Monterey Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan December 15, 2020 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………… 2 CHAPTER 2: PLANNING PROCESS…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….……………4 CHAPTER 3: RISK ASSESSMENT…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………………. 9 Hazard Profiles Inland Flooding Severe Winter Storms Droughts Change in Average Temperatures/Extreme Temperatures Tornadoes/High Wind Landslides Wildfires Hurricanes/Tropical Storms Other Severe Weather Invasive Species Vector-Borne Disease Earthquakes Dam failure Cyber Security CHAPTER 4: MITIGATION STRATEGY………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….109 CHAPTER 5: PLAN ADOPTION…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………………. 119 CHAPTER 6: PLAN MAINTENANCE………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..………….. 120 APPENDICES……………………………………………….…………………………………………………………..……………………………………………………………………………………….. 121 APPENDIX A: MEETING DOCUMENTATION APPENDIX B: COMPLETED MITIGATION ACTIONS APPRENIX C: FEMA REVIEW TOOL AND TOWN RESPONSES 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, property and the natural environment. 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 Monterey Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan (HMCAP) was prepared in order to meet the requirements of the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44 CFR § 201.6, pertaining to local hazard mitigation plans. Title 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.” Further, “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.” As this Hazard Mitigation Plan will illustrate, Monterey’s eligibility for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hazard mitigation grants, is crucial. The Town of Monterey has laid out the following mission statement for their Hazard Mitigation Committee and their planning process: “To identify risks and sustainable cost-effective actions to mitigate the impact of natural hazards in order to protect life, property and the environment of Monterey.” The following goals are set forth in order to achieve this mission: In accordance with 44 CFR § 201.6, the Monterey Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation plan is the representation of Monterey’s commitment to reduce risks from natural hazards and serves as a guide for decision makers as they commit resources to reducing the effects of natural hazards. Additionally, the HMCAP will serve as the basis for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to provide technical assistance and to support priority project funding for the Town of Monterey. 2 Background Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Planning History The Town of Monterey was included in the 2012 regional Hazard Mitigation Plan with 18 other Berkshire County municipalities. In addition, Monterey successfully completed the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Planning process in 2018. This combined Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan is a single-jurisdiction plan that both updates the 2012 Berkshire County Hazard Mitigation Plan and incorporates the 2018 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Plan data. Location The Town of Monterey, encompassing 27.39 square miles, is located in southeastern Berkshire County, in western Massachusetts. It is bordered by the Towns of Tyringham to the north, Otis to the east, Sandisfield to the southeast, New Marlborough on the south, and Great Barrington to the west. A VIEW OF LAKE GARFIELD 3 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 Monterey HMCAP. 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 6. Planning Meetings and Participation 44 CFR § 201.6(c)(1) The hazard mitigation planning process for the Town of Monterey began in March of 2019. A year earlier the hazard prioritization and adaptation process through the Municipal Vulnerability Planning (MVP) program. The structured Community Resilience Building framework utilized by the MVP program uncovered local vulnerabilities to natural hazards and provided much of the information necessary for the HMCAP. Monterey is a small town (population 957, per U.S. Census 2015 data) in which its committees, boards or commissions may consist of only one or two people and many town officials serve on multiple committees, on both a paid and volunteer basis. The following groups and representatives were active on the Monterey Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee: a Select Board member, Highway Department director, the Chief of the Police Department, the Fire Department Chief and a Community Center board member. These same individuals served on the 2018 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness Committee. Each sought input from their respective boards, departments or committees, on the development of this combined HMCAP. Monterey residents and those of neighboring communities, representatives of regional agencies and local nonprofit partners directly involved in hazard response or mitigation activities, municipal board members and other public entities that have authority to regulate development, utility providers and local businesses, with an interest in environmental or civic processes, etc., were provided the opportunity to give input and provide feedback on the mapped areas of concern, as well as the data collected surrounding significant weather events and the impacts that accrued therefrom. The Monterey HMCAP was available for review and comment on the Town of Monterey and BRPC websites. Monterey posted the plan on April 1st, 2020 on the website announcements and BRPC posted the plan on March 16th, 2020. An article soliciting public comment was included in the local Monterey News for April 2020. Making the document available to the public for review meets requirements of 44 CFR § 201.6(b)(1). 4 Additionally, the Town of Monterey solicited feedback from neighboring towns by emailing the plan and requesting review and feedback. Requests for comment from the regional committees that Town staff serve on and solicitation of comment from neighboring towns meets requirements of 44 CFR § 201.6(b)(2), pertaining to involvement of regional partners in the planning process. The letter soliciting comments from neighboring communities can be seen in Appendix D. Technical Assistance for the development of this Plan was provided by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC). BRPC works with all Berkshire County municipalities, federal and state agencies, and local partners to conduct planning and help guide development in Berkshire County. The Town of Monterey HMCAP is a compilation of regional data collected by BRPC, information gathered from the Monterey HMCAP Committee during regular meetings and individual interviews conducted with key stakeholders outside of working meetings. In addition, the Plan reflects comments provided by MEMA and FEMA after their review of the DRAFT HMCAP. Revisions were made to the plan based on feedback from May 2020 to June 2020. The Monterey Board of Selectmen adopted the Plan on December 2, 2020. Incorporation of Existing Information 44 CFR § 201.6(b)(3) The Hazard Mitigation & Climate Adaptation Plan cannot be created in a silo – the plan must encompass land use, water resources, municipal services, public facilities, private homes, businesses and vulnerable populations. The Town of Monterey reviewed and incorporated existing plans, studies, reports and technical information into their hazard mitigation plan with the assistance of BRPC staff. This plan should be used in conjunction with other existing local plans, including the Monterey Master Plan, (2010), Capital Improvement Plan (2019), Economic Development Plan (2006), Community Development Plan (2003) and Local Emergency Operations Plan (2012) and the Open Space & Recreation Plan (2005). Existing regional studies, plans and guidance pertinent to Monterey, were also solicited from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation & Recreation (MA DCR), because of the large percentage of forested lands in Monterey under their management. DCR Plans reviewed included: Landscape Designations for DCR Parks & Forests: Selection Criteria and Management Guidelines, dated March, 2012 and the Southern Berkshire District Forest Resource Management Plan, dated November 4, 2008. These documents provided important insight into the value of the forest and water resources in Monterey, as well as a long-term vision for the Town, including a path forward for protecting the community’s many natural assets. In addition, a review of hazard mitigation plans for the neighboring communities of Great Barrington, New Marlborough, Tyringham, Otis and Sandisfield approved by FEMA Region I in 2012, was completed to