Q 1: If a jurisdiction within the boundaries of a multi-jurisdictional planning area does not participate in the planning process and/or does not formally adopt the plan, what are the implications to the other participating jurisdictions within that multi-jurisdictional plan?

A 1: When a multi-jurisdictional plan is prepared, any participating entity/jurisdiction must adopt the plan if they wish to be eligible for future project grant funding from FEMA. If they do not want to sign off on the plan, that will not prevent any of the other jurisdictions from approving the plan and being eligible for project grants.

Q 2: What is required of municipalities, such as towns, that want to adopt their county's plan?

A 2: Under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2K), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued an Interim Final Rule that details the minimum criteria for local hazard mitigation plans. For multi-jurisdictional plans, FEMA's Interim Rule requires that the plan document show how each of the jurisdictions participated in the planning process. It also requires that each jurisdiction describe the steps they took to involve the public in the planning process. In the risk assessment the plan needs to highlight any risks that affect only certain sections of the planning area, in addition to those hazards that could affect the entire jurisdiction. Mitigation goals need to apply to all of the jurisdictions participating in the plan. Individual sets of mitigation actions or strategies for each participating jurisdiction are also required. An adoption resolution for the plan from each of the jurisdictions should ultimately be included for FEMA approval.

Q 3: What is required from the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the Middle Peninsula All-Hazard Mitigation Plan?

A 3: The criteria required by the Virginia Department of Emergency Management for the Middle Peninsula All Hazard Mitigation Plan are the same minumum standards required by FEMA.

Q 4: When will the Middle Peninsula All-Hazard Mitigation Plan be completed?

A 4: The deadline to submit the Middle Peninsula's Regional Plan document to VDEM is April 30, 2005.