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- Info
Colorado heritage report: Best practices in natural hazards planning and mitigation
| Author: |
Office of Smart Growth |
| Date: |
2003 |
| Periodical: |
Denver, CO: Colorado Department of Local Affairs. 63 p. |
| Link: |
http://www.dola.state.co.us/SmartGrowth/Documents/Hazard BPR.pdf
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| Abstract: |
One of the biggest challenges facing local elected officials and staff in Colorado is how to reconcile new growth and development in areas that are subject to a variety of natural hazard threats. During this last year, severe drought and wildfires in our state garnered national headlines. Continuing concerns over these and related issues have prompted many communities to reevaluate both the process and rationale for approving new development in areas where known hazards exist. <br><br> Many county and municipal officials recognize that good land use planning can mitigate the impacts from such hazards as wildfire, drought, floods, unstable slopes and expanding soils. The Office of Smart Growth has gathered together a wide number of planning approaches, practices, and resources and compiled them into a comprehensive report, Best Practices in Natural Hazards Planning and Mitigation. <br><br> It is important to note that in the context of this report, the terms planning and mitigation refers not only to various land use practices (e.g., zoning, regulatory programs, building code requirements, etc.) but also to emergency planning efforts that delineate what action will be taken and how and when resources will be deployed to prevent or respond to a natural disaster. Ideally, local government land use planning and emergency planning efforts work together seamlessly to protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens. |
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