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Plan Maintenance

Purpose

This section details the method and system for plan maintenance, following the CFR’s guidelines that the Plan Update must include (1) “a section describing the method and schedule of monitoring, evaluating, and updating the mitigation plan within a five-year cycle” (2) “a process by which local governments incorporated the requirements of the mitigation plan into other planning mechanisms such as comprehensive or capital improvement plans” and (3) “discussion on how the community will continue public participation in the plan maintenance process.” Once the Plan has been approved by GOHSEP and FEMA and adopted by the City Council, the Plan must be maintained to continue be effective and relevant. This section describes the process that the City will use to update the plan and keep the community informed of progress in implementing the mitigation strategy.

Interim Final Rule (IFR) Requirements for Plan Maintenance

IFR §201.6(c)(4)(i): The plan maintenance process shall include a) section describing the method and schedule of monitoring, evaluating, and updating the mitigation plan within a five-year cycle.

IFR §201.6(c)(4)(ii): The plan shall include a process by which local governments incorporate the requirements of the mitigation plan into other planning mechanisms such as comprehensive or capital improvements, where appropriate.

IFR §201.6(c)(4)(iii): The plan shall include a discussion on how the community will continue public participation in the plan maintenance process.

Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the Plan

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will be responsible for monitoring implementation of the mitigation strategy and coordinating regular updates to the Plan to ensure it remains an effective tool. The Hazard Mitigation Office will continue to facilitate meetings of the Hazard Mitigation Committee on a quarterly basis, and will produce an annual report that includes updates on the implementation status of Plan, updates to the risk assessment and capability assessment to incorporate new data and developments, and new mitigation action items.

The Hazard Mitigation Subcommittee of the Local Emergency Preparedness Committee will continue to be the primary mechanism for interagency coordination and public involvement during the implementation and monitoring phase of this Plan. The Hazard Mitigation Office will continue to facilitate quarterly meetings of the Committee.

The lead agency responsible for implementing each mitigation action in this Plan will submit annual progress reports to the Hazard Mitigation Office. The Director of the NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office, or their designated representative, will be responsible for ensuring that the progress reports are completed and that relevant updates are included in the Hazard Mitigation Annual Report.

During these annual reviews, the Planning Committee will also evaluate the Plan to ensure that the Risk Assessment and Capability Assessment sections of the Plan are current. Any major changes to the hazards that threaten New Orleans or to the vulnerability of persons or property in New Orleans will be noted. The Plan review will consider issues such as, changes in vulnerability due to the completion of mitigation projects, new information about hazards, and changes in the community’s capability to implement projects. The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office and the Committee will review changes in regulations, funding, socioeconomic conditions of the community, and political support for the Mitigation Strategy. When needed, the goals, objectives, mitigation actions, and priorities will be changed to reflect the changing needs of the community.

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will be responsible for updating the plan with assistance from the Planning Team. The plan will be reviewed, revised, and updated every five years from the date of FEMA’s approval. If a disaster occurs or as action items are met, the plan will be reviewed, revised, and updated sooner than the required five years, via the process outlined above. With adoption in 2021, the Plan will enter the review and update cycle in 2025, with the adoption of the revisions in 2026. The Plan will be sent back to FEMA for re-approval within the five-year cycle.

Incorporation into Existing Planning Programs

The Orleans Parish Hazard Mitigation Plan will serve as the main statement of disaster risk reduction policy for the City of New Orleans. The 2020 plan will play an important role in the City’s Resilience Strategy, which outlines the need to consider environmental shocks and stresses together and integrate overall approaches to them. Aligning the Hazard Mitigation Plan with the Resilience Strategy vision will guide the City’s risk reduction plans for natural and man-made disasters.

City of New Orleans Plan Incorporation

Since the adoption of the 2015 Hazard Mitigation Plan the City of New Orleans has:

  • Established the Hazard Mitigation subcommittee of the LEPC, which formed the advisory committee for this plan update.
  • Implemented major infrastructure projects through Capital Projects Administration, Public Works, and other agency efforts.
  • Institutionalized review of proposed capital budget requests for HMP consistency.
  • Established the Resilience Design Review Committee to review and advise the Chief Administrative Officer regarding design aspects of resilience projects.

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office, with support from the committee, will review the findings from the Capability Assessment and work with the City’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to find effective ways to integrate the mitigation actions into day-to-day operations within the City departments. The Hazard Mitigation staff will begin with the following:

  • Work with the CAO to obtain proper authority to require cooperation and participation from departments and agencies to implement the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan.
  • Include mitigation project funding in the City’s capital and operating budgets.
  • Issue a letter to department heads to solicit their support and explore opportunities to integrate hazard mitigation actions into day-to-day operations.
  • Examine administrative functions that have a bearing on reducing risks from hazards identified in the Mitigation Plan. Where needed, work plans, policies, and procedures will be changed to integrate mitigation planning efforts into these administrative functions.
  • Work with department heads to review job descriptions and identify day-to-day work assignments that can be broadened to effectively integrate mitigation planning activities throughout city government.

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will also work with the following departments to integrate the implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan into the enforcement and implementation of other planning tools, codes, and ordinances. Examples of these efforts include the following:

  • Coordinate with Safety and Permits and other appropriate departments to ensure that the minimum standards established in the International Building Code are being enforced. Coordinate with Safety and Permits and other appropriate departments to enforce the Floodplain Management Ordinance, to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, and to implement improvements for the Community Rating System (CRS).
  • Coordinate with the City Planning Commission and other appropriate departments to ensure that the adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan is added as an Appendix to the New Orleans Master Plan.
  • Coordinate with the City Planning Commission and other appropriate departments to educate citizens, boards, and commissions on the Hazard Mitigation Plan and how planning and zoning can reduce hazard risks for the community.
  • Coordinate with the NOHSEP Office to ensure that appropriate sections of the Hazard Mitigation Plan are integrated into the New Orleans Comprehensive Emergency Operations Plan (CEOP). The CEOP addresses mitigation of, preparation for, and recovery from a wide variety of emergencies and disasters. Once the Hazard Mitigation Plan has been adopted, it will become part of the CEOP and be included as an appendix to that document.
  • The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will report on efforts to integrate the Mitigation Action Plan into other planning mechanisms at each quarterly committee meeting and discuss new opportunities to build on what has already been accomplished.

SWBNO Plan Incorporation

The Plan will be monitored by the Emergency Management Office of the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (OEM). The Plan will be updated: 1) Every 5 years per 44.CFR.201.6(d)(3) and submitted for approval to GOSHEP and FEMA. 2) After an actual hazard event occurrence. 3) Annually during the hurricane off-season. 4) Other times as deemed necessary by the S&WB.

The Planning Team will update the HMP every five years to reflect the results of the annual reports and on-going plan evaluation by OEM. Throughout the planning cycle, OEM will compile new information and incorporate it into the Plan. The process for updating the Plan will begin at four (4) years.

The OEM will also assess and incorporate recommended comments expressed by FEMA in the initial review into the plan revision. During the update process for this Plan, additional agencies will be invited to participate in the Plan update process. These agencies include:

  • New Orleans Office of Emergency Preparedness
  • New Orleans Office of Homeland Security
  • US Army Corp of Engineers
  • New Orleans Fire Dept
  • New Orleans Dept of Public Works
  • New Orleans Levee District
  • Local Emergency Planning Commission (LEPC)
  • Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP)

While this hazard mitigation plan was written to stand on its own, the people of New Orleans are best served by a comprehensive, integrated planning process. This Plan or elements of this Plan will be provided to other New Orleans City agencies for integrated planning efforts and incorporated into other S&WB planning mechanisms such as the CEMP and EOP. The Board holds two exercises every five years, a tabletop and full-scale exercise to test its preparedness and response to disasters. As part of the Board’s overall Emergency Response Exercise program it will incorporate the mitigation plan into the planning stages, exercise injects and after-action reports. Mitigation and hazard avoidance are also now considered in new building and infrastructure design.

Tulane University Plan Incorporation

 Tulane University will initiate HMP reviews and updates under the following conditions or circumstances: On the recommendation of the University President or by any member of the HMP Steering Committee, the HMP Steering Committee may initiate a Plan review at any time. At approximately the one-year anniversary of the initial Plan adoption, and every year thereafter. After natural hazard events that appear to significantly change the apparent risk to Tulane University assets, operations and/or constituents.

Tulane intends to incorporate mitigation concepts and measures into other University planning mechanisms and efforts, as appropriate and applicable. Tulane recognizes that in order to become a true disaster resistant university, all planning efforts at the University must be completed with an eye towards mitigation and the constant assessment of vulnerabilities and risks. As other plans are developed or updated, those activities will happen in accordance with the mitigation goals, objectives and strategies outlined in this Plan. The Assistant Vice President for Mitigation and Federal Compliance in the Capital Projects and Real Estate Group is responsible for the maintenance and update of the Tulane HMP.

Housing Authority of New Orleans Plan Incorporation (HANO)

HANO will incorporate mitigation concepts and measures into other planning mechanisms and efforts, as appropriate and applicable. The Deputy Executive Director in conjunction with the Executive Director and Board of HANO are responsible for the development and maintenance of hazard mitigation plans and actions.

New Orleans Redevelopment Authority Plan Incorporation (NORA)

NORA will continue to incorporate mitigation concepts and measures into program design and other efforts, as appropriate and applicable. The Director of Real Estate Development and Planning, in conjunction with the Executive Director and Board of NORA are responsible for the development and implementation of hazard mitigation plans and actions.  NORA will share best practices and seek out strategic collaboration opportunities with 3rd parties to help ensure all programs and projects coming from NORA account for furthering hazard mitigation and resilient goals.

Public Participation in Plan Maintenance Process

The public will be given opportunities to comment on progress in implementing the Hazard Mitigation Action Plan and on any proposed plan revisions through community surveys and during periodic public workshops/meetings.

  • A community survey will be distributed to the public periodically to solicit information regarding 1) understanding of the identified hazards, mitigation actions, and implementation strategy, and plan maintenance process; 2) recommendations for keeping the community informed about implementation progress of the Plan; and 3) comments regarding progress in implementing specific mitigation projects or any proposed plan revisions.
  • Appropriate public workshops will be held to review the status of implementing the mitigation strategy, and to receive a summary report of the annual reports’ findings and recommendations.
  • Public comments can be submitted to the NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office through the website (www.ready.nola.gov/hazard-mitigation ), email or mail. The Hazard Mitigation Office will maintain records of the comments submitted and their resolution.
  • Numerous partners inside of and external to the City government will be involved in implementing the actions recommended by this plan. Small group meetings will be held as needed throughout the life of the Plan to coordinate implementation of specific actions.
  • The community will be notified and included in any public hearing process conducted by the City Council to adopt any Plan revisions.

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will use the following means to keep the community informed regarding the implementation of the Hazard Mitigation Plan, the plan maintenance process, and any proposed changes to the Hazard Mitigation Plan:

  • Information updates on the Hazard Mitigation website www.ready.nola.gov/hazard-mitigation);
  • Emails to neighborhood associations; community, business, and non-profit organizations; churches, etc. as included in the Stakeholder Email Database developed during the 2020 Plan Update;
  • Press releases and public service announcements (PSA’s);
  • Annual progress reports.

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will accept public feedback on the Plan on an ongoing basis. The chief method of soliciting feedback will be the Hazard Mitigation website (www.ready.nola.gov/hazard-mitigation). Once the Hazard Mitigation Plan is approved, it will be posted on the website, and hard copies of the plan will be distributed to all branches of the New Orleans Public Library. Any updates to the Plan will also be posted on the Hazard Mitigation website.

The NOHSEP Hazard Mitigation Office will use press releases, public service announcements, the Hazard mitigation website, and emails to inform the community regarding where to send comments and how to view a copy of the Plan or any Plan revisions. Information on where to send comments will also be noted in the press releases, public service announcements, on the Hazard Mitigation website and, in emails to Stakeholders.

All comments will be directed to:

New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP)
Hazard Mitigation Office
City Hall Room 9W03
1300 Perdido St
New Orleans, LA 70112
hazardmitigation@nola.gov

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