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The Harris County Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HCOHSEM) is updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan, which proposes public programs to help reduce threats to life and property from the natural disasters most likely to occur in the county. All members of the public can review the draft plan and suggest changes or additions.
The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires state and local governments to develop and implement a hazard mitigation plan in order to be eligible for federal mitigation grant funds. The plan is designed to assist communities in the development of a broad strategy for reducing or eliminating the risk from vulnerability to both natural and man-made disasters.

Plan participants include 28 Harris County cities, the Harris County Flood Control District, Harris County Health System as well as other entities.
The public comment period extends from Monday, November 18, 2013 through Friday, December 13, 2013.
The entire document can be reviewed by going to http://www.hcoem.org/documents/AllHa...2010Public.pdf
Feedback can be offered by completing a brief survey at www.readyharris.org/go/1829/survey/1823.
The plan may also be reviewed at Houston TranStar, 6922 Katy Road, Houston, TX 77024 and comments may be submitted to Harris County Office of Emergency Management, 6922 Katy Road, Houston, TX 77024.

Projects related to drainage improvements, structure retrofitting and infrastructure hardening are proposed in the plan. Proposals from the public can include topics such as community growth, natural resource protection, public outreach campaigns or other related measures.
Mitigation planning offers many benefits, including:
 Saving lives and property;
 Saving taxpayer dollars;
 Faster recovery following disasters;
 Reducing future vulnerability through wise development and post disaster recovery and reconstruction;
 Expediting the receipt of grant funding;
 Demonstrating a firm commitment to improving community health & safety.
HCOHSEM welcomes your input.