MARIN COUNTY PRESS RELEASE
It’s greatly reassuring when a community affected by a natural disaster can rely on the support of local government agencies. To boost eligibility for such reimbursements, the County of Marin is proposing a move to roll a mitigation plan into its master planning document called the Marin Countywide Plan.
On April 15, the Board of Supervisors will consider an action that will allow the County to have increased access to State of California funding for public assistance projects. Public assistance projects could include debris removal, life-saving protective measures, and restoration of public infrastructure. Specifically, County staff is seeking Board adoption of the Marin County Operational Area Multi-Jurisdiction Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023 (MJHMP) into the Safety Element portion of the Marin Countywide Plan.
The Marin County Community Development Agency (CDA) and the County FireOffice of Emergency Management (OEM) collaborated on the plan to include the MJHMP and ensure the County is able to access additional recovery funding from the state. Although the MJHMP, as a separate document, is already approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the County Board of Supervisors, folding it into the Marin Countywide Plan would comply with state Assembly Bill 2140 and potentially increase the state’s cost-sharing during an emergency recovery phase.
OEM Coordinator Hannah Tarling said once the federal government declares a disaster in a jurisdiction, federal partners typically cover 75% of recovery costs and the state typically pitches in 18.75%. Incorporating the MJHMP in the Marin Countywide Plan’s Safety Element would mean the final 6.25% could be reimbursed by the state pending its approval.
“Being eligible for full reimbursement of disaster recovery projects provides an important safety net, not just for the County, but for all our community members,” Tarling said. “It also creates an opportunity to align plans across departments under a shared countywide vision and strategy.”
Marin CDA staff handles updates to the Marin Countywide Plan. The Safety Element, adopted by the Board in January 2023, includes plans to implement programs that reduce potential fatalities, injuries, property damage, environmental damage, economic disruption, and social hardship after a disaster such as a wildfire, earthquake, tsunami, flood, mudslide, or severe winter storm. The LHMP also allows for the County to apply for and receive federal grants for hazard mitigation work and to increase community ratings used for the National Flood Insurance Program, which can result in lower flood insurance premiums for property owners.
OEM introduced an interactive map to help determine and mitigate the potential impact of natural hazards near homes, workplaces, and other community resources. The California Office of Emergency Services (OES) maintains a map that shows an address’ risk of earthquake, wildfire, flood, or tsunami.
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