper enforcement ofIocal ordinances i~ critical, especially those that apply to the jurisdiction's floodplain and the flood insurance program. I As a result of the Great Flood of 1993 and additional major flood and tbmado disasters in 1994, 1995 and 1996, Federal and State funding for mitigation projects has become available~ Although numerous acquisition projects were implemented during the period from 1993 to 1996, in order to remove individuals from the floodplain, it has now become imperative that jurisdictions have a completed Hazard Mitigation Plan in order to receive funds from the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program or the new Flood Mitigation Assistance Program. Also, when the Illinois Interagency Mitigation Advisory Group (IMAG) reviews applications and makes recommendations for Federal and State mitigation r"nds, the communities' comminnentto hazard mitigation, as listed in the Hazard Mitigation Plan, is examined in order to make sure that the project is in the best interest of the jurisdiction and taxpayers. The Handbook is intended to lead jurisdictional representatives interested in hazard mitigation though a methodical planning exercise with the Commentary on the left page and fill-in the blank responses 00 the right page(s), Wheo completed, the Handbook will provide the framework for more comprehensive planning in jurisdictions that want to pursue more in-depth planning and economic development The most important elements of this Plan should be developed by the LOCAL TEAM (L T); however, the Disaster Recovery Office staff will be happy to provide assistance. Briefly, METHODICAL MITIGATION (MM) planning can be reduced to the following formula: MM = LT (pH & V; G & 0; 3AM & PD &A, The elements in parentheses representing the PLAN include: (1) Identifying the POTEI\'TIAL HAZARDS (PH) and VULNERABILITY (V); (2) Determining the priority hazard mitigation GOAL (G) and OBJECTIVES (0); (3i Assessing the mitigation activities and evaluating the ALTERNATIVE MEASURES, AFFORDABLE MEASURES, and APPROPRlA TE MEASURES (3AM); and (4) Requesting PUBLIC INPUT (PI). By performing these tasks, representatives will be able to prepare and ADOPT (A) a Hazard Mitigation Plan that addresses their goal and outlines their implementation strategy. It is extremely important that jurisdictions which have identified mitigation projects seek funding while monies continue to be available to Illinois after the recent presidentially-declared disasters. [t is also imponantto consider the long-term benefits that ultimately come from communities which are bener able to withstand natural disaster;. Results to be achieved by using this Handbook: o The community's elected officials will be able to establish and prioritize mitigation goals and objectives, rather than implementing the plans and projects being recommended to them by others. o The National Flood Insurance Program requirements will be incorporated into the plan and, as a result, the community can proceed to develop a permanent procedure for enforcing the floodplain ordinance. o The jurisdiction will be able to address mitigation from an all-hazards approach. o The jurisdiction will become proactive in risk-reduction, rather than having to implement post-disaster mitigation during the stressful times while recovering from a disaster. vii