For immediate release
For more information, contact
Tammy Snodgrass
or
Caitlin Jones
DENT COUNTY—Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) is working on updating the hazard mitigation plan for Dent County. The next meeting, which is open to the public, is scheduled for Feb. 22 at 1:00 p.m. at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, 1200 W. Rolla St., Salem.
Hazard mitigation planning is focused on reducing risk before disasters strike. Activities such as burying electric lines, reduces damage during tornadoes, and elevating homes in the floodplain help reduce damage and loss of life during natural disasters. Public input is necessary to truly understand the risks that could be facing the county. Additionally, the county must have a current, updated plan to be eligible for some hazard mitigation grants.
The first draft of the revised plan must be submitted to SEMA by March 17, 2023. Jurisdictions within the county, such as cities, the county itself, schools, fire departments and others, are asked to participate in the planning process, complete the questionnaire, review the revised plan and adopt the new plan. It was also discussed that a survey on hazard mitigation would be promoted throughout the county to get public input into the plan. That survey can be found and completed at https://www.meramecregion.org/surveys/.
County-level hazard mitigation plans cover a five-year timeframe. Dent County’s last plan was approved in October 2018 and can be found at https://www.meramecregion.org/publications/.
If you have questions, please contact Tammy Snodgrass at MRPC at 573-265-2993 or by email at tsnodgrass@meramecregion.org.
Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Steve Vogt, representing the city of Belle, serves as MRPC chairman. A professional staff of 34, led by Executive Director Bonnie Prigge, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.
To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.
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