The Samish Indian Nation is beginning a planning process to update its hazard mitigation plan, for the purpose of enhancing resilience to natural disasters throughout the Tribal Planning area. The project, which will take around nine months to complete, is funded by a planning grant from FEMA. During this process, Samish citizens will be asked to contribute by sharing knowledge of the area’s vulnerability to hazards based on past occurrences. Public involvement will be solicited via a multi-media campaign that will include public meetings, web-based information, questionnaires, maps, and updates on the plan’s progress via a website. An informational website has been established on the need and purposes for the Nation’s hazard mitigation planning. The website will serve as the primary means for the public to gain information on the plan, as well as to gain information on ways to participate in the planning process. Any questions or comments regarding this process are encouraged and should be directed to David Strich, Samish emergency management specialist, at dstrich@samishtribe,nsn.us or to Bev O’Dea, project consultant, at bevodea@bridgeviewconsulting.org. |