Pioneer Valley
Planning Commission

Eric Carle Museum, Amherst, MA

Press Release

CONTACT: Catherine Miller, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, (413) 781-6045

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 5, 2009

Pre-Disaster Mitigation Plans Public Comment Period

The Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, in conjunction with local hazard mitigation planning committees, has produced drafts of pre-disaster mitigation plans for the communities of Huntington, Worthington, Granby, and Goshen. Residents, business owners, and other concerned parties of these municipalities and adjacent communities are encouraged to comment on these plans, which are currently available for viewing on PVPC’s website at www.pvpc.org (under Projects and Plans) and the websites of the municipalities, where possible. Paper copies of the plans may be obtained at the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission offices at 26 Central Street, West Springfield or at the individual city and town halls. The plans will be available for the next 30 days.

Starting this month pre-disaster mitigation plans will be developed for Amherst, Belchertown, Brimfield, Chicopee, Springfield, West Springfield, and Williamsburg, and will also be available for public comment as they are developed.

This planning effort is being undertaken to help communities assess the risks they face from natural hazards, identify action steps that can be taken to prevent damage to property and loss of life, and prioritize funding for mitigation efforts. A mitigation action is any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from hazards.

PVPC has previously facilitated development of plans for 21 communities in the Hampshire and Hampden county areas. Following completion of all 32 local hazard mitigation plans, PVPC will be developing a regional hazard mitigation plan. Communities with approved plans are eligible for Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

These pre-disaster mitigation plans are being developed with assistance from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission with funding provided by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. For additional information, please contact PVPC’s Catherine Miller at (413) 781-6045 or cmiller@pvpc.org.