Title: Mitigation Planning Series: Linking the Results of the California Coastal Analysis and
Mapping Project to Hazard Mitigation Planning
Author: Wynne Kwan, AICP, LEED AP, Senior Planner
Short Story:
As part of FEMA’s Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP), the CCAMP Open Pacific Coast
and San Francisco Bay Area Coastal Studies will result in new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels
showing coastal flooding risks and wave hazards. A new series in Coastal Beat will feature articles and
resources to support communities in the hazard mitigation planning process using the new flood risk
information. –continue reading-Long Story:
CCAMP is part of FEMA’s Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment, and Planning) program which provides
communities with flood information and tools they can use to enhance their mitigation plans and better
protect their citizens. From discovering local needs, to addressing gaps in flood hazard data, and working
with community representatives in assessing risk and vulnerability, mitigation planning is considered
throughout the process. The vision represented by the Risk MAP life cycle, shown below, begins with
Identifying Risk, Assessing Risk, Communicating Risk, and finally Mitigating Risk. The new Flood
Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels resulting from the Open Pacific Coast (OPC) and San Francisco Bay
Area Coastal (BAC) Studies will enable communities to “identify risk” in the Risk MAP life cycle. The
question then becomes how to incorporate the resulting risk data and information to close the Risk MAP
life cycle and develop mitigation actions accordingly.
The goals that FEMA has established for Risk MAP include:
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Communicate Risk: Ensure that a measurable increase of the public’s awareness and
understanding of risk results in a measurable reduction of current and future vulnerability.
Mitigate Risk: Lead and support States, local, and Tribal communities to effectively engage in
risk-based mitigation planning resulting in sustainable actions that reduce or eliminate risks to life
and property from natural hazards.
To accomplish these goals, a new feature in Coastal Beat, the Mitigation Planning Series, will focus on
hazard mitigation planning. The Mitigation Planning Series will provide communities with articles,
resources, and tips on how to incorporate the results of the CCAMP OPC and BAC coastal flood mapping
efforts into their hazard mitigation planning activities and document related coastal hazard mitigation
efforts in a local jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
This first installment of the Mitigation Planning Series will define mitigation and summarize how HMPs
fit into the Risk MAP life cycle. Future topics to be covered in the Series include: mitigation actions to
address coastal flood risks; how to prioritize and develop coastal actions and implementation strategies
for potential funding opportunities building on existing plans, programs and funding mechanisms; and
flood hazard mitigation success stories. If there is something you’d like the Mitigation Planning Series
to address, please submit your suggestions to Wynne Kwan at wkwan@mbakercorp.com.
What is Hazard Mitigation?
Hazard mitigation is defined by FEMA as “any sustained action taken to reduce or eliminate long-term
risk to human life and property from a hazard event.” On average, each dollar spent on mitigation saves
society an average of $4 in avoided future losses in addition to saving lives and preventing injuries
(National Institute of Building Science Multi-Hazard Mitigation Council 2005). Mitigation can take several
forms, including siting, construction techniques, protective works, maintenance, land use regulation,
coastal zone management planning, and enhanced natural buffers to address coastal hazards, such as
coastal flooding, wave run up, shoreline erosion, and storm surges. The Mitigation Planning Series will
highlight various mitigation actions previously implemented by coastal communities to address these
coastal hazards.
Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs) and the Risk MAP Life Cycle
The Risk MAP life cycle complements the process of developing and updating HMPs. A community’s
HMP, like other official planning documents, serves as its official statement of hazard identification,
vulnerability analysis, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy to assist decision makers in directing
available resources. With the public involvement components of Risk MAP, opportunities are provided
throughout the planning process to communicate risk to, and obtain feedback from community officials
and other stakeholders. When communities continuously monitor, evaluate, update, and implement
actions identified in their HMPs, the HMP becomes a living document. FEMA collaborates with the
California Emergency Management Agency to approve HMPs making it possible for communities to
receive federal mitigation and disaster assistance.