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- Info
A case study of wildfire mitigation strategies in wildland/urban development
| Author: |
Abt, R.C.; Kuypers, M.; Whitson, J.B. |
| Date: |
[nd] |
| Periodical: |
[unpublished report]; final report; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, and Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| Abstract: |
There are two aspects of development planning in Florida that are relevant from a wildfire mitigation viewpoint. For large developments that will have a significant regional impact, the DRI (Development of Regional Impact) process would allow for DOF assessment of the wildfire hazard. In the DRI process the regional planning council submits the development plans to state agencies for review. According to Mike Brown of the Northeast Regional Planning Council, the plans are subject to review of the local DOF offices. DOF can require that wildfire mitigation be incorporated into the plan. Beginning in March 1986, DOF review of DRI documents has been required. Smaller developments fall under the jurisdiction of local planning offices. In this situation, it is important that DOF work with the individual county offices to consider wildfire mitigation. The local government Comprehensive Planning Act offers another avenue to coordinate wildfire mitigation. Each county is responsible for developing its own comprehensive plan. Each comprehensive plan must contain the following elements: - future land use - traffic circulation - sanitary sewer, solid waste, drainage, and potable water - conservation - recreation and open space - housing - intergovernmental - utility - Coastal Zone (where applicable). Of the required elements, housing is most closely related to wildfire mitigation in the wildland/urban interface. The focus of the housing element, however, is the adequacy of housing to meet the projected population of the county. There is a requirement that the housing element be coordinated with other elements. In addition to the required elements, there are ten optional elements that may be included. The most relevant of these is the safety element. According to the local official's guide to the comprehensive planning process, "a separate Safety Element would be appropriate for a community concerned with the possibility of natural disaster . . ." In communities susceptible to wildfire hazard, incorporation of a safety element that is coordinated with the housing element would be appropriate. Given that county's are currently developing their comprehensive plans, the importance of wildfire hazard mitigation should be stressed as soon as possible. If wildfire mitigation is incorporated into the comprehensive plan, then each development will have to address this issue at the local level. DOF could play an important role in deciding which counties and to what extent wildfire mitigation should be incorporated into the planning process. |
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