1. A Virginia Mitigation Success Story Central Shenandoah Planning District Commission Bonnie Riedesel Jason DeBord, CFM Rebecca Joyce Virginia Hazard Mitigation Summit June 17, 2004

2. Agenda Success through Mitigation Planning –Bonnie Riedesel Successful Construction –Jason DeBord Success through Community Involvement –Rebecca Joyce

3. CSPDC Mitigation Projects Nearly $5,000,000 in federal, state and local funds 7 localities participated 59 acquisitions 24 elevations 9 relocations 4 floodproofed 7 HMGP grant applications pending (Isabel)

4. Understand Your Flood Problems History of Flooding Past Damages Flooding Characteristics Floodplains (FIRM maps) Past Projects

5. Establish Community Goals Community input –Surveys –Community meetings –Collect Data Agency coordination –FEMA, VDEM, DHCD, NRCS, DCR, etc. Political support

6. Choose the Right Mitigation Strategy Property Protection (elevations, relocations, buy-outs) Structural Projects (floodwalls, levees, dams) Emergency Services (warning systems, reverse-911) Public Awareness and Education Floodplain Management (NFIP, land use, ordinances)

7. Funding Success Seek Funding –FEMA (HMGP, PDM, FMA) –HUD (CDBG) –Other (COE, EDA, NRCS, DCR) Garner Political Support Secure Match

8. Successful Implementation Oversight committee and project team Project policies, prioritization, and timeframe Coordinate with state and federal officials Inform the community Set up a financial record-keeping system Procure services (appraiser, CM, etc.)

9. Successful Construction A 3rd Party, Independent Construction Manager is critical! Part of the team Focused on technical aspects Depoliticizes decisions

10. Successful Construction The goal of the project is to get people out of harm’s way.

11. Successful Construction Attract qualified contractors –Elevation contractors vs. general contractors –Risk vs. reward Older construction “Dirty” work Uncommon (current housing boom) –Alleviate fears of working with the government on private property

12. Successful Construction Construction documents –Expectations –Size of project –Architectural requirements / renderings –Specifications/details tailored to community –Code / building official approval –Allowable costs

13. Successful Construction Homeowner meetings 3-Party Agreements –Local government –Homeowner –Contractor

14. Successful Strategies for Working with Property Owners in Mitigation Projects

15. Treat Everyone with Respect

16. Social Worker vs. Grant Administrator

17. Effects of Disaster on Project Participants

18. Maintaining Good Communication

19. Managing Expectations

20. Voluntary Project vs. Mandatory Project

21. Documentation

22. Helping with Mitigation is aPrivilege

23. Questions?