The Town has released their updated Hazard Mitigation Plan for public review and comment. This Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is a product of the Dedham Hazard Mitigation Committee (HMC). Once the two-week public comment period concludes the Environmental Department will be seeking approval of the plan by the Dedham Select Board, the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000.
This 2020 HMP update was led by the Environmental Department and developed in conjunction with the Town’s Climate Action and Resiliency Plan, the second phase of the Municipal Vulnerability Program (MVP) initiative. Dedham is among the first in the State to run the MVP directive concurrently with a hazard mitigation plan update. This efficiency better utilizes stakeholder time and broadens the discussion on resiliency.
The HMC’s overview of past natural hazard occurrences verifies that the Town is vulnerable to diverse events including flooding, high winds, winter-related hazards, and intense storms. The discussion puts the likelihood of these events into historical perspective and recognizes that although the probability of thunderstorms and lightning events may be higher, the intensity and potential impacts from less likely events such as hurricanes can be far greater.
The risk assessment portion of the plan confirms that the Town has much to lose from these events. The identified vulnerabilities include flood prone drainage systems and infrastructure, bridges, water supply systems, dams, critical municipal hazard response facilities, populations, businesses, schools, recreation facilities, natural and historic resources.
To address these risks the 2020 HMP put forth a clear mission, a distinct set of goals and 20 specific mitigation actions. To implement the plan, important goals must be met. Among others the Town should protect public health, safety and welfare; reduce property damages caused by natural disasters; minimize social dislocation and stress; and reduce economic losses and minimize disruption to local businesses.
The purpose of the Dedham Hazard Mitigation Plan Update is to set forth guidelines of short-term and long-term actions, which will reduce the actual or potential loss of life or property from natural hazardous. This plan was constructed using input from a variety of municipal and private stakeholders and the general public was involved in the planning process. This plan serves as guidance to help the Town reduce their losses and vulnerabilities relating to natural hazards.
The plan will be posted on the Environmental Department’s website at www.dedham-ma.gov for review. Comments may be sent to Environmental Coordinator, Virginia LeClair at [email protected] and should be received by Wednesday, June 17th.
This press release was produced by the Town of Dedham. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
