By Tabitha Evans Moore | EDITOR & PUBLISHER
LYNCHBURG, Tenn. — Metro Council voted Monday to delay approval of Moore County’s updated Hazard Mitigation Plan, opting to push the decision to next month after several members said they had not yet read and reviewed the full 184-page document.
The Hazard Mitigation Plan is a federally required, four-year planning document that identifies natural and infrastructure-related risks facing the county, including flooding, severe weather, drought, and emergency response vulnerabilities. An approved plan is required for Moore County to remain eligible for mitigation grants through Federal Emergency Management Agency.
EMA Director Jason Deal told council members the plan is largely procedural, serving as a framework to identify risks and prioritize projects should grant funding become available. Past projects tied to the plan have included critical infrastructure improvements such as backup generators for emergency facilities.
“This plan is something we renew every four years, and it’s a plan between FEMA and local,” EMA Director Deal explained. “Basically we go through and recognize all our hazards and risks for the county as far as flooding, drought, and weather events. It has all the data compiled from all the recent thunderstorms, tornado damage, flooding damage, droughts, things like that.”
Several council members expressed concern about voting on the plan without first reviewing its contents, noting references to building codes, floodplain considerations, and department roles that warranted closer examination. One member questioned whether approving the plan could obligate the county to future regulatory changes or enforcement actions.
Deal clarified that one mitigation action from the previous plan was fully completed – adding generators to Fire Station #1 in Lynchburg. Two are marked as partially in progress, and seven were never started. Director Deal says that local officials are limited to which projects they can begin based on federal dollars available, and the those actions serve as a set of goal should funding become available. He stated that the next action item he’s attempting to gain federal grant dollar for are generator to suppor the local water plant and pumping stations in the event of severe weather.
Following discussion, council members voted to postpone approval until the February meeting to allow additional time for review. The plan will return to the agenda after council members have had an opportunity to examine the document in full.•
About The Lynchburg Times: The Times is a locally-owned, independent newsroom located in Lynchburg, Tennessee. We are funded through voluntary reader support, corporate underwriters, and small business community partners like Barrel House BBQ. This article is free to read thanks to their support. Please support the local small businesses that support community journalism.