rDRAFT HAZARD MITIGATION POLICIES AND STRATEGIES

November 23, 2011

State Goal: Discourage development in natural hazard areas. Municipalities shall prevent inappropriate development in these areas including floodplains and high erosion areas.

Local Goal: Reduce losses to public and private property caused by inappropriate development through effective planning, preparedness, response and regulation.

Fort Kent is a “river town” and, as such, flooding is the predominant threat that must be planned for and managed on an annual basis. The town has decades of experience in understanding the risks associated with its development along the St. John and Fish Rivers. This experience is reflected in the many projects and the millions of dollars the local, State and Federal governments have invested to reduce the risks and loses from flooding. The town participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, administers and updates a Floodplain Management Ordinance as well as town-wide and shoreland zoning ordinances. Flood control structures have been constructed along the St. John River and Regiest Daigle Brook and dozens of homes have been removed from the 100-year floodplain. Still, the preeminent force of nature has reminded the community that the risk is dynamic and continuous.

In 2008 the levee along the St. John River came within 6 inches of being over-topped and the flooding on the east end of town caused millions in damage, displacement of households and disruption of community services. This event set in motion a comprehensive review of Fort Kent’s preparedness in dealing with a disaster of the magnitude that would occur if the levee failed. The local response to this event with support from Aroostook County Emergency Management and other State and Federal agencies illustrates the amazing resiliency and determination of the local government and citizenry. In their report “Living Behind the Levee”, FEMA, reminds us that a changing climate and land use practices will keep nature as unpredictable as ever and hence the local efforts in hazard mitigation planning and preparedness must never cease. Recognizing this fact is well timed with this comprehensive land use plan update.

While flooding may always be the risk that requires the greatest attention, the community faces several other risks that must understood and addressed. Fort Kent is also a northern border community of forests and farms and development is occurring in these areas. Ice storms and the ensuing power outages, wildfire and severe winds are all risks to the community that are part of the town’s hazard mitigation planning. Propane and fuel storage and the transport of chemicals through populated areas also require some discussion. The expertise of the committee members allowed our policy/strategy process to reflect an understanding of what the risks are to the community and an understanding of the responses that are necessary to minimize the impacts of natural and man-made disasters. Some strategies are regulatory in nature in advance of a disaster or identify emergency responses that must occur immediately before, during and after a disaster event. They are intended to address the damage to private and public property including facilities and infrastructure and the disruption of essential services. Our policies and strategies also address the disruption of the local economy and, in severe cases, the social fabric of the community occurring after a disaster. They reflect the realization that not everything that may be at risk can escape damage in a disaster event and therefore address recovery. Getting things functioning, repaired and back to normal as quickly as possible is essential to a town’s viability after a disaster.

Policies – Prevention and Property Protection through Hazard Mitigation Planning, Zoning and Subdivision Regulation and Storm Water and Drainage System Maintenance

Hazard mitigation planning is developed and coordinated at the County level by Aroostook Emergency Management (AKEMA). The Aroostook County Hazard Mitigation Plan update received final FEMA approval in 2011. The plan is revised every 5 years. Fort Kent submitted the required materials that identify specific local issues that require mitigation and has approved their participation in the County plan.

Policy 1: Participate in the hazard mitigation planning process at the County level and

implement local strategies to enhance preparedness, response and reduce

risks to persons and property.

Strategies:

a. Designate a local person as Hazard Mitigation Coordinator (Officer) with on-going responsibility and create an annual stipend as compensation and to reflect the level of importance of their responsibilities:

1. Annual update of local sections of County HM Plan

2. Keep plan active by implementing specific tasks in the plan.

3. Maintain on-going communication with Emergency

Management Agency (EMA) and with local Police, Fire,

Ambulance, Border Patrol and other government services.

4. Coordinate the annual flood preparedness meetings, training

and public education with AKEMA and other agencies.

5. Address tasks related to long term recovery planning formula.

b. Seek grant funding through Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), Hazard Mitigation Program, Maine Office of Community Development- CDBG Program, Maine Department of Transportation –Rural Roads Initiative and other sources to undertake the projects identified in the Hazard Mitigation Plan.

c. Request that the USGS install another gauge on the St. John River between the levee and the present gauge to provide earlier indication of flood stage in the Town center.

d. Initiate a dialog with the business community to initiate a long term transition to a new central business “downtown” area and to encourage investment outside the area “protected” by the levee.

e. Cooperate with Lonesome Pine, NMDC and businesses to create a plan to relocate police and government services in the event of a levee failure (over-topping).

f. Study the Heritage Trail to determine the minimum upgrades needed to accommodate its use as an alternate emergency route to upriver communities.

g. Maintain and build reserve funds as match for Pre-disaster Mitigation Grant funds for large capital projects and apply for these funds.

h. Continue to fund upgrades to town roads targeted in Hazard Mitigation Plan as existing road improvement bonds are paid. Keep scope of work manageable.

i. Continue to invest in drainage improvements on all roads to mitigate damage caused by runoff.

j. Invest in concrete barriers that can be used to deflect flood waters and close-off and control access points during emergencies.

k. Coordinate traffic control with the US Border Patrol, Customs and the Maine State Police to restrict outside traffic during disaster events.

l. Install an alarm system for the waste water treatment plant lagoon to detect level.

m. Maintain Charette Hill communications tower including tree removal and clear zone.

n. Study the feasibility of an alternative public water supply on the West side of Town.

Policy 2: Ensure that new development and improvement to existing properties does not reate

or contribute to the risk of property damage, personal injury or loss of life.

Strategies:

a. Revise the local town-wide zoning ordinance to incorporate all land use regulations into a single document that includes Floodplain Management, Shoreland Zoning, Road Construction and Town wide Zoning. Review these ordinances annually and keep floodplain and shoreland zoning provisions current with State and Federal standards.

b. Enforce, without exception, the construction standards outlined in the Floodplain Management section and local road standards for subdivision roads and roads proposed for public acceptance.

c. Amend the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances to include storm water runoff standards and enforce without exception.

d. Communicate with Maine DEP on storm water management issues and cooperate on enforcement.

e. Use the building permit review process to educate all floodplain property owners on methods of flood proofing their buildings.

f. Continue to seek funds for property acquisition and residential/business relocation in floodplain areas.

Policy: The Natural Resources That Supports Hazard Mitigation

The community recognizes that it has many natural resources that help reduce the intensity of flooding and protect water quality. The protection of these natural features, specifically wetlands, floodplains and riparian areas is the least expensive way to mitigate the effects of runoff, erosion and flooding. Standards are already in place in local ordinances that address protection of the resources.

Policy 1: Ensure the protection of wetlands, floodplains and riparian areas from activities that

reduce their capacity to control flooding and erosion.

Strategies:

a. Strictly enforce floodplain management and shoreland zoning standards that pertain to filling, earth moving and clearing activities.

Policy 2: Protect the capacity of roadside drainage and storm drainage systems to handle

runoff.

Strategies:

a. Strictly enforce the standards found in the Zoning Site Design Review and Subdivision Ordinances that pertain to sedimentation and erosion control.

b. Annually identify erosion and runoff problems associated with agriculture and request that the USDA-NRCS and the Soil and Water Conservation District assist landowners.

Policies: An All-Hazards Approach to Preparedness, Response, Recovery and

Education

Fort Kent acknowledges that there are other serious natural and man-made hazards that require planning, preparation and public education to ensure the safety of its citizens. Most of these are identified in the County Hazard Mitigation Plan and include severe winter storms with high wind and ice and severe summer storms with high wind and flash flooding. Associated, long duration, power outages are of particular concern. The town is also vulnerable to forest fire, especially during periods of drought, given the extent of its urban/wild land interface and increased residential construction in forested areas. There is a risk of multiple structure fires. Several man-made hazards were identified that include above ground propane and liquid fuel storage near residential and commercial uses and the rail and truck transport of fuels and industrial chemicals through these same areas. The neighboring community of Clair, New Brunswick also has these risks that could impact Fort Kent. Clair, NB also has a commercial fertilizer plant within 2000 feet of some of Fort Kent’s most densely developed areas.

Policy 1: Build community capacity to withstand long duration power outages to protect public services, shelter areas and private residences.

Strategies:

a. Hire an electrician or facilities manager to determine the size of generator needed to power each public facility and designated shelter areas.

b. Develop a priority list of facilities that require back-up power and seek Federal and State grant funding for the purchase of generators.

c. Design and implement a community survey that determines the capacity of local households to cope with power outages and report results to County and local emergency response.

d. Publicly post emergency preparedness information that directs citizens to County, State and Federal emergency management websites and other educational resources.

e. Encourage all local fuel companies to have auxiliary power that enables them to supply gasoline, diesel and propane during outages.

f. Develop a municipal fuel depot with generator set-up to enhance preparedness.

g. Create/initiate a tornado notification protocol with the National Weather Service, Caribou and local emergency responders for advance warning.

Policy 2: Enhance Fire Department and community capacity to respond to forest fire.

Strategies:

a. Develop a database on the ownership, location and accessibility of ponds using Maine GIS or other mapping database. Focus areas include Violette Settlement, Belone Hill, South Perly Brook and Eagle Lake Road.

b. Seek cooperative agreements with private pond owners on the use of water for firefighting, installation of dry hydrants and access for pumper/tanker.

c. Apply for grant monies through FEMA- Assistance to Firefighters and Maine Forest Service for additional equipment and gear required to fight forest fires.

d. Explore changes in zoning and building standards that better protect structures from forest fires by requiring fire resistant materials, clear areas and other methods.

Policy 3: Prevent the establishment of new made-made hazards near densely developed areas and research existing hazards and the potential for relocation.

Strategies:

a. Develop a new industrial park at the location identified in the future land use plan and revise zoning standards for industrial uses.

b. Use the building permit process to identify potential hazards associated with commercial and industrial development.

c. Amend the Site Design Review section of the local zoning ordinance to include standards related to location, storage and use of hazardous substances and materials for existing and new commercial/industrial uses.

d. Conduct an annual safety inspection of facilities that contain, store and use hazardous materials/substances.

e. Convene a working group of first responders, County emergency management experts and hazard owners to clarify the level of risk and preparedness. Report to the Town Manager/Council.

f. Create a memorandum of understanding or inter-local agreement with Clair, New Brunswick and/or Provincial emergency responders regarding communication and response training and cooperation in the event of hazardous material disaster/fire.

g. Annually contact MDOT to request a list of hazardous materials being transported by rail and to encourage that railroad sidings be sited outside of town.

h. Revise municipal lease language to include strict control of hazardous materials