West Boylston Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
West Boylston Hazard Mitigation Plan Update: 2018
Disaster Mitigation Plan-
Congress enacted the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) on October 10, 2000. Also, known as the Stafford Act Amendments, the bill was signed into law by President Clinton on October 30, 2000, creating Public Law 106-390. The law established a national program for pre-disaster mitigation and streamlined the federal administration of disaster relief.
Specific rules on the implementation of DMA 2000 were published in the Federal Register in February 2002 and required that all communities must have a Hazard Mitigation Plan in place in order to qualify for future federal disaster mitigation grants following a Presidential disaster declaration; each plan must be updated every five years to remain valid. The Hazard Mitigation Plan emphasizes measures that can be taken to reduce or prevent future disaster damages caused by natural hazards. In the context of natural hazard planning, hazard mitigation refers to any action that permanently reduces or eliminates long-term risks to human life and property.
Plan Purpose-
New England weather is renowned for its mercurial and dramatic nature. Late summer hurricanes, major winter blizzards, and summer droughts are all part of climactic atmosphere in Central Massachusetts. These occur frequently enough to be familiar scenes to residents of West Boylston. The intersection of these natural hazards with the built environment can transition these routine events into classified natural disasters. Since many towns historically developed along waterways as a corridor for transportation and power, much development is present in riverine floodplains. The historical development pattern of Central Massachusetts makes the likelihood of a devastating impact of a natural disaster more likely.
This plan identifies the natural hazards facing the Town of West Boylston, assesses the vulnerabilities of the area’s critical facilities, infrastructure, residents, and businesses, and presents recommendations on how to mitigate the negative effects of typical natural hazards. This effort has drawn from the knowledge of local municipal officials and residents, and the recommendations presented are intended to be realistic and effective steps for mitigating natural hazards. Implementation of these actions will translate into savings – fewer lives lost, less property destroyed, and less disruption to essential services.