Chelan County initiates public engagement on Hazard Mitigation Plan update

CHELAN COUNTY – Chelan County is currently in its public engagement phase of the Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) update, seeking feedback on the draft plan until Oct. 17.

The HMP is used to reduce risks from natural disasters within county lines. It must be updated every five years in order to maintain accurate information and ensure eligibility for federal grant funding under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA). The last update occurred in 2019, and expires Dec. 2024. 

The HMP identifies and ranks the top risks faced within the county: wildfire and wildfire smoke, drought, earthquake, flood, landslides, severe weather, and avalanches. Wildfires and severe weather are ranked the highest risks countywide, with avalanches ranked as low risks. The plan includes actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to lives and property and hazard maps for each considered risk.

The plan covers Cashmere, Chelan, Entiat, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, the unincorporated areas of Chelan County, and nine special purpose districts: Chelan County Flood Control Zone District, Cascadia Conservation District, Lake Chelan Reclamation District, and six fire districts. 

The 2024 comprehensive update process was led by the Chelan County Natural Resources Department and the Cascadia Conservation District, with partners from municipalities and special districts, as well as participation from community-based organizations. This year, the update process was also integrated with the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) planning process. 

The 2024 updates to the 2019 Chelan County HMP include revisions to the mission statement, goals, plan, and priorities, such as broadening considerations of vulnerability and impacts to “people, structures, systems, natural, historic, and cultural resources, activities of value, and agriculture.”

It also includes new data for flood risk assessment and updated risk assessments, as well as a revision under the chapter for dams to meet the updated requirements in the 2022 FEMA planning process. 

The public is encouraged to familiarize themselves with the 2024 HMP, take a survey, and provide public comment on the draft plan by Oct. 17. The draft, survey, and an option to leave public comment can be found on the Chelan County website. 

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media