First State level Mitigation Plan approved for the Lummi Nation
The Lummi Nation has developed a Hazard Mitigation plan to prevent future disaster losses and this achievement was acknowledged at a ceremony on the reservation on June 7, 2004. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 initiated a new hazard mitigation planning requirement for tribes and states to be eligible for federal response, recovery and mitigation assistance after November 1, 2004. The Lummi Nation plan was the first hazard mitigation plan approved in the nation, by either a tribe or state, as meeting the federal criteria for a state standard plan. John E. Pennington, FEMA Region X Director, presenting at the ceremony said "By selecting to develop a state standard plan, a significantly more challenging endeavor than a local plan, the Lummi nation preserves it right and eligibility for a direct federal to tribe relationship following a disaster and to apply for hazard mitigation grants. Lummi is also welcome to continue to partner with the State of Washington in response, recovery and mitigation activities administered by the state." Congratulations to the tribal leadership for supporting the plan, to Jeremy Freimund of Lummi Water Resources for leading the plan's development, and to Steve Heyward, the principle author of the plan. The Lummi Nation Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is an exemplary achievement that will pay dividends to the Lummi Nation in its efforts to increase disaster resistance. |
Hoh Public Safety Building Commemorated Hoh Village, Jefferson County, Washington (March 25, 2004)
The Hoh Tribe commemorated the completion of their new Public Safety Building as an event attended by representatives from The Quileute Tribe, the Makah Tribe, the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs, Jefferson County, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, FEMA Region X and others. The facility will initial house Tribal law enforcement and fisheries enforcement as well as administrative support. "We hope to add fire suppression and medical aid resources in the very near future" said James Jaime, Executive Director for the Hoh Tribe. The tribe is working with Jefferson County
on a flood response annex to the County Emergency Operations Plan and
is participating with the Washington State Region 2 Homeland Security
planning process. "We are actively looking for ways to end our
exposure to repetitive losses from floods and provide a safe place for
our people to build their future" said Mary Leitke, Hoh Tribal
chairperson. |
| The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR)
were announced as recipients for the PDM Planning grant on April 28, 2004.
Jack Davis, Planning Director with CTUIR said "We are really excited
about this opportunity to complete our mitigation planning efforts."
The CTUIR, which is also moving forward on participation in the
National Flood Insurance Program, has made several key decisions
regarding securing their existing and future development. |
| DR1510-OR was
made on February 19th by President Bush in recognition of the severe
winter storm that struck the area between December 26th and January 14th. Ultimately, 28 Oregon Counties have been designated for Public
Assistance and HMGP. Four tribes are undergoing the process to be
reimbursed for their disaster related losses and costs for emergency
protective measures. The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian
Reservation, the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation,
the Burns Paiute Tribe and the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde
Community are working with FEMA Region X's Tribal Liaison to establish
FEMA-Tribal Agreements and implement the Project Worksheet process for
Public Assistance. |
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