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Great Barrington Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Plan

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Great Barrington Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Plan November [pending FEMA review and Town Adoption] Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 2 CHAPTER 2: PLANNING PROCESS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…........... 3 CHAPTER 3: RISK ASSESSMENT…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………….. 10 Hazard Profiles Inland Flooding……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………. 22 Severe Winter Storms …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………….. 34 Droughts…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………. 41 Change in Average Temperatures/Extreme Temperatures…………………………………………………………………………………..…………………… 47 Tornadoes/High Wind……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………….. 54 Landslides…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 58 Wildfires…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………. 64 Hurricanes/Tropical Storms………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 71 Other Severe Weather………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………. 77 Invasive Species…………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………………………………………….……………. 83 Vector-Borne Disease………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………. 92 Earthquakes………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………………………………………………….. 95 Dam failure……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………………………………………………….…… 101 Cyber Security…………………………………………………………………………………………….……………..………………………………………………………….… 107 CHAPTER 4: MITIGATION STRATEGY…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………......... 113 CHAPTER 5: PLAN ADOPTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………. 137 CHAPTER 6: PLAN MAINTENANCE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….. 138 APPENDICES……………………………………………….…………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………….. 139 APPENDIX A: MEETING DOCUMENTATION APPENDIX B: COMPLETED OR WITHDRAWN MITIGATION ACTIONS APPENDIX C: COMPLETED COMMUNITY RESILIENCE BUILDING WORKSHOP MATRICES APPRENIX D: REQUEST FOR COMMENT FROM REGIONAL PARTNERS AND JURISDICTIONS 1 CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION Purpose The purpose of hazard mitigation planning is to reduce or eliminate the need to respond to hazardous conditions that threaten human life and property. Hazard mitigation can be an action, activity, process, or physical project designed to reduce or eliminate the long-term risks from hazards. The Town of Great Barrington Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (HMCAP) was prepared to meet the goals laid out in this plan as well as in order to meet the requirements of 44 CFR § 201.6 pertaining to local hazard mitigation plans. 44 CFR § 201.6(a)(1) states that a local government must have a mitigation plan approved pursuant to this section in order to receive HMGP project grants. A local government must have a mitigation plan approved pursuant to this section in order to apply for and receive mitigation project grants under all other mitigation grant programs. In accordance with 44 CFR § 201.6 the local mitigation plan is the representation of Great Barrington’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. Additionally, the HMCAP is meant to serve as the basis for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide technical assistance and to prioritize project funding. The HMCAP was also prepared to meet requirements of the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Planning Grant, which enabled Great Barrington to integrate local effects of climate change into their hazard mitigation action plan. By completing the Community Resilience Building (CRB) process, Great Barrington will be an MVP community eligible for MVP Action Grants to adapt to the impacts of climate change on the community. The Town of Great Barrington has laid out the following mission statement for their hazard mitigation planning process: To identify observed and projected risks and sustainable cost-effective actions to mitigate the impact of hazards in order to protect life, property and the environment. Background Mitigation Planning The Town of Great Barrington was included in a regional hazard mitigation plan with 18 other Berkshire County municipalities approved by FEMA Region I in 2012. This Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan is an update of the Berkshire County Hazard Mitigation Plan, dated November 5, 2012. This HMP is a single jurisdictional plan. Location The Town of Great Barrington is in southern Berkshire County, in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Town’s northern border abuts West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, and Lee. The eastern border abuts Tyringham and Monterey. New Marlborough shares a small border with Great Barrington to the southeast, while most of the southern border is with Sheffield. Egremont and Alford share the western border of Great Barrington. 2 CHAPTER 2: PLANNING PROCESS 44 CFR § 201.6(b) & 44 CFR § 201.6(c)(1) Introduction This chapter outlines the development of the Town of Great Barrington Hazard Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation Plan. It identifies who was involved in the process, how they were involved, and the methods of public participation that were employed. An open public involvement process during the drafting stage was essential to the development of the HMCAP. A discussion of how the community will continue public participation in the plan maintenance process (44 CFR § 201.6(c)(4)(iii)) will be discussed in Chapter 4. The Town retained the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, a MVP Provider, to aid them in developing the Hazard Mitigation and Climate Change Adaptation Plan. The essential deliverable was to develop a set of Actions for addressing Priority Hazards, using the CRB Workshop process and methodology as a key stakeholder tool. The Plan is a compilation of data collected by BRPC, information gathered from the planning committee during meetings, and interviews conducted with key stakeholders outside of working meetings. The Great Barrington HMCAP reflects comments provided by participants and the public through the MVP planning process, the Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee, local officials and citizens, neighboring towns, and ultimately MEMA and FEMA. Making the document available to the public for review meets requirements of 44 CFR § 201.6(b)(1). Planning Meetings and Participation 44 CFR § 201.6(c)(1) The Building Inspectors Office is the primary agency responsible for regulating development in town and ensuring compliance with all Town bylaws, and integral to the hazard mitigation planning process. The Building Inspector forwards applications to the planning department and other reviewing staff or boards as needed. A biweekly meeting of development review staff ensures regular and ongoing communication between departments. The development review staff coordinates with state agencies as needed. During the HMCAP planning process there was opportunity for public comment and opportunity for neighboring communities, local and regional agencies or partners involved in hazard mitigation activities, agencies that have the authority to regulate development, as well as businesses, academia and other private and non-profit interests to be involved in the planning process. The Town of Great Barrington was in the process of completing their hazard mitigation plan for FEMA approval when the Town decided to combine the process with the MVP planning grant. In doing this, they could better plan for future conditions and hazards in a changing climate. The Town was then able to use grants from Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The combination of these grants made this comprehensive mitigation and climate change planning process feasible. 3 The Town formed a Hazard Mitigation / MVP planning team with core groups focusing on hazard mitigation plan updates and the MVP/CRB workshop and public listening session. Great Barrington tapped into their newly formed Strategic Sustainability and Livability Committee to lead the MVP/CRB workshop and public listening session planning. Names and roles of those involved in planning are listed in table 2.1. Table 2.1: Planning Team Members for Hazard Mitigation and Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Name Affiliation Role Chris Rembold Assistant Town Manager Project Coordinator/ MVP Workshop Presenter Natalie Narotzky Strategic Sustainability & Livability Committee Core Team Member/MVP Workshop Presenter Jovanina Pagano Strategic Sustainability & Livability Committee Core Team Member Mark Phillips Strategic Sustainability & Livability Committee Core Team Member/ MVP Workshop Presenter Edwin May Building Commissioner Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Chief William Walsh Police Chief Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Rebecca Jurczyk Health Agent Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Sean Van Deusen DPW Director Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Charles Burger Fire Chief Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Pete Soules Highway Superintendent Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Shep Evans Conservation Commission Hazard Mitigation Planning Group Joseph Grochmal Town Staff MVP Workshop Presenter Caroline Massa BRPC Lead Facilitator/ MVP Workshop Presenter Justin Gilmore BRPC
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