Adopt Resolution 12-34 to approve the Cochise County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan 2012 as required by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.

The Cochise County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (the Plan) has been prepared in compliance with Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988 (Stafford Act), 42 U.S.C. 5165, as amended by Section 104 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) Public Law 106-390 enacted October 30, 2000. The regulations governing the mitigation planning requirements for local mitigation plans are published under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 44, Section 201.6 (44 CFR §201.6). Additionally, a DMA 2000 compliant plan that addresses flooding will also meet the minimum planning requirements for the Flood Mitigation Assistance program as provided for under 44 CFR §78.

DMA 2000 provides requirements for States, Tribes, and local governments to undertake a risk-based approach to reducing risks to natural hazards through mitigation planning1. The local mitigation plan is the representation of the jurisdiction's commitment to reduce risks from natural hazards, serving as a guide for decision makers as they commit resources to reducing the effects of natural hazards. Local plans will also serve as the basis for the State to provide technical assistance and to prioritize project funding.

Under 44 CFR §201.6, local governments must have a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-approved local mitigation plan in order to apply for and/or receive project grants under the following hazard mitigation assistance programs:
• Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
• Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM)
• Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
• Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL).

DMA 2000 requires that local plans be updated every five years, with each plan cycle requiring a complete review, revision, and approval of the plan at both the state and FEMA levels. Cochise County and the incorporated communities of Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Huachuca City, Sierra Vista, and Tombstone all currently have FEMA approved hazard mitigation plans. The City of Willcox has a final draft plan that was prepared at the same time as the rest of the county jurisdictions, but was never promulgated by the city or approved by FEMA. This Plan is the result of a multi-jurisdictional update process performed by Cochise County and the incorporated communities of Benson, Bisbee, Douglas, Sierra Vista, Tombstone, and Willcox. The Town of Huachuca City did not participate in the update planning effort. The result of the planning process is a single, multi-jurisdictional plan that both updates and consolidates the individual community plans developed for Cochise County and the participating incorporated communities.

Once the resolution is signed approving this plan, and all seven jurisdictions included in this plan have approved the plan, all resolutions will be sent to FEMA for final approval and adoption of our plan.

If this plan is not approved as required by FEMA and the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, then Cochise County would only be eligible for limited emergency funds from FEMA under a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Also by not approving this plan, Cochise County would not be eligible for grants under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program, the Flood Mitigation Assitance Program or the Sever Repetivitle Loss Program.

Provide a signed copy of the resolution to Emergency Services.