TWIN PLATTE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 1
INTRODUCTION This HMP includes two primary sections: the Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and the Community (i.e. County, Municipal, and School District) Profiles. Community Profiles include similar information that s also provided in the Regional section, but rather is specific information for the Twin Platte NRD, including the following elements: Participation Location /Geography Climate Demographics Transportation Future Development Trends Parcel Improvements and Valuations Critical Infrastructure and Key Resources Historical Hazard Events Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment Governance Capability Assessment Plan Integration Mitigation Actions PARTICIPATION Local Planning Team Table XX.1 provides the list of participating Twin Platte NRD officials that comprised the Twin Platte local planning team. Members of the planning team attended Round 1 and Round 2 meetings and provided important information including but not limited to: confirming demographic information, critical facilities, structural inventory, future development trends, hazard history and impacts, identifying hazards of greatest concern for the community, and prioritization of mitigation actions that address the hazards at risk to the community. Table XX.1: The Twin Platte NRD Local Planning Team Name Title Department / Organization Glen Bowers Water Programs Field Coordinator Twin Platte NRD Public Participation The local planning team made efforts to notify the public of this planning effort and how they could participate in the development of the plan update. The following table identifies the dates and types of public outreach notifications. Table XX.2: Public Notification Efforts Date Notification Location March 26, 2015 Project Website http://jeo.com/tphmp/ July 7, 2015 Link to Project Website http://www.tpnrd.org/ Post Project Flyer Community Profile available for public comment and review Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 2
LOCATION AND GEOGRAPHY The Twin Platte NRD is located in western Nebraska and includes parts of four counties: Arthur, Keith, Lincoln, and McPherson Counties. Major waterways in the area include the North Platte River, South Platte River, and Lake McConaughy. Figure XX.1: Map of the Twin Platte NRD CLIMATE Climate is discussed in each county participant section as well as Section Four: Risk Assessment. TRANSPORTATION Twin Platte NRD s major transportation corridors include Interstate 80 and Highway 30, which have 16,065 and 3,520 vehicles per day respectively. Twin Platte NRD has two Union Pacific rail lines that converge east of Sutherland. Transportation information is important to hazard mitigation plans because it suggests possible evacuation corridors in the community, as well as areas more at risk to transportation incidents. Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 3
DEMOGRAPHICS The NRD does not collect information on age, or other demographics of their population, nor does the U.S. Census Bureau recorgnize the NRD. However, it is estimated that the Twin Platte NRD serves a population of approximately 43,000 over four counties. As a result, there is no additional population data for the NRD as a whole. For information regarding population data, please refer the specific jurisdiction community profiles or to Section Three: Community Profile & Capability Assessment. Major Employers Please refer to each community profile for a summary of major employers throughout in the planning area. FUTURE DEVELOPMENT TRENDS No future development is planned at this time. Examples of possible development within an NRD include additional flood control structures, and recreation areas. Figure XX.4: Developed Areas STRUCTURAL INVENTORY AND VALUATION Please refer to Section Three: Community Profile & Capability Assessment for structural inventories, valuation, and discussion across the planning area. Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 4
CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE/KEY RESOURCES Chemical Storage Fixed Sites Chemical sites are located throughout the NRD. Complete lists of chemical storage sites in each jurisdiction may be found in their community profile. Historic Sites The location of historic sites in each jurisdiction, according to the National Register of Historic Places for Nebraska, can be found in their community profiles. Critical Facilities Each participating jurisdiction identified critical facilities vital for disaster response, providing shelter to the public, and essential for returning the jurisdiction s functions to normal during and after a disaster. Critical facilities were identified during the planning process by the local planning team as a part of this plan update. The following table provides a summary of the critical facilities for the jurisdiction. Table XX.8: List of Critical Facilities CF Number 1 NRD Facility Type Name Address Twin Platte NRD Offices 111 S. Dewey St, North Platte Shelter (Y/N) Generator (Y/N) N N N Located in Floodplain (Y/N) HISTORICAL OCCURRENCES For the complete discussion on historical occurrences of hazardous events, please refer to Section 4: Risk Assessment. RISK ASSESSMENT Refer to Section Four: Risk Assessment for a risk assessment for the region. Below is a summary of the hazards identified as a top concern. Dam Failure Although dam failure was not identified as a top concern, there are 27 dams in the Twin Platte NRD. The following table provides a list of the high hazard dams located in the Twin Platte NRD. According to the NDNR, a high hazard dam classification means that the failure of the dam would likely result in loss of human life. Table XX.15: High Hazard Dams NIDID Dam Name Location Source: NDNR NE01036 Jeffrey Dam Canal South of Brady NE01052 Maloney Dam South of North Platte NE01051 Sutherland Dam South of Sutherland NE01048 Kingsley Dam East side of Lake McConaughy NE02331 Ogallala No. 6 Northwest Ogallala NE02334 Ogallala No. 7 North Ogallala NE00210 Cure Creek 1-A Northeast Ogallala NE00211 Brule Creek 1-A Northwest of Brule Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 5
Figure 1: Kingsley Dam Source: www.kleinschmidtgroup.com Figure XX.7: Map of Dams in Twin Platte NRD Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 6
Drought The Twin Platte NRD planning area has experienced 175 months of drought in the last 78 years. This leads to an average annual probability of 35 percent. Drought has caused $55,995,082 in property and crop damages. The NRD has 19 water related programs. Twin Platte NRD has many programs that are related to drought resilience. Implemented mitigation actions: Work with agricultural producers to ensure proper irrigation management Use a number of educational materials and outreach methods to educate residents and agricultural producers on water conservation and drought mitigation Identified mitigation actions: Work with irrigation districts to maximize groundwater recharge Flooding The Twin Platte NRD has experienced 50 flooding events since 1996. These events led to $4,132,445 in property and crop damages. The Twin Platte NRD has a flood control program to impound runoff, conserve water, prevent erosion, prevent pollution, and enhance ground water recharge. The Twin Platte NRD has a water trailer that is used to educate the public about ground water and surface water. Figure 2: Twin Platte NRD Floodplain Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 7
Implemented mitigation actions: Continue to use a number of educational materials and outreach methods to educate residents and agricultural producers on flood mitigation Regularly work with communities and counties within the NRD to install flood control measures such as riparian buffers Identified mitigation actions: Identify and implement measures to reduce flow restrictions within rivers and streams Evaluate stormwater infrastructure and provide recommendations to communities throughout the district Continue to implement stream bed/bank/grade stabilization projects Grass/Wildfires The Twin Platte NRD has experienced 1,041 grass/wildfires in the last 15 years. These fires caused $2,155,521 in property and crop damages. Most of these fires burned less than 100 acres. One of the NRD s programs is prescribed burning. This program helps reduce fire hazards as well control undesirable vegetation, control plant disease, and improve forage quality. Implemented mitigation actions: Prescribed burning Identified mitigation actions: Continue to identify vulnerable areas and implement appropriate measures to reduce the risk of wildfire Continue to use a number of educational materials and outreach methods to educate residents and agricultural producers on grass/wildfire mitigation High Winds According to NCDC data, there have been 444 high wind events that occurred in the planning area since 1996. These events have caused $11,271,681 in property and crop damages. Twin Platte NRD has a Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment program. This program aims to: protect soil resources, control snow deposition, prevent wind damage to farmsteads, provide shelter for livestock, beautify an area, or improve an area for wildlife. Implemented mitigation actions: Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment program Identified mitigation actions: Continue tree related programs to reduce damages due to falling trees and/or branches Severe Thunderstorms The Twin Platte NRD has experienced 364 thunderstorm events in the last 19 years, according to the NCDC. These thunderstorms have caused $4,259,700 in property and crop damages across the planning area. Implemented mitigation actions: Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment program Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 8
Identified mitigation actions: Continue tree related programs to reduce damages due to falling trees and/or branches Tornados According to the NCDC, there have been 78 tornadic events across the NRD. These events caused $4,381,943 in property and crop damages. Tornados have the potential to cause significant property damages and loss of life. The Twin Platte NRD will continue to work with jurisdictions across the NRD to repair infrastructure damaged by tornadic events. GOVERNANCE The Twin Platte NRD is governed locally by a group of eleven elected Board of Directors and entrusted with a broad range of responsibilities to protect and enhance Nebraska s many natural resources. The NRD serves both incorporated and unincorporated areas within their jurisdiction and have the capability to financially and administratively assist villages, cities, and counties with mitigation actions, most commonly flood control and drainage improvements. Office Manager General Manager Conservation Programs Coordinator Water Programs Field Coordinator Hydrologist Figure 3: Twin Platte NRD Sub-Districts Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 9
Source: www.tpnrd.org CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT The NRD supports communities in many areas related to hazard mitigation including: flood control structures, tree care programs, wellhead protection, water monitoring, well permitting, public outreach and education. The NRD currently has sufficient staff and expertise to fulfill its responsibilities. For additional information regarding the NRD s capabilities refer to Section Three: Regional Profile and Asset Inventory. PLAN INTEGRATION Building safe and smart communities can be accomplished through effective Plan integration. Integrating hazard mitigation principles into other local planning mechanisms, such as plans addressing land use, transportation, climate change, sustainability, natural and cultural resource protection, watershed management, economic development and others can greatly increase an area s level of resiliency. While this HMP planning process involved interdepartmental coordination at the local level, this planning process also sought to analyze how existing planning mechanisms were presently integrated and make suggestions for further integration. The plans listed in the preceding table were analyzed using guidance from FEMA s 2014 Plan Integration Guide. The following paragraph presents a summary of the findings of this analysis. Twin Platte NRD has a number of planning efforts including the Integrated Management Plan, and the Conjunctive Water Management Feasibility Study that look to mitigate the effects of drought and flooding. Additional plans and/or policies that have integrated hazard mitigation have not been identified. Summary TPNRD has the administrative staff and technical and fiscal capabilities to implement some mitigation projects without assistance. TPNRD typically works with local jurisdictions to implement projects. Larger projects may require TPNRD to partner with other regional and state agencies. Through this update process, the planning team reviewed previously identified mitigation projects and added new projects as well. MITIGATION STRATEGY and New Mitigation Actions Reduce Flow Restrictions Actions 1. Evaluate restrictions and measures to prevent or reduce damage from flooding 2. Implement appropriate methods (such as ice monitoring, ice jam dusting, excavation, or other flow improvements) Flood Estimated Cost $10,000 to $100,000+ depending on the project Reduce the risk of flood caused by ice jams or channel constrictions HMGP, PDM, TPNRD General Fund High Water Programs Field Coordinator This is an ongoing action Reduce Fire Damage Actions 1. Identify vulnerable areas and combustion sources 2. Evaluate fire resistant roofing 3. Develop plan to reduce wildfire impact and reduce combustion materials 4. Reduce combustible material by removal or other methods 5. Enact building codes/ordinances for fire resistant roofing Grass/Wildfire Estimated Cost $500 to $5,000 Reduce the risk of damage and loss of life due to fire TPNRD General Fund Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 10
Reduce Fire Damage Medium Grasslands Stewardship Coordinator TPNRD uses a number of programs such as controlled burns in order to reduce the risk of wildfire Reduce Stormwater Damage Actions 1. Conduct stormwater drainage study 2. Evaluate and implement recommendations or comparable measures including open ditch and culvert improvements, underground piping, retention and detention facilities to decrease runoff, etc. 3. Evaluate stormwater ordinance 4. Implement improved stormwater ordinance Flood Estimated Cost $10,00 to $100,000+ depending on the project Improve stormwater drainage to minimize local flooding HMGP, PDM, TPNRD General Fund Medium Water Programs Field Coordinator TPNRD constantly evaluates stormwater infrastructure throughout the district and provides recommendations Reduce Tree Damage and Damage From Trees Actions 1. Conduct tree inventory 2. Develop tree maintenance/trimming program 3. Implement tree maintenance/trimming program Tornados, High Winds, Severe Thunderstorms, Severe Winter Storms, Wildfire Estimated Cost $0 to $2,000 Limit damages and power outages due to falling trees/branches TPNRD General Fund Medium Water Programs Field Coordinator. TPNRD has a number of tree related programs that aim to reduce damages due to falling trees/branches. Windbreak Improvements Actions 1. Conduct evaluation of current windbreaks 2. Implement improvements/repairs to windbreaks High Winds, Severe Thunderstorms, Severe Winter Storms Estimated Cost $1,000 to $30,000 Reduce wind speeds and control or store snow TPNRD General Fund Medium Water Programs Field Coordinator. TPNRD constantly evaluates and repairs windbreaks. Stream/Bank/Grade Structure Improvements Actions 1. Evaluate current stream bed and bank stabilization needs 2. Implement stream bed and bank stabilization improvements including grade control structures, rock rip rap, vegetative cover, etc. Flood Estimated Cost $25,000+ Reduce degradation of stream beds and banks to maintain channels and protect structures or infrastructure HMGP, PDM, TPNRD General Fund High Water Programs Field Coordinator. TPNRD continually implements steam bed/bank/grade stabilization projects Public Awareness/Education Actions 1. Educate residents about vulnerability to hazards and mitigation measures 2. Create educational materials and train staff Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 11
Public Awareness/Education All Hazards Estimated Cost $2,000+ Educate residents regarding their vulnerability to hazards HMGP, PDM, TPNRD General Fund High General Manager, Water Programs Field Coordinator. TPNRD uses a number of educational materials and outreach methods to educate residents in the district. Groundwater Recharge Actions 1. Divert excess flows from North Platte River and South Platte River to recharge groundwater within the aquifer. Drought Estimated Cost Existing staff Replenish groundwater resources TPNRD General Funds, Irrigation District General Fund Medium Filed petition to NDNR on irrigation districts behalf for a permanent excess flow water right in May 2015. Irrigation District Board, TPNRD Removed Mitigation Actions Reduce Water Demand/Drought Education Actions 1. Develop/improve public awareness program 2. Develop or obtain materials and conduct multi-faceted public education Drought Reason for Removal Replaced with more accurate mitigation action. Soil and Water Conservation Actions 1. Develop/improve public awareness program 2. Develop or obtain materials and conduct multi-faceted public education Drought Reason for Removal Replaced with more accurate mitigation action. Twin Platte NRD Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update 2016 12