The City of Ashland seeks public input on update to the Jackson County Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan – Public comment on the Ashland addendum for the plan will be accepted through Monday, October 2, 2023.   
 
The City of Ashland in coordination with Jackson County is in the process of updating the existing Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan (NHMP) for Jackson County. This work is being performed in cooperation with the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement - Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management, utilizing funds obtained from the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.
 
The NHMP is required to be updated and readopted every five (5) years. With readoption of the plan, Ashland will regain its eligibility to apply for federal funding toward natural hazard mitigation projects. This local planning process includes a wide range of representatives from city and county government, emergency management personnel, and outreach to members of the public in the form of an electronic survey.
 
A natural hazard mitigation plan provides communities with a set of goals, action items and resources designed to reduce risk from future natural disaster events. Engaging in mitigation activities provides jurisdictions with a number of benefits, including reduced loss of life, property, essential services, critical facilities and economic hardship; reduced short-term and long-term recovery and reconstruction costs; increased cooperation and communication within the community through the planning process; and increased potential for state and federal funding for recovery and reconstruction projects.  
 
An electronic version of the updated draft Ashland NHMP addendum is available for formal public comment beginning Wednesday, September 13, 2023, through Monday, October 2, 2023. View the draft.
 
To provide public comment, please describe the feedback and reference page number, table or figure of concern:
1. Send an email to JacksonEm@jacksoncounty.org  
2. Fax to 541.774.6705
3. Mail or drop-off hard copies: 10 S Oakdale, Rm 214, Medford, OR 97501
More on the 2023 Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Update at jacksoncountyor.org/emergency.
 
Questions regarding the Ashland NHMP addendum or the update process in general, should be directed to Kelly Burns, Emergency Management Coordinator, at 541.880.2299, kelly.burns@ashland.or.us; or Michael Howard, Director for the Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience, mrhoward@uoregon.edu.
 
“We are better together!”
Info on the City of Ashland Emergency Preparedness, including signing up for Everbridge Citizen Alert at ashland.or.us/BetterPrepared, or go directly to the Citizen Alert registration page. 
Released September 13, 2023