SUBJECT
Title
INCORPORATING THE CURRENT SAN DIEGO COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN INTO THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO’S GENERAL PLAN AND CEQA EXEMPTION (DISTRICTS: ALL)
Body
OVERVIEW
Passed in 2006, Assembly Bill No. 2140 (AB 2140) allows California counties to be considered for additional State cost-share reimbursement on eligible Public Assistance projects by adopting or incorporating their current, FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plans by reference into the safety element of their general plan. Adopting a local hazard mitigation plan, along with other requirements, makes the County of San Diego (County) eligible to be reimbursed by the state for part or all local-share costs on eligible Public Assistance projects through the California Disaster Assistance Act. For eligible Public Assistance projects, the typical local (non-federal) cost share is 25% of the total project cost.
On February 7, 2023 (17), the County Board of Supervisors (Board) adopted the San Diego County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP). One of the purposes of the MJHMP is to incorporate the policies, plans, programs, and resources referenced into the County’s General Plan Safety Element. The County’s MJHMP includes the County, special districts, and all 18 cities within San Diego County. It identifies risks and ways to minimize damage from natural and human-caused disasters. The Safety Element and the MJHMP work together to achieve the goal of hazard risk reduction.
Today’s recommended actions are to approve a resolution recognizing that the Safety Element of the County’s General Plan adequately and fully meets the intent of AB 2140 and includes the necessary reference to the current (2023) FEMA-approved San Diego County MJHMP.
RECOMMENDATION(S)
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
1. Adopt the Resolution entitled A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO INCORPORATING THE CURRENT SAN DIEGO COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (MJHMP) INTO THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO’S GENERAL PLAN.
2. Find that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3).
EQUITY IMPACT STATEMENT
The Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan contains goals and policies that seek to minimize risks to known natural and human-caused hazards in overburdened and underserved communities. Implementing programs and actions based on the goals and policies within the Safety Element will continue to create positive impacts on persons experiencing homelessness, low-income communities, communities of color, communities in high hazard risk areas, persons with disabilities, and communities disproportionately affected by natural and human-caused hazards.
SUSTAINABILITY IMPACT STATEMENT
Both the Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan and the San Diego County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) address sustainability impacts from natural and human-caused hazards by identifying policies and mitigation actions to reduce or eliminate long-term risk. Incorporating the 2023 FEMA-approved MJHMP into the Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan will contribute to achieving the County of San Diego’s Sustainability Goal to invest in building resilience in vulnerable populations in partnership with communities. This will be accomplished by making the County eligible to be reimbursed by the state for part or all local-share costs on eligible Public Assistance projects for recovery activities after hazard events. Public Assistance projects play a crucial role in helping communities recover from disasters by providing financial assistance for the repair, replacement, and mitigation of damaged infrastructure and facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with today’s recommendations. There will be no change in net General Fund cost and no additional staff years.
BUSINESS IMPACT STATEMENT
N/A
Details
ADVISORY BOARD STATEMENT
N/A
BACKGROUND
On January 22, 2024, a severe atmospheric river produced widespread flooding, mudslides, erosion, and storm debris throughout San Diego County resulting in numerous road closures and severe damage to both public and private infrastructure. Since then, the San Diego County Operational Area has been approved for California Disaster Assistance Act (CDAA) funding for the January 22nd flood event. Eligible work involved emergency protective measures, debris removal, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of roads, public infrastructure, facilities, and utilities damaged or destroyed by the January 22nd flood event. The CDAA limits the State share for any eligible project to no more than 75% of the total State eligible costs.
The Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan establishes policies that minimize the risk of personal injury, loss of life, property damage, and environmental damage associated with natural and human-caused hazards. On February 7, 2023 (17), the Board approved a resolution to adopt the current San Diego County Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) in accordance with the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, which requires all jurisdictions to adopt a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-approved hazard mitigation plan as a prerequisite to receive pre-disaster and post-disaster mitigation project funding.
Passed in 2006, Assembly Bill No. 2140 (AB 2140) allows the County of San Diego to be considered for additional State cost-share reimbursement for eligible Public Assistance projects that relate to recovery activities after hazard events by adopting or incorporating the 2023 FEMA-approved San Diego County MJHMP by reference into the Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan. This adoption, along with other requirements, makes the County eligible to be considered for state reimbursement of part or all its local-share costs (25%) on eligible Public Assistance projects to be provided through the CDAA.
To become eligible for the funding incentive under AB 2140, the Board must approve a resolution incorporating the current (2023) FEMA-approved MJHMP into the Safety Element. The Safety Element includes both references and provides a web link to the current (2023) FEMA-approved MJHMP.
Today’s recommended actions are to approve a resolution recognizing that the Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan adequately and fully meets the intent of AB 2140 and includes the necessary reference to the current (2023) FEMA-approved San Diego County MJHMP.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT
The project qualifies for a categorical exemption under Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines because it represents no change to the Safety Element of the County of San Diego’s General Plan to achieve compliance with State law. Today’s action is adopting a resolution to show that the County is in compliance with State law and eligible for state reimbursement as a result. Therefore, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment.
LINKAGE TO THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO STRATEGIC PLAN
Today’s proposed action supports the Sustainability and Community Initiatives of the County of San Diego’s 2024-2029 Strategic Plan by taking steps to strengthen the region’s ability to prevent, respond to, and recover from natural and human-caused hazards and ensure the safety of all communities.
Respectfully submitted,
ebony N. shelton
Chief Administrative Officer
ATTACHMENT(S)
Attachment A - A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO INCORPORATING THE CURRENT SAN DIEGO COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN INTO THE SAFETY ELEMENT OF THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO’S GENERAL PLAN
Attachment B - FILING OF NOTICE OF EXEMPTION IN COMPLIANCE WITH PUBLIC RESOURCES CODE SECTION 21108 OR 21152