To: Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan - Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Annex, Countywide.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the Chair, Board of Supervisors, as governing board of the Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (Flood Control District) to ADOPT the Resolution updating the Contra Costa County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) to include the Flood Control District Annex.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Adoption of the HMP to include the Flood Control District Annex will provide an opportunity to apply for and receive Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Program Grants. Project No. 7505-6F8114 (100% Flood Control District Funds)
BACKGROUND:
The last Local HMP by Contra Costa County expired in April 2023. Contra Costa County Office of Emergency Services began updating the plan in 2021 and coordinated an update for unincorporated Contra Costa County, 16 cities, and 24 special districts, including the Flood Control District. Volume 1 contains Countywide planning elements and the overall analysis of the hazards, a County profile, and the Countywide mitigation action items. Volume 2 contains an annex by each partner agency with specifics to each jurisdiction. The 2024 HMP for the Flood Control District is part of Volume 2.
The Flood Control District manages critical infrastructure, including 79 miles of flood control channels, 29 dams and detention basins, and 47 drop structures, which protect over 1,500 acres of land and provide regional flood protection. The HMP provides specific details on the planning process, mitigation goals and objectives, hazard identification and risk assessment, mitigation strategy, and plan maintenance by the Flood Control District.
FEMA requires that the HMP address these hazards: climate change, dam and levee failure, drought, earthquake, flood, sea level rise, severe weather, wildfire, and hazardous materials incidents, specifically as related to Flood Control District facilities. FEMA guidelines increased the effort, coordination, and time needed to complete the plan, particularly with new outreach requirements. Public input was gathered through meetings, questionnaires, and social media to share knowledge on local vulnerabilities.
Once the HMP is approved by the California Office of Emergency Services and FEMA, and adopted by the County Board of Supervisors, the Flood Control District will be eligible for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program Grants to implement hazard mitigation measures.
Approval of the HMP highlights the Flood Control District’s commitment to the importance of mitigation planning and projects. The HMP is a 5-year plan that sets the hazard and mitigation priorities for the Flood Control District. The HMP is also a living document, updated as new hazards, strategies, and projects emerge to reduce disaster impacts.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Failure to approve the HMP update may cause the Flood Control District to become ineligible from applying for and receiving FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program Grants and/or disqualification from receiving state disaster assistance funding.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
and for Special Districts, Agencies and Authorities Governed by the Board
body
IN THE MATTER OF IN THE MATTER OF Adopting the 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Annex.
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (Flood Control District) recognizes the threats that certain natural and human-caused hazards pose to the people, economy, and property within the Flood Control District’s jurisdiction; and
WHEREAS, the Flood Control District has prepared a multihazard mitigation plan, hereby known as the 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) - Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Annex in accordance with federal laws, including the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended; the National Dam Safety Program Act, as amended; and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s 2023 Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide; and
WHEREAS, the HMP identifies mitigation goals and actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property in Flood Control District jurisdiction from the impacts of future hazards and disasters; and
WHEREAS, adoption by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors demonstrates its commitment to hazard mitigation and achieving the mitigation actions and goals outlined in the HMP.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, this Board
1) Adopts the 2024 Hazard Mitigation Plan - Contra Costa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District Annex.
2) Will use the adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan, to guide pre- and post-disaster mitigation of the hazards identified.
3) Will coordinate the strategies identified in the Hazard Mitigation Plan with other partner agencies under its jurisdictional authority.
4) Will help to promote and support the mitigation success of all HMP planning partners.