Hard Structures / Construction / Engineering

Construction

• Describe the specific ways in which a statute or program restricts new construction relevant to hazard mitigation – location, type of construction (commercial/residential/industrial), standards for construction.

Re-construction

• After a structure is damaged or destroyed, or for substantial improvements, must a conforming structure meet regulation requirements.
• Under what circumstances (percentage, cause of damage, etc.). Basically, how to phase out non-conforming structures.

Retrofitting Policies

• Identify a program to retrofit buildings other than through restricting reconstruction. More of an affirmative rather than reactive policy.

Shoreline Stabilization

• Usually the permitting requirements for new seawalls, revetments, etc.
• Prohibitions?

Armoring Repair Program

• What permits or policies for repairing seawalls, revetments, riprap, etc.?

Beach Profiles

• Describe setback line, sea level determination method, and monitoring data.
• Pretty specifically explain the erosion data used in the decision/policy process.
• How is it done, who does it, when it is updated, etc.?

Facility Sitting Planning

• What, generally, is the policy for sitting energy facilities, capital facilities, and non-essential facilities such as marinas?
• Who is involved?

Transportation

• What are the upcoming transportation issues?
• Who does the planning?
• Is there a transportation plan?
• What, if anything, does it say with regard to growth management and hazards?

Building Code

• Just name the code and anything special about it such as wind load standards, etc. (Uniform Building Code, Standard Building Code, a Statewide Building Code).

Deed Disclosure

• Identify reporting requirements, or voluntary reporting programs.
• How does a buyer learn of property restrictions?

Waterway Alteration/ Flood Control Works

• Are there any major flood control works, such as dams or dikes, that affect coastal hazard risks?
• What can local landowners do to alter waterways?

Land Use / Natural Resource Management / Flood Management

Habitat Protection

• Are there any special provisions for protecting habitat, such as wildlife designations, wetland preservation, etc.?
• Briefly describe the construction restrictions for this purpose.

Management Areas

• General make-up of State/Federal lands in parks, forests, refuges, and others. How large of a factor is it? If lists and numbers are easily accessible use them.
• Other than Public lands, what policies directly protect natural areas?
• Also, indicate resource areas such as shellfish beds, etc. No, detail just an indication of protected resources.

Land Acquisition

• Both direct and indirect acquisition. Is there a formal program?
• Does an agency have eminent domain authority?
• How about land trusts, etc.? Describe generally.
• What less than fee-simple acquisition strategies (Conservation easements, Transfer Development Rights, etc.)?

Dune Creation / Mitigation / Restoration

• Detailed policies relating to dunes.

Wetland Creation / Mitigation / Restoration

• Give indication of any wetland related program.
• When do you have to mitigate, for what purposes, etc.?

Vegetation Requirements

• Are there any specific vegetation requirements that relate to hazard mitigation?

Flood Plain Management

• Describe the statewide flood plain management statute other than the building requirements. This could be alternatives analysis for selecting sites in flood plains, or other strategies for managing flood plains in their natural state.
• Also indicate and describe participation in the Community Rating System.

FIRMS

• What is the status of the FIRMS (Date, updates scheduled)?

Other

Educational/Training

• Generally describe the types of training, licensing, or outreach programs.

Implementation

• Permit Tracking and Compliance
• How does a jurisdiction keeps track of permits through the system? This can include efforts such as combined permit units or joint wetland permitting.
• Are regular site visits or monitoring a part of the permit process?
• How about bonds, licensed contractors, high permit fees, etc.?
• Generally, what does the administrator do to try and assure compliance?
• Decision Process
• This will apply mainly to the permit decision process. Document who reviews an application at what point in the process.
• What decisions result in denial?
• What steps have to be answered to obtain approval?
• Very briefly indicate the appeal avenues.
• Enforcement
• Describe the penalty provisions briefly.
• A statement about the frequency of violations or the likelihood of when the violations would actually be enforced would be helpful information, but not necessary.

Variances, Special Permits

• Explain what variances or special permits are or are not available, from whom, and on what criteria.

309 Hazard Projects

• Are there any? What are they (briefly)? What is the status of them?