HomeMy WebLinkAboutFD Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan____________________________________________________________________________________
FOR CITY CLERK ONLY
Council Meeting: 07/15/2019
Disposition: Resolution 14706
Agenda Item No: 4.i
Meeting Date: July 15, 2019
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
Department: Fire Department
Prepared by: Christopher Gray
Fire Chief
City Manager Approval: ________
File No.: 03.01.174
TOPIC: MARIN COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION
PLAN (MCM LHMP)
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE 2018
MARIN COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION
PLAN (MCM LHMP).
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt a resolution adopting the 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (MCM LHMP).
BACKGROUND: The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) of 2000 (Public Law 106-390) requires
local governments to develop and adopt pre-disaster Local Hazard Mitigation Plans (LHMP) in
order to minimize property damage and the risk to public health and safety that might otherwise
result from the effects of a natural or human-made disaster. A Local Hazard Mitigation Plan is a
living document which assesses regional risks and vulnerabilities and identifies and prioritizes
mitigation projects; describing updated strategies for sustaining and building on current
mitigation activities to ensure the future safety of lives, preservation of property, and protection
of the environment during times of disaster. Mitigation planning also improves the ability to
recover from a disaster.
Jurisdictions need to submit their Local Hazard Mitigation Plans to FEMA for approval, thus
making them eligible for FEMA funding made available for Pre-Disaster Mitigation and Hazard
Mitigation Grant programs. Importantly, FEMA requires the plan to be updated every five years
to maintain eligibility for federal hazard mitigation grants.
In February 2016, FEMA approved the City’s application for a grant to develop a Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan for San Rafael. Previously, the City did not have a FEMA-approved, locally
adopted Hazard Mitigation Plan, and thus, was not eligible to apply for any FEMA funding to
support City Hazard Mitigation projects. After more than a year of meetings, staff analysis and
research, and working with a specialized consultant, on November 17, 2017 the City Council
adopted San Rafael’s first Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 2
ANALYSIS: Since San Rafael adopted our own plan in 2017, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office
and County Department of Public Works have spearheaded the development of a Countywide
Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan: a plan which includes
jurisdiction-specific mitigations as well as countywide mitigation measures applying to all of
Marin County’s 12 cities, towns and unincorporated areas. This effort was intended to create
communitywide resiliency, as large-scale disasters rarely adhere to jurisdictional boundaries,
especially in cities and towns in Marin that share natural features, such as waterways and
hillsides.
Furthermore, the advantages of having one plan for the entire county means that the City of San
Rafael does not have to independently maintain and seek FEMA approval for our localized
LHMP every five years to maintain eligibility for FEMA grants. The County will lead plan
maintenance and the FEMA approval process of the Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional LHMP –
thereby streamlining San Rafael’s staff time spent ensuring eligibility for these important funding
sources. The staff time required to update a single-jurisdictional LHMP every five years is
considerable, which is why the City relied on grant funding to complete the previous Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2017. Should the City Council adopt the 2018 Marin County Multi-
Jurisdictional LHMP, the City can rely on countywide resources and assistance in ensuring San
Rafael continues to have a FEMA-approved plan since San Rafael will be included in the
countywide plan.
The City of San Rafael’s 2017 LHMP content will be included as an appendix to the Marin
County Multi-Jurisdictional LHMP, thereby ensuring the City’s localized issues are included in
the countywide approach.
As a part of this countywide effort, the City of San Rafael partnered with the Marin County
Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), County of Marin Department of Public Works,
Fire Department, and Community Development Agency, and all Marin County cities and towns
to produce the updated plan. The cooperative planning process included public workshops and
listening sessions, posting of the draft plan on the County website for comment, and press
releases. The Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional LHMP was approved by FEMA on November
21, 2018 (Attachment 4). The County determined that adoption of the Plan was exempt from
environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) (Attachment 3),
and the City’s adoption of the Plan is likewise exempt.
To ensure uniformity, the governing bodies of every municipality in Marin County are
considering adopting their own resolution to approve the MCM LHMP.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no fiscal impact associated with this item. However, adoption of plan
maintains City eligibility for FEMA mitigation grant funding.
OPTIONS:
The City Council has the following options to consider relating to this item:
1. Adopt a resolution adopting the Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan.
2. Do not adopt a resolution adopting the Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan, which may impact the City’s eligibility for FEMA hazard mitigation
funding in future years should San Rafael not have the resources to update our
localized LHMP every five years. Not adopting the resolution may also complicate the
possibility of the City benefiting from multi-jurisdictional mitigation project funding.
SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT / Page: 3
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt a resolution adopting the 2018 Marin County Multi-
Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Resolution
2. 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
3. CEQA Notice of Exemption (Marin County Community Development Agency)
4. FEMA Approval of the 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan
RESOLUTION NO. 14706
A RESOLUTION OF THE SAN RAFAEL CITY COUNCIL ADOPTING THE 2018
MARIN COUNTY MULTI-JURISDICTIONAL LOCAL HAZARD MITIGATION PL AN
(MCM LHMP)
WHEREAS, the preservation of life, property, and the environment is an
inherent responsibility of local government, and
WHEREAS, natural disasters pose a significant threat to the lives and property
of Marin County residents and visitors, and
WHEREAS, natural disasters can occur with little or no warning, and
WHEREAS, the City of San Rafael, in concert with local public safety
organizations, in an effort to identify best practices used in response to the threat and
occurance of natural disasters, has integrated Local Hazard Mitigation planning efforts
of the City of San Rafael into the 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan; and
WHEREAS, adoption of the 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan by the City is exempt from environmental review under the
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections
15061(b)(3) (the “common sense exemption”) and/or 15262 (planning studies);
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the San Rafael City Council that
the City of San Rafael hereby Adopts the 2018 Marin County Multi Jurisdictional Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan as presented to the City Council and on file in the Office of the
City Clerk.
I, LINDSAY LARA, Clerk of the City of San Rafael, hereby certify that the foregoing
Resolution was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a regular meeting of the City
Council of said City held on Monday, the 15th day of July 2019 by the following vote, to wit:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: Bushey, Colin, Gamblin, McCullough & Mayor Phillips
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: None
____
LINDSAY LARA, City Clerk
Marin County
Multi-Jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
(MCM LHMP)
2018
Table of Contents
Section 1 Introduction 1
1.1 Overview 1
1.2 Hazard Mitigation Planning 1
1.3 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 2
1.4 Grant Programs with Mitigation Plan Requirements 2
1.5 Local Participants 3
1.6 Community Description 3
1.6.1 County of Marin 3
1.6.2 Economy 5
1.6.3 Physical Features 5
1.6.4 Infrastructure 5
1.6.5 Participating Municipalities 6
1.6.6 Participating Special Districts 9
1.7 Description of the Multi Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 10
Section 2 Planning Process 12
2.1 Overview 12
2.2 Initial Planning Process, 2011–2013 12
2.3 Plan Update Process, 2013–2018 12
2.4 Review of Existing Plans, Studies, and Reports 15
2.5 Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement 22
2.5.1 Meetings 22
2.5.2 Media Announcements 23
2.5.3 Public Workshops and Virtual Engagement Series 23
2.5.4 Website 23
Section 3 Hazard Analysis 25
3.1 Overview 25
3.2 Hazard Identification and Screening 27
3.3 Hazard Profiles 30
3.3.1 Earthquakes and Liquefaction 31
3.3.2 Dam Failure 37
3.3.3 Severe Storm 43
3.3.4 Debris Flow (Landslides) 47
3.3.5 Flooding 53
3.3.6 Wind 66
3.3.7 Tsunami 69
3.3.8 Wildfire 75
3.3.9 Post-Fire Debris Flow 100
3.4 Repetitive Loss Properties 101
3.5 Future Development 102
3.6 Natural and Beneficial Functions 105
3.7 Life/Safety Warning/Evacuation Systems 111
Section 4 Mitigation Strategy 114
4.1 Overview 114
4.2 Mitigation Goals 114
4.3 Identification and Analysis of Mitigation Actions 114
4.4 Implementation of mitigation Actions 127
Section 5 Plan Maintenance 130
5.1 Overview 130
5.2 Monitoring, Evaluating and Updating the Plan 130
5.3 Implementation Through Existing Planning Mechanisms 132
5.4 Continued Public Involvement 132
Appendix A – FEMA Compliance Documents 1
Appendix B – Adoption Resolutions 6
Appendix C – Planning Committee 8
Appendix D – Plan Review Committee 25
Appendix E - Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement 30
Appendix F - Plan Maintenance 35
Appendix G - Marin County 38
Appendix H - City of Belvedere 52
Appendix I - Town of Corte Madera 61
Appendix J - Town of Fairfax 70
Appendix K - City of Larkspur 79
Appendix L - City of Mill Valley 88
Appendix M - City of Novato 96
Appendix N – Town of Ross 110
Appendix O - Town of San Anselmo 132
Appndix P - City of San Rafael 155
Appendix Q - City of Sausalito 168
Appendix R - Town of Tiburon 173
Appendix S - North Marin Water District 182
Acronyms and Abbreviations
2013 LHMP Marin County 2013 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
CalOES California Governor’s Office of Emergency Service
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
cfs cubic feet per second
CGS California Geological Survey
County Marin County
CRS Community Rating System
DC3 Marin Disaster and Citizen Corps Council
DFIRM Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map
DMA 2000 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000
DSOD California Division of Safety of Dams
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FIRM Flood Insurance Rate Map
FMA Flood Mitigation Assistance
GIS Geographic Information System
HMGP Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
NCDC National Climatic Data Center
NFIP National Flood Insurance Program
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPDES National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
NWS National Weather Service
OES Office of Emergency Services
PDM Pre-Disaster Mitigation (Program)
RFCP Repetitive Flood Claims Program
RL Repetitive Loss
SRL Severe Repetitive Loss
Stafford Act Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act of 1988
USC United States Code
NMWD North Marin Water District
VMP Vegetation Management Plan
SECTION 1 Introduction
1
SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 OVERVIEW
This section provides a brief overview of the topic, an introduction to hazard mitigation
planning, and a brief description of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, grant programs with
mitigation plan requirements, local participants, and the 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Marin County (the County) and its partners have developed this Multi-Jurisdictional Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (hereinafter referred to as the MCM LHMP) to assess risks posed by
natural hazards and to develop a mitigation strategy for reducing the County’s risks. The County
has prepared the MCM LHMP in accordance with the requirements of the Disaster Mitigation
Act of 2000 (DMA 2000). The Marin County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), in
conjunction with the Marin County Local Hazard Mitigation Team, has coordinated the
preparation of the MCM LHMP in cooperation with municipalities and special district partners.
The MCM LHMP replaces the County LHMP that was approved by FEMA on August 29, 2013
and will serve as the current LHMP for all participating jurisdictions. Some participating
jurisdictions also have existing single-jurisdiction plans in place that are effective until their
expiration date. All MCM LHMP partners will be included in an ongoing MCM LHMP plan
review process to facilitate the 2023 plan update process.
This plan draws heavily, and with gratitude, on what the planning team was able to learn from
other jurisdictions who have taken on hazard mitigation planning prior to this effort. In addition,
the staff serving the Association of Bay Area Governments, the California Governor’s Office of
Emergency Services, and Region IX of the Federal Emergency Management Agency were of
countless assistance to the planning team.
1.2 HAZARD MITIGATION PLANNING
As defined in Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Subpart M, Section 206.401,
hazard mitigation is “any action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and
property from natural hazards.” As such, hazard mitigation is any work to minimize the impacts
of any type of hazard event before it occurs. It is a process in which hazards are identified and
profiled, the people and facilities at risk are analyzed, and mitigation actions to reduce or
eliminate hazard risk are developed. The implementation of the mitigation actions, which include
short- and long-term strategies that may involve planning, policy changes, programs, projects,
and other activities, is the end-result of this process.
SECTION 1 Introduction
2
1.3 DISASTER MITIGATION ACT OF 2000
Local hazard mitigation planning is compelled as a matter of law as of the Disaster Mitigation
Act signed in 2000 (DMA 2000). On October 30, 2000, Congress passed the DMA 2000 (Public
Law 106-390), which amended the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance
Act of 1988 (Stafford Act) (Title 42 of the United States Code [USC] Section 5121 et seq.) by
repealing the act’s previous mitigation planning section (409) and replacing it with a new
mitigation planning section (322). This new section emphasizes the need for state, tribal, and
local entities to closely coordinate mitigation planning and implementation efforts. This new
section also provides the legal basis for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s
(FEMA’s) mitigation plan requirements for mitigation grant assistance.
To implement these planning requirements, FEMA published an Interim Final Rule in the
Federal Register on February 26, 2002 (44 CFR Part 201). The local mitigation planning
requirements are identified in their appropriate sections throughout this MCM LHMP and in the
FEMA Local Mitigation Planning Crosswalk / Review Tool in Appendix A. In addition, this plan
addresses the Community Rating System (CRS) 10-step planning process requirements.
1.4 GRANT PROGRAMS WITH MITIGATION PLAN REQUIREMENTS
Currently, FEMA grant programs are available to participating jurisdictions that have FEMA-
approved HMPs and are members of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Two of the
grant programs are authorized under the Stafford Act and DMA 2000.
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides
grants to state, local, and tribal entities to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after
declaration of a major disaster. The purpose of the HMGP is to reduce the loss of life and
property due to natural disasters and enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the
immediate recovery from a disaster. Projects must provide a long-term solution to a problem (for
example, elevation of a home to reduce the risk of flood damage rather than buying sandbags and
pumps to fight the flood). Also, a project’s potential savings must be more than the cost of
implementing the project. Funds may be used to protect either public or private property or to
purchase property that has been subjected to, or is in danger of, repetitive damage. The amount
of funding available for the HMGP under a particular disaster declaration is limited. Under the
program, the Federal government may provide a state or tribe with up to 20 percent of the total
disaster grants awarded by FEMA and may provide up to 75 percent of the cost of projects
approved under the program, subject to a specified program cap. Between 2016 and 2018 several
HMGP applications were submitted by participants in this MCM LHMP.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program provides funds
to state, local, and tribal entities for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of
mitigation projects before a disaster. PDM grants are awarded on a nationally competitive basis.
Like HMGP funding, the potential savings of a PDM project must be more than the cost of
implementing the project, and funds may be used to protect either public or private property or to
purchase property that has been subjected to, or is in danger of, repetitive damage. The total
amount of PDM funding available is appropriated by Congress on an annual basis. The cost-
sharing for this grant is 75 percent Federal and 25 percent non-Federal, although cost-sharing of
90 percent Federal and 10 percent non-Federal is available in certain situations.
SECTION 1 Introduction
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1.5 LOCAL PARTICIPANTS
The participating jurisdictions and special districts, referred to in this plan as local participants or
partners, are listed below.
Marin County
City of Belvedere
Town of Corte Madera
City of Fairfax
City of Larkspur
City of Mill Valley
City of Novato
Town of Ross
City of San Rafael
Town of San Anselmo
City of Sausalito
City of Tiburon
North Marin Water District
Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
1.6 COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION
1.6.1 County of Marin
Marin County, one of 58 counties in the state, is located on northern California’s Pacific coast,
just north of San Francisco. Marin County is bordered by Sonoma County to the north; the
Pacific Ocean to the northwest and southwest; and the City and County of San Francisco to the
south. Marin County spans 828 square miles, of which 520 square miles is land and 308 square
miles is water. This footprint makes Marin County among the four smallest counties in the State;
the only smaller counties being San Mateo County, Santa Cruz County, and the City and County
of San Francisco. The following protected areas are within or contiguous to Marin:
National Protected Areas:
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (U.S. National Park Service)
Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge
SECTION 1 Introduction
4
Muir Woods National Monument
Point Reyes National Seashore
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
State Parks:
Angel Island State Park
China Camp State Park
Mount Tamalpais State Park
Olompali State Historic Park
Samuel P. Taylor State Park
Tomales Bay State Park
Marine Protected Areas:
Duxbury Reef State Marine Conservation Area
Estero Americano State Marine Recreational Management Area
Estero de San Antonio State Marine Recreational Management Area
Point Reyes State Marine Reserve & Drakes Estero State Marine Conservation Area
Marin County was incorporated in 1850 as one of the original 27 counties of California. Within
its boundaries are 11 municipalities, 20 Census Designated Places, and 8 recognized
unincorporated communities. The county seat is the City of San Rafael. According to the U.S.
Census Bureau, and using the Population Estimates Program which produces July 1 estimates for
years after the last published decennial census (2010), the 3.5% population increase to the 2015
estimate brings the population to 261,221. The county has 111,990 housing units, of a theoretical
buildout amount of 120,755. The majority of the county’s population resides within the
municipalities along Highway 101.
Marin County’s identity is largely shaped by its abundant natural resources and long history of
open space preservation efforts to retain its rural character. A variety of factors
have strictly limited development in the County over the last 5 years including large swaths of
permanently protected federal and state parkland, large acreage of farm and ranch lands
permanently protected through conservation easements, and Countywide Plan policies and
development codes which restrain growth in sensitive habitat areas and/or flood hazard areas.
Similarly future development is limited by these same constraints, as outlined in Section 3.5
Future Development.
SECTION 1 Introduction
5
1.6.2 Economy
Marin County has a strong economic base which has changed significantly over the last century.
The county’s economy was dominated by agriculture in the early part of its history. However, in
recent years, Marin’s economy has seen increasing job growth in technology-related fields such
as biotechnology, computer software, and multimedia. With several attractions including beaches
and parks in Marin, tourism is important to Marin County’s economy.
Services, retail trade, government, and manufacturing account for the majority of employers in
Marin. Some municipalities have also become closely aligned with particular industries. For
example, Sausalito is known for its fishing fleet. Health care has a major presence in the City of
San Rafael. The county also boasts one the state's highest certified organic and sustainable crop
ratios.
1.6.3 Physical Features
Marin County is located along California’s Pacific Coast (between San Francisco and Sonoma),
including 72 miles of coastline. The highest point in the county, Mount Tamalpais, is 2,572 feet
above sea level. The county has many microclimates with varying weather patterns, but the
climate is generally Mediterranean with an average annual temperature of 79.7 degrees
Fahrenheit. The County consists of areas of mountains/hills, valleys, forests, creeks, bayside
wetlands and mud flats, and ocean coasts.
1.6.4 Infrastructure
Transportation
Marin County has an ever-developing transportation system, with most travel concentrated along
key highways and arterial streets. There are 5 Highways passing through, terminating, or located
wholly in Marin: Interstate 580, U.S. Route 101, State Route 1, State Route 37, and State Route
131. Marin is connected to its surrounding neighbors by bridges. The Golden Gate Bridge is to
the south; the Richmond/San Rafael Bridge is to the east; State Route 37 is to the northeast
(across filled bay land over San Pablo Bay); and Highway 101 is to the north (which narrows to a
4-lane uncontrolled road that traverses San Antonio Creek). One of the major problems Marin
County faces during an emergency is the possibility of being isolated from the surrounding
communities and any resources or help. Light rail service recently began supplementing existing
transportation options along U.S. Route 101 between Marin and Sonoma Counties.
Utilities
Municipal utilities in Marin County include water (drinking water, stormwater, sanitary
sewerage), power (electricity and natural gas), telecommunications, and solid waste. Several
water management utilities supply treated water for domestic and fire suppression purposes.
These distribution systems rely largely on the County’s topography for collecting surface water,
storing it in reservoirs, and distributing it with gravity-fed systems. As such, the water
SECTION 1 Introduction
6
management utilities are separated by both functional area and geography, but they are working
more and more to coordinate within watersheds.
Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) is the largest water district in Marin, serving central
and southern portions of the county east of Mount Tamalpais and Bolinas Ridge. North Marin
Water District (NMWD) serves Novato and communities along Tomales Bay including Olema,
Point Reyes Station, Inverness, and Dillon Beach. Bolinas and Stinson Beach, two communities
in West Marin, have separate water and sanitary districts. There are 23 agencies providing
wastewater services in Marin County, including special districts, municipalities, JPAs and the
Federal and State government.
(Citation: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/gj/reports-and-responses/reports-responses/2013-
14/~/media/Files/Departments/GJ/Reports%20Responses/2013/SewerScoopI.pdf )
Stormwater utilities such as open channels, catch basins and storm drains are managed by the
cities, towns, and the county in unincorporated areas and are coordinated through the Marin
County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP). Additionally, the Marin
County Flood Control and Water Conservation District maintains some larger drainage
infrastructure where zones have been designated. The District and some cities/towns such as San
Rafael, Corte Madera, and Novato operate stormwater pump stations.
Natural gas and electricity distribution occurs through infrastructure owned and maintained by
PG&E, a private utility corporation. Natural gas is piped into Marin from the central valley
around the North Bay through Solano, Napa, and Sonoma Counties. The main transmission
pipelines are underground along Highway 101 and flow south, branching into local distribution
lines and private laterals. PG&E also brings power into Marin around the North Bay on overhead
transmission lines that emanate from the Ignacio substation in Novato. Additional substations are
located along Hwy 101 in Las Gallinas, San Rafael, Greenbrae, and Mill Valley to the South and
in Novato, Stafford, Tocaloma, Olema, Bolinas and Woodacre to the North and East.
Telecommunications include telephone service, cable television and wireless services. AT&T
maintains infrastructure for providing landlines, while Comcast provides cable television. A
variety of cellular and wireless service companies operate in Marin and provide access points in
the form of cellular towers, wireless antennas and equipment.
There are six solid waste haulers that operate within Marin County organized geographically and
with agreements with cities and towns. All of this garbage, recycling, and greenwaste is brought
to one of two processing centers; Redwood Landfill in Novato and Marin Resource Recovery
Center in San Rafael.
1.6.5 Participating Municipalities
Marin County has 11 cities and towns, all of which participated in the preparation of this Plan.
Using the most up-to-date information provided by the U.S. Census Bureau, these cities and key
aspects of their socioeconomic and demographic qualities are described below.
City of Belvedere
SECTION 1 Introduction
7
The City of Belvedere had an estimated population of 2,068 in 2010, with 1,045 housing units in
the City. The City has a total area of 2.406 square miles. The median income for a household in
the City was $130,796 and the per capita income for the City was $113,595. Approximately 2.9
percent of families and 5.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data,
U.S. Census Bureau).
Belvedere was incorporated as a city in 1896.
Town of Corte Madera
The Town of Corte Madera had an estimated population of 9,253 in 2010, with 4,026 housing
units in the Town. The Town has a total area of 4.406 square miles. The median income for a
household in the Town was $79,839 and the per capita income for the Town was $46,326.
Approximately 2.7 percent of families and 4.5 percent of the population were below the poverty
line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Corte Madera was incorporated in 1916.
Town of Fairfax
The Town of Fairfax had an estimated population of 7,441 in 2010, with 3,585 housing units in
the Town. The Town has a total area of 2.204 square miles. The median income for a household
in the Town is $58,465 and the per capita income for the Town is $34,080. Approximately 4.3
percent of families and 6.5 percent of the population is below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S.
Census Bureau).
Fairfax was incorporated as a town in 1931.
City of Larkspur
The City of Larkspur had an estimated population of 11,926 in 2010, with 6,376 housing units in
the City. The City has a total area of 3.243 square miles. The median income for a household in
the City was $66,710 and the per capita income for the City was $56,983. Approximately 1.8
percent of families and 3.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data,
U.S. Census Bureau).
Larkspur was incorporated as a city in 1908.
City of Mill Valley
Mill Valley had an estimated population of 13,903 in 2010, with 6,534 housing units in the City.
The City has a total area of 4.847 square miles. The median income for a household in the City
was $90,794 and the per capita income for the City was $64,179. Approximately 2.7 percent of
families and 4.5 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census
Bureau).
Mill Valley was incorporated as a city in 1900.
SECTION 1 Introduction
8
City of Novato
The City of Novato had an estimated population of 51,904 in 2010, with 21,158 housing units in
the City. The City has a total area of 27.440 square miles. The median income for a household in
the City was $63,453, and the per capita income for the City was $32,402. Approximately 3.1
percent of families and 5.6 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data,
U.S. Census Bureau).
Novato was incorporated as a city in 1960.
Town of Ross
The Town of Ross had an estimated population of 2,415 in 2010, with 884 housing units in the
Town. The Town has a total area of 1.556 square miles. The median income for a household in
the Town is $102,015 and the per capita income for the Town is $51,150. Approximately 5.6
percent of families and 8.5 percent of the population is below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S.
Census Bureau).
Ross was incorporated as a town in 1908.
Town of San Anselmo
The Town of San Anselmo had an estimated population of 12,336 in 2010, with 5,538 housing
units in the Town. The Town has a total area of 2.677 square miles. The median income for a
household in the City is $71,488 and the per capita income for the City is $ $41,977.
Approximately 2.5 percent of families and 5.1 percent of the population is below the poverty line
(2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
San Anselmo was incorporated as a town in 1907.
City of San Rafael
The City of San Rafael (San Rafael) is the county seat of Marin County. San Rafael had an
estimated population of 57,713 in 2010, with 24,011 housing units in the City. The City has a
total area of 22.422 square miles. The median income for a household in the City was $60,994
and the per capita income for the City was $35,762. Approximately 5.6 percent of families and
10.2 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
San Rafael was incorporated as a city in 1874.
City of Sausalito
Sausalito had an estimated population of 7,061 in 2010, with 4,536 housing units in the City. The
City has a total area of 2.257 square miles. The median income for a household in the City was
$87,469 and the per capita income for the City was $81,040. Approximately 2.0 percent of
SECTION 1 Introduction
9
families and 5.1 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census
Bureau).
Sausalito was incorporated as a city in 1893.
Town of Tiburon
The Town of Tiburon had an estimated population of 8,962 in 2010, with 4,025 housing units in
the Town. The Town has a total area of 13.182 square miles. The median income for a household
in the Town was $106,611 and the per capita income for the Town was $85,966. Approximately
1.6 percent of families and 3.3 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data,
U.S. Census Bureau).
Tiburon was incorporated in 1964.
1.6.6 Participating Special Districts
As noted previously, two of the participating jurisdictions are special districts. Information about
each district is described as follows.
North Marin Water District
North Marin Water District (NMWD) was formed in April 1948 following voter approval under
the California State law known as the County Water District Law (Division 12 of the California
Water Code).
NMWD primarily serves the City of Novato and surrounding unincorporated areas in Marin
County, encompassing approximately 75 square miles. The Novato Service Area has
approximately 20,750 active service connections serving approximately 24,000 dwelling units,
as well as commercial, industrial and institutional customers. The estimated Novato Service Area
population is 61,000. NMWD also provides service to several small improvement districts in the
West Marin Service Area near the Pacific Ocean, via approximately 800 service connections.
NMWD owns and operates Stafford Lake and the associated treatment plant, which provides
approximately 20% of Novato’s water. The lake lies four miles west of downtown Novato and
collects runoff from 8.3 square miles of watershed property located upstream at the upper
tributary reaches of Novato Creek. Water from Stafford Lake is drawn by the intake tower and
fed by gravity or by pumping (depending on the lake level) into the treatment plant located just
below the dam. In addition to providing water supply for domestic needs and firefighting
purposes, Stafford dam provides flood protection for the greater Novato area. The Marin County
Flood Control and Water Conservation District has partnered with NMWD to share in the cost of
obtaining additional flood liability insurance.
Water from the Russian River via connection to the Sonoma County Water Agency’s aqueduct
provides the remaining 80% of the Novato Service Area supply of water. This water originates
from both the Eel River and the Russian River watersheds. The water supply for the West Marin
Service Area is derived from groundwater.
SECTION 1 Introduction
10
NMWD maintains and operates approximately 340 miles of pipeline, 42 tanks totaling over 37
million gallons of storage, and associated pump stations, hydropneumatic systems, and regulator
valves. NMWD sizes its storage tanks to meet operational, firefighting and emergency
requirements. Storage requirements for both the Novato and West Marin Service Areas are
updated on a 5-year cycle, and are based in part on input provided by Novato Fire Protection
District and Marin County Fire.
Ensuring water quality and protecting public health is one of NMWD’s primary goals. Water
quality data is routinely collected throughout the distribution systems and at water sources.
Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
The District’s geographical boundary is the same as the County’s and, as a whole, it has no
source of revenue. Instead, revenue is collected via ad valorem taxes and fees paid by property
owners in one of eight zones covering distinct geographical areas within the District. All
expenditures by the District require authorization by the Board of Supervisors of the District and
the five members of the Marin County Board of Supervisors serve on the District’s board.
Eight zones have been established within the District to address specific flooding problems in
eight watersheds across Marin County.
1.7 DESCRIPTION OF THE Multi Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
A multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan is a plan jointly prepared by more than one
jurisdiction. Jurisdictions can benefit in several ways when they choose to participate in a multi-
jurisdictional planning process. Among such benefits, this process:
Enables comprehensive approaches to mitigation of hazards that affect multiple
jurisdictions;
Allows economies of scale by:
o Leveraging individual capabilities; and
o Sharing costs and resources;
Avoids duplication of efforts; and
Imposes an external discipline on the process.
The remainder of this MCM LHMP consists of the sections described below.
Section 2: Planning Process
Section 2 describes the planning process. Specifically, this section describes the plan
development process and identifies members of the Planning Committee and Plan Review
Committee; including a description of the meetings held as part of the planning process (relevant
SECTION 1 Introduction
11
documents are attached in the Appendixes). This section also documents public outreach and
stakeholder involvement activities and discusses the review and incorporation of relevant plans,
reports, and other appropriate information.
Section 3: Hazard Analysis
Section 3 describes the process through which the Planning Committee identified, screened, and
selected the hazards to be profiled in the MCM LHMP. The hazard analysis includes the nature,
history, location, extent, probability of future events, impacts, and vulnerability for each hazard.
It also summarizes RL and SRL properties, future development, natural and beneficial functions
of floodplains, and life safety/warning/evacuation systems.
Section 4: Mitigation Strategy
Section 4 provides a blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the vulnerability
analysis. The Planning Committee reviewed mitigation projects identified in the prior LHMP of
the eight participating jurisdictions with existing plans. Every participating jurisdiction with an
existing LHMP assessed their progress on previously identified actions and revised their list to
reflect updated priorities. Actions common to all jurisdictions were consolidated into a list of
“common actions”.
Section 5: Plan Maintenance
Section 5 describes the formal plan maintenance process to ensure that the MCM LHMP remains
an active and applicable document. The process includes monitoring, evaluating, and updating
the plan (relevant documents are attached in Appendix F); monitoring mitigation projects and
closeout procedures (relevant documents attached in Appendix F); implementing the plan
through existing planning mechanisms; and achieving continued public involvement.
SECTION 2 Planning Process
12
SECTION 2 PLANNING PROCESS
2.1 OVERVIEW
This section summarizes the planning efforts; details how the plan was updated and who was
involved in this process; documents public outreach and stakeholder involvement efforts; and
summarizes the review and incorporation of existing plans, studies, and reports used to develop
the MCM LHMP. Additional information regarding the meetings and public outreach efforts is
discussed below and provided in more detail in Appendix C, D and E.
The last full update of the Marin Countywide Plan (CWP) was in 2007, and the last Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) update was completed in 2013. As the CWP update preceded
the LHMP update, inclusion of the 2013 LHMP into the CWP was not possible. However, as
Senate Bill 379 requires climate adaptation to be included in County general plans, the 2018
LHMP can serve as a valuable reference document for hazards assessments, potential policies,
and implementing programs for the next CWP update
2.2 INITIAL PLANNING PROCESS, 2011–2013
As noted previously, the initial basis for this plan was 2013 Marin County LHMP and LHMPs of
partner jurisdictions with current approved and adopted plans. This plan was prepared by the
Marin County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Team, which consisted of representatives from the
County Office of Emergency Services, Department of Public Works, Fire Department, and
Community Development Agency. The 2013 LHMP development occurred from December
2011 to July 2013. The 2012 LHMP was adopted by the Marin County Board of Supervisors on
October 16, 2012 and approved by FEMA on August 29, 2013.
2.3 PLAN UPDATE PROCESS, 2013–2018
Pursuant to approval and adoption of the 2013 LHMP, the County LHMP Team established a
schedule of team meetings to provide opportunity for review and documentation of any changes
to LHMP relevant plans, projects, programs, as well as Notices of Intent (NOIs) submitted to
CalOES by their respective groups. In April 2016 the Marin County Sheriff’s OES kicked off the
official update process. The 2018 plan process became a multi-jurisdictional process to include
all municipalities and select Special Districts. The Marin County Sheriff’s OES determined that
the standing Marin Disaster and Citizen Corps Council (DC3) included almost all of the relevant
stakeholders and therefore would make up the 2018 MCM-LHMP Plan Review Committee. The
DC3 consists of local officials from the County, cities and towns, and special districts as well as
non-governmental agencies, private sector, and special districts that have been delegated the
authority of local government emergency services directors, City Managers, and the Director of
Emergency Services (a member of the County Board of Supervisors) who serves as the DC3
Chairperson.
The MCM LHMP’s Planning Committee is shown below in Table 2-1. The 2018 DC3, serving
as the MCMLHMP Plan Review Committee, is shown below in Table 2-2.
SECTION 2 Planning Process
13
Table 2-1. Planning Committee
Department, Agency, or Municipality Name
Marin County Sheriff’s Office Thomas Jordan, Emergency Services Coordinator
Marin County Department of Public Works
Hannah Lee, Senior Civil Engineer
Beb Skye, Engineering Technician
Felix Meneau, Assistant Engineer
Gerhard Epke, Senior Program Coordinator
Marin County Fire Department Scott Alber, Fire Marshal
Marin County Community Development Agency Kristen Drumm, Senior Planner
Alex Westhoff, Planner
City of Belvedere Irene Borba, Director of Planning & Building
Laurie Nilsen, Emergency Services Coordinator
Town of Corte Madera
Kelly Crowe, Senior Civil Engineer
Matt Cobb, Battalion Chief
Hamid Khalili, Police Captain
Adam Wolff, Planning and Building Director
Peter Brown, Public Works Director
City of Fairfax Mark Lockaby, Chief Building Official
Michele Gardner, Deputy Town Clerk
City of Larkspur
Matt Cobb, Battalion Chief
Bob Quinn, Public Works Superintendent
Neal Toft, Planning Director
Julian Skinner, Public Works Director .
City of Mill Valley
Tom Welch, Fire Chief
Andrew Poster, Public Works Director
Elisa Sarlatte, DPW Engineering Manager
Town of Ross
Richard Simonitch, Public Works Director
Heidi Scoble, Planning Manager
Erik Masterson, Police Chief
Town of San Anselmo
Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Elise Semonian, Planning Director
Dave Donery, Town Manager
City of San Rafael
Talia Smith, Senior Management Analyst
Quin Gardner, Emergency Management Coord
Robert Sinnott, Deputy Fire Chief
SECTION 2 Planning Process
14
Kevin McGowan, Asst Public Works Director
Bill Guerin, Public Works Director
City of Sausalito
Jonathon Goldman, Public Works Director
Bill Frass, Police Captain
Lilly Whalen, Clerk
Mike McKinley, Emergency Services Coordinator
Town of Tiburon
Kyra O’Malley, Associate Planner
Laurie Nilsen, Emergency Services Coordinator
Scott Anderson, Community Development Director
City of Novato
Nancy Andrews, Senior Management Analyst
Bob Brown, Community Development Director
Bill Tyler, Fire Chief
Jim Correa, Police Captain
Dave Jeffries, Consultant
North Marin Water District
Drew McIntyre, General Manager
Rocky Vogler, Chief Engineer
Pippin Cavagnaro, Associate
Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District
Hannah Lee, Senior Civil Engineer
Felix Meneau, Assistant Engineer
Gerhard Epke, Senior Program Coordinator
Table 2-2. MCM LHMP Plan Review Committee
DC3 Position Title Name
Chairperson Judy Arnold
Marin Managers Joe Chinn
Schools Michael Grant
Emergency Medical Services Miles Julihn
Access and Functional Needs Peter Mendoza
MIDC Denis O’Leary
Transit Mohamed Osman
Health and Human Services Lisa Santora
Police Chiefs Tricia Seyler-Campbell
Public Works Eric Steger
SECTION 2 Planning Process
15
At Large Representative Bill Tyler
MCCMC Catherine Way
Fire Chiefs Jason Weber
American Red Cross Debbie Yee
Economic Forum Garry Lion
District 1 Frank Cox
District 2 Michael McDermott
District 3 Keith Kennedy
District 4 Anne Sands
District 5 Ed Schulze
DC3 = Marin County Disaster and Citizen Corps Council
County LHMP Team members attended and facilitated meetings with the Planning Committee
and coordinated numerous activities to create the 2018 MCM LHMP. Members of the Plan
Review Committee were provided project updates at Marin County Disaster and Citizen Corps
Council DC3) meetings and draft plans for review via email. Additional information regarding
the meetings and public outreach efforts is provided in more detail in Appendix C, D and E.
Community Rating System Program Planning Process
Several participating jurisdictions in the MCM LHMP are also participants in FEMA’s
Community Rating System (CRS), including the County of Marin, City of Sausalito, Town of
Fairfax, Town of San Anselmo, Town of Ross, Town of Corte Madera, and the City of Novato.
The County of Marin hosts regular CRS coordination meetings and invites all jurisdictions, even
those that aren’t currently part of CRS. The Marin County Public Works Community Rating
System representative who hosts those multi-jurisdictional meetings also participated on the
MCM LHMP Planning Committee in order to address the CRS Floodplain Management
Planning requirements.
2.4 REVIEW OF EXISTING PLANS, STUDIES, AND REPORTS
The following Table 2-3 reflects the existing plans, studies, and reports used during the planning
process
SECTION 2 Planning Process
16
Table 2-3. MCM LHMP Existing Plans, Studies, and Reports
Document Title and Date
Method of
incorporation into the
jurisdiction annex
All Jurisdictions
Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG) 2010 multi -
jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan for the San Francisco Bay Area, 2010 Update of 2005
Plan
Hazard Identification and Screening
Mitigation Actions
Marin Map- online mapping tool includes hazard data, assets, zoning,
current FEMA flood maps www.marinmap.org
Hazards Analysis
FEMA data via Flood Insurance Studies, BureauNet Hazard Profiles, Risk Assessments,
Repetitive Loss Lists
Marin County -California Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP)
www.firesafemarin.org/cwpp
Hazard Profiles & Mitigation Actions
Marin County Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessments (BayWAVE
& C-SMART) and C-SMART Adaptation Report
Hazard Profiles & Mitigation Actions
DSOD dam safety information
ABAG earthquake: http://resilience.abag.ca.gov/earthquakes/marin/
Hazard Profiles
2013 State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan
Plan Conformance
Marin Stormwater Resource Plan 2017 Mitigation Actions
The Scoop on Marin County Sewer Systems: Part I
2013/2014 Marin County Civil Grand Jury
Cited in 1.6.3 to describe sewer
infrastructure
U.S. Census Bureau 2010
The studies detail flood depths and base flood elevations. Used in
development of risk assessments and mitigation actions
For socioeconomic and demographic
aspects of participating municipalities.
Marin Municipal Water District Urban Water Management Plan 2015
(approved June 7, 2016)
Referenced by several Jurisdictions
Countywide Watershed Stewardship Plan Hazard Analysis
Plan Bay Area 2040
Sonoma County Water Agency Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Mitigation actions (regional radar
project)
CAL FIRE & Marin County Fire Department Strategic Fire Plans Hazard Profiles and Mitigation
Actions
International Urban-Wildland Interface Code 2003 Hazard Profiles
Community Exposure to Tsunami Hazards in California report &
National Geodetic Data Center database of tsunami occurrences
Hazard Profiles
Cliff and Erosion Technical Background Report, 2003 prepared for
Marin County Local Coastal Program update
Hazard Profiles
Landslide Inventory, California Department of Conservation Hazard Profiles
SECTION 2 Planning Process
17
Marin County Office of Emergency Services, News Release on storm
damages, 12/29/2014
Hazard Profiles
California Building, Plumbing and Mechanical Codes Hazard Profiles
Belvedere
Belvedere’s 2010 General Plan Environmental Hazards Element has thorough treatment of environmental hazards
and references the City’s 2005 LHMP and development of the 2011 update. The City’s 2011 LHMP contained its
Flood Mitigation Plan.
2010 General Plan ‘Belvedere 2030’ Hazard Profiles, Priority mitigation
actions and
programs
2011 ABAG LHMP Annex Development of Mitigation Actions
Flood Management Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
Capital Improvement Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) Development of Mitigation Actions
Traffic Safety Study Development of Mitigation Actions
Corte Madera
Corte Madera’s 2009 General Plan was written before the Town’s development of its 2011 ABAG LHMP Annex.
The General Plan’s implementation measure F-1.4.b calls for implementation of a Hazard Plan, which was
completed two years later. The Town’s Capital Improvement Plan and buildin g and municipal codes have been
updated since 2011 and incorporate portions of the LHMP.
Previous LHMPs: 2005 & 2010
ABAG Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Annexes
Hazard Profiles & Development of
Mitigation Actions
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Development of Mitigation Actions
General Plan Safety Element Development of Mitigation Actions
Fairfax
The Town’s 2010 General Plan and 2011 ABAG Hazard Mitigation Plan Annex were developed concur rently, so
the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) reviewed, refined, and incorporated selected mitigation strategies
into the final draft 2010 General Plan Safety Element. The Safety Element states that it “is intended to
complement and support not only the other General Plan Elements, but also other Town plans and documents,
such as the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP), the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), and t he Flood
Mitigation Plan (FMP).
2010 General Plan Safety Element
Priority mitigation actions and
programs
2004 LHMP ABAG Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Annex
Development of Mitigation Actions
SECTION 2 Planning Process
18
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Development of Mitigation Actions
Emergency Response Plan
Development of Mitigation Actions
Community Preparedness Plan
Development of Mitigation Actions
Larkspur
Larkspur is in process of updating its General Plan, whic h was last updated in 1990. The updated plan will
comply with the Disaster Management Act 2000 by including a Safety Element that references this Hazard
Mitigation Plan. In the meantime, Table K-7 demonstrates the City’s continuing progress implementing
mitigation measures.
General Plan Safety Element
Hazard Profiles & Development of
Mitigation Actions
Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan
Development of Mitigation Actions
City of Larkspur All-Hazard Mitigation Plan Version 2.0 Development of Mitigation Actions
Unincorporated Marin County
Marin County’s prior Hazard Mitigation Plan is referenced in the 2007 Marin Countywide Plan. Appreciable
integration of the last LHMP has not yet happened but can be anticipated when the County begins an update on
the Countywide plan in the next two years.
2007 Marin Countywide Plan (2015 Update) Hazard Profiles & Development of
Mitigation Actions (its policies and
development codes that restrain
growth in sensitive habitats and/or
flood hazard areas, as well as future
development in general are outlined in
Section 3.5)
Local Coastal Program Hazard Profiles & Development of
Mitigation Actions
Marin County 2013 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
Mill Valley
Mill Valley’s Hazard Mitigation Plan was approved in 2009 and it has been incorporate it into other mechanisms
such as the City’s General Plan from 2013 which calls for maintenance, updates, and implementation of the All
Hazard Mitigation Plan.
City All Hazard Mitigation Plan v 4.0
Development of Mitigation Actions
SECTION 2 Planning Process
19
2013 General Plan Update ‘2040 General Plan’ incl Climate Action
Plan & Hazards & Public Safety Element
Development of Mitigation Actions
General Fund and Capital Improvement Plan
To be incorporated into actions when
complete.
Sewerage Agency of Southern Marin (SASM) Master Plan Identifies SASM facilities to replace
in Mill Valley
City of Mill Valley Emergency Operations Plan Hazard Profiles & Mitigation Actions
City of Mill Valley Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan Update 2015 Development of Mitigation Actions
North Marin Water District
NMWD hasn’t had a previous LHMP for incorporation into other mechanisms.
Stafford Dam EAP 2017
Development of Mitigation Actions
2015 Master Plan Update for the Oceana Marin Wastewater System,
NMWD Job File 8 4046.00
Development of Mitigation Actions
2018 Novato Water System Master Plan Update, NMWD Job File 1
7039.02
Development of Mitigation Actions
Novato
Novato is currently updating its General Plan. The current draft Safety and Health strategy #7a is to “Periodically
update the City’s Emergency Operations Plan and Local Hazard Mitigation Plan to coordinate with emergency
plans of other governmental agencies and respond to changing conditions”. The new general plan also refers to
the previous hazard mitigation plan for additional information on certain hazards such as wildfire.
Hazard Mitigation Plans previous annual reviews
Development of Mitigation Actions
2035 General Plan
Existing Conditions Report, April 2014
Development of Mitigation Actions
2008 City Flood Mitigation Plan
Development of Mitigation Actions
Emergency Preparedness Plan
Development of Mitigation Actions
Emergency Operations Plan
Development of Mitigation Actions
Stafford Dam Emergency Action Planning and Risk Awareness in 2015
Development of Mitigation Actions
Identified Site Emergency Planning Application, (ISEPA)
Development of Mitigation Actions
Novato Elected/Appointed Official Guide to Disaster Operations 2017
Development of Mitigation Actions
City of Novato Local Drainage Master Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
City of Novato Repetitive Loss Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
SECTION 2 Planning Process
20
Ross
Ross’s General Plan was completed and adopted in 2007, before its 2012 hazard mitigation plan. The 2012
LHMP was very good, but it hasn’t been incorporated into other planning mechanisms.
Town of Ross General Plan 2007 – 2025
Development of Mitigation Actions
2012 LHMP
Development of Mitigation Actions
Ross Valley Sanitary District Strategic Plan
Ross Valley Sewer System Replacement Master Plan 2007
Ross Valley Sanitary District response to Grand Jury Report Dated June
16, 2011: "Ross Valley Sanitary District: Not Again!"
Cited in 1.6.3 to describe sewer
infrastructure
San Anselmo
San Anselmo’s first stand-alone LHMP was adopted in 2017, so there hasn’t been sufficient time for its
incorporation into other planning mechanisms such as the General Plan, which was adopted in 1988. Prior to that,
the ABAG annex was too general to impact local mitigation planning.
2011 Climate Action Plan The plan includes strategies for
reducing government greenhouse gas
emissions. Policies from the plan have
been included as mitigation
strategies, where appropriate.
2011 Capital Improvement Plan Study for Flood Damage Reduction and
Creek Management in Flood Zone 9/Ross Valley
This study has information on projects
that may reduce flooding in the San
Anselmo watershed. The Town
incorporated some of the projects
within the Town jurisdiction as
mitigation strategies.
Town of San Anselmo 2015 General Plan The General Plan is the Town’s long-
term blueprint for the community’s
vision of future growth. This plan was
reviewed for existing policies and
programs to mitigate all hazards.
2008 Flood Mitigation Plan The plan includes goals and strategies
developed following the December
31, 2005 flood. Used in development
of risk assessments and mitigation
actions
Town of San Anselmo Municipal Code This plan was reviewed for existing
policies and programs to mitigate all
hazards. It includes regulations for
building standards, flood damage
prevention, environmental review and
restrictions on density in fire prone
areas.
7-year Capital Improvement Plan 2015 This plan details the Town’s priorities
for capital improvement projects for
years 2015-2021. Used in
development of risk assessments and
mitigation actions.
SECTION 2 Planning Process
21
Corte Madera Creek 2010 Flood Control Study Baseline Report
Available through US Army Corps of Engineers and Ross Valley Flood
Control Program website
http://www.marinwatersheds.org/documents_and_reporys/documents/C
orteMaderaCreekFinalBaselineReport-2010-12-08.pdf
Documents details efforts to reduce
flooding in the Ross Valley and Corte
Madera Creek. Study consulted for
flood frequency of historic flood
events.
San Rafael
The City’s “General Plan 2020” from 2004 calls for preparation and adoption of an LHMP. Since then, the City
has prepared and adopted an LHMP. The General Plan is currently being updated.
City of San Rafael 2020 General Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
City of San Rafael 2020 General Plan Background Report Development of Mitigation Actions
City of San Rafael Climate Change Action Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
City of San Rafael Community Emergency Preparedness Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
City of San Rafael Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy Report Development of Mitigation Actions
Climate Adaptation – Sea Level Rise, San Rafael CA. White Paper Development of Mitigation Actions
Marin Bay Shoreline Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment Development of Mitigation Actions
Sausalito
Sausalito hasn’t had a previous LHMP for incorporation into other mechanisms.
2018-2020 Strategic Plan Development of Mitigation Actions
Ongoing General Plan Update Development of Mitigation Actions
Tiburon
Tiburon’s “General Plan 2020” from 2005 calls for the adoption of an LHMP to comply with DMA 2000. Since
then the Town has adopted the ABAG LMHP Annex in 2012.
ABAG Multijurisdictional
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan 2010
Hazards Assessment
Mitigation Strategies
Capital Improvement Plan Mitigation Strategies
Emergency Operations Plan Hazards Assessment
Mitigation Strategies
General Plan Safety Element Hazards Assessment
Mitigation Strategies
SECTION 2 Planning Process
22
2.5 PUBLIC OUTREACH AND STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT
2.5.1 Meetings
During the planning process, Marin County Sheriff’s OES staff made presentations at Marin
County Disaster and Citizen Corps Council (DC3) and County Emergency Manager group
meetings to discuss the MCM LHMP. The Marin County DC3 is an advisory body whose
mission is to contribute to a unified effort in improving disaster preparedness, mitigation,
response and recovery countywide. These efforts are achieved through a partnership of
cooperation and collaboration with all levels of government, non-government and the private
sector. Current DC3 members include representatives from Marin County Sheriff’s OES, county
Fire Chiefs, American Red Cross, Marin County Economic Forum, Public Works, and county
Health and Human Services, to name a few. The Marin County DC3 meetings are open to the
public and the details for each meeting (including time, date, location, and agenda) are posted on
the Sheriff’s Office website. At these meetings County staff gave presentations on the MCM
LHMP and discussed progress to date, the plan adoption process and answered any general
questions and comments about the update process.
Copies of the agenda and meeting minutes for DC3 / Plan Review Committee meeting and
copies agendas for the Planning Committee meetings are provided in Appendix E.
In addition to meetings of the Planning Committee and the Plan Review Committee, the County
LHMP Team conducted one-on-one plan finalization meetings with each participating
municipality on the following dates:
City of Belvedere - 7/12/18
Town of Corte Madera - 7/19/18
City of Fairfax - 7/23/18
City of Larkspur - 7/18/18
City of Mill Valley - 7/25/18
City of Novato - 7/18/18
Town of Ross - 7/7/18
City of San Rafael - 7/24/18
Town of San Anselmo - 7/23/18
City of Sausalito - 7/30/18
City of Tiburon - 7/12/18
North Marin Water District - 7/25/18
SECTION 2 Planning Process
23
2.5.2 Media Announcements
The County of Marin issued a media release announcing the kick-off of the MCM LHMP update
process and sent the release to the Marin Independent Journal and the Point Reyes Light. The
media release also provided the MCM LHMP Website link and contact information should
further information be desired. A November 4, 2014 on-air interview with national news outlet
The Weather Channel also highlighted the MCM LHMP effort and its benefit to the communities
of Marin County.
A copy of the media release and an article on the MCM LHMP in a local newspaper is provided
in Appendix E.
2.5.3 Public Workshops and Virtual Engagement Series
County staff working on the MCM LHMP hosted a total of 6 Public Workshops. These
workshops were held in the North, South – Central, and West areas of the County and were
conducted at each location during both working hours and in evenings to insure availability for
residents from all areas of the County during business hours and in evening hours. All workshop
announcement and outreach materials listed each of the participating jurisdictions so that
residents would be aware that this was a countywide effort. Workshops consisted of a
presentation on the basics of Hazard Mitigation Planning, the update and multi-jurisdictional
planning process, and a review of resources for the public. Resources, such as MarinMap and the
California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) Hazard Mitigation activities and projects
website, were available on-line so that attendees without internet access at home could view
these resources.
In addition to in-person workshops, a Virtual Engagement Series (VES) was posted online so
that members of the public unable to attend one of the 6 workshops could have access to the
workshop contents and ability to comment on the planning process. Over 100 public comments
were obtained via the VES process and as such were incorporated in the drafting of the MCM
LHMP.
2.5.4 Website
As noted above, Marin County Sheriff’s OES re-launched the County’s HMP Website, which
was first used during the development of the 2013 LHMP. For the MCM LHMP, the Website
provided information about disasters in Marin County, the DMA 2000, HMP update
requirements, and the planning process overview. In addition, Marin County Sheriff’s OES
posted hazard maps as they were completed and provided copy of the Final Draft online for
review and comment. The MCM LHMP Website is located at:
http://portal.countyofMarin.org/portal/page/portal/cov/emergencies/mitigation/plan. A snapshot
of the MCM LHMP Website is provided in Appendix E. The County has also developed and
launched a Community Rating System website which includes the Final Draft MCM LHMP. The
website is at: https://www.marincounty.org/depts/pw/divisions/creeks-bay-and-flood/fema-flood-
information
SECTION 2 Planning Process
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SECTION 3 Hazard Analysis
25
SECTION 3 HAZARD ANALYSIS
3.1 OVERVIEW
A hazard analysis includes the identification and screening of each hazard and then the profiling
of each hazard. Consistent with DMA 2000 and reasonable local capabilities this hazard analysis
includes natural hazards (not human-caused, such as terrorism). Natural hazards result from
unexpected or uncontrollable natural events of significant size and destructive power.
Per the local mitigation planning requirements, this hazard analysis consists of the following two
steps:
1. Hazard identification and screening
2. Hazard profiles
Methodology for assessing vulnerability in the hazard profiles and jurisdiction-specific
appendices (G through S) was based upon GIS analysis using spatial asset and hazard data most
of which are available to the public at MarinMap.org. MarinMap is a group of local
governments, special districts and other public agencies that have joined together to create a
Geographic Information System (GIS). Using ArcGIS, asset locations were overlain with maps
of higher risk for each of six natural hazards. Where they overlap, they are considered
vulnerable. This exercise is not expected to be a prediction of future incidents, nor is it able to be
highly precise. This exercise is for assessing vulnerability at a broad scale and for the purpose of
comparing the relative threat to assets and communities of each hazard.
Table 3-1
Asset Data used Notes
Structures
Single Family MarinMap
Parcel, developed
use code 11, 12, 61
with one living unit
Multi Family Parcel, developed use code 11 (with 2
LU), 14, 21, 61
Commercial Parcel, developed use code 51
Industrial Parcel, developed use code 61
Historic National and State
Register of Historic
Resources
Cultural Resources
Transportation
Roads MarinMap roads
network
All functional classes
minus dirt roads and
trails
Railroad SMART track Plus eastern spur
along Hwy 37
Ferry Terminals Sausalito, Larkspur
Landing, Belvedere,
Angel Island
Communication Marin Emergency
Radio Authority
(MERA)
Locations of radio
towers within County
Proposed system
expansion, only
currently used towers
SECTION 3 Hazard Analysis
26
were assessed
Power
Transmission Tower Marin County GIS
database
Substation Marin County GIS
database
Natural Gas
Substation
Marin County GIS
database
Electric Transmission
Line
Marin County GIS
database
Natural Gas Pipeline Marin County GIS
database
Water /Sewage
Treatment Plants MarinMap
Pump Stations Marin County GIS
database
Critical Facilities
Schools MarinMap
Law Enforcement/Fire MarinMap
Medical Facilites MarinMap
Airport MarinMap
Of the hazards profiled in the plan, spatial data for dam inundation, wildfire (wildland urban
interface) tsunamis, landslides, and floods were available. Earthquakes were assumed to cover
the entire County. Flood prone areas were profiled as the FEMA 100-year recurrence interval
updated August 2017. The 100-year floodplain is also referred to as the Special Flood Hazard
Area or base flood, which has a 1% chance of occurrence every year. This risk map is updated by
FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The landslide layer used was created by the
US geological survey.
Table 3-2
Hazard Data Used Notes / metadata
Earthquake All of Marin County
Flood
MarinMap
FEMA current 100-year
floodplain
Flood Hazard Zone as of August 2017
Landslide/
Debris Flow
MarinMap using USGS layer
‘Mostly & Many’
ENTERPRISE.DBO.LANDSLIDE
www.marinmap.org/Publicrecords/OutputStyle.asp
?DOC=vectordata/MarinCounty/Landslide.shp.xml
Tsunami MarinMap Tsunami Inundation
Wildfire MarinMap
Wildland Urban Interface (WUI)
Dam Inundation
MarinMap
Using data developed by dam
owners as a CalOES
requirement
http://www.marinmap.org/Publicrecords/OutputStyl
e.asp?DOC=vectordata/MarinCounty/dam_inundati
on.shp.xml
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3.2 HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND SCREENING
As the first step in the hazard analysis, the MCM LHMP Planning Committee reviewed the list
of hazards presented in Table 3-3 and the following questions:
Is the hazard included in the 2013 County of Marin (unincorporated) LHMP?
Is the hazard included in any of the most recent LHMPs of non-County jurisdictions?
Is the hazard included in the 2007 Marin Countywide Plan (2015 update)?
Is the hazard included in the 2013 or draft 2018 State of California Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan?
Has the hazard occurred in Marin County and been declared a Presidential or State
emergency or disaster in the past 40 years?
The results of the screening are presented in Table 3-3.
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Table 3-3. Hazard Screening
Hazard
Profiled
in prior
LHMPs
Profiled in
2007 Marin
Countywide
Plan
Declared
Emergencies
and Disasters in
Marin County,
1970 to Present Profiled in this Plan
State Federal
Agricultural X X No. Human caused, not
significant.
Snow Avalanche No. Snow extremely rare in this
climate.
Coastal erosion X X Yes. See Severe Storm.
Dam failure X X Yes. See Earthquake.
Drought X X X Yes. See Wildfire
Earthquake X X X Yes.
Sea Level Rise & Storm
Surge & Subsidence X Yes. See Severe Storm.
Flood X X X X Yes. See Severe Storm.
Fog No.
Hailstorm No. Hailstorms extremely rare in
this climate.
Heat Yes. See Wildfire.
Hurricane No. Hurricanes do not occur in
this climate.
Landslide/mudslide/”debris
flow” X X X Yes. See Severe Storm and
Wildfire.
Levee Failure X Yes. See Severe Storm.
Liquefaction X X Yes. See Earthquake.
Severe wind & tornado Yes. See Severe Storm.
Severe storm X X Yes.
Volcano None.
Tsunami/seiche X X Yes.
Wildfire/fire X X X X Yes.
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29
After discussing and reviewing public input on each hazard identified as listed in Table 3-3, the
Planning Committee determined that the following hazard groups pose the greatest threat to
Marin County and should therefore be profiled or re-profiled in the main body of the MCM
LHMP. Hazards specific to individual jurisdictions is profiled in that jurisdiction’s annex to the
main body of this plan. The Planning Committee’s decisions were based on the likelihood of the
hazard’s occurrence and the feasibility of mitigation. Sections in which hazards are profiled are
indicated in parentheses.
Earthquakes and liquefaction (3.3.1)
o Dam failure (3.3.2)
Severe storm (3.3.3)
o Debris flow (landslides) (3.3.4)
o Flooding (3.3.5)
o Wind (3.3.6)
Tsunami (3.3.7)
Wildfire (3.3.8)
o Post-fire debris flow (3.3.9)
All hazards included in the 2013 Marin County (single jurisdiction) LHMP are included in this
multi-jurisdictional plan, except for terrorism and agricultural biological hazards as these are
caused by human activities and not natural phenomena. Hazards new to the MCM LHMP are:
post-fire debris flow and severe storm, which includes wind, in addition to flooding and debris
flow which were in the 2013 LHMP (due to the local climate, freezing temperatures and snow
are not considered major threats to Marin’s infrastructure).
Hazards selected for inclusion in this MCM LHMP are those that pose the greatest threat to the
County, based on the factors shown in Table 3-3, including the occurrence of a state or
presidential disaster declaration for the hazard. Planning Committee members also used their
collective knowledge of the hazards and each hazards’ potential threat to determine whether or
not to include the hazard in this MCM LHMP. This methodology places a focus on current
hazards, in which the hazards’ threats are easily identifiable, and for which there is a history of
the hazards’ occurrence.
A future hazard that poses a threat to the County is climate change. Climate change is not
considered as a separate hazard in this MCM LHMP. Climate change is expected to cause or
contribute to numerous other hazards that are already addressed in this and related documents,
including wildfires, flooding, severe winter storms, and coastal erosion.
For example, two effects of climate change that are already occurring are sea level rise and an
increase in the number, frequency, and size of wildfires. These effects have already been
experienced in California over the last century. Wildfires have also increased substantially in
frequency, duration, and size in recent years. The forested area burned in the western United
States from 1987 to 2003 was 6.7 times the area burned from 1970 to 1986. Warmer
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30
temperatures and longer dry seasons are the main causes of the increase in forest wildfire risk.
Sea level in the San Francisco Bay Area has risen eight inches in the past century and could rise
nearly 70 inches by the end of the century. Furthermore, as sea level rise submerges more low-
lying areas, storm surge will reach further inland, impacting even more of the county’s natural
and built resources. Additionally, coastal erosion will be exacerbated by rising sea levels,
including both beaches and bluff-tops.
Sea level rise and future storm effects and potential adaptation measures are being evaluated
through County led planning efforts including Bay Adaptation and Waterfront Evaluation
(BayWAVE) for bay-side communities and Collaboration Sea Level Marin Adaptation Response
Team (C-SMART) for outer coast communities. C-SMART’s “Marin Ocean Coast Sea Level
Rise Vulnerability Assessment” evaluated West Marin vulnerabilities spanning near, medium,
and long-term sea level rise and storm scenarios. Likewise, BayWAVE’s “Marin Shoreline Sea
Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment” analyzed potential physical, social and economic impacts
to all of Marin’s Bayside communities exposed to sea level rise, up to the end of the century.
These two assessments estimate that by 2100 around 7,000 acres, 9,000 parcels, 10,000 buildings
and 120 miles of roads throughout Marin County will be exposed to sea level rise and the 100-
year storm.1 Additionally, C-SMART’s Adaptation Report outlined potential adaptation
solutions for West Marin, including natural and built engineering methods, home retrofits, and
relocation of vulnerable assets. Further site-specific evaluation and engineering is necessary to
better understand feasibility, environmental impacts, and costs for project implementation. The
county is seeking funding for such adaptation planning on Marin’s Ocean Coast and Bayside.
3.3 HAZARD PROFILES
The hazards selected by the Planning Committee were profiled based on existing available
information. The hazard profiling consisted of describing the individual hazard profile, disaster
history, location, probability of future events, extent, impacts, and vulnerability.
The hazards profiled for Marin County are presented below in alphabetical order. The order does
not signify level of risk.
1 County of Marin, Marin Bay Waterfront Adaptation and Vulnerability Evaluation (BayWAVE), (June 20,
2017) at 25, http://www.marincounty.org/main/baywave/vulnerability-assessment; County of Marin, Marin Ocean
Coast Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Report (CSMART), September 2015
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3.3.1 Earthquakes and Liquefaction
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Hazard Profile
According to the 2013 State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (and consistent with the
Draft 2018 State Hazard Mitigation Plan) earthquakes represent the most destructive source of
hazards in terms of both recent history and probability of future destruction at magnitudes greater
than previously recorded. Earthquakes can cause direct damage in several ways including fault
rupture, earth shaking, landslides, liquefaction, and tsunamis. Indirect effects may include
hazardous materials spills, water distribution failure, fires, dam failure, etc. Earth shaking,
liquefaction, and dam failure are being described in section 3.3.1 and 3.3.2. Tsunamis (3.3.7) and
fires (3.3.8) are addressed as separate disasters although they can be related. There is not a
significant amount of infrastructure or homes located on faults, so their rupture does not
represent a significant risk.
Given most of Marin’s development occurred prior to modern building codes protecting
structures against earthquake damage, severe property damage to public and private structures
and infrastructure is likely to occur due to significant earthquakes. This is likely to include large
numbers of uninhabitable housing units, and damage to older and not-yet-retrofitted county and
city-owned structures, and infrastructure such as roads, electric distribution lines,
telecommunications, water, and gas lines. Earthquake aftershocks often occur with additional
and unforeseen damage to structures and infrastructure.
Disaster History
According to the Association of Bay Area Governments Resilience Program, “the San Andreas
Fault was the source of the magnitude of 7.8 earthquake in 1906. Marin was sparsely inhabited at
that time and experienced relatively moderate property loss and only two deaths. The epicenter
was just two miles west of San Francisco and West Marin experienced some pronounced
earthquake effects. This included a horizontal earth displacement of 21 feet near the head of
Tomales Bay.”
On October 17, 1989, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake occurred on the San Andreas Fault, the largest
earthquake to occur in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1906. This earthquake was named the
Loma Prieta Earthquake due to its calculated epicenter. The impact of the Loma Prieta
Earthquake was most apparent in the northeast area of Santa Cruz. If the fault rupture location
were closer, a strong shaking such as this could have caused severe damage within Marin
County, including damage to life-line routes. The Loma Prieta earthquake was not “the big one,”
which is a common reference to an event with a magnitude of 8 or larger (such as the 1906 San
Francisco quake).
Location
The potential for earthquake damage exists throughout Marin County because of a combination
of the number of active faults within and near the County and the presence of soils vulnerable to
liquefaction. These faults are shown on the California Geological Survey (CGS) Fault Activity
Map of California (see Figure 3-1. Fault Activity Map below). Descriptions of the most
significant active faults to Marin are provided below.
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33
San Andreas fault: The San Andreas Fault traverses Marin County running north and south in
the western quarter of the county. It enters Marin on the Pacific Coast near Bolinas, follows the
path of Highway 1 and Tomales Bay, exiting Marin at sea just west of Dillon Beach.
Hayward fault: the eastern, more heavily populated part of Marin is less than ten miles from the
northern section of the Hayward fault.
Rodgers Creek fault: The northern part of Marin is less than ten miles from the Rodgers Creek
fault.
Figure 3-1. Fault Activity Map
Probability of Future Events
According to a September 24, 2016 article in the Marin Independent Journal, “The Working
Group on California Earthquake Probabilities has updated its earthquake forecast and determined
there is a 72 percent probability - up from 63 percent - of at least one earthquake of magnitude
6.7 or greater striking somewhere in the Bay Area before 2043.” The Association of Bay Area
Governments (ABAG) Resilience Program projects a 52% chance of a 6.7 or greater earthquake
on one of the faults affecting Marin between now and 2036 (21% at San Andreas fault and 31%
on Hayward/Rodgers Creek).
Supporting this article’s assertions is the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast,
Version 3 (UCERF3), which provides authoritative estimates of the magnitude, location, and
time-averaged frequency of potentially damaging earthquakes in California (see Figure 3-2.
Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast below. The primary achievements have been to
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34
relax fault segmentation assumptions and to include multifault ruptures, both limitations of the
previous model (UCERF2). 2
Figure 3-2. Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast
The September 24, 2016 article goes on to say “Marin sits smack dab (sic) in the middle of two
major faults. To the east is the Rodgers Creek-Hayward fault just a few miles from Marin’s
shores through San Pablo Bay, which the U.S. Geological Survey estimates has a 33 percent
likelihood of a 6.7-magnitude quake or greater in the next 30 years — the highest probability of
any Bay Area fault to slip. But movement on those faults could be worse than originally thought.
The Rodgers Creek-Hayward fault, thought to be two separate faults, actually may be linked and
have the potential to cause more damage than previously determined, according to USGS
research…
“The Rodgers Creek Fault runs from Sonoma County into San Pablo Bay near Marin’s shore.
The Hayward Fault runs through the western part of Alameda County into San Pablo Bay east of
San Rafael and Novato. They were thought to be offset by about two miles under San Pablo Bay.
2 Field, E.H., Biasi, G.P., Bird, P., Dawson, T.E., Felzer, K.R., Jackson, D.D., Johnson, K.M., Jordan, T.H.,
Madden, C., Michael, A.J., Milner, K.R., Page, M.T., Parsons, T., Powers, P.M., Shaw, B.E., Thatcher, W.R.,
Weldon, R.J., II, and Zeng, Y., 2013, Uniform California earthquake rupture forecast, version 3 (UCERF3)—The
time-independent model: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1165, 97 p., California Geological Survey
Special Report 228, and Southern California Earthquake Center Publication 1792,
http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1165/
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35
But underwater exploration done in 2014 seems to link them. More study will occur to confirm
those initial findings…
The majority of Marin County’s single-family buildings with foundations to bedrock will
perform well in a shake. Modern multi-story buildings with foundations to bedrock should not be
subject to collapse, although some serious damage may occur. However, many heavier
developed areas of Marin are built on soft alluvial soils or filled-in water ways. Due to
liquefaction, these soils will significantly increase the shaking effects and will account for the
majority of damaged and destroyed structures, regardless of their proximity to the fault line.
Liquefaction occurs when ground shaking causes loose, saturated soil to lose strength and act as
a viscous fluid. When liquefaction occurs, it can result in the sidelong movement of large masses
of soil, loss of strength in the soil supporting structures causing structures collapse, and/or
consolidation due to soil settlement decreasing soil surface elevations.
Extent
The most vulnerable areas of Marin are on Bay Mud and current and former marshlands. Many
of these areas have been artificially filled over the last century. Other areas with some risk of
liquefaction include those along creeks due to fluvial and alluvial deposits. Unfortunately, much
of Marin’s residential areas and infrastructure are located on former marshes and along creeks.
Tens of thousands of acres of residential areas, along with roads, airports, military facilities,
retail centers, schools, hospitals, prisons, jails, government administration centers, convention
centers, recreation areas, croplands/pasture are in areas vulnerable to liquefaction in Marin. The
ABAG Resilience Program analysis shows risk of liquefaction in Corte Madera, Larkspur, Bel
Marin Keys, Novato, Ross Valley along creeks (Ross, San Anselmo, Fairfax), San Geronimo,
San Rafael, Santa Venetia, communities around Richardson Bay (Belvedere, Marin City, Mill
Valley, Sausalito, Strawberry, Tam Valley, Tiburon), Stinson Beach, Tomales Bay-side
communities, and the county-owned Gnoss Field Airport.
Impacts
Most structures in Marin were built before 1970, when major seismic design changes were made
to the building code and are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and liquefaction. Wood-
framed homes, however, are light and flexible and can often survive earthquakes with minimal
damage as long as the foundations are properly retrofitted (bolted and braced). The County of
Marin and it’s political subdivisions have adopted California Building, Plumbing, Electrical and
Mechanical Codes whereby no building or structure is erected, constructed, enlarged, improved,
removed, or converted without a permit. Adherence to these codes currently allows the county to
gather data on retrofitting and current building code compliance. It is important to note that these
data continue to have limitations for assessing overall vulnerability in the county for all
structures.
The county’s topography includes large areas of steep slopes, adding to the vulnerability of
earthquake induced disasters with the additional danger of Debris flow (landslides). Bluff
erosion along the coastal areas also poses unique threats to coastal structures and roads during
times of earthquake.
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Vulnerability
For all three faults, many areas of the most severe vulnerability to earthquake coincide with the
heavily populated Highway 101 corridor on the eastern side of the county. According to the
ABAG Resilience Program, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake on the San Andreas fault would leave
3,100 homes in Marin uninhabitable, displace 6,200 households, and result in total building
damage of $1,260 billion dollars. Because many people in the region do not have earthquake
insurance, many homeowners will not be able to afford to rebuild their homes. Figure 4-2 from
the ABAG Resilience Program shows building damage estimates for different earthquake
scenarios.
In addition to damaging buildings, the San Andreas earthquake could close 77 roads in Marin
due to faulting, liquefaction, debris flow/ landslide, shaking damage to bridges and interchanges,
threat of building collapse, structural damage to highway and rail structures, small hazardous
material releases, water and gas pipe leaks, and other miscellaneous reasons for closure.
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37
3.3.2 Dam Failure
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38
Reservoirs for water supply and the dams that impound them are integral parts of the municipal
infrastructure in Marin County. Unlike most other counties in California, Marin does not import
or export water through the Central Valley State and Federal water projects. The Marin
Municipal Water District (MMWD) and the North Marin Municipal Water District (NMWD)
operate and maintain eight major dams for municipal water supplies within their jurisdictions
(see Table 3-4) MMWD dams include Alpine Dam, Bon Tempe Dam, Lagunitas Dam, Phoenix
Dam, Peters Dam (Kent Lake), Nicasio Dam, and Soulajule Dam. NMWD maintains and
operates one dam at Stafford Lake on Novato Creek for its smaller service area. None of these
reservoirs generate hydroelectricity nor are they actively managed for downstream flood control.
The California Water Code entrusts dam safety regulatory power to the California Department of
Water Resources (DWR), Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD). Dams greater than 6-feet or
holding 15 or more acre-feet are subject to DSOD jurisdiction. According to the California water
code, owners of regulated dams are responsible for emergency preparedness with regard to
potential loss of life or property. All regulated dams are inspected by DSOD annually. MMWD
inspection reports are available on their website. As of 2017 DSOD classifies the public safety
risk of all jurisdictional dams.
Table 3-4. Marin Dams
Dam Name
(Reservoir)
Owner Type Reservoir Capacity
(acre-feet)
DSOD Downstream
Hazard
Alpine MMWD Gravity
(concrete)
8,892 Extremely High
Bon Tempe MMWD Earthen 4,300 High
Lagunitas MMWD Earthen 341 Significant
Novato Creek
(Stafford)
NMWD Earthen 4,430 Extremely High
Peters (Kent) MMWD Earthen 32,900 High
Phoenix MMWD Earthen 612 Extremely High
Seeger
(Nicasio)
MMWD Earthen 22,400 High
Soulajule MMWD Earthen 10,700 High
Hazard Profile
Significant, even catastrophic flooding can occur in valley areas downstream of major dams in
the event of a complete or partial dam failure. Such events are extremely rare due to the stringent
design and permitting requirements for dam construction and operation. However, in the active
tectonic environment of the San Francisco Bay Area, the risk of a dam failure during a major
earthquake remains a possibility. Dam failures can occur in response to full or partial structural
SECTION 3 Hazard Analysis
39
collapse of the dam face (concrete arch dam) or embankment (earthfill dam) during a major
earthquake. A dam could also partially rupture during an earthquake and fail completely
sometime later due to leakage/seepage through the damaged embankment or dam face.
Given the design, construction, and maintenance protections in California, dam failure as a result
of an earthquake is considered the most relevant.
Disaster History
In February 2017 California witnessed the failure of the spillway and emergency spillway at
Lake Oroville leading to the evacuation of 188,000 people from the downstream inundation area.
Situations like this, overtopping and erosion of a dam’s face as a result of flows exceeding the
capacity of spillway is another mechanism of dam failure, however reservoir inflows in Marin
County do not have to accommodate the volatility of melting snowpack that occurs in the Sierra
Nevada foothills.
There is no record of a failure of any regulated dam located in Marin County.
Location
In the 1970s, State law required dam owners to develop maps depicting areas that might be
inundated by dam failure. The law required that each map be produced only once, without any
requirements for updating. The maps were developed using engineering hydrology principals and
represent the best estimate of where the water would flow if the dam completely failed with a
full reservoir, ie a worst case scenario. The inundation pathway is based on completely emptying
the reservoir and does not include runoff from storms. Dam inundation maps do not indicate the
depth of inundation nor do they indicate or infer the probability of such an event occurring.
Major dam inundation areas from the ABAG Resilience Program are shown in Figure 3-3 below.
This does not appear to reflect the more recent analysis on the Stafford Dam, however, so an
inundation depth grid from that analysis follows.
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40
Figure 3-3. County-wide Dam Failure Inundation Map from ABAG Resilience Program
Probability of Future Events
Inundation maps from dam owners aren’t required to be updated and are not required to depict
the depth of inundation, so they generally represent just a rough estimate of what areas will be
affected with no estimate of magnitude. The recent Stafford Dam analysis is of course an
exception to this, where we have a depth grid showing a large portion of the City of Novato,
including several key facilities there, flooded under several feet of water within several hours of
a dam breach. The extent of damage from a dam failure at Stafford or Phoenix Lakes would be
massive, however both would likely withstand an earthquake at least magnitude 8.2 on the San
Andreas Fault, which is a rare magnitude to encounter (8.0 or greater earthquakes are expected
once every 494 years in California according to USGS).
Extent
According to the 1988 Town of Ross General Plan Safety Element, “in 1974, a seismic stability
analysis of Phoenix Lake Dam was conducted for the Marin Municipal Water District. The
purpose of this study was to assess the risk of seismically induced flooding associated with
failure of Phoenix Lake Dam. The earth dam was constructed just prior to the 1906 earthquake,
which created a landslide on the inside portion of the dam embankment. The slope stability
analysis conducted in 1974 concluded that the dam spillway could settle from 4 – 6 feet during
an earthquake with a Richter magnitude of 8.5 generated along the San Andreas fault. The 1906
San Francisco earthquake had a Richter magnitude of 8.3…In response to this assessment, the
Marin Municipal Water District has widened the spillway by 5 to 6 feet and has lowered the
spillway by 6 feet. Accordingly, these improvements to the dam have reduced the flood risk to
one flood in 30,000 years.”
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41
According to MMWD, “the dam has been modified several times in the last 100 years including
increased height of fill, outlet works changes, an embankment buttress fill in the 1960s and a
new spillway, designed for a spillway design flood with a recurrence interval of once in 10,000
years or so, and an increase in freeboard in the mid-1980s.”
The Town of Ross’s 2017 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan states “the dam is inspected yearly by
the California Division of Safety of Dams and has been rated by that agency as acceptable for
continued operation. Their rating for the facility is 3C, there is a potential for damage should the
dam fail but that the dam is in good condition for its age…
“MMWD has a comprehensive Dam Safety Program to ensure all of the MMWD dams and
spillways are safe and functioning properly. This program includes three main components:
monitoring, routine inspections and maintenance, and emergency preparedness and response
planning. The district also works closely with state and federal regulators and local emergency
response partners to ensure public safety. MMWD produced a February 13, 2017 inspection
report documenting the current conditions…
“The Phoenix Lake Dam is over 100 years old. According to ABAG, when a dam in known to
have a failure potential, the water level is reduced to allow for partial collapse without loss of
water as required by the State Division of Safety of Dams and by safety protocols established by
dam owners. Thus, the probability of failure resulting in damage from the inundation is low.”
According to the City of Novato’s 2011 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, a seismic stability
analysis prepared for the North Marin Water District by Woodward-Clyde Consultants in 1992
confirmed the Stafford Dam was designed to withstand a magnitude 8.25 Richter earthquake on
the San Andreas Fault, with a design epicenter located 10 miles from the dam.
Impacts
Failure of Phoenix dam would flood about 5 miles along Ross Creek down to the Town of Ross,
part of San Anselmo where Ross Creek meets Corte Madera Creek, to unincorporated Kentfield
and Greenbrae, and out into San Pablo Bay. The inundated portion of San Anselmo consists of
small commercial buildings (some with housing units) and apartment buildings. Ross would be
more severely affected with many homes and businesses, a couple major roads, and a fire station
in the inundation zone. The unincorporated communities downstream also contain some major
roads, many residences, a fire station, and a hospital in the inundation zone.
Lagunitas, Bon Tempe, Alpine and Peters dams are a series along Lagunitas Creek increasing in
size going downstream.
Failure of the Peters or Alpine Dam could result in flooding in unincorporated areas in West
Marin stretching about 10 miles from the reservoir down to Point Reyes Station at Highway 1
and into Tomales Bay. On its path it could flood around 5 miles of a major road, Sir Francis
Drake Boulevard, which runs along Lagunitas Creek, and several dozen buildings along that
road. It could flood Samuel P. Taylor State Park camping areas. The inundation area turns from
Sir Francis Drake Boulevard down Platform Bridge Road towards Point Reyes Petaluma Road.
Eventually the inundation area reaches Point Reyes Station, going right through the middle of
this small town where there is a County fire station, elementary school, senior housing, and a
healthcare facility.
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42
The inundation area from Nicasio dam is largely coincident with the Peters Dam inundation area
starting in the vicinity of Point Reyes Petaluma Road and Platform Bridge Road. The population
that would affected by a failure of the Peters or Nicasio dams are very small relative to the
Phoenix and Stafford dams.
Failure of the Stafford dam would affect an area that extends approximately 5 miles through
incorporated and unincorporated parts of Novato and ending in San Pablo Bay at Bel Marin
Keys. Although the probability is remote, the North Marin Water District and City of Novato
take this threat very seriously and recently updated the inundation modeling and mapping,
developed an emergency action plan, and conducted a tabletop exercise. The new analysis
showed the San Marin residential area inundated with 1 foot of water in about half an hour,
rising to 9 feet in some areas. In 1-2 hours central Novato is flooded with 1 foot of water, later
rising up to 7 feet in some areas, affecting medical facilities, educational facilities, shopping
centers, law enforcement, fire stations, and City Hall. Highway 101 is affected within 2-4 hours,
with depths reaching more than 9 feet in some locations. Beyond Highway 101, the Novato
Sanitary District floods after 2 hours, up to 5 feet. From 4 to 9 hours flooding passes Highway 37
and reaches Bel Marin Keys.
Vulnerability
Because of the catastrophic nature of the threat of dam inundation, dams tend to be built
conservatively and the actual likelihood of either dam overflow or dam failure are extremely
low. As stated above, the Stafford and Phoenix Lake dams are expected to withstand an
earthquake at least magnitude 8.2 on the San Andreas Fault, which is a rare magnitude to
encounter (8.0 or greater earthquakes are expected once every 494 years in California according
to USGS).
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43
3.3.3 Severe Storm
Hazard Profile
The climate on California’s central coast is Mediterranean, in which summers are warm and dry
and winters are cool and damp. A dominating factor in the weather of California is the semi-
permanent high-pressure area of the North Pacific Ocean, sometimes called the Pacific High.
This pressure center moves northward in summer, holding storm tracks well to the north, and as
a result California receives little or no precipitation during that period. The Pacific High
decreases in intensity in winter and moves farther south, permitting storms to move into and
across the state and producing strong winds, widespread rain at low elevations, and snow at high
elevations. From mid-autumn to mid-spring is the rainy season. During these months, storms
may occur. In addition to strong winds and flooding, storms on rare occasions can bring hail
and/or lightning to all areas of the County.
Disaster History
Marin County was included in the Presidential Disaster Declarations for Severe Winter Storms,
Flooding, Mudslides on April 1, 2017; February 14, 2017; June 5, 2006; and February 3, 2006;
making severe storms the most frequent cause of major disasters affecting Marin in the last 20
years.
A review of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) National
Climatic Data Center (NCDC) database reveals that, although most not considered disasters, 113
major severe storm events occurred in Marin County between 1996 and 2010. Of these events,
12 caused deaths or injuries, and 65 damaged property. According to NOAA, total property
damage estimates (including crops) during this period were $278 million, with some of the most
significant (over $50,000 in damage) events listed below in Table 3-5.
Table 3-5. Severe Winter Storm Events from NOAA’s NCDC
Location Event Type(s) Year Damage Est.*
Tomales Tornado 1996 $205,000
Southern Marin Flash Flood 1998 $2,000,000
Corte Madera Heavy Rain 2002 $200,000
Coastal Marin Coastal Flood 2005/2006 $340,000
Countywide Flood 2005/2006 $219,000,000
Interior Valleys Debris Flow 2006 $45,900,000
Coastal Marin Strong Wind 2006 $500,000
Interior Valleys Frost/Freeze 2007 $3,000,000
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44
Corte Madera Flash Flood 2008 $50,000
Interior Valleys
and Mountains
Strong Wind 2009 $140,000
Countywide
(Santa Venetia)
Flood/Wind 2009 $260,000
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2009 $85,000
Coastal Marin Coastal Flood, Strong
Wind, Flood
2010 $770,000
Countywide
(Larkspur)
Heavy Rain/ Strong Wind 2010 $100,000
Countywide Strong Wind 2010 $85,000
Coastal Marin Strong Wind/Storm Surge 2011 $325,000
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2011 $50,000
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2011 $200,000
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2012 $60,000
Interior Valleys
and Coast
Strong Wind 2012 $501,500
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2012 $150,000
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2012 $50,100
Countywide Flood/Strong Wind 2012 $210,100
Mountains Strong Wind 2013 $80,000
Countywide
(Greenbrae,
Novato, Marin
City, Tamalpais
Valley, Olema)
Flash Flood/Debris Flow 2014 $6,001,000
Interior
Valleys/Coast
Strong Wind 2014 $115,600
Interior Valleys
and Mountains
Strong Wind 2015 $23,500
Mill Valley AFS Heavy Rain 2015 No data
Interior Valleys Coastal Flood 2016 No data
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2016 No data
Alto Flash Flood 2016 No data
San Rafael and Flood 2017 No data
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45
Corte Madera
Kentfield Flash Flood 2017 No data
Tomales Flood 2017 No data
Corte Madera Flood 2017 No data
Ignacio, Burdell,
Marin City,
Mountains
Strong Wind, Flash
Flood, Flood
2017 No data
Interior Valleys Strong Wind 2017 No data
Mountains Strong Wind 2017 No data
Mountains and
Coast
Strong Wind 2017 No data
Interior Valleys
and Mountains
Strong Wind 2017 No data
Greenbrae and
Mountains
Strong Wind, Flood 2017 No data
Interior Valleys
and Coast
Strong Wind 2017 No data
Corte Madera Flood 2018 No data
*Damages as listed on NOAA website are in some cases less than local estimates. For example,
in 2014 it was estimated in a December 29, 2014 news release from the Marin County Office of
Emergency Services that there was approximately $13.3 million in damages countywide.
Not included in the available dataset is $8,760,000 in damages reported to the Marin County
Board of Supervisors on March 14, 2017 related to disasters declared in January and February of
2017. Damage consisted of 10 debris flows (landslides), 3 badly eroded levees, damage to
various storm water pumps and generators, and many sites of downed trees and other debris.
Location
Many events in the NCDC database described above affected all of Marin County. Indeed, the
entire county is susceptible to storms and damage from wind. The coastal and mountainous areas
are particularly susceptible to wind, although wind has caused damages throughout the county.
Coastal areas are susceptible to storm surge and high tides. Flash flood primarily affects interior
valleys, although there are some flashy coastal streams. Localized stormwater ponding and
clogged drainage occurs in countless areas throughout Marin during storms and although it can
be hazardous, particularly to vehicles when the depth of water is greater than 6” in the road, it is
not considered a major hazard for the purpose of this plan as there is not a significant threat to
critical structures.
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46
Probability of Future Events
Based on recent history, severe winter storms occur every year, but those leading to federally
declared disasters seem to occur about every 10 years – often in clusters and associated with high
tides and/or atmospheric rivers. More details on probability of hazards associated with storms
are contained in the following sections detailing debris flows, flooding, and wind.
Extent
A storm can cause heavy rains, flash flooding, tidal flooding, and wind speeds of up to 70 miles
per hour. More details on extent of hazards associated with storms are contained in the following
sections detailing debris flows, flooding, and wind.
Impacts
Details on impacts on structures, infrastructure, and systems due debris flows, flooding, and
wind are outlined in the following sections.
Vulnerability
Vulnerability to debris flows, flooding, and wind are outlined in the following sections.
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47
3.3.4 Debris Flow (Landslides)
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48
Hazard Profile
Landslide is a general term for the dislodging and fall of a mass of soil or rocks along a sloped
surface or the dislodged mass itself. The term is used for varying phenomena, including
mudflows, mudslides, debris flows, rock falls, rock slides, debris avalanches, debris slides, and
slump-earth flows.
Landslides can be earthquake-induced or non-earthquake induced. Earthquake-induced
landslides occur as a result of ground shaking. The most common earthquake-induced landslides
include shallow rock falls, disrupted rock slides, and disrupted slides of earth and debris. Non-
earthquake induced landslides may involve a wide range of combinations of natural rock, soil, or
artificial fill. The susceptibility of hillside and mountainous areas to non-earthquake induced
landslides depends on variations in geology, topography, vegetation, and weather. They may also
occur due to indiscriminate development of sloping ground or the creation of cut-and-fill slopes
in areas of unstable or inadequately stable geologic conditions. Non-earthquake-induced
landslides can often occur as a result of intense or prolonged precipitation that can saturate
slopes and cause failures. Another example of a non-earthquake-induced landslide is that which
results from physical undermining of a slope. Most commonly this can occur as a result of high
volume and/or high velocity water flows of a creek which lead to scour at the toe of a sloped
creek bank. This phenomenon can also occur as a result of man-made excavations where a slope
is destabilized as a result of improperly removing soil at the toe of a slope which over time leads
to failure of that slope. Prolonged and/or heavy precipitation leads to increases in landslide
events in Marin County more often than other natural phenomena referenced above; therefore, it
is being addressed as a subset of Severe Storm hazards. There is more about debris flow in the
wildfire section (3.3.9 Post-Fire Debris Flow).
Disaster History
Marin County has sustained significant damage as a result of several natural disasters in recent
years. Most notable were the Winter and Spring storms of 2006 (DR-1628 and DR-1646) which
resulted in hundreds of locations in Marin County where damage occurred; many of those being
landslides, rock fall, or other infrastructure damage related to slope instability. Most recently,
severe damage occurred during the January and February Winter storms of 2017 (DR-4305 and
DR-4308) resulting in over 100 locations in Marin County where damage occurred.
Landslides are a part of natural geologic processes and have impacted both private and public
property in various areas throughout Marin County since development began. Much of Marin
County was developed in the early 20th century prior to the implementation of grading
requirements and road design standards. During this time, many of the roads in Marin County
were benched or cut into steep hillsides without sufficient compaction of the roadbed.
Furthermore, the use of earth retaining structures was not common in roadway construction
and/or retaining structures were built using wood materials that have since deteriorated.
Marin County is largely undeveloped and has a widespread natural environment where creeks
and rivers adjoin both private and public infrastructure. During times of intense rainfall, creeks
rise and the resulting high flows can erode roadway supporting earthen embankments leading to
landslides and sometimes property damage.
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49
An example from the history of debris flow in the county is the bluff along the Bolinas Mesa in
the unincorporated town of Bolinas has been associated with a variety of landslide activity. The
major cause of earth movement in this area is the extensive presence of weak cohesion-less
(sandy) soils combined with undermining wave action at the toe of the bluff. As wave action
removes toe-supporting soils, the outer face of the bluff slumps or creeps downwards causing
settlement and landslides at the top of the Mesa. In 2011, a $1.5M emergency slide repair was
constructed at the intersection of Terrace Avenue and Overlook Drive on the Bolinas Mesa to
repair recent drastic settlement (up to 8-feet) such that access for emergency vehicles and
resident egress could be maintained. As much as 20,000 cubic yards of material was excavated
and re-compacted in lifts with earth reinforcing fabric to affect the repair.
Location
California Geological Survey has an interactive landslide inventory map available on their
website (http://maps.conservation.ca.gov/cgs/lsi/) that shows records associated with past
landslide events in Marin County. A snapshot is in Figure 3-4 below. The inventory shows
extensive areas of prior landslides around the county particularly in developed areas. Affected
areas notably include many landslides near Bolinas Lagoon, Inverness and Bolinas (Point Reyes
Station) ridges on the west coast; throughout Ross Valley including Sleepy Hollow, Fairfax and
San Anselmo; San Rafael just outside downtown at Lincoln, Lock Lomond affecting many
residences, San Quentin potentially affecting a wastewater treatment plant, and Bret Harte
potentially affecting Highway 101; Santa Venetia affecting N. San Pedro Rd; Novato at Little
Mountain and Mount Burdell affecting major roads such as Center Road, San Marin Drive and
Novato Blvd and their nearby residential areas; Paradise Cay and Reed residential areas near
Tiburon; and Mill Valley at Homestead Valley. Smaller scale, and/or more isolated slides occur
throughout the county where there are slopes. These are typically of concern if there are roads or
structures affected.
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50
Figure 3-4. California Department of Conservation Landslide Inventory
Probability of Future Events
Slope instability throughout much of Marin County is related to many factors, including, but not
limited to; type(s) of soil involved and various geologic factors (presence of faults or other
weakened soil planes), steepness of the slope and surrounding topography, intensity and duration
of rainfall, presence of underground springs or groundwater, adequacy of surface water
management, and proper erosion protection. While landslides occur in any given year, the
frequency and number of landslides has been observed to be directly proportionate to the
frequency and duration of rainfall events.
Landslides are less likely to occur during the fall months (October-November) when the ground
is sufficiently dry and can absorb the moderate rain events typically observed during this time of
year. Landslides are more often observed between December and May when rain events are
usually more intense and/or frequent. Under these circumstances, the ground has been saturated,
becomes heavier, and the presence of water within the soil increases the pore pressure thereby
reducing the friction between soil particles – which leads to sliding. Proper drainage
management to maintain existing sufficient drainage patterns (on both private and public lands)
is essential to limiting potential future landslide events. In Marin County, renewed and
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51
potentially widespread landslide activity will most likely occur during or after future periods of
prolonged or intense rainfall.
Extent
The extent of typical landslides in Marin County, as estimated from previous occurrences, is on
the order of 500 cubic yards of material displaced from an area 100 feet long and 30 feet deep.
According to County engineering staff, we seem to have bad slide years during heavy storms
every five years. During these years, the County repairs a half dozen slides or more, so there
might be a dozen bad slides across the County including incorporated areas. According to
NOAA, the 5-year recurrence interval precipitation amount is 4 inches of rain in 12 hours, 5.8
inches of rain in 24 hours, or 7.6 inches of rain in 2 days.
Marin County is hilly and the distribution of the landslide hazard is varied across the county as
indicated in figure 3.3.4. The combination of factors that cause landslides, including geology,
vegetation, local drainage, and local grading make slope a poor proxy of landslide risk. However,
parcels with an average slope above 20 are considered hillside lots and risks of slides are present
slopes of 30 and above. Slopes as high as 60 or 65 are common on hillsides throughout the
county.
Impacts
Historic development in Marin tends to be concentrated in small areas, with many homes located
along creeks and on steep hillsides potentially impacted by precipitation-induced landslides.
Thousands of existing structures have the potential to be impacted by landslides, including over
ten thousand single family homes, in addition to multi-family, commercial structures, and
structures on a few industrial parcels. Notably, hundreds of miles of roads are potentially
impacted by landslides which can lead to their short-term closure during and after intense storm
events. Some power utility facilities could also be affected. For most jurisdictions, at least 10%
of its homes and roadways are potentially impacted by landslides.
Vulnerability
Landslides due to storms are a relatively frequent occurrence in many populated areas of the
County, making the county quite vulnerable to landslides. The following tables summarize
countywide vulnerability to debris flow (data from Marin County Department of Public Works
sources).
Existing Structures
Commercial Industrial Single-Family Multi-Family
96 3 10,346 1,897
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52
Transportation
Miles of Roads Miles of Railroad Number of Ferry Terminals
562 0 0
Communication
MERA Towers
1
Power
Transmission
Tower
Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Miles of Electric
Transmission Lines
Miles of Natural
Gas Pipeline
4 2 0 25 5
Water/Sewerage
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Station
0 0
Critical Facilities
Schools Police & Fire Medical Airports/Heli Cultural Resources
2 6 0 0 4
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53
3.3.5 Flooding
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54
Hazard Profile
A flood occurs when the existing channel of a stream, river, canyon, or other watercourse cannot
contain excess runoff from rainfall or snowmelt, resulting in overflow onto adjacent lands. In
coastal areas, flooding may occur when strong winds or tides result in a surge of seawater into
areas that are above the normal high tide line.
Other types of flooding in Marin include isolated ponding and stormwater overflow. Isolated
ponding is when pools form on the ground and can occur in any area that doesn’t drain
effectively – for example, in a natural depression in the landscape. Stormwater overflow is when
storm drains back up. Stormwater drainage systems quickly convey rainwater through
underground pipes to creeks and the Bay. When the stormdrains are obstructed or broken or
when the water-bodies to which they lead to are already full, water backs up onto the streets.
Although stormwater overflow and isolated ponding also occur throughout the County, the
effects are typically not widespread or significantly damaging.
A floodplain is the area adjacent to a watercourse or other body of water that is subject to
recurring floods. Floodplains may change over time from natural processes, changes in the
characteristics of a watershed, or human activity such as construction of bridges or channels. In
areas where flow contains high sediment load, such as Easkoot Creek in Stinson Beach (due to
an active landslide upstream), the flow carrying capacity of the channel may be reduced
dramatically during a single flood event. Coastal floodplains may also change over time as
waves and currents alter the coastline (especially wetlands) and sea levels rise.
Physical damage from floods includes the following:
Inundation of structures, causing water damage to structural elements and contents.
Erosion or scouring of stream banks, roadway embankments, foundations, footings for
bridge piers, and other features.
Impact damage to structures, roads, bridges, culverts, and other features from high
velocity flow
Deposition of debris carried by floodwaters to roads, structures, crossings, etc. Such
debris may also accumulate on bridge piers and in culverts, increasing loads on these
features or causing overtopping or backwater effects.
Destruction of crops, erosion of topsoil, and deposition of debris and sediment on
croplands.
Release of sewage and hazardous or toxic materials when wastewater treatment plants are
inundated, storage tanks are damaged, and pipelines severed.
Floods also cause economic losses through permanent or temporary closures of businesses,
homes, local/state roadways, and government facilities; disrupt communications; disrupt the
provision of utilities such as water and sewer; result in excessive expenditures for emergency
response and may limit the access of emergency responders; and generally disrupt the normal
function of a community.
In areas such as Marin County that do not have extended periods of below-freezing temperatures
or significant snowfall, floods usually occur during the season of highest precipitation or during
heavy rainfalls after prolonged dry periods. Marin County is dry during the late spring, summer,
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55
and early fall and receives most of its rain during the winter months. The rainfall season extends
from November through April, with most rainfall occurring during this period. Due to varying
microclimates within the County, rainfall in water year 2016-2017 where there are Marin County
Flood Control & Water Conservation District-owned gages ranged inland from as low as 47
inches in Novato to over 82 inches in Kentfield. Along the coast, rainfall ranged from 36 inches
at Oceana Marin to 45 inches at Point Reyes Station.
In should be noted winter 2016-2017 was an unusually wet year. An average of 56 inches of rain
falls each year at the summit of Mount Tamalpais, at 2,572 feet elevation. The rain collects in
several channels, flowing down steep slopes and onto broad, flat valleys, many of which are
populated. The valleys usually only receive on average 32 inches of rain per year, thus flows
from the uplands contribute greatly to flows on the valley floor. During most rainfall events,
waterways remain within their channels or underground pipes until they reach a bay or the ocean.
Riverine flooding is caused by creek overflow when their banks spill. Naturally, waterways
regularly overflowed onto an adjacent floodplain. Buildings are now often located on these flood
plains. The size and slope of a channel, blockages, proximity to the bay, and constrictions
obstructing flow such as bridges, utility pipes, or adjacent buildings influence riverine flooding.
Prior to development, Marin’s flat lowlands flooded frequently. When rain fell on Marin, it
infiltrated into the ground and moved slowly toward the creek channel. The ground acted like a
sponge, storing water and releasing it slowly. While water moved underground, it was naturally
cleansed by physical and biological processes. Annual floods brought life-giving water to
parched floodplains, nourishing them with fresh sediment. They recharged aquifers and allowed
fish to swim over normally dry land that was rich with food. Tides flooded biologically rich
marshes along the bay perimeter twice a day. When humans began to develop the land, we
created conflicts between what we built and the natural tendency of creeks to flood. Much of the
development in Marin was built in flood-prone areas which put it at risk of inundation. Roads,
parking lots, roofs, and other impervious surfaces prevent water from infiltrating the ground.
Instead, it moves quickly across the landscape into pipes and creeks further increasing flood risk
downstream. Homes, commercial areas, schools, hospitals, police and fire stations, roads and
highways, sanitary sewers and waterlines, sewage treatment plants, pump stations are all located
in floodplains in Marin.
All of Marin’s watersheds are small and largely prone to flash flooding. Flash floods are
particularly dangerous. The National Weather Service (NWS) defines a flash flood as one in
which the peak flow travels the length of a watershed within a 6-hour period. These floods arise
when storms produce a high volume of rainfall in a short period over a watershed where runoff
collects quickly. They often affect populated areas of Marin’s cities and towns. They often strike
with little warning and are accompanied by high velocity flow.
Several Marin Communities, such as Tamalpais Valley, Santa Venetia, Corte Madera, Belvedere,
and parts of Strawberry, Novato, and Ross Valley are protected by levees. Levees are typically
earthen embankments designed to contain, control, or divert the flow of water to provide some
level of protection from flooding. No levee system provides full protection from all flooding
events to the people and structures located behind it. Some level of flood risk exists in the levee-
affected areas. Except for one levee system in Novato-Hamilton, none of the County’s levees are
FEMA-accredited. Many were built many decades ago (non-engineered) by farmers or
developers and material may have been added over the years.
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Levee failure is the overtopping, breach or collapse of the levee. Levees can fail in the event of
an earthquake, internal erosion, poor engineering/construction or landslides, but levees most
commonly fail as a result of significant rainfall or very high tides. During a period of heavy
rainfall, the water on the water-body side of the levee can build up and either flow over the top
(“overtopping”) or put pressure on the structure causing quickening seepage and subsequent
erosion of the earth. The overflow of water washes away the top portion of the levee, creating
deep grooves. Eventually the levee weakens, resulting in a breach or collapse of the levee wall
and the release of uncontrollable amounts of water.
Disaster History
Since the middle of the last century, the winter/spring storms of 1950, 1955*, 1958*, 1963,
1964*, 1969*, 1970*, 1973*, 1978, 1980, 1982*, 1983*, 1986*, 1995*, 1996, 1997*, 1998*,
2002, 2005/2006*, 2006*, 2008, 2014, and 2017* caused significant damage.
*Major Federal Disasters declared for flood.
Typically storms in which high tides coincide with peak stormwater flow are the most damaging.
The New Year’s Eve 2005-2006 flood was the last major riverine flooding event that caused
widespread damage in Marin. Localized flooding occurred in almost all areas of the County in
the 2006 winter storm. San Anselmo, Ross, Fairfax, and Mill Valley were the most heavily
impacted. Power outages peaked at 10,000 customers in January. Nine schools closed due to
mud, water and road damages and over 20 major roads were closed during the early part of the
storm. Corte Madera Creek in San Anselmo, Ross and Fairfax; Novato Creek; Easkoot Creek in
Stinson Beach; and Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio in Mill Valley overflowed their banks.
West Creek in Tiburon would also have overflowed its banks but was prevented by a water-
inflated property protection bag. Per Table 4-3, at least $219 million in damage was reported in
Marin due to this storm, including $94 million in the Ross Valley (Corte Madera Creek)
Watershed alone. Over a thousand homes, apartments and businesses were damaged or
destroyed. Prior to 2006, the last flood of similar magnitudes occurred in 1982 and 1983. Many
improvements were made to flood facilities since then, particularly in Novato.
Novato Creek in the northern part of the county historically caused damage to large numbers of
homes, particularly in the 1960’s, until the Novato Flood Control Project was completed in eight
construction phases starting in the 1980’s and continuing through 2006. Novato still experiences
some damage during significant winter storms despite the completed Novato Creek Flood
Control project. For example, over a million dollars-worth of levee damage occurred in 2014 and
2017 and a heavy burden on stormwater pumping systems caused additional damage to pumping
system components. Power outages are also a frequent problem for one of the major pump
stations in the area.
Although the current Corte Madera Creek Flood Control project is partially complete (Unit 4 in
the Town of Ross is yet to be constructed), flooding will still occur for storms greater than about
a 5-year recurrence flood event. Potentially all nine southerly and some centrally located
communities of Marin County on this creek are impacted by high tides and heavy rains in above
average winter storms. The north-east part of the county, densely populated around the
floodplain zones, is threatened every winter and still experiences some damage during winter
storms despite the completed Novato Creek Flood Control project.
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57
Flood of 1925: Ross business district. (Photo: Courtesy of Marin History Museum)
Flood of 1982: San Anselmo. (Photo: Courtesy of San Anselmo History Museum)
Flood of 1983: Santa Venetia (Photo: Marin County Department of Public Works)
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58
Flood of December 31, 2005: San Anselmo. (Photo: Marin County Department of Public Works)
Location
Major county watersheds where significant numbers of structures are at risk from riverine
flooding include Coyote Creek, Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio, East and West Creek
watersheds, Corte Madera Creek, Novato and Rush Creeks, Miller Creek, Easkoot Creek
(Stinson Beach), Gallinas Creek. Additionally, many locations along Richardson Bay, Tomales
Bay, lower Las Gallinas Creek, the San Rafael Canal, East San Rafael and Novato shores, and
the outer Pacific coastline are vulnerable to coastal flooding.
In many cases, where there is a significant history of flooding there is a Marin County Flood
Control & Water Conservation District “Flood Zone” established. There are 8 County Flood
Zones located in the following areas as described in Table 3-6 and mapped in Figure 3-5.
Table 3-6. Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District “Flood Zones”
Zone No. Name Location
1 Novato Northern Marin: Most of City of Novato and some
surrounding areas within the Novato Creek watershed.
3 Richardson Bay Southern Marin: Marin City watershed, Coyote Creek
watershed (includes Tamalpais Valley and Almonte);
Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio watershed and Ryan
Creek watershed (both include much of the City of Mill
Valley), a watershed including Sutton Manor/Alto/part
of Strawberry.
4 Bel Aire Southern Marin: East and West Creek watersheds
which run through the Bel Aire neighborhood of the
Town of Tiburon and part of (unincorporated)
Strawberry.
5 Stinson Beach West Marin: Part of the lower Easkoot Creek watershed
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59
at Stinson Beach.
6 San Rafael Meadows Central Marin: A part of the Las Gallinas Creek
watershed in the City of San Rafael across from the
County Civic Center.
7 Santa Venetia Central Marin: The unincorporated community of Santa
Venetia along Las Gallinas Creek.
9 Ross Valley Central Marin: The Corte Madera Creek watershed,
including the towns of Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, and
Larkspur, as well as unincorporated parts of San
Anselmo, Fairfax, Kentfield and Greenbrae.
10 Inverness West Marin: Inverness, along the west shore of
Tomales Bay and the East flank of Inverness Ridge.
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60
Figure 3-5. Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District “Zones”
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61
All incorporated cities and towns in Marin have flood risk – and are in fact participants in the
National Flood Insurance Program. Even those that are not in a Marin County Flood Control &
Water Conservation District “Flood Zone,” have robust maintenance and capital improvement
programs that help manage and mitigate flood risk. These cities without District Flood Zones
include most of San Rafael and Tiburon, and all of Corte Madera, Sausalito, and Belvedere.
Additionally, San Anselmo, Ross, Larkspur, Fairfax, Mill Valley and Novato have flood
mitigation programs that operate largely independently of the Flood District, although extensive
coordination of activities and collaboration with the Flood District is facilitated through the
Marin County Watershed Program (part of the County Department of Public Works).
Every city and town, and many unincorporated communities in Marin contain FEMA Special
Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), meaning they have at least a 1% chance of flooding in a given
year. They all participate in the National Flood Insurance Program and many of the structures in
the SFHA carry FEMA flood insurance or private flood insurance.
Marin County and its cities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The
NFIP makes Federally-backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business
owners in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce
future flood damage. Table 3-7 lists the date of the initially mapped FIRM, the
emergency/regular program entrance date into the NFIP, and the number of policies in force.
Table 3-7. Date of Initially Mapped FIRM and Emergency/Regular Program
Entrance Date into NFIP for Marin County and Cities
County/Community
Name
Date of Initially
Mapped FIRM
Emergency/Regular Program
Entrance Date into NFIP
Number of Policies in
Force
Marin County 3/1/82 3/1/82 2040
City of Sausalito 9/30/80 9/30/82 78
Town of Tiburon 5/16/77 5/16/77 142
City of Belvedere 5/2/77 5/2/77 283
City of Mill Valley 1/3/79 1/3/79 725
City of Novato 1/19/78 1/19/78 1472
City of San Rafael 5/1/84 5/1/84 1565
Town of San Anselmo 12/1/77 12/1/77 558
Town of Ross 2/4/81 2/4/81 194
City of Larkspur 3/15/84 3/15/84 580
Town of Fairfax 1/5/78 1/5/78 204
Town of Corte Madera 12/15/77 12/15/77 588
Source: FEMA NFIP, effective 11/30/17
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62
Probability of Future Events
The County of Marin has several major 100-year and 500-year floodplains which are mapped by
FEMA in the most recent Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM), several of which were recently
updated in 2016 and 2017. These floodplains can be viewed for whatever your area of interest on
MarinMap.org, where you can also overlay the floodplains with the locations of critical facilities
like Fire Stations, Medical Facilities, and Law Enforcement. While they may look small relative
to the size of the County as a while, the bulk of the floodplains are located in some of the
County’s most heavily populated areas along the eastern shoreline: notably portions of Novato,
San Rafael, and Mill Valley.
These floodplains vary in size, probability and severity of inundation, underlying causes
(riverine, tidal, etc.), and potential impacts to the communities in them. The areas of most
concern are located in what is designated by FEMA as a 100-year flood zone or Special Flood
Hazard Area (SFHA). Due to the increased probabilities of flooding (1% chance in any given
year), these properties face high insurance premiums and major restrictions on further
development.
Along the Pacific Ocean there are a number of homes in Stinson Beach which are mapped as
being in a VE zone. A VE zone is a 100-year flood zone where tsunamis or other forms of wave
action threaten low lying coastal areas.
For some of the developments along the San Francisco Bay, such as Santa Venetia and
Tamalpais Valley, the main issues concern poor drainage due to flat terrain and/or differential
settlement, low elevation relative to the tides, and the reliance on a system of pumps and levees
to keep floodwaters from inundating homes. Runoff collecting in this area can be especially
difficult to remove during high tides.
Other more inland areas, such as areas along Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries, have higher
elevations yet still contain properties located in 100-year flood zones. This is mainly due to
threats caused by local creeks which have a tendency to overflow their banks when rainfall
reaches critical levels. Properties along Novato Creek and its tributaries face similar threats. The
main stems of these creeks and many of their tributaries are constrained by development on the
banks.
Extent
When flooding occurs in Marin County, depths are commonly on the order of 0-2 feet in streets
and sidewalks. This level occurs when storm drains are overwhelmed and/or during king tides.
Flood depths on the order of 2- 4 feet have occurred in recent memory and represent significant
flood events that caused damage to structures and property. 1982 was the flood of record along
Corte Madera Creek in Central Marin County and probably had some inundations depths as high
as 5 feet. Also in 1982 a levee in Santa Venetia in unincorporated San Rafael was breached by
tidal elevations and flooded the neighborhood with 2-3 feet of water.
In 2016 the FEMA San Francisco Bay Coastal Study became effective and raised the static Base
Flood Elevation of the Bay to an elevation of 10-feet NAVD88. This level of flooding has not
been observed but is feasible in any given year. If this level of tidal flooding was to occur along
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the bay shoreline there would be inundation depths as much as 6-8 feet in neighborhoods such as
Santa Venetia.
On Marin’s outer coast V zones have BFEs of up to 22 feet according to FIRMs updated August
2017. In the unincorporated community of Stinson Beach this corresponds to a maximum
inundation depth of 8-10 feet. Although some houses were destroyed by wave action and storm
surge during the 1982 event, nothing approaching this level of inundation has occurred in
recorded history here.
The other index for extent is the speed of onset of flooding or the rainfall-runoff lag time, which
doesn’t apply to tidal flooding. The riverine flooding comes directly from rainfall runoff of
adjacent uplands in the County’s series of relatively small, short watersheds. While antecedent
moisture is a big factor, this flash flooding is typically short duration and directly associated with
the magnitude of the passing storm system. These storms, often in the form of atmospheric rivers
coming off the Pacific Ocean, can last anywhere from a few hours to a day or two. The speed of
onset of flooding ranges from minutes to about 2 hours after the precipitation exceeds the
drainage capacity.
The diversity and dispersion of Marin County’s flood hazards, in addition to the tendency for
floods to be flashy in nature, make response to emergencies more difficult and increase the need
for planning and community awareness in areas of increased flood risk. While property damage
to structures within 100-year flood zones is a major concern, damage to roads, utilities, and other
supporting infrastructure located in these zones can potentially impact areas of the community
outside of the flood zones as well.
Dealing with flooding from rain and upstream runoff is already complicated. Sea level rise will
make it even more complicated by increasing the frequency and duration of flooding. When
water temperature increases, water expands and takes up more space than cold water. As the
planet warms, the water in the ocean warms, expands, and elevates sea levels. The changing
climate has also melted parts of the ice caps at the North and South Poles. As this ice melts and
flows into the ocean, it increases the amount of water in the ocean and raises sea levels even
more. Sea levels in San Francisco Bay have risen seven inches over the past century. Predictions
of future sea level rise vary from 12 inches by 2030 to 60 inches by 2100. The Bay Conservation
and Development Commission (BCDC) recommends using 36 inches of sea level rise for
planning purposes. Rising sea levels increase the upstream extent of tidal flooding, worsen creek
overflow due to backwater effects of elevated high tides, and create larger, stronger waves which
erode the shoreline and destroy sensitive marshes. Coastal flooding will have a large impact on
cities and habitat.
A 36-inch increase in sea levels will greatly impact people’s lives throughout Marin. Daily high
tides will inundate major thoroughfares, schools, retirement communities, private homes,
shopping areas, bike paths, and stormwater detention ponds. Valuable marsh and mudflat habitat
will be permanently flooded. Infrastructure will need to be armored, abandoned, or relocated.
Shorelines will be eroded by increased wave erosion, threatening even more infrastructure.
With sea level rise it is projected that more land along Marin’s coastline and bayside will be
permanently inundated or subject to more regular flooding, while the frequency and intensity of
storm events are anticipated to increase with climate change. Greater riparian flooding may also
occur with sea level rise and future storm events, though modeling is necessary to better
understand the extent of such hazards. As previously discussed best available sea level rise and
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future flood models indicate that by 2100 around 7,000 acres, 9,000 parcels, 10,000 buildings
and 120 miles of roads throughout Marin County may be exposed flooding due to future sea
level rise and 100-year storm events.3
Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio is at risk of overtopping due to less than a 5-year flow. On
average Corte Madera Creek and Easkoot Creek are at risk of overflowing their banks due to 5-
10 year flow events. Novato Creek overflows in some locations due to 10-year flow. Coyote
Creek and Gallinas Creek are more vulnerable to overtopping due to tidal elevations and may be
able to carry 100-year riverine flows at low tides.
The probability of future levee failures in Marin County is largely unknown but may result from
a large winter storm or seismic event. Where more is known about the risks associated with levee
failure, we have generally completed Local Levee Evaluations in partnership with the CA
Department of Water Resources (DWR). Areas where these studies have been completed include
Santa Venetia/Gallinas Creek (further studied in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers or “USACE”) and Coyote Creek. Levee Evaluations are underway for levees along
lower Novato Creek and Corte Madera Creek (also in partnership with USACE).
Impacts
Thousands of residential and commercial structures, and hundreds of industrial structures are
potentially impacted by 100-year floods. Transportation is also heavily impacted (even during
smaller storms), with hundreds of miles of roadways potentially flooded, and 19 miles of
railroad, during and after flood events. Because of this, access issues during and after major
storms can be widespread. Critical water and wastewater facilities may also be affected by
flooding, which can have devastating secondary effects on health of residents. Because of the
diverse microclimates and small and varying watersheds of Marin, it is not common that all areas
in designated FEMA 100-year floodplains would severely flood during the same storm system.
However, given extensive historical development within the floodplain, impacts of a single
powerful storm system to people and infrastructure can be extreme. For most jurisdictions, at
least 10% of its homes and roadways are potentially impacted by flooding.
Vulnerability
Flooding is a relatively frequent occurrence in many populated areas of the county, making the
county quite vulnerable to floods. The following tables represent summarize countywide
vulnerability to flooding (data from Marin County Department of Public Works sources).
Jurisdiction-specific data is included in the appendices for each jurisdiction.
3 County of Marin, Marin Bay Waterfront Adaptation and Vulnerability Evaluation (BayWAVE), (June 20,
2017) at 25, http://www.marincounty.org/main/baywave/vulnerability-assessment; County of Marin, Marin
Ocean
Coast Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Report (CSMART), (September 2015
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Existing Structures
Commercial Industrial Single-Family Multi-Family
1,309 288 9,562 3,625
Transportation
Miles of Roads Miles of Railroad Number of Ferry Terminals
374 19 4
Communication
MERA Towers
0
Power
Transmission
Tower
Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Miles of Electric
Transmission Lines
Miles of Natural
Gas Pipeline
37 5 1 27 8
Water/Sewerage
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Station
3 22
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Critical Facilities
Schools Police & Fire Medical Airports/Heli Cultural Resources
14 13 3 2 9
3.3.6 Wind
Description
Based on the NOAA data presented in Table 3-3, most severe winter storms in Marin come with
strong winds and many of them cause damage. This can lead to power outages and/or road
closures, clogged creeks and culverts, damage to structures and cars due to fallen trees, and
damage resulting from wind-driven wave erosion.
Previous Occurrences
Based on Table 3-3, winds were reported as high as 72 knots. Storms with strong winds knock
down trees and power lines nearly every year and continue to slowly erode vulnerable coastal
areas and critical inland ponds (i.e. reservoirs/dams, berms/levees around stormwater detention
ponds, wastewater treatment/storage ponds). One event was characterized as a tornado, in
Tomales in west Marin, but this weather phenomenon is extremely rare in this part of
California.
Location
Table 3-3 shows significant damage due to strong winds affecting all areas of Marin – coastal,
mountainous, inland valleys, and southern Marin. Locations where there are power lines, roads,
and creeks/bridges, and ponded water for infrastructure (stormwater, wastewater, drinking water
purposes) are particularly vulnerable to disruption due to wind damage, as are private structures
with nearby trees.
Probability of Future Events
Wind events and associated damages are expected to continue to occur several times per year.
County, city and town public works staff and their contractors remove dead, sick or fallen trees
in their right-of-way as needed and as funding allows, but there is no feasible way to prevent this
hazard.
Extent
Marin’s damaging wind events tend to range between 7 and 11 on the Beaufort scale, or 30 to 60
knots. These wind strengths are characterized as high wind to violent storm. Thus, most years
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whole trees are put in motion and the ocean heaps up and white foam and spindrift form. Slight
structural damage and uprooted trees can result occasionally.
Impacts
Although the entire county is affected by wind, coastal areas tend to be impacted more frequently
by the strongest winds (9+ on the Beaufort scale) than inland areas. Marin’s coastal areas have
small resident populations but large visiting populations, such as Muir Beach, Stinson Beach,
and Bolinas that can be impacted by strong winds. Beachgoers and boaters would be particularly
impacted by wind hazards. Tourism is a key part of the economy in Marin, particularly in coastal
communities, and thus there are potentially significant economic impacts of wind events. Some
communities, such as Oceana Marin and Olema, rely on water and wastewater infrastructure that
has potential to be impacted by coastal erosion, wind driving up wave elevations, and erosion
from waves forming due to wind over treatment and storage ponds. Inland critical ponds are also
impacted by wind-driven wave erosion such as dams on drinking water reservoirs, and
levees/berms containing stormwater retention and detention ponds. Across the county powerlines
are potentially impacted by wind, potentially affecting commercial, industrial, and residential
areas, and most years downed trees lead to temporary road closures.
Vulnerability
Impacts of wind events may be frequent but the results of those frequent events tend to be short-
lived, such as downed trees and powerlines. The systems that are most vulnerable are those that
wouldn’t be able to be fully repaired quickly should there be a catastrophic failure during an
extreme wind event, such as a breach of a levee or dam due to wave erosion. Some examples of
vulnerable facilities include:
Bridgeway Promenade in Sausalito, an economically significant lifeline route, a portion
of which runs along the San Francisco Bay shoreline and is vulnerable to wind-driven
waves. The route is frequented by visiting tourists and shoppers that are a key part of
Sausalito’s economy. The impacts are expected to increase with climate change and sea
level rise.
Oceana Marin Force Main Pump Station is 60 feet from the edge of a coastal bluff.
Coastal erosion rates up to 4.4 feet/year were anticipated in the Dillon Beach area (where
Oceana Marin is located) according to a 2003 Cliff and Erosion Technical Background
report prepared to support a Marin County Local Coastal Program update. Although only
a small community would be affected by the failure, it would be a long time before the
critical water supply facility could be replaced. Additionally, the community has a sewer
line potentially vulnerable to coastal erosion.
Wind driven waves could flood the Olema Domestic Water Pump Station which would
cause electrical and water supply failure to 43 residents, 3 hotels, a church, and a
campground.
Stafford Dam’s (earthen) upstream face is subject to wind and wave action which has
been eroding the gunite and welded wire reinforcement. A catastrophic failure could lead
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to inundation of the City of Novato (see the subsection on Dam Failure for vulnerability
analysis).
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3.3.7 Tsunami
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Hazard Profile
Tsunamis consist of waves generated by large disturbances of the sea floor, which are caused by
volcanic eruptions, landslides or earthquakes. Shallow earthquakes along dip slip faults are more
likely to be sources of tsunami than those along strike slip faults. The West Coast/Alaska
Tsunami Warning Center (WC/ATWC) is responsible for tsunami warnings. Tsunamis are often
incorrectly referred to as tidal waves. They are actually a series of waves that can travel at speeds
averaging 450 (and up to 600) miles per hour with unusual wave heights. Tsunamis can reach the
beach before warnings are issued. Associated risks include flooding, contamination of drinking
water, ruptured tanks or gas lines, and the loss of vital community infrastructure.
Some Marin County communities may be vulnerable to tsunamis because of the location and
quality of the built environment. The principal exposure will be people, buildings, and
infrastructure located in the low-lying potential inundation area. Especially at risk are visitors,
hikers, campers, and non-residents who might be on the shore when the tsunami strikes.
Disaster History
Prior to the 2011 tsunami impacting Japan, tsunamis have caused loss of life and damaged
property in Hawaii, Alaska and the West Coast over the last hundred years. The Alaskan
earthquake of 1964 generated tsunami waves affecting the entire California coastline resulting in
twelve lives lost and an estimated $17 Million in damages. Marin County was not severely
affected and there is no history of any significant damage caused by tsunami.
Over 80 tsunamis have been observed or recorded along the coast of California in the past 150
years. Since 1946, there have been seven tsunamis known to have caused damage to ports and
harbors in California. In 1964, a tsunami caused by a M9.2 earthquake offshore from Alaska
resulted in 12 deaths in California and destroyed portions of downtown Crescent City. More
recently, a 2006 tsunami (originating in the Kurile Islands region) caused approximately $20
million in damage to Crescent City harbor. A 2010 tsunami (originating offshore from Chile)
caused several million dollars in damage to ports and harbors in the state. A tsunami in 2011
(caused by a M9.0 earthquake offshore of Japan) killed one person at the mouth of the Klamath
River and caused up to $100 million damage to 27 ports, harbors, and marinas throughout the
state. The most damage occurred in Crescent City, Santa Cruz and Moss Landing harbors and a
federal disaster was declared in Del Norte, Santa Cruz, and Monterey Counties.
Location
Tsunami inundation maps and information specific to Tsunami run up scenarios in Marin were
updated in 2012. As part of this project, signage indicating evacuation routes and safety zones
has been installed along the coast and informational pamphlets specific to areas of the county
have been distributed. Informational pamphlets covering the vulnerable areas of west Marin are
available from the Marin County Sheriff’s Office OES.
The following is a list of tsunami inundation areas for various communities in Marin (please see
MarinMap for details on these locations).
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Almonte Tsunami Inundation Area. Highways 1 and 101 and residential and commercial
areas potentially impacted.
Belvedere and Tiburon Tsunami Inundation Area. Residential and commercial areas near
Belvedere Lagoon potentially impacted in Belvedere. Tiburon Boulevard, Tiburon City
Hall, a fire station and commercial areas potentially impacted in Tiburon.
Black Point Tsunami Inundation Area. Residential areas potentially impacted.
Dillon Beach Tsunami Inundation Area.
Kentfield Tsunami Inundation Area. Some residential and educational areas potentially
impacted. Bridge to hospital potentially impacted.
Mill Valley Tsunami Inundation Area. Some residential, commercial, and educational
areas potentially impacted.
Muir Beach Tsunami Inundation Area.
Paradise Cay Tsunami Inundation Area. Residential area and marina potentially affected.
Point San Pedro Tsunami Inundation Area.
San Quentin Tsunami Inundation Area. Potentially affects State Prison and nearby
facilities.
San Rafael Tsunami Inundation Area. Potentially affects marinas, commercial areas, and
medical clinic.
Sausalito Tsunami Inundation Area. Potentially affects marinas, commercial areas,
schools, and the primary road through town.
Stinson Beach Tsunami Inundation Area. Potentially affects fire stations, residential
areas, commercial areas, and a National Park
Strawberry Tsunami Inundation Area. Potentially affects marinas, commercial areas,
schools, and the primary road through town.
Probability of Future Events
The frequency of tsunamis is related to the frequency of the events that cause them, so it is
similar to the frequency of seismic or volcanic activities or landslides. Generally four or five
tsunamis occur every year in the Pacific Basin, and those that are most damaging have
historically been generated in the Pacific waters off South America rather than in the northern
Pacific.
The greatest threat associated with tsunami is the impact on coastal structure property and threat
to human lives. The State of California Coastal Management Program (CCMP) under the
California Coastal Act requires cities and counties lying wholly or partly within the coastal zone
to prepare a Local Coastal Plan (LCP) that must be certified by the Coastal Commission as
consistent with policies of the Coastal Act. (Public Resources Code, Division 20). The U.S.
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National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation Program (NTHMP) is a State/Federal partnership created to
reduce tsunami hazards along United States coastlines.
NTHMP coordinates the efforts of five Pacific States including California. Focal points of future
efforts include:
The Tsunami Inundation Mapping Effort (TIME)
Tsunami Warning Guidance for Tsunami Warning Centers
Improve Seismic Networks
Installation of real-time broadband seismic stations
Telemetry upgrades to warning centers
Shortening information dissemination time to emergency services agencies
Deploy Tsunami Detection Buoys
Improve Statewide Coordination and Technical Support for Tsunami Warnings
The support of local populations for a variety of mitigation products and programs are essential
for mitigation success. To that end, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) has developed the TsunamiReady™ program. To be recognized as TsunamiReady, here
are some of the criteria that a community must meet:
Establish a 24-hour warning point and emergency operations center
Have more than one way to receive tsunami warnings and to alert the public
Promote public readiness through community education and the distribution of
information
Develop a formal tsunami plan, which includes holding emergency exercises.
Comply with TsunamiReady guidelines (which include Communications and
Coordination, Warning Reception, Warning Dissemination, Community Preparedness,
and Administrative guidance)
Marin County, and the communities of Dillon Beach, Belvedere and Tiburon, are now
recognized by the NOAA as TsunamiReady, significantly improving public safety before,
during, and after tsunami emergencies.
Extent
Tsunamis can travel at speeds of over 600 miles per hour in the open ocean and can grow to over
50 feet in height when they approach a shallow shoreline, causing severe damage to coastal
development. Recent studies of the continental shelf off the California coast indicate a potential
for underwater landslides capable of generating damaging tsunamis that could threaten coastal
communities.
The National Geodetic Data Center (NGDC) provides a database cataloging all tsunami
occurrences. The database can be used to evaluate past tsunami events at a particular site.
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Impacts
Community exposure to tsunamis in California varies considerably—some communities may
experience great losses that reflect only a small part of their community and others may
experience relatively small losses that devastate them. Among the incorporated communities and
the unincorporated areas of the county are communities that have the highest number of people
and businesses in the tsunami‐inundation zone. The communities of Belvedere and Sausalito
have the highest percentages of people and businesses in this zone. To download the Community
Exposure to Tsunami Hazards in California report visit the USGS website:
http://pubs.usgs.gov/sir/2012/5222/
Vulnerability
Tsunamis are a relatively infrequent occurrence in the County, making Tsunami one of the
disasters to which Marin is less vulnerable. The following tables summarize countywide
vulnerability to tsunami (data from Marin County Department of Public Works sources).
Existing Structures
Commercial Industrial Single-Family Multi-Family
360 75 2,890 1,070
Transportation
Miles of Roads Miles of Railroad Number of Ferry Terminals
124 2 4
Communication
MERA Towers
0
Power
Transmission
Tower
Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Miles of Electric
Transmission Lines
Miles of Natural
Gas Pipeline
2 1 1 8 1
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Water/Sewerage
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Station
2 12
Critical Facilities
Schools Police & Fire Medical Airports/Heli Cultural Resources
8 6 1 0 3
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3.3.8 Wildfire
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The Marin County Fire Department in collaboration with FIRESafe Marin finalized the
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) in July 2016. The full CWPP is incorporated by
reference into this multi-jurisdictional LHMP and most of the information that follows comes
directly from the CWPP.
The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) provides a scientifically based assessment of
wildfire threat in the wildland urban interface (WUI) of Marin County, California. This CWPP
was developed through a collaborative process involving Marin County fire agencies, county
officials, county, state, and federal land management agencies, and community members. It
meets the CWPP requirements set forth in the federal Healthy Forests Restoration Act which
include:
• Stakeholder collaboration (see Section 3 of the CWPP).
• Identifying and prioritizing areas for fuel reduction activities (see Sections 4 and 5 of the
CWPP).
• Addressing structural ignitability (see Section 7 of the CWPP).
Wildfire poses the greatest risk to human life and property in Marin County’s densely populated
WUI, which holds an estimated 69,000 living units. Marin County is home to 23 communities
listed on CAL FIRE’s Communities at Risk list, with approximately 80% of the total land area in
the county designated as having moderate to very high fire hazard severity ratings. The county
has a long fire history with many large fires over the past decades, several of which have
occurred in the WUI. To compound the issue, national fire suppression policies and practices
have contributed to the continuous growth (and overgrowth) of vegetation resulting in dangerous
fuel loads (see Section 1.6 of the CWPP).
A science-based hazard, asset, risk assessment was performed using up-to-date, high resolution
topography and fuels information combined with local fuel moisture and weather data. The
assessment was focused on identifying areas of concern throughout the county and beginning to
prioritize areas where wildfire threat is greatest. Hazard mitigation efforts can then be focused to
address specific issues in the areas of greatest concern (see Sections 4 and 5 of the CWPP).
Marin County will reduce wildland fire hazard using a collaborative and integrated approach that
includes the following strategies (see Section 8 of the CWPP):
• Pre-fire planning.
• Public education and outreach to promote and implement fire adapted community practices.
• Vegetation management and fuel reduction at the county and community levels.
• Reducing structure ignitability by promoting and enforcing building codes, ordinances, and
statutes.
The CWPP provides a framework for future collaboration that can be used to identify, prioritize,
implement, and monitor hazard reduction activities throughout the county. It is intended to be a
living document that will be updated periodically by FIRESafe MARIN and the Marin County
Fire Department (MCFD) in collaboration with a broader group of county stakeholders. The
CWPP is also intended to support the California Fire Plan and CAL FIRE’s Unit Strategic Fire
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Plan. While the CWPP broadly covers the entire county, it supports and encourages more
focused plans for wildfire protection at the city, community, and neighborhood scales.
Fire protection in California is the responsibility of either the federal, state, or local government.
On federally owned land, or federal responsibility areas (FRA), fire protection is provided by the
federal government, and or in partnership with local agreements. In state responsibility areas
(SRA), CAL FIRE typically provides fire protection. However, in some counties CAL FIRE
contracts with county fire departments to provide protection of the SRA – this is the case in
Marin County, where CAL FIRE contracts with MCFD. Local responsibility areas (LRA)
include incorporated cities and cultivated agriculture lands, and fire protection is typically
provided by city fire departments, fire protection districts, counties, and by CAL FIRE under
contract to local government.
CAL FIRE contracts with MCFD to provide wildland fire protection and associated fire
prevention activities for lands designated by the State Board of Forestry as SRA. Marin is one of
six counties in the state who contract with CAL FIRE to protect SRA. The MCFD is responsible
for the protection of approximately 200,000 acres of SRA within the county and is the primary
agency that handles wildland fires. MCFD also provides similar protection services to
approximately 100,000 acres of FRA in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGNRA),
the Muir Woods National Monument, and the Point Reyes National Seashore.
See page 5 of the CWPP for a summary of the 13 fire departments and districts within Marin
County. Figure 3-6 indicates their jurisdictional areas.
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Figure 3-6. Map of the federal responsibility areas, state responsibility areas and local
responsibility areas in Marin County
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Figure 3-7. Map of Marin County professional fire service agency jurisdictions
Hazard Profile
The mix of weather, diverse vegetation and fuel characteristics, complex topography, and land
use and development patterns in Marin County are important contributors to the fire
environment. The MCFD Woodacre ECC currently manages the data from four Remote
Automated Weather Stations (RAWS) for predicting fire danger utilizing the National Fire
Danger Rating System (NFDRS) during the fire season. The RAWS are located in Woodacre,
Middle Peak, Barnabe, Big Rock and a new station will be coming online in Novato.
Marin County is bounded by the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean to the west, the San Francisco
and Richardson Bays to the southeast, the San Pablo Bay to the east, and Sonoma County
agricultural lands to the north. The combination of these large bodies of water, location in the
mid-latitudes, and the persistent high pressure over the eastern Pacific Ocean results in several
micro-climates. Weather in the county consists of warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. The
climate in early fall and late spring is generally similar to the summer, and late fall is similar to
winter. Spring is generally cool, but not as wet as the winter. While these general weather
conditions are fairly representative of the typical Marin County weather, complex topography,
annual variability of weather patterns, and less frequent and transient weather patterns are
important to fire conditions.
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In the late spring through early fall, the combination of frequent and strong high-pressure
systems (known as the Pacific High) over California combined with the cool waters of the
ocean/bays results in persistent fog and low clouds along the coast (including over southern
Marin County near the San Francisco Bay). The fog often penetrates into the inland valleys of
northern and central Marin County, especially during overnight hours. At the coastline, mist
from fog can keep the land surfaces modestly moist while inland land surfaces above the fog or
inversion are often very dry.
The Pacific High that persists from late spring through early fall over the eastern Pacific,
combined with a thermal low pressure over the Central Valley of California, results in an almost
continuous sea breeze. These winds usher in cool and moist air and can be strong (15 to 25 mph),
especially over the ridge tops and through northwest to southeast lying valleys, including San
Geronimo/Ross, Hicks, and Lucas Valleys. These westerly winds are usually highest in the
afternoon, decrease in the evening, and are light overnight before increasing again in the late
morning/early afternoon.
Occasionally in the summer and more often in the fall, the Pacific High moves inland and centers
over Oregon and Idaho, while low pressure moves from the Central Valley of California to
southern California and Arizona. The resulting north-to-south pressure gradient can be strong
enough to retard the typical sea breeze and can even result in winds blowing from the land to the
ocean (offshore winds). As the offshore winds move air from the Great Basin to the coastal areas
of California, the air descends and compresses, which greatly warms and dries the air. Under
these “Diablo” wind conditions, temperatures in Marin County can reach 100°F in the inland
areas and even 80°F at the coast, and relative humidity can be very low. In addition, wind speeds
can be high (20 to 40 mph) and gusty and are often much faster over the mountains and ridge
tops such as Mt. Tamalpais, Loma Alta, and Mt. Burdell compared to low-lying areas. Wind
speeds can be high over the ridges and mountains at all times of day under this “offshore” wind
pattern and are often much slower or even calm at night in low-lying areas because nighttime
cooling decouples the aloft winds from the surface winds. It is during these Diablo wind events
that there is a high potential for large, wind-driven fires should there be an ignition. Historically,
the largest and most destructive fires have occurred during these offshore (also known as Foehn)
wind events including the Angel Island and the Vision fires.
A few times per year in the summer and early fall, monsoonal flow from Mexico brings in moist
and unstable air over central and northern California, which can result in thunderstorms with or
without precipitation. With the otherwise dry summer conditions, the lightning can ignite fires.
These monsoonal flow patterns are usually only one to two-day events.
Beginning in late November and lasting through the end of March, the Pacific High moves south
and weakens, allowing storms that originate in the Gulf of Alaska to move over California.
These storms bring precipitation and, at times, strong winds out of the south. Each storm usually
results in one fourth inch to several inches of rain over a day or so. Near Mt. Tamalpais, rainfall
amounts are enhanced by orographic lifting, resulting in higher rain amounts in the Kentfield and
Fairfax areas compared to the rest of the county. Typically, after the first rain in November, the
cool weather and occasional storm keeps the ground wet through late Spring. However, in some
years, significant rain does not occur until later in the year (e.g., early-to-late December) and
there can be several weeks without any storms and rain. During storms, temperatures are usually
mild.
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When there are no storms over California, a land-breeze typically forms (i.e., winds blowing
from the Central Valley to the Pacific Ocean). These winds can reach 30 mph, and travel through
the southeast to northwest lying valleys, over low-lying ridges such as the Marin Headlands, and
through the Golden Gate. These winds are usually highest in the mid-morning hours and
decrease in the afternoon as the Central Valley warms during the day. The winds are associated
with cold and modestly moist air.
In late February/early March through late April, the Pacific High strengthens and moves north,
and storms impacting the county become less frequent. During this time of year there is often a
low-pressure area over the desert in southwest California. The combination of the Pacific High to
the north and low-pressure to the southwest results in strong winds blowing from the northwest
to the southeast. Like the sea breeze, these winds bring in cool, moist air and are usually highest
in the afternoon hours. Because of winter and spring rains, the land is wet and there is little
danger of wildland fire despite the strong winds and only occasional precipitation. There is often
little coastal fog this time of year.
Vegetation, which is also known as fuel, plays a major role in fire behavior and potential fire
hazards. A fuel’s composition, including moisture level, chemical make-up, and density,
determines its degree of flammability. Of these, fuel moisture level is the most important
consideration. Generally, live trees contain a great deal of moisture while dead logs contain very
little. The moisture content and distribution of fuels define how quickly a fire can spread and
how intense or hot it may become. High moisture content will slow the burning process since
heat from the fire must first eliminate moisture.
In addition to moisture, a fuel’s chemical makeup determines how readily it will burn. Some
plants, shrubs, and trees such as chamise and eucalyptus (both present in Marin County) contain
oils or resins that promote combustion, causing them to burn more easily, quickly, and intensely.
Finally, the density of a fuel influences its flammability; when fuels are close together but not
too dense, they will ignite each other, causing the fuel to spread readily. However, if fuels are so
close that air cannot circulate easily, the fuel will not burn freely.
Marin County has extensive topographic diversity that supports a variety of vegetation types.
Environmental factors, such as temperature, precipitation, soil type, aspect, slope, and land use
history, all help determine the existing vegetation at any given location. In the central and eastern
parts of the county, north facing slopes are usually densely wooded from lower elevations to
ridge peaks with a mixture of mostly hardwood tree species such as coast live oak, California
bay, Pacific madrone, and other oak species. Marshlands are also present throughout the county;
once ignited marsh fires can be difficult to contain and extinguish.
Grasslands with a mixture of native and nonnative annual and perennial plant species occur most
often in the northern and western parts of the county due to a combination of soil type, lower
rainfall, and a long history of ranching. The southern and western facing slopes tend to have a
higher percentage of grasslands, which in turn have the potential to experience higher rates of
fire spread. Grassland fires are dangerous even without extreme fire weather scenarios due to the
rapid rate of fire spread; in some cases, fires spread so quickly that large areas can burn before
response resources are able to arrive.
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In the west portion of the county closer to the coast, where precipitation is higher and marine
influence is greater, most areas are densely forested with conifer species (i.e., Bishop pine,
Douglas-fir, and coast redwood) and associated hardwood species. Chaparral vegetation also
occurs in parts of the county, especially on steeper south and west facing slopes. This mix of
densely forested areas mixed with chaparral results in higher fuel loads and potentially higher
fire intensity. Expansion of the residential community into areas of heavier vegetation has
resulted in homes existing in close proximity to dense natural foliage; these homes are often
completely surrounded by highly combustible or tall vegetation, increasing the potential that
wildland fires could impact them.
As part of the development of the CWPP, an updated vegetation map layer was created using the
most recent vegetation information available from a variety of state and local data sources.
Vegetation distribution in Marin County is characterized by approximately 20 different types of
vegetation which have been classified into 15 fire behavior fuel models. Table 7 on page 21 of
the CWPP lists the fuel model types for Marin County, while Figure 5 shows a fuel model map;
the data shown were developed to support this CWPP and represent the most up-to-date and
highest-resolution vegetation coverage information for the county. The methods used to develop
the data set are described in Appendix A of the CWPP.
Insect infestations and plant diseases, such as California oak mortality syndrome (sudden oak
death), are increasing and threaten to change the structure and overall health of native plant
communities in Marin County. Sudden oak death has no known cure and is the biggest concern;
this syndrome is caused by the fungus-like Phytophthora ramorum, which has led to widespread
mortality of several tree species in California since the mid-1990s; the tanoak (Lithocarpus
densiflorus) in particular appears to have little or no resistance to the disease. Sudden oak death
has resulted in stands of essentially dead trees with very low fuel moistures.
Studies examining the impacts of sudden oak death on fire behavior indicate that while predicted
surface fire behavior in sudden oak death stands seems to conform to a common fuel model
already in use for hardwood stands, the very low moisture content of dead tanoak leaves may
lead to crown ignitions more often during fires of “normal” intensity.11
Two other plant diseases prevalent in Marin County are pitch canker (which affects conifers such
as Bishop pine and other pine species), and madrone twig dieback (which affects Pacific
madrones). Pitch canker is caused by the fungus Fusarium circinatum (F. subglutinans, F. sp.
pini), which enters the tree through wounds caused by insects. While some trees do recover, most
infected trees are eventually killed by the fungus. Management of this disease largely focuses on
containment to reduce the fungus spreading to other trees. Pitch canker is a particular issue in the
NPS lands of Pt. Reyes National Seashore, where many acres of young Bishop Pines that were
seeded on the Inverness Ridge by the Mount Vision Fire of 1995 have been infected.
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Figure 3-8. Fuel model map for Marin County
These dead and dying trees have created large swaths of land with dense and dry fuel loads.
Madrone twig dieback is caused by the native fungus Botryosphaeria dothidea and appears to be
getting worse throughout the county due to drought effects on Pacific madrones. Three additional
threats to trees common to Marin County include:
• Bark and ambrosia beetles (Monarthrum dentiger and monarthrum scutellare), which target oak
and tanoak trees. Sudden oak death may be exacerbating the effects of beetle infestations which
prey on trees already weakened by this disease.
• Root rot, caused by oak root fungus (Armillaria mellea), is primarily associated with oaks and
other hardwoods but also attacks conifers. These fungal infestations cause canopy thinning and
branch dieback and can kill mature trees. As with the beetle infestations, sudden oak death may
be exacerbating the effects of root rot fungus in the county forests.
• Velvet-top fungus (Phaeolus schweinitzii) is a root rot fungus affecting Douglas-fir and other
conifers, with the infection typically occurring through a wound.
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Topography characterizes the land surface features of an area in terms of elevation, aspect, and
slope. Aspect is the compass direction that a slope faces, which can have a strong influence on
surface temperature, and more importantly on fuel moistures. Both elevation and aspect play an
important role in the type of vegetation present, the length of the growing season, and the amount
of sunlight absorbed by vegetation. Generally, southern aspects receive more solar radiation than
northern aspects; the result is that soil and vegetation on southern aspects is warmer and dryer
than soil and vegetation on northern aspects. Slope is a measure of land steepness and can
significantly influence fire behavior as fire tends to spread more rapidly on steeper slopes. For
example, as slope increases from 20 – 40%, flame heights can double and rates of fire spread can
increase fourfold; from 40 – 60%, flame heights can become three times higher and rates of
spread can increase eightfold.
Marin County is topographically diverse, with rolling hills, valleys and ridges that trend from
northwest to southeast. Elevation throughout the county varies considerably, with Mt.
Tamalpais’ peak resting at 2,574 feet above sea level and many communities at or near sea level.
Correspondingly, there is considerable diversity in slope percentages. The San Geronimo Valley
slopes run from level (in the valley itself) to near 70%. Mt. Barnabe has slopes that run from 20
to70%, and Throckmorton ridge has slopes that range in steepness from 40 – 100%. These slope
changes can make fighting fires extremely difficult.
In the WUI where natural fuels and structure fuels are intermixed, fire behavior is complex and
difficult to predict. Research based on modeling, observations, and case studies in the WUI
indicates that structure ignitability during wildland fires depends largely on the characteristics
and building materials of the home and its immediate surroundings.
The dispersion of burning embers from wildfires is the most likely cause of home ignitions.
When embers land near or on a structure, they can ignite near-by vegetation or accumulated
debris on the roof or in the gutter. Embers can also enter the structure through openings such as
an open window or vent and could ignite the interior of the structure or debris in the attic.
Wildfire can further ignite structures through direct flame contact and/or radiant heat. For this
reason, it is important that structures and property in the WUI are less prone to ignition by ember
dispersion, direct flame contact, and radiant heat.
Marin County’s approach to mitigating structure ignitibility is based on findings from the
National Institute of Standards and Technology that defensive actions by homeowners can
significantly affect fire behavior and structure loss, and that effective fire prevention practices
are essential in increasing structure survivability.
The California Building Code (CBC)—Chapter 7A specifically—addresses the wildland fire
threat to structures by requiring that structures located in state or locally designated WUI areas
be built of fire resistant materials. However, the requirements promulgated by the state only
apply to new construction, and do not address existing structures and additions and remodels to
existing structures.
Since most of the towns and cities in Marin County are “built-out”, most fire departments have
applied the Chapter 7A standards to address home ignitibility for both new and existing
construction. Specifically, Marin County has extensively amended the 2003 International Urban-
Wildland Interface Code. As part of these amendments, MCFD applies more stringent building
standards and requires the preparation of a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) as defined in
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MCFD’s VMP Standard. MCFD also imposes requirements for fire apparatus and water supply
access to new and remodeled structures located in the WUI.
In addition to the amendments, the county requires that alterations or remodels to structures
located in the WUI use specific building elements that comply with WUI-specific standards. For
example, if a window is replaced, the new window is required to be dual-paned with one pane
tempered.
The county has amended the 2013 California Fire Code (CFC) Chapter 49 requirements for
defensible space around existing homes (note that the 2013 CFC Chapter 49 requirements are
identical to the Public Resource Code and Government Code requirements). The MCFD
amendment modifies the language of PRC 4291 such that the property line no longer limits the
amount of defensible space required around structures. If the 100-foot defensible space/fuel
modification zone extends from private to public lands, the defensible space stops at the property
boundary. However, fuel modification/clearance may be permitted after an evaluation and
issuance of approval from the public land management agency.
Disaster History
In the time before the county was settled, fire was a natural part of the ecosystem. Much of the
vegetation in what is now the wildlands of Marin County depended on fire to renew itself by
removing old, dead fuel in order to make room for healthy new vegetation and promote the
growth of native plant species. Once the land was settled, business operators, landowners, and
homeowners had an interest in protecting the natural assets of Marin County and their own
investments. Uncontrolled fires had already burned large tracts in the past and valuable lumber,
structures, and field crops had been destroyed. A series of fires that occurred in the late 1800s
prompted the organization of the first fire departments in Marin County around the turn of the
century.
Since then, national fire suppression policies and practices (among other factors) have
contributed to the continuous growth (and overgrowth) of vegetation resulting in dangerous fuel
density, or fuel loads. Combined with this fuel accumulation, the public have been building
homes closer and closer to wildlands, which is creating the WUI fire issues that are now present
in many parts of Marin County and the country.
Throughout its histor y, Marin County has experienced many wildland fires. Figure 3-9 shows a
map of large fires that have occurred in Marin’s WUI.
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Figure 3-9. Map of large fires that have occurred in Marin County’s WUI
The most recent Marin County fire that resulted in significant structure loss was the Vision Fire
in 1995, which destroyed 48 structures in the community of Inverness. In 1929, the base of Mt.
Tamalpais—specifically the community of Mill Valley—experienced a significant fire known as
the Great Mill Valley Fire. That fire’s footprint is now developed with more than 1,100 homes
(valued at $1.3 billion) which have significantly altered the natural vegetation through urban and
suburban development.
As part of the CWPP, Ignition data for all authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) were acquired
and analyzed for 2002 through 2011 to evaluate ignition trends within the county. Table 8 of the
CWPP presents the ignition history for all AHJs classified by ignition category. Figure 3 -10
below shows a map of the ignition history for all AHJs classified by ignition category.
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Figure 3-10. Map of ignition history data for all authorities having jurisdiction in Marin
County from 2002 to 2011.
Location
The WUI zone map used throughout this CWPP was assembled using geographic information
system (GIS) data layers acquired from the Marin County GIS web portal, MarinMap. The WUI
zone helps inform decisions on where to focus vegetation management and fuel reduction
projects. The WUI zone determination is also a major component of MCFD’s Strategic Fire Plan
(Marin County Fire Department, 2015), which in turn is part of CAL FIRE’s Strategic Fire Plan.
Homes and structures located anywhere in and around the WUI are at a higher risk for exposure
to wildland fire. Fire can spread rapidly throughout WUI areas through adjacent structures and/or
vegetation, or by ember dispersion. Property owners in the WUI have a responsibility to prepare
their property for structure defense by providing adequate defensible space and complying with
WUI building codes and ordinances (see Section 7 of the CWPP). The WUI boundaries for
Marin County were determined based on areas with high structure density and proximity to areas
with a high density of burnable fuels.
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Approximately 60,000 acres—18% of the county’s land area—falls within the wildland urban
interface (WUI) where residences (i.e., homes and structures) are intermixed with open space
and wildland vegetation. Within Marin County, there are 96,195 parcels and 106,679 living
units; of these living units, an estimated 69,000 units are located in the WUI. A recent
assessment by the Marin County Fire Department (MCFD) revealed that these living units within
the WUI are valued at $59 billion (Marin County Fire Department, 2015). Because of the mix
and density of structure and natural fuels combined with limited access and egress routes, fire
management becomes more complex in WUI environments. In Marin County specifically, many
of the access roads within the WUI are narrow and winding and are often on hillsides with
overgrown vegetation, making it even more difficult and costly to reduce fire hazards, fight
wildfires, and protect homes and lives in these areas.
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Figure 3-11. Map of Marin County and the wildland urban interface (colored red)
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Figure 3-12. Marin County’s WUI boundaries overlaid with population density
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Table 3-8. Marin County communities at risk and fire district jurisdiction Department/Dis
Community Fire Department/District
Bolinas Bolinas Fire Protection District
Corte Madera Central Marin Fire Department
Fairfax Ross Valley Fire Department
Inverness Inverness Fire Department
Inverness Park Inverness Public Utility District
Kentfield Kentfield Fire Protection District
Lagunitas-Forest Knolls Marin County Fire Department
Larkspur Central Marin Fire Department
Lucas Valley-Marinwood Marinwood Fire Department
Marin City Marin County Fire Department
Mill Valley Mill Valley Fire Department
Novato Novato Fire Protection District
Olema Marin County Fire Department
Ross Ross Valley Fire Department
San Anselmo Ross Valley Fire Department
San Rafael San Rafael Fire Department
Santa Venetia San Rafael Fire Department
Sausalito Southern Marin Fire Protection District
Stinson Beach Stinson Beach Fire Protection District
Strawberry Southern Marin Fire Protection District
Tamalpais-Homestead Valley Southern Marin Fire Protection District
Tiburon Tiburon Fire Protection District
Woodacre Marin County Fire Department
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Figure 3-13. Map of areas of concern identified by CWPP stakeholder agencies in Marin
Extent and Probability Future Events
Wildfire threat can be defined as the result of an analysis of potential fire behavior and the
likelihood of fire to occur relative to the assets (or communities) at risk. CAL FIRE is required
by law to map areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant
factors. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ), influence how people
construct buildings and protect property to reduce risk associated with wildland fires. The maps
were last updated in the mid-1980s and early 1990s and are currently being updated by CAL
FIRE to incorporate improved fire science, data, and mapping techniques (California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection, 2007).
While the CAL FIRE FHSZ maps are useful in examining potential fire hazard severity at the
state level, the underlying data and methods used to develop the FHSZ maps can be improved
upon by using local (and more recent) fuel characteristics and improved fire modeling methods.
The CAL FIRE FHSZ maps also do not take into account local perspectives and priorities
regarding communities at risk and areas of concern.
To improve upon the currently available state-level fire hazard assessment information, an
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independent hazard, asset, risk assessment was performed to help identify and prioritize areas
within the county that are potentially at a high threat from wildfire based on more recent fuels
data, advanced modeling techniques, and local input. The assessment was performed by
modeling potential fire behavior and the probability or likelihood that an area will burn given an
ignition. Next, the fire modeling output was combined with areas of concern and assets at risk.
Composite maps were generated indicating relative potential fire hazards throughout the county.
Assets at risk are defined as structures and resources that can be damaged or destroyed by
wildland fire. Assets in Marin County include real estate (homes and businesses), emergency
communication facilities, transportation and utility infrastructure, watersheds, protected
wildlands, tourist and recreation areas, and agricultural lands. In addition to providing a
framework for protecting citizens and providing for firefighter safety, the California Fire Plan
identifies the following assets warranting consideration in pre-fire planning: watersheds and
water; wildlife; habitat; special status plants and animals; scenic, cultural and historic areas;
recreation; rangeland; structures; infrastructure; and air quality.
There are approximately 111,000 living units in Marin County with a median home value of
approximately $1 million (Mara, 2015). As many homes in the county are located in the WUI, if
a major wildland fire were to result in the loss of many homes, it could have a short-term
negative impact on Marin County’s property tax base.
The Mt. Tamalpais watershed supplies central and southern Marin County with 75% of their
fresh water. Given the area’s seasonal rainfall, any major wildfire impacting the heavily forested
watershed will result in major silting and subsequent degradation of water quantity and quality in
the watershed. This watershed—as well as the lands managed by MCOSD, state parks, and
NPS—are largely contiguous. They harbor several endangered, threatened, and special-status
species, including the coho salmon and northern spotted owl.
The area is also part of a major migrating bird flyway and nesting area. Marin County is also a
major tourist destination. Major parks within Marin County include California State Parks (Mt.
Tamalpais, Samuel P. Taylor, and China Camp), NPS’s GGNRA, Muir Woods National
Monument, and Point Reyes National Seashore. The Point Reyes National Seashore and Muir
Woods National Monument together attract 3.5 million visitors annually. The GGNRA, a
majority of which resides within Marin County, attracts an additional 14.9 million visitors per
year and contributes an estimated $365.2 million annually to the economy (Prado, 2016). A
major wildfire affecting any of these parks could have negative impacts on the local economy for
years after the event.
Finally, Marin County’s agricultural land base includes nearly 137,000 acres of privately owned
agriculturally zoned land and 32,000 acres of federally-owned land that is leased to agricultural
operators. Agricultural operations include livestock and livestock products; aquaculture; field
crops; fruit, vegetable, and nursery crops. The gross value of all agricultural production was
approximately $101 million in 2014 (Marin County Department of Agriculture, 2014). To help
protect people and property from potential catastrophic wildfire, the National Fire Plan identifies
communities that are at high risk of damage from wildfire. These high-risk communities
identified within the WUI were published in the Federal Register in 2001. In California, CAL
FIRE has the responsibility for managing the list. With California's extensive WUI situation, the
list of communities extends beyond just those adjacent to Federal lands; there are 1,329
communities currently on the California Communities at Risk List. Marin County has 23 of these
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at-risk communities, as shown in Table 12 in the CWPP. A countywide assessment of the
wildland fire threat undertaken by CAL FIRE revealed that nearly 313,000 acres (approximately
82% of the total land area of the county) are ranked as having moderate to very high fire hazard
severity zone ratings.
Using the methodology described in Section 4.2 of the CWPP, a series of models of the hazards,
assets, and risks were completed. One model was the average fire season flame length, with
lengths above 8 feet possibly exhibiting the more extreme fire behavior and be relatively more
hazardous from a fire suppression perspective. Rate of spread is defined as the rate of forward
spread of the fire head expressed in feet per minute. The higher the rate of spread, the more
difficult a fire is to suppress. A composite map of the flame length, rate of spread, and population
density for the average fire season scenario is shown in Figure 3-14; orange and red show areas
where more extreme fire behavior is likely given an ignition.
To help prioritize areas of the county where fuel reduction and hazard mitigation efforts might be
focused, Figure 13 of the CWPP was overlaid with the areas of concern boundaries (Figure 8 in
Section 4.1.1 of the CWPP), and GIS processing methods were used to calculate spatial statistics
within these areas of concern (see Section 4.2.7 of the CWPP). This information was used to
rank the areas of concern.
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Figure 3-14. Composite map of population density, flame length, and rate of spread for the
average fire season model scenario
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Figure 3-15. Composite map of population density, flame length, and rate of spread for the
average fire season model scenario
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Figure 3-16. Composite map of population density, flame length, and rate of spread for the
extreme fire conditions model scenario
Table 3-9. Marin County communities at risk and relative ranking
Communities at Risk and Areas of Concern Relative Ranking
Bolinas (water system expansion/improvement Very High/High
Corte Madera and Larkspur (Tiburon Ridge, Ring Mountain, Palm Hill
WUI)
Very High
Corte Madera (Marin Estates, Madrono-Pleasant [Town], Madera del
Presidio Phase II, Chapman, Park/Meadowsweet, Christmas Tree Hill,
Blithdale Ridge, Palm Hill/Blue Rock, Madera del Presidio Phase I)
High
Inverness (watershed and residential areas) High/Moderate
Kentfield (Evergreen Fire Trail; Rancheria Road; Crown Road from 123
Crown Road to Phoenix Road and continuing on Indian Fire Road to the
Blithedale Ridge/Eldridge Grade intersection; King Mountain Loop
project (Larkspur) to 76 Ridgecrest Road; 12 Ridgecrest Road to 76
Ridgecrest Road, including all of BlueRidge Road southwest facing slope;
High
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the area of Goodhill Road and Crown Road, including the area of Harry
Allen Trail; 351 Evergreen Road to 414 Crown Road to 12 Ridgecrest
Road, south and southeast facing slope)
Larkspur (North Magnolia WUI; Greenbrae Hills WUI; Marina Vista
Area WUI; Baltimore Canyon WUI; Marina Vista/SE Baltimore Canyon;
King Mountain/NW Baltimore Canyon)
High
Mill Valley (MMWD land and open space areas) Very High
Mill Valley (Scott Valley, Cascade, PG&E property, Summit, City
property, open space, City right-of-way, private property, Warner
Canyon/Scott Highlands, MMWD/private/City right-of-way)
High
Marin County Fire Department (Hill Ranch, Los Ranchitos, Summit,
Bay View, San Pedro, Mount Tam Lookout, Sleepy Hollow WUI,
Throckmorton/Panoramic WUI, Dickson Lookout,
Woodacre/Lagunitas/Forest Knolls WUI, Mount Tam Middle Peak
infrastructure, Rancho Santa Margarita WUI, Inverness WUI, Green
Gulch, Stinson Beach WUI)
High
Marin County Open Space District Lands (areas in and adjacent to
neighborhoods)
Very High/High
Marin Municipal Water District (Rock Spring, Pine Mountain south
gate, Sky Oaks Meadow, Deer Park Road, Sky Oaks Headquarters, Peters
Dam)
High/Moderate
Marinwood/Lucas Valley (Limestone Hill area, CSA 13, Horse Hill area,
Berry area, Miller Creek Road Area, Valle ystone Project, Lucas Valley
Estates)
Very High/High
Novato (Marin Valley, Novato North, Anderson Rowe) Very High
Novato (San Marin, Hilltop, Loma Verde, Wilson West, Cherry Hill,
Pacheco Valley, Little Mountain, Indian Valley, Wildhorse Valley,
Wilson East, Ignacio Valley, Atherton, Blackpoint)
High
Ross Valley (Fairfax, Hawthorne Hills, San Francisco Boulevard,
Alameda, Morningside, upper San Anselmo Avenue)
Very High
Ross Valley (Ross [east/central/south], San Anselmo [downtown],
Cascade Canyon, Sleepy Hollow)
High
San Rafael (San Pedro Ridge, Dominican, Glenwood, Peacock Gap,
Gerstle Park and Cal Park neighborhoods)
Very High
San Rafael (Smith Ranch areas, West End from San Rafael Hill to
Ridgewood Avenue Bret Harte, Los Ranchitos areas, Terra Linda
neighborhoods)
High
Sleepy Hollow (Loma Alta area) High
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Southern Marin (Meda project, Milland, Ricardo open space, So.
Morning Sun/Tennessee, Hawkhill, Autumn Lane)
Very High
Southern Marin (Rodeo water tank, U.S. Route 101/Wolfback Ridge,
Seminary, Edwards/Marion, Lattie Lane/Highway 1, Blackfield,
Laguna/Forest, Cabin Drive, Homestead Valley, Fairview Ring Mountain
Area, Aqua Hotel Hill, Highway 1 to Erica/Friars)
High
Tiburon (Middle Ridge, South Knoll Playground, Blackie’s Pasture,
Greenwood Beach)
Very High
Tiburon (Ring Mountain, Old St. Hilary's Open Space Preserve, Tiburon
Marsh, Belvedere Lane and right of ways, Tom Price Park, Sugarloaf
Drive to Paradise Drive, Middle Ridge open space, Romberg Tiburon
Center, Paradise State Park)
High
Unincorporated rural areas within the county include the coastal communities of Muir Beach,
Stinson Beach, and Bolinas; communities near Tomales Bay including Olema, Point Reyes
Station, Inverness, Inverness Park, Marshall, Tomales, and Dillon Beach; and rural areas in the
interior valleys including Nicasio, Lagunitas, Forest Knolls, San Geronimo, and Woodacre.
These communities are primarily situated within or adjacent to the WUI, with moderate to dense
concentrations of structures. Marin County has approximately 60,000 acres of WUI adjacent to
200,000 acres of watershed. Response times in these communities present significant challenges
to keeping fires from directly impacting the communities and sub divisions (especially those
within the SRA) as emergency fire access and evacuation egress is limited by narrow, winding
roads lined with dense vegetation.
In Marin County, cul-de-sacs generally service new housing developments and most of the
smaller canyons, valleys, and hillsides. Some planned unit developments are served by privately-
maintained roads, which create access issues (i.e., narrow paved widths and limited on-street
parking). According to California Fire Code specifications, roadways that are considered
hazardous in terms of fire access and protection are those with
• less than 20 feet of unobstructed paved surface and 13.6 vertical feet;
• dead-ends longer than 800 feet, and;
• cul-de-sac diameter less than 68 feet.
Driveways that are less than 16 feet wide or that do not have adequate turnaround space are also
considered hazardous. A large number of roadways and driveways in many of Marin County’s
communities fall into one or more of the above categories.
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3.3.9 Post-Fire Debris Flow
Hazard Profile
According to the U.S. Geological Service (USGS), “Wildfire can significantly alter the
hydrologic response of a watershed to the extent that even modest rainstorms can produce
dangerous flash floods and debris flows. The USGS conducts post-fire debris-flow hazard
assessments for select fires in the Western U.S. We use geospatial data related to basin
morphometry, burn severity, soil properties, and rainfall characteristics to estimate the
probability and volume of debris flows that may occur in response to a design storm.” There
have been no major wildfires in the County since 2013, although nearby Sonoma and Napa
counties currently face a significant threat of post-fire debris flow due to the October 2017
wildfires.
Disaster History
The MCM LHMP team has not found examples in recent history of post-fire debris flow in
Marin.
Location
USGS analysis does not show any existing significant post-fire debris flow threats in Marin.
However, any summer or fall wildfires that occur in the next 5 years could lead to post-fire
debris flows originating from the burn areas during the following rainy season. Thus, the location
of this hazard coincides with watershed locations with the greatest wildfire and flood threats.
Extent and Probability of Future Events
Without recently burned watersheds the extent and probability of future events can’t be analyzed.
However, precautions should always be taken after a burn to ensure that soil stability is
maintained to the extent feasible.
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3.4 REPETITIVE LOSS PROPERTIES
According to FEMA BureauNet 2018 there are 216 Repetitive Loss (RL) properties in Marin
County, including all the jurisdictions. Ten of those properties are considered to have suffered
severe repetitive loss. The vast majority, 183, are residential properties. There are also 28
commercial properties and 5 industrial that are RL.
Information about RL properties by jurisdiction is located in Table 3-10. Most RL properties are
located within Unincorporated Marin, incorporated cities of Novato and San Rafael. For privacy
reasons, we are not including maps or addresses of the RLs.
Table 3-10. Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties
Jurisdiction
#
Repetitive
Loss
Properties
#
Severe
Repetitive
Loss
Properties
Residential Commercial Industrial
Belvedere 2 0 2 0 0
Corte Madera 10 1 7 2 1
Fairfax 6 0 6 0 0
Larkspur 7 1 4 2 1
Marin County 87 4 81 6 0
Mill Valley 5 0 3 2 0
Novato 38 38 0 0
Ross 14 2 13 1 0
San Anselmo 1 0 1 0 0
San Rafael 37 1 24 12 1
Sausalito 5 1 1 2 2
Tiburon 4 0 3 1 0
Source: FEMA BureauNet 2018
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3.5 FUTURE DEVELOPMENT
Marin County’s abundance of natural, recreational, and scenic resources has supported a long
history of open space preservation. Its rolling hills, expansive ranchlands, beaches, coastlines,
and more are appreciated by both visitors and locals alike. This quote, from the Marin
Independent Journal 1934 Editorial captures this sentiment:
"No community on earth is more favored than Marin with the wealth and beauty of potential
playgrounds. If we don’t acquire some of these lands, the opportunity will surely slip away from
us.”
In the 1960s, housing/transportation development proposals were underway throughout Marin
County including for the Marin Headlands, outer coast, Tomales Bay area and more. Such
proposals threatened Marin’s rural character and long heritage of family farming, sparking
citizen activism which drew national attention. These efforts led to the employment of land use
planning tools to ensure the County’s natural and agricultural areas remain protected in
perpetuity. Establishment of the Point Reyes National Seashore in 1962, and a handful of other
Federal/State Park units, ensured the protection of a large amount of the County’s most cherished
lands as publicly accessible open space. Additionally, the Marin Agricultural Land Trust,
established in 1980, has placed agricultural conservation easements on over 60,000 acres of
farmland, to ensure protection from development in perpetuity.
Furthermore in 1972 the California Coastal Commission was established as a regulatory agency
whose mission is “To protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the environment of the California
coastline”. Pursuant to the California Coastal Act of 1976, the agency is tasked with the
protection of a variety of resources including public access, habitat, water quality and visual. The
Commission issues Coastal Development Permits, until a local agency has a certified Local
Coastal Program (LCP), with a land use plan and implementation plan.
West Marin’s coastal zone covers approximately 82,168 acres. Of this approximately 33,913
acres are owned and managed by the National Park Service, leaving 48.255 acres under County
Jurisdiction subject to the LCP. This encompasses a handful of small communities along the
Pacific Coast and Tomales Bay shorelines including Muir Beach, Stinson Beach, Bolinas,
Inverness, Point Reyes Station, East Shore and Dillon Beach. New growth in these communities
is limited by a variety of factors including few remaining undeveloped parcels; land use policies
and plans which protect public access and natural resources; and environmental features such as
the coast itself, Tomales Bay, and steep bluffs which naturally restrain development.
Development in the County over the last 5 years has been limited due to build out, and similarly
future development is limited by these same constraints. For this reason development related
considerations to plan updates were not applicable to the planning process. Instead, the plan was
revised to consider regional development trends and incorporation of new science such as
potential climate change impacts.
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103
Marin County has focused on sea level rise planning and climate action for several years.
Currently, the LCP is being updated to reflect the changing risks to coastal areas and develop
appropriate policies and actions to avoid and minimize the risk of disaster and harm to its
residents, infrastructure and coastal resources. Coastal Act policies Sections 30210, 30240, and
30251 dictate that new development shall be safe from hazards and recognize that shoreline
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104
protective devices such as seawalls may be appropriate in certain instances to serve coastal-
dependent uses or to protect existing structures or public beaches in danger from erosion.
However, shoreline protective devices must be designed to eliminate or mitigate the adverse
impacts on the sand supply of surrounding natural shorelines. Other development-limiting
Coastal Act policies include:
Section: 30210: Development shall not interfere with the public’s right of access to the sea
including the use of beaches
Section 30240: Environmentally Sensitive Habitat Areas (ESHA) shall be protected
Section 30251: The scenic and visual qualities of coastal areas shall be considered and protected
as resources of public importance.
The 2040 population projection for Marin County is 277,087 (Department of Finance). In order
to accommodate population growth over the next several years, Marin County and its
incorporated cities have implemented a number of land use plans and development policies to
direct growth away from hazardous conditions. For example, as required by state law, the
County and each incorporated city have a general plan with a safety element that identifies
hazards affecting the County and incorporated cities. Likewise, the County and the incorporated
cities have a number of planning policies, such as floodplain ordinances and building codes,
restricting new development in hazard areas and/or increasing construction requirements in
hazard areas.
In addition to steering away growth from hazard areas, Marin County and its incorporated cities
have a history of aggressive growth management that seeks to limit growth overall and to direct
it within the incorporated cities and urban areas of the unincorporated County.
The 2007 Marin Countywide Plan was last updated in 2015 to reflect the theme of planning for
sustainable communities. Twelve principles support this theme including the preservation of
natural assets and the protection of agricultural assets in order to minimize development in open
space. The plan is divided into specific elements, each with goals, policies, and implementation
programs. The Plan’s land use pattern reflects existing development potential shifted to a degree
from environmentally constrained sites to more appropriate locations. Specific Countywide Plan
policies which limit urban development through the protection of open space resources include:
Biological Resources 1.1 Protect Wetland, Habitats for Special-Status Species, Sensitive
Natural Communities, and Important Wildlife Nursery Areas and Movement Corridors.
Biological Resources 1.2 Acquire Habitat
Biological Resources 2.1 Include Resource Preservation in Environmental Review
Biological Resources 2.2 Limit Development Impacts
Biological Resources 3.1 Protect Wetlands
Biological Resources 4.1 Restrict Land Use in Stream Conservation Areas
Biological resources 5.1 Protect the Baylands Corridor
Biological Resources 5.2 Limit Development and Access
Biological Resources 5.3 Leave Tidelands in Their Natural State
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105
Air 4.m Focus Development in Urban Corridors
Open Space 2.2 Continue to Acquire or Otherwise Preserve Open Space Countywide
Open Space 2.4 Support Open Space Efforts Along Streams
Open Space 2.5 Support Open Space Efforts in the Inland Rural Corridor
Open Space 2.6 Support Open Space Efforts in the Coastal Corridor
Agriculture 1.1 Limit Residential Use
Agriculture 1.2 Encourage Contractual Protection
Agriculture 1.3 Preserve Agricultural Zoning
Agriculture 1.4 Limit Non-Agricultural Zoning
Agricultural 1.5 Restrict Subdivision of Agricultural Lands Within the Coastal, Inland
Rural and Baylands Corridors
Agriculture 1.6 Limit Non-Agricultural Development
Additionally, the Plan includes policies to limit development in hazardous areas,
including:
Environmental Hazards 3.a Regulate Development in Flood and inundation Areas
Environmental Hazards 3.e Restrict Development in Flood Prone Areas
Environmental Hazards 4.1 Limit Fire Risks to Structures
Implementation tools such as the County Development Code are used to carry out Countywide
Plan goals. Some of the policies and programs in the Countywide Plan will require rezoning of
individual properties for consistency with land use designations and policies. Furthermore, many
unincorporated communities are guided by community plans with may include customized
building and site design standards, ridgeline and view corridor protection mechanisms, home size
regulations and more.
3.6 NATURAL AND BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS
Marin’s Watersheds and Wetlands are some of its most valuable assets and can provide
protective functions that reduce the magnitude of hazard events. Bounded by ridges, Marin’s
watersheds carry water, sediments, nutrients, and more, downstream into large water bodies
including the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and Tomales Bay. Wetlands can be found in the
lower watersheds, with habitat types including fresh-, salt-, and brackish-water marshes which
provide food and shelter for a variety of flora and fauna, including special status plants, fish,
birds, amphibians, and mammals. These ecosystems can also buffer flood impacts by reducing
wave attenuation from storm surge or serve as detention basins during large rainfall events. Sea
level rise threats have led to heightened interest in the use wetlands and other living shorelines
such as oyster beds, eelgrass, and sand dunes as adaptation strategies to protect lives and
properties while providing habitat, recreation, carbon sequestration, and other co-benefits.
Several living shoreline pilot projects are currently underway throughout Marin County to
demonstrate their effectiveness.
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The Marin County Watershed Program identifies fourteen watersheds throughout the County as
follows:
Bolinas Lagoon
With a 16.7 mi2 watershed, Bolinas Lagoon consists of mudflats, marshes, tidal channels
and a flood shoal island. Other watershed habitats include coastal scrub, Douglas fir,
redwood forests, and grasslands as well as small patches of eucalyptus, oak and oak-bay
woodland, and pine cypress forest. Noteworthy species include ridgeway and black rails,
salt marsh common yellowthroat, California red-legged frog, California brown pelican,
American peregrine falcon, Point Reyes mountain beaver, Point Reyes jumping mouse,
Coho salmon, steelhead trout, northern spotted owl, black swift, and Marin manzanita.
In 2008 the “Bolinas Lagoon Ecosystem Restoration Project: Recommendations for
Restoration and Management” was completed by a working group of community
representatives and scientists, with recommended actions including restoring natural
sediment transport and ecological functions of the lagoon, identifying and managing non-
native species, and protecting water quality.
Estero Americano
The County’s northernmost watershed, the 49 mi2 Estero Americano watershed straddles
the Marin and Sonoma County boundaries. Americano Creek draining into Bodega Bay,
is the watershed’s only tributary, and is ephemeral, generally drying up for 4-6 months
between late spring and fall. The Estero Americano contains 301 acres of open water, and
412 acres of wetland habitat with mudflats, seasonal brackish marsh and freshwater
marsh. With streamside habitat of grazed pastures with few trees interspersed with dense
willow thickets, and coastal oak woodland in the upper watershed, Estero Americano has
been identified by the California Department of Fish and Game as among the most
significant habitat areas in the State. The watershed’s special status species include the
Northwestern pond turtle, steelhead trout, California red-legged frog, Myrtle’s silverspot
butterfly, tidewater goby, and tricolored blackbird.
A 1987 enhancement plan led to repair of many of the watershed’s eroded areas, which
was undertaken by the Gold Ridge Resource Conservation District (RCD) with funding
from the State Coastal Conservancy. In 2007 the RCD developed the Estero Americano
Watershed Management Plan.
Gallinas Creek
Located in Eastern Marin, the 5.6 mi2 watershed has two main drainage areas; the north
fork and South Gallinas Slough. The watershed is highly urbanized with fragmented
native plant communities. Upper watershed habitats include annual grasslands
interspersed with mixed evergreen forest, coastal scrub and small outcroppings of
serpentine habitat. Continuous with China Camp State Park is a large tract of oak-bay
woodland along the southern watershed boundary. Lower marsh habitats represent some
of the largest remaining tidally influenced habitats in the Bay Area with noteworthy
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107
special status species including the San Pablo song sparrow, California black rail, salt
marsh harvest mouse and the ridgeway rail.
A three-acre tidal marsh restoration effort by the Marin Audubon Society and Marin
Community Foundation was completed in 1977. The Friends of Gallinas Creek, San
Pablo Watershed Restoration Program Partners, the Bay Institute and Marin County
Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program are planning extensive restoration in the upper
and lower watershed to improve riparian cover, provide habitat, reduce erosion, and
restore wetlands.
Tomales Bay
The Tomales Bay Watershed encompasses the subwatersheds of Lagunitas Creek,
Walker Creek, Inverness Creek, and east shore drainages including Millerton Gulch,
Grand Canyon, and Tomasini Canyon. Resource rich, nearly 500 species of birds and the
most robust population of native coho salmon remaining in the Central Coast region are
supported by the Bay. Tomales Bay is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance
with intertidal, subtidal, and benthic habitas, as well as dunes, mud flats, salt marshes and
freshwater marshes. Eelgrass beds are also found throughout Tomales Bay, and provide
important habitat for fish, birds, and other species, while combatting shoreline erosion by
dampening wave energy and storms.
The Tomales Bay Watershed Stewardship Plan was completed in 2003. Restoration
projects are underway in the Walker and Lagunitas Creek areas.
Miller Creek
With a watershed covering 12 mi2, Miller creek uniquely has a relatively intact riparian
area with very high widths and depths relative to its drainage area. While relatively
urbanized, the watershed still supports a small population of steelhead. Its lower marsh
habitats include some of the Bay Area’s largest remaining tidally-influenced habitats that
support abundant waterfowl. The watershed is dominated by annual grasslands
interspersed with oak-bay woodland and oak savanna in the upper watershed with patches
of chaparral. Middle reaches are primarily urbanized. The watershed’s lower reaches east
of Highway 101 support saltwater and brackish-water marshes subject to tidal action.
Noteworthy special status species include the San Pablo Song Sparrow, California black
rail, saltmarsh harvest mouse, ridgeway rail and steelhead trout.
Novato Creek
As Eastern Marin’s largest watershed, Novato Creek Watershed’s creeks flow eastward
through oak and bay forests, grasslands, unincorporated Marin County, and the City of
Novato, and into San Pablo Bay near the mouth of the Petaluma River. The basin is 45
mi2 and its main drainage is the 17 mile Novato Creek, which has 6 major tributaries.
Diverse habitat types include saltwater marsh, brackish marsh, freshwater wetlands, oak
woodlands, annual grasslands and oak savanna. Special status species include the San
Pablo Song Sparrow, California black rail, saltmarsh common yellowthroat, ridgeway rail
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108
and Western pond turtle. Salmonids including steelhead and Chinook salmon are also
found within the watershed.
Point Reyes National Seashore Creeks
This watershed is comprised of almost 100 mi2 of land and nearly 80 miles of
undeveloped coastline, with subwatersheds that drain into Drake’s Estero, Abbotts
Lagoon, Estero de Limanotour, the Pacific Ocean, portions of the Bolinas Lagoon and the
Tomales Bay. Habitat types include estuaries, mud flats, sandy shores, intertidal
communities and a variety of upland habitats. Special-status species include the endemic
Mountain Beaver, Point Reyes jumping mouse, California freshwater shrimp, Myrtle’s
silverspot, Point Reyes blue butterfly, San Francisco forktail damselfly and steelhead
trout.
Richardson Bay
With San Francisco Bay’s second largest eelgrass bed, Richardson Bay supports
genetically diverse and extensive intertidal habitat. As an Important Bird Area along the
Pacific Flyway, the Bay supports hundreds of thousands of migrating waterbirds during
the winter months. Noteworthy special-status species include the California black rail,
San Pablo song sparrow, salt marsh harvest mouse, and Point Reyes bird’s -beak.
Salmonids including steelhead trout are also supported.
Ross Valley
Receiving over 50 inches of rain annually, the 28 mi2 Ross Valley watershed is one of
Marin County’s wettest areas. With 28 miles of stream channels, the watershed supports
a great diversity of habitats including redwood forests, serpentine outcrops, chaparral,
oak woodlands, grasslands and tidal wetlands. Special status wildlife include steelhead
trout, spotted owls, San Pablo song sparrow, ridgeway and black rails, and salt marsh
harvest mouse.
Led by the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, the Ross
Valley Flood Protection & Watershed Program’s objective is to reduce flooding
throughout the watershed. Creek improvements being considered include debris
clearance, invasive vegetation removal, creek bank stabilization, and habitat
enhancement.
Rush Creek
At the Northern edge of Novato, Rush Creek’s wetland habitats includes coastal saltwater
and coastal brackish water marsh habitats. The wetlands provide suitable habitat for San
Pablo song sparrow, California black rail, saltmarsh common yellowthroat, California
brackishwater snail, and ridgeway rail. Restoration efforts include the Rush Creek and
Bahia restoration projects.
San Antonio Creek
Covering around 25% of the Petaluma River watershed, the San Antonio Creek
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109
watershed extends from Antonio Mountain and Chileno Valley in the northwest to
Petaluma Marsh and the Petaluma River to the southeast. The upper San Antonio Creek
watershed is dominated by annual grassland and mixed evergreen forest with patches of
oak and bay woodland. The lower watershed includes extensive coastal salt marsh and
brackish marsh. Special status species include the California black rail, ridgeway rail,
salt marsh common yellowthroat, San Pablo song sparrow, Townsend’s big-eared bat,
California red-legged frog, northwestern pond turtle, and salt marsh harvest mouse.
Limited salmonids have also been recorded in the watershed.
The Petaluma River Watershed Enhancement Plan was completed by the Southern
Sonoma County RCD in 1999 with information on riparian and fisheries enhancement. In
2008 the Southern Sonoma County RCD completed the San Antonio Creek Watershed
Plan in tandem with local landowners and residents.
San Rafael Creek
The 11 mi2 San Rafael watershed is densely developed from its hills to filled wetlands. A
small marsh at Pickleweed Park provides habitat for native species, and the watershed’s
northern edge include intact woodland, grassland and lagoon areas.
Southern Coastal Creeks
Several smaller watersheds along over 10 miles of southern Marin’s rugged coastlines are
protected within National and State Park boundaries. These include Webb Creek, Lone
Tree Creek, Cold Stream, Redwood Creek, Alder Creek, Rodeo Lagoon and Tennessee
Valley. A variety of habitat types exist amongst these watersheds including seasonal
wetlands, riparian woodlands, and freshwater marsh. Special status species include Coho
salmon, steelhead trout, California red-legged frog, monarch butterflies, northwestern
pond turtle, northern spotted owl and more.
Stemple Creek
Bisected by the Sonoma-Marin County boundary, this 50 mi2 watershed begins just west
of Petaluma and empties into the Pacific Ocean through the Estero de San Antonio. Like
Estero Americano, the Estero de San Antonio was identified by the California
Department of Fish and Game as among the most significant habitat areas in California
with densely wooded riparian ravines, saltgrass areas, mudflats, eelgrass beds and
freshwater ponds. Special-state species include the California freshwater shrimp,
northwestern Pond Turtle, tidewater goby, Myrtle’s silverspot butterfly, and the
California red-legged frog.
In 1994 an enhancement plan was completed, leading to local landowner gully
stabilization projects to reduce erosion. The Marin and Sonoma County RCDs, along
with the Natural Resources Conservation Service have brought funding into the
watershed to improve water quality.
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110
Marin County’s abundance of natural resources and progressive environmental leadership
have supported a long legacy of open space preservation to help protect and restore
wetlands and other ecosystems for both habitat and flood control, amongst other co-
benefits. The Marin Countywide Plan, last updated in 2007, includes goals, policies, and
implementing programs for the acquisition, conservation, and restoration of wetlands,
riparian areas, and other habitats. The full Plan can be viewed at
http://www.marincounty.org/depts/cd/divisions/planning/2007-marin-countywide-plan
and pertinent policies include:
Biological Resources 1.1
Protect Wetlands, Habitat for Special-Status Species, Sensitive Natural Communities,
and Important Wildlife Nursery Areas and Movement Corridors.
Biological Resources 1.2
Acquire Habitat.
Biological Resources 2.1
Include Resource Preservation in Environmental Review.
Biological Resources 2.2
Limit Development Impacts.
Biological Resources 2.3
Preserve Ecotones.
Biological Resources 2.7
Protect Coastal Sensitive Habitat.
Biological Resources 2.9
Promote Early Consultation with Other Agencies.
Biological Resources 3.1
Protect Wetlands.
Biological Resources 3.2
Require Thorough Mitigation.
Biological Resources 4.1
Restrict Land Use in Stream Conservation Areas.
Biological Resources 4.4
Promote Natural Stream Channel Function.
Biological Resources 4.5
Restore and Stabilize Stream Channels.
Biological Resources 4.9
Restore Culverted Streams.
Biological Resources 4.11
Promote Riparian Protection.
Biological Resources 5.1
Protect the Baylands Corridor.
Biological Resources 5.3
Leave Tidelands in Their Natural State.
Biological Resources 5.4
Restore Marshlands.
Biological Resources 5.5
Protect Freshwater Habitats.
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111
Biological Resources 5.10
Encourage Acquisition of Essential Baylands.
Water Resources 1.2
Restore and Enhance Wetlands.
Open Space 2.4
Support Open Space Efforts Along Streams
Open Space 2.6
Support Open Space Efforts in the Coastal Corridor
3.7 LIFE/SAFETY WARNING/EVACUATION SYSTEMS
There are several life/safety warning/evacuation systems in Marin County, including the
Emergency Alert System, AlertMarin “Reverse 911” System, Nixle, Tsunami Watch and
Warning Messages, various local warning sirens and horns, and law enforcement/fire agency
evacuation procedures. A description of each of these systems and a discussion of the impact of
hazards on each system is discussed below.
Emergency Alert System: The Emergency Alert System is a network of all radio, TV broadcast
stations, and cable TV networks in the county. Messages normally “enter” the system at two
points: (1) Marin’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), and (2) the NWS headquarters in
Monterey, CA. Messages are received by local radio broadcast stations and then relayed to all
other radio, TV broadcast stations, and cable companies within the county. Any message
transmitted from either the EOC or NWS will be broadcast countywide via all of the stations and
cable companies within the county. Messages transmitted through the Emergency Alert System
utilize power lines and telephone lines. Thus, the Emergency Alert System could be impacted by
an earthquake, landslide, debris flow, or wildfire. An earthquake could cause the power lines or
telephone lines to go down and lose functionality. A landslide or debris flow could cause the
poles supporting the power lines and telephone lines to collapse, and a wildfire could cause the
poles supporting the power lines and telephone lines to burn down. Once the poles are down, the
lines could go down and lose functionality.
AlertMarin “Reverse 911” System: Emergency officials use the AlertMarin Emergency
Notification System to deliver incident-specific information or potentially life-saving instruction
to the precise geographic area(s) affected. Messages are sent to recipients’ cell phone or VoIP
(voice over internet protocol) phone to receive emergency alerts sent by call, text, email, or
smartphone application from the County of Marin.
Nixle: Nixle is a Community Information Service dedicated to helping you stay connected to the
information that matters most to you, depending on your physical location. You stay connected
to your local police department ensuring that you receive trusted and immediate, geographically
relevant information. Information is immediately available over your cell phone by text message,
by email, and over the web. Members of the public may self-register by texting their zip code to
888777. The system typically alerts via SMS / text, though email & smartphone app. Alerting
can be geographically focused from a single zip code to entire county. There are multiple
agencies in Marin County that use Nixle including the Marin County Sheriff’s Office.
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There are four types of messages; Alerts (many would refer to this as an emergency type alert),
Advisories (less urgent need-to-know information), Community Information (day-to-day
neighborhood to community-level information), Traffic (very localized traffic information).
Tsunami Watch and Warning Messages: Tsunami “Watch” (a tsunami may have been
generated) and “Warning” (a tsunami has been generated) messages are issued for Marin County
by the West Coast and Alaska Tsunami Warning Center located in Alaska, with the Pacific
Tsunami Warning Center, located in Hawaii, serving as a backup. Both centers also transmit
“Information” messages when significant seismic events occur under the sea floor, even when
the seismic events do not the potential to generate a tsunami. Watch and Warning messages are
transmitted by the respective Warning Centers over the NOAA Weather Wire system directly to
each other, Coastal NWS Forecast Offices and their Area of Responsibility’s State Warning
Centers. The local NWS Office is located in Monterey serves Marin County. CalOES operates
California’s State Warning Center in Sacramento. Some messages are transmitted automatically
based upon seismic event magnitude and location, and followed shortly by amplifying
information (after review by scientists at the Tsunami Warning Centers). Generally, a message is
generated within five minutes of the seismic event. Messages are recorded for transmission of
the Emergency Alert System and local National Weather Radio Sites. There is no fixed, audible
warning system that covers the entire 42 miles of the County’s coastline. Emergency vehicle
(and helicopter) public address systems and sirens may be used to alert residents of the need to
evacuate. Warnings may not be possible in the event of a tsunami generated by a local seismic
event, and will not be available if a tsunami is generated by a local nonseismic event (subaerial
or subsea landslide).
Local Warning Sirens and Horns: Various entities within the county utilize local, short range
sirens and horns for the purpose of alerting small segments of the population to impending
hazards. These systems are currently under review and more information will be provided on
them in future iterations of this plan.
Law Enforcement/Fire Agency Evacuation Procedures: Law Enforcement Officers and
Firefighters may drive through neighborhoods with sirens activated announcing evacuations
and/or emergency directions over their loud speakers. Sheriff’s Air Patrol may also fly overhead
announcing the same information
k
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SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
114
SECTION 4 MITIGATION STRATEGY
4.1 OVERVIEW
A mitigation strategy includes the identification of mitigation goals and actions that will reduce
the risks of each hazard and vulnerability to the local population and built environment for each
local participant.
Per the local mitigation planning requirements, this mitigation strategy consists of the following
four steps:
1. Local hazard mitigation goals
2. Identification and analysis of mitigation actions
3. Implementation of mitigation actions
4. Identification and analysis of mitigation actions for NFIP compliance
4.2 MITIGATION GOALS
Mitigation goals are defined as general guidelines that explain what a community wants to
achieve in terms of hazard and loss prevention. Goal statements are typically long-range, policy-
oriented statements representing community-wide vision. For the MCM LHMP, the Planning
Committee developed one goal for each identified hazard. As shown in Table 4-1, these goals are
1) earthquake and liquefaction, 2) dam failure, 3) severe storm (wind, flooding, and debris flow),
4) tsunami, 5) wildfire, and 6) post-fire debris flow.
Table 4-1. Mitigation Goals
Goal Number Goal Description
1 Reduce the possibility of damages and losses due to earthquakes and liquefaction.
2 Reduce the possibility of damages and losses due to dam failure.
3 Reduce the possibility of damages and losses due to severe storms, including wind, flooding, a nd
debris flow.
4 Reduce the possibility of damages and losses due to tsunami.
5 Reduce the possibility of damages and losses due to wildfire and post -fire debris flow.
4.3 IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF MITIGATION ACTIONS
Mitigation actions are activities, measures, and/or projects that help achieve the goals of a
mitigation plan. Mitigation actions are usually grouped into six broad categories: prevention,
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115
property protection, public education and awareness, natural resource protection, emergency
services, and structural projects.
The Planning Committee developed overarching mitigation actions to be applied throughout the
county referred to as “common actions”. In addition, each local participant identified other
jurisdiction-specific mitigation actions by reviewing existing resources, identifying past success
stories and best management practices, and soliciting input from pertinent departments including
planning, public works, and emergency management staff. As a result of both mitigation action
identification processes, each local participant developed several dozen mitigation actions.
During the MCM LHMP update process, the Planning Committee reviewed the mitigation
strategy of prior LHMPs. This process revealed that the majority of the mitigation actions
identified in the in prior LHMPs were not suitable to be included in the MCM LHMP for the
following reasons:
Mitigation actions were ineligible for FEMA funding
Mitigation actions were emergency response, preparedness, and/or recovery focused
rather than mitigation focused
Mitigation actions were not well defined
Mitigation actions were not stand-alone projects
Mitigation actions were continued-compliance and/or maintenance focused
Mitigation actions emphasized new and existing infrastructure and buildings
As such, for the MCM LHMP Planning Committee developed a handful of mitigation actions
based on the MCM LHMP’s hazard analysis, vulnerability analysis, and capability assessments.
The list of potential mitigation actions in the MCM LHMP was condensed so local participants
would focus their attention and effort on projects that would likely be implemented over the next
5 years (the lifespan of the MCM LHMP). Criteria considered for the development of the new
mitigation actions included the following:
Mitigation action must be mitigation-focused (as opposed to response, recovery, and
preparedness-driven)
Mitigation action must meet the 2015 HMA Guidance project criteria eligibility
Mitigation action must address the DMA 2000 requirements for the identification and
analysis of mitigation actions
Mitigation actions must address the MCM LHMP vulnerability analysis results
In addition to the potential mitigation actions developed for the local participants, local agencies
have their own specific actions in Appendix G – S.
Many of the individual jurisdiction’s prior mitigation actions were derived from the ABAG 2010
planning process which contained an extensive list of over 250 actions. Many of these actions
were not mitigation specific (e.g. preparedness, response, or recovery), or were not specific to
individual jurisdictions but rather were regional in scope.
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116
Additionally, recent declared disasters have provided information that may lead to potential
changes in priorities that will be identified in the next iteration of this plan
As shown below, for each potential mitigation action, the following information is listed:
mitigation action description; mitigation action category; hazard(s) addressed; and type of
development affected by mitigation action. Additional mitigation actions reselected and/or added
by a local participant and supporting staff are located in his/her local-participant-specific
appendix (Appendix G through Appendix S).
Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions
No. Description Hazard and Goal
Addressed
Existing
Local
Mechanism to
Implement
HMA Eligible
Activity Type
Potential
Funding
Source
Responsible
Agencies
DAM-1 Encourage property
owners in dam
inundation areas to
purchase insurance
Dam inundation Public
awareness or
education
campaigns
about
mitigation
5 Percent
Initiative
Planning and
public works
departments,
Special
districts (water
districts)
DAM-2 Consider/implement
improvements to
armoring of dams or
other improvements.
Dam inundation
(related: flood,
earthquake and
wind)
DAM-3 Install accelerometers
on and adjacent to
dams to provide
information on
structural impacts of
seismic events.
Dam inundation
(earthquake and
flood)
EQ-1 Use incentives for
mitigation of privately
owned at-risk or
seismically deficient
structures (soft story /
unreinforced
masonry/old bridges).
Earthquake Grants for
property
owners,
guidance
materials,
workshops,
events or
other public
engagement
initiatives
Structural
Retrofitting of
Existing
Buildings
HUD
CDBG,
HMGP,
PDM
Planning or
Building
departments
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117
EQ-2 Adopt applicable
standards and
identification/assessme
nt protocols for
voluntary or
mandatory retrofits of
seismically vulnerable
buildings (such as soft
story buildings).
Earthquake Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP Planning
departments
EQ-3 Upgrade deficient
ramps and bridges.
Earthquake Infrastructure
Retrofit
HMGP,
PDM
Public Works
departments
EQ-4 Require engineered
plan sets for seismic
retrofits of homes on
steep hillsides, soft-
story homes, and other
split-level or
vulnerable homes not
covered by standard
plan set A
Earthquake and
Debris Flow
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP Planning or
Building
departments
FIR-1 Develop a plan for
appropriate access and
evacuation in hillside
wildland-urban
interface areas, For
example creation of no
parking areas, signage,
and early warning and
evacuation.
Wildfire Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP and
other
federal, state
and local
sources
Fire and
Emergency
Services
departments
FIR-2 Develop a method and
technologies for
regulating and/or
enforcing defensible
spaces.
Wildfire Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Activity
HMGP and
other
federal, state
and local
sources
Planning and
Fire
departments
FIR-3 Encourage Fire
Departments to expand
vegetation
management programs
in wildland‐urban‐
interface areas to more
effectively manage the
fuel load through
various methods
including, but not
limited to, roadside
collection and
chipping, mechanical
Wildfire Wildfire
Mitigation
(Creation of
Defensible
Space,
Hazardous
Fuels
Reduction)
HMGP and
other
federal, state
and local
sources
Fire
departments
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
118
fuel reduction
equipment, selected
harvesting, use of
goats or other organic
methods of fuel
reduction.
FIR-4 Fuel reduction
program for publicly
owned or open spaces.
May include targeting
invasive and exotic
plants that contribute
to fire (and flooding)
hazards such as
eucalyptus, broom, and
cordgrass.
Wildfire Wildfire
Mitigation
(Hazardous
Fuels
Reduction)
HMGP and
other
federal, state
and local
sources
Fire
departments
FIR-5 Promote residential
fuel modification
program. May include
special programs for
elderly/disabled.
Wildfire Wildfire
Mitigation
(Creation of
Defensible
Space,
Hazardous
Fuels
Reduction)
HMGP and
other
federal, state
and local
sources
Fire and
Planning
departments?
FIR-6 Post-fire soil
stabilization such as
planting heat and
drought tolerant
vegetation. May
include re-routing
water channels to
prevent landslides
from affecting local
roadways.
Post-fire debris
flow
Soil
stabilization
HMGP Fire, Planning,
and Public
Works
departments
FIR-7 Develop and
implement early
warning systems that
monitor surface water
movement and alert
citizens of possible
post-fire flash floods
and debris flows.
Post-fire debris
flow
Early warning
systems that
monitor and
alert of
possible post-
fire debris
flows
HMGP 5%
Post Fire
Funding
Fire and
Emergency
Services
departments
FLD-1 Maintain participation
in the National Flood
Insurance Program and
manage beyond
minimum requirements
as appropriate for local
conditions. Consider
improving Community
Rating System (CRS)
score if benefit
exceeds cost for a
given jurisdiction.
Flood CRS staff Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP,
PDM, FMA,
other
federal, state
and local
funds
Public Works
and Planning
departments
FLD-2 Incorporate flood Flood Capital Hazard HMGP and Planning and
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
119
planning into local
permitting and
planning.
improvement
plans, zoning,
codes,
development
codes.
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity (as
part of plan
update)
other
federal, state
and local
funds
Public Works
departments.
FLD-4 Conduct education &
outreach for
homeowners regarding
flood mitigation as part
of hazard mitigation
plan update.
Flood Annual flood
preparedness
fair, CRS
annual
outreach, sea
level rise
guide for
homeowners.
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity (as
part of plan
update)
HMGP Public Works,
Planning,
Emergency
Services, Fire,
special
districts.
FLD-5 Inspect, assess,
maintain, improve, and
expand flood
management systems,
such as berms, levees,
seawalls, drainage
basins, catch basins,
pipes, pump stations,
channels or other flood
and stormwater
infrastructure. Includes
stabilization of grades
and banks in creeks,
especially where
critical facilities are
nearby or crossing.
Flood and erosion
due to flood flows
Capital
improvement
programs and
maintenance
programs
Localized
Flood Risk
Reduction
Projects
HMGP Public Works
departments
FLD-6 Identify structures,
collect and assess
information to support
policy decisions
regarding pre- or post-
disaster acquisition,
relocation, elevation,
or wet/dry
floodproofing of flood-
prone structures,
particularly Repetitive
Loss. Consider views
and aesthetic impacts
early in planning.
Flood Post-disaster
community
planning,
CRS, Local
Coastal
Program,
building
codes,
BayWAVE/C
-SMART
Property
Acquisition
and Structure
Demolition/Rel
ocation and
Structure
Elevation
FMA,
HMGP,
Flood
Control &
Water
Conservatio
n District
Planning and
Public Works
departments
FLD-7 Continue to support
the San Francisco Bay
Area Advanced
Quantitative
Precipitation
Information System
project to provide both
improved observing
capabilities and a suite
of numerical forecast
models to produce
Flooding Non-localized
Flood Risk
Reduction
Project
Miscellaneous/
Other project
that addresses
climate change
adaptation and
encourages
Partially
funded by
California
Department
of Water
Resources
Integrated
Water
Management
and the
Sonoma
Somona
County Water
Agency is the
lead agency.
Marin County
partners may
include special
districts (water
and sanitary)
and Public
Works
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
120
accurate and timely
information for a
variety of user needs,
including improved
precipitation and
hydrologic information
to assist the region in
mitigating flood
hazards, maximize
water supply, and
enhance ecosystem
services. The primary
emphasis will be to
improve short-term (48
hour) monitoring and
prediction of high-
impact rainfall events.
The secondary
emphasis will focus on
improved medium-
range precipitation
forecasts (out to 10
days) for water supply.
resiliency.
Mitigation
project adapts
to new
challenges
posed by more
powerful
storms,
frequent heavy
precipitation,
prolonged
droughts,
extreme
flooding, and
other weather
events.
County
Water
Agency.
Potential
future
funding
sources
include
FEMA and
additional
partner
agencies
(flood,
water,
sanitary
agencies in
the region,
particularly
in the north
San
Francisco
Bay areas).
departments.
FLD-8 Conduct multi-
jurisdictional repetitive
loss area analysis for
full county as part of
multi-jurisdictional
local hazard mitigation
planning
Flood CRS program
5-year update
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP,
County
general fund
Public Works
departments
FLD-9 Encourage at least one
member of City/Town
to be a Certified
Floodplain Manager.
Severe Storm/
Flood
CRS program
points,
Floodplain
Managers
Association
Conferences,
professional
development,
consider
hosting a
local
workshop
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity (as
part of plan
update)
HMGP,
professional
development
funds
Planning,
Building, and
Public Works
departments
FLD-10 Participate in C-
SMART and
BayWAVE adaptation
planning and
implement strategies
stemming from these
programs.
Flood C-SMART
and
BayWAVE
programs,
capital
improvement
planning
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activities
HMGP,
other
federal, state
and local
funding
Planning and
Public Works
departments
FLD-11 Encourage integration
of SLR and climate
change into planning
documents, systems,
operations, and
maintenance
Flood Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activities
HMGP,
other
federal, state
and local
funding
Planning,
Emergency
Services, and
Public Works
departments
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
121
LS-1 Increase efforts to
reduce landslides and
erosion in existing and
future development by
improving appropriate
code enforcement and
use of applicable
standards for private
property, such as those
appearing in the
California Building
Code, California
Geological Survey
Special Report 117 –
Guidelines for
Evaluating and
Mitigating Seismic
Hazards in California,
American Society of
Civil Engineers
(ASCE) report
Recommended
Procedures for
Implementation of
DMG Special
Publication 117:
Guidelines for
Analyzing and
Mitigating Landslide
Hazards in California,
and the California
Board for Geologists
and Geophysicists
Guidelines for
Engineering Geologic
Reports. Such
standards should cover
excavation, fill
placement, cut‐fill
transitions, slope
stability, drainage and
erosion control, slope
setbacks, expansive
soils, collapsible soils,
environmental issues,
geological and
geotechnical
investigations, grading
plans and
specifications,
protection of adjacent
properties, and review
and permit issuance.
Landslide Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
Planning and
Public Works
departments
LS-2 Develop and
implement projects
Landslide Emergency
response
Soil
Stabilization
HMGP and
other
Public Works
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
122
that prevent landslide
impacts to roadways.
stabilization
and capital
improvement
projects
and
Infrastructure
Retrofit
federal, state
and local
sources
departments
MLT-1 Integrate the MCM
LHMP into all
jurisdictions general
plan safety elements.
All General Plan
updates
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
Jurisdiction
general
funds (soft
match),
HMGP
Planning or
Public Works
departments.
MLT-2 Assess vulnerability of
critical facilities and
public buildings to
damage in natural
disaster. Make
recommendations to
staff and governing
board on priorities for
mitigation, identify
funding mechanisms,
conduct
improvements.
All Needed Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP,
PDM
Building and
Public Works
departments
and special
districts with
critical
facilities.
MLT-3 Adopt, amend as
needed, and enforce
updated versions of
state and federal
regulations for
Building and Fire
Codes so that optimal
standards are used in
construction and
renovation projects of
public and private
buildings and
infrastructure.
Earthquake, Severe
Storm, Wildfire,
Tsunami
Existing
construction
codes
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
Building
permit fees
Planning,
Building, and
Fire
departments.
MLT-4 Develop/ enforce
regulations requiring
replacement of above-
ground utilities with
underground utilities.
Require underground
utilities be effectively
sealed to prevent
backflow of
floodwaters into
buildings.
All Varies by
jurisdiction
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP Planning
departments.
MLT-5 Prepare, study, and or
provide hazard
information to
residents, property
owners and merchants,
such as hazard maps
(e.g. MarinMap and
MyHazard) and private
mitigation resources.
All Through
existing
public
outreach
methods,
newsletters,
social media
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
(information
dissemination
as part of plan
update)
HMGP,
PDM
Emergency
Services,
Planning, Fire,
and Public
Works
departments
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
123
Do this as part of
Hazard Mitigation
Planning to be eligible
for HMA funding.
MLT-6 Partner with utility
system providers and
other lifeline
infrastructure and
municipal partners to
develop strong and
effective mitigation
strategies as part of
multi-jurisdictional
hazard mitigation
planning.
All Biannual
Marin County
Utilities and
Public Works
Meetings
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity (as
part of plan
update)
HMGP,
PDM
Emergency
Services
departments?
MLT-7 Train staff in
emergency response
and hazard mitigation
by hosting trainings
and by encouraging
attendance at
conferences and
workshops as part of
multi-jurisdictional
hazard mitigation
planning.
All Professional
Development.
County host
Cal OES
CSTI for
training
offered to
participating
jurisdictions.
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity (as
part of plan
update)
HMGP,
PDM,
EMPG
Emergency
Services,
Planning,
Building,
Public Works,
and Fire
Departments.
MLT-8 Use partnerships to
protect as open space
or parks, wetlands and
those areas susceptible
to extreme hazards
(such as through land
acquisition, zoning,
and designation as
Priority Conservation
Areas).
All General plan
land use/open
space
elements,
easements
and
conservation
easements
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity;
Property
Acquisition
and Structure
Demolition/
Relocation
HMGP,
PDM, FMA
(if protect
RL); other
federal, state
and local
funds
Parks and
Planning
Departments,
County Open
Space and
Flood Control
MLT-9 Develop and
implement energy
assurance plans. May
include backup
generators, energy
storage (e.g. diesel fuel
tanks), and microgrids
for critical facilities.
All As part of
capital
improvement
projects.
Generators HMGP (5
percent
initiative),
PDM
Emergency
Services,
Public Works,
Fire, and
special districts
MLT-10 Reinforce and/or
elevate ramps, bridges,
and roads as needed.
Flood, Debris flow,
and Earthquake
Capital
improvement
plans
Infrastructure
Retrofit
HMGP,
other
federal, state
and local
funding
sources
Public Works
and Planning
departments
MLT-11 Conduct two new fire-
related assessments
taking into account
lessons learned from
the 2017 North-Bay
Wildfire, Post-fire
Debris Flow
Part of the 5-
year update to
the LHMP
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP Planning, Fire,
and Public
Works
departments
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
124
wildfires. The new
data points needed in
order to support
improved fire hazard
mitigation include 1)
assessing vulnerability
of public and private
structures in the
wildland-urban
interface zones based
on building material
and roof type, and 2)
identifying areas with
aging population
and/or access and
functional needs. This
analysis could support
new mitigation
strategies that would
make Marin more
resilient to the type of
disaster that occurred
in our northern
neighboring county.
MLT-12 Prepare powerful
graphics for the 2023
MCM LHMP that
show how one or both
of fire and/or flood
hazards affects the vast
majority of populated
areas. The goal is to
encourage
communities to work
together towards a
common goal of
minimizing hazard risk
for all.
Flood/SLR and
Wildfire
Part of the 5-
year update to
the LHMP
Hazard
identification
or mapping for
the
implementatio
n of mitigation
activities
Public
awareness or
education
campaigns
about
mitigation
HMGP Emergency
Services,
Planning, Fire,
and Public
Works
departments
MLT-13 Update landslide or
wildfire hazard
considerations,
including roads
leading to
development, when
new construction or
major remodels are
proposed in hillside
areas discourage
construction or add
mitigation measures as
appropriate.
Debris flow and
wildfire
Building and
fire code
updates.
Local Coastal
Program.
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP Planning and
Public Works
departments
MLT-14 Work to ensure a
reliable source of
water for fire
suppression and
Wildfire Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
HMGP and
other
federal, state
and local
Fire
departments
and special
districts (water
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
125
general use
during/after hazards
through the
cooperative efforts of
water districts, sanitary
districts, fire districts,
residents and
commercial property
owners.
Activity sources districts)
MLT-15 Mitigate against wind-
induced wave erosion
on the coast and in
critical ponds
(drinking, water
treatment, or
stormwater
storage/detention)
through relocation of
facilities or improving
(such as armoring)
banks/berms/levees/sh
orelines. Secondary
benefits include
protection against
earthquake-induced
damage to critical
facilities and flooding
that may result due to
their damage.
Wind, Flood,
Earthquake
MLT-16 Assessment of
properties countywide
to facilitate rapid
damage assessment
post-disaster, and pre-
disaster vulnerability
analysis for hazard
mitigation planning
update.
All Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP,
PDM
Planning
departments
MLT-17 Follow all four phases
of FEMA's How-to-
Guide: "Integrating
Historic Property and
Cultural Resource
Considerations into
Hazard Mitigation
Planning" to develop
and implement a
mitigation plan for at
risk cultural resources.
All
MLT-18 Design and implement
projects that protect
and expand natural
flood mitigation
functions. Example
projects include
Flood, Tsunami,
Wind
Capital
improvement
projects,
zoning and
setbacks,
partnership
Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activity
HMGP,
PDM, FMA,
other
federal, state
and local
funds
Planning and
Public Works
departments
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
126
nature-based sea level
rise adaptation projects
that attenuate waves
utilizing a living
shoreline.
based efforts,
stream
conservation
ordinances,
local coastal
plans,
building
codes.
MLT-19 Prevent infrastructure
expansion in high-risk
areas
Flood, Tsunami Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activities
Planning and
Public Works
departments
MLT-20 Protect buildings and
infrastructure from
flood damage, such as
by moving sewers and
roads upland.
Flood, Tsunami Capital
improvement
projects,
multi-benefit
restoration
projects
Localized
flood risk
reduction
projects
HMGP,
other
federal, state
and local
funding
Planning and
Public Works
departments
TSU-1 Continue participation
in NOAA
TsunamiReady
program, in
communities with
significant tsunami
risk.
Tsunami Hazard
Mitigation
Planning
Related
Activities
Emergency
Services
departments
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
127
4.4 IMPLEMENTATION OF MITIGATION ACTIONS
After the list of potential mitigation actions had been developed, each plan participant, along
with staff from other relevant departments/agencies within his/her jurisdiction, evaluated and
prioritized the potential mitigation actions to determine which mitigation actions would be
included in his/her local-participant-specific mitigation action plan. Only mitigation actions that
met at least four or more of prioritization criteria listed below was included in the mitigation
action plan. Criteria considered for this evaluation process included:
Current or potential support from the plan participant
Plan participant department or agency champion
Ability to be implemented during the 5-year lifespan of the MCM LHMP
Ability to reduce expected future damages and losses (benefit - cost)
Mitigates a high-risk hazard or multiple hazards
Each local participant’s mitigation action plan is included in the local-participant-specific
appendix (Appendix G through Appendix S). Each mitigation action plan includes: a description
of each mitigation action; prioritization criteria selected (numbers 1-5, as shown above);
potential facility to be mitigated (if known); responsible department or agency; potential funding
source; and implementation timeframe.
Criteria for prioritizing actions are evaluated by individual jurisdiction’s boards and councils.
Cost Benefit may not be a primary consideration in all cases, and the STAPLE(E) criteria
developed by FEMA is a commonly applied decision making instrument.
The acronym STAPLE(E) is defined as follows:
Social – Is the hazard mitigation strategy socially acceptable?
Technical – Is the proposed action technically feasible, and cost effective, and does it provide
the appropriate level of protection?
Administrative – Does the community have the capability to implement the action, and is the
lead agency capable of carrying out oversight of the project?
Political – Is the hazard mitigation action politically acceptable?
Legal – Does the community have the authority to implement the proposed action?
Economic – Do the economic base, projected growth, and opportunity costs justify the hazard
mitigation project? Benefit cost-analysis is a mathematical method for comparing costs to the
benefits to the community of a hazard mitigation action. If the benefits are greater than the costs,
the project is cost effective. Comparing the ratios of benefits to costs for several hazard
mitigation projects helps to identify those that offer the “greatest bang for the community’s
buck.” Benefit-cost analysis gives decision makers an understandable way to explain and defend
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
128
their decisions. For many grant programs, FEMA and the State will use benefit-cost analysis to
determine whether a project is eligible. The community can save time and energy by limiting
planning activities to projects that will be more likely to receive funding.
Environmental – Does the proposed action meet statutory considerations and public desire for
sustainable and environmentally healthy communities?
The jurisdictions represented in this plan (County, cities, towns and special districts) are
authorized by state law and qualify as separate governments. With the exception of the special
districts, the jurisdictions all have a general plan that regulates current and future development
through zoning based on described hazards. State law requires all California Cities and Counties
to adopt general plans which include seven mandatory chapters: Land Use, Circulation, Housing,
Conservation, Open Space, Noise and Safety. In addition to General Plans, each jurisdiction has
an Emergency Action (or Operations) Plan and a Climate Action Plan. An example matrix
outlining legal and regulatory resources for hazard mitigation in Marin County is contained in
Appendix G, Table G-9.
The jurisdictions each have a municipal code of ordinances to establish the minimum
requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare through structural
strength, means of egress facilities, stability, access to persons with disabilities, sanitation,
adequate lighting and ventilation and energy conservation, and safety to life and property from
fire and other hazards attributed to the built environment; to regulate and control the demolition
of all buildings and structures, and for related purposes.
The jurisdictions all have planning departments that review proposed developments and new
uses for conformance with policies plans and regulations and are served by law enforcement and
fire departments.
Resources vary greatly between jurisdictions according to general funds and staff, which are
roughly proportionate to population size and commercial activity. Regardless of size, mitigation
actions tend to leverage federal, state, and regional financial resources heavily in the form of
matching grants. Example matrices outlining human, technical and financial resources for hazard
mitigation in Marin County are contained in Appendix G, Tables G-7 and G-8.
With the protection of plans and codes secured through statute, the expansion and improvement
of policies and programs are dependent on the allocation of limited financial resources towards
staff administration and implementation. An efficient means of improving and expanding
programs is through shared resources. The many small jurisdictions in the County often do not
have the resources to successfully accomplish the many requirements placed upon them, but
through economies of scale they can provide better public service. One example of that is this
Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan, which for most jurisdictions represents a
much-needed update. For two of these jurisdictions this will be a new plan.
SECTION 4 Mitigation Strategy
129
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APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
130
SECTION 5 PLAN MAINTENANCE
5.1 OVERVIEW
This section describes a formal plan maintenance process to ensure that the MCM LHMP
remains an active and applicable document. It includes an explanation of how the Marin County
Sheriff’s OES and the MCM LHMP Planning Committee intends to organize their efforts to
ensure that improvements and revisions to the MCM LHMP occur in a well-managed, efficient,
and coordinated manner.
The following process steps are addressed in detail below:
Monitoring, evaluating, and updating the MCM LHMP
Implementation through existing planning mechanisms
Continued public involvement
5.2 MONITORING, EVALUATING AND UPDATING THE PLAN
The MCM LHMP was prepared as a collaborative effort between the Planning Committee and
other representatives of participating jurisdictions. To maintain momentum and build on previous
hazard mitigation planning efforts and successes, Marin County Sheriff’s OES will make use of
the Planning Committee to monitor, evaluate, and update the MCM LHMP. The Marin County
Sheriff’s OES will continue to serve as the POC and will coordinate all local efforts to monitor,
evaluate, and update this document.
Similar to the plan maintenance procedures outlined in the 2013 Marin County LHMP, the
Planning Committee will meet quarterly to review related activities and have the opportunity to
evaluate the plan annually. As such, the Marin County Sheriff’s OES and the Planning
Committee have developed the following revised approach to the MCM LHMP plan
maintenance. In addition to hosting quarterly review meetings, every 12 months from plan
adoption the Marin County Sheriff’s OES will email each member of the Planning Committee an
Annual Review Questionnaire to complete. The Annual Review Questionnaire will include the
following requests:
1) Provide a summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their
impact on your community.
2) Provide a review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in your jurisdictions
existing/prior LHMP (if applicable). Provide comment on why targeted strategies were
not completed.
3) Re-evaluation of the action plan to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs
to be amended (such as changing a long-term project to a short-term project because of
funding availability).
4) Provide recommendations for new projects.
5) Provide recommended changes in, or potential for, new funding options (e.g. grant
opportunities).
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
131
6) Provide recommendation on integration of new data such as GIS data and mapping used
to inform the Plan.
7) Identify the impact of any other planning programs or initiatives within the community
that involve hazard mitigation.
8) Attach any additional important notes on vulnerability analysis and hazard mitigation
planning for your community (e.g. attach annual reports regarding plan implementation).
The Marin County Sheriff’s OES will collect all completed questionnaires and determine if the
MCM LHMP needs to be updated to address new or more threatening hazards, new technical
reports or findings, and new or better-defined mitigation projects. The Marin County Sheriff’s
OES will summarize these findings and email them out to the Planning Committee. If the Marin
County Sheriff’s OES believes that the MCM LHMP needs to be updated based on the findings,
then department will request that the Planning Committee attend a MCM LHMP update meeting.
In addition, the implementation strategy will be monitored and updated through the use of the
Mitigation Project Progress Report or a FEMA annual report. During each annual review, each
department or agency currently administering a FEMA mitigation project will submit a progress
report or quarterly reports to the Marin County Sheriff’s OES to review and evaluate. As shown
in Appendix F, the progress report will discuss the current status of the mitigation project,
including any changes made to the project, identify implementation problems, and describe
appropriate strategies to overcome them. After considering the findings of the submitted progress
reports, the Marin County Sheriff’s OES may request that the implementing department or
agency meet to discuss project conditions.
In addition to quarterly meetings, the Annual Review Questionnaire, the Mitigation Project
Progress Report or FEMA annual report, and any other meetings, the Planning Committee will
reinitiate the plan update process MCM LHMP every 4 years to meet the 5 year planning cycle.
To ensure that this update occurs, within the first six months of the fourth year following plan
adoption, the Planning Committee will undertake the following update process activities:
Research funding available to assist in MCM LHMP update (and apply for funds that
may take up to one year to obtain)
Thoroughly analyze and update the risk of natural hazards in the communities of Marin
County
Complete a new Annual Review Questionnaire and review previous questionnaires
Provide a detailed review and revision of the mitigation strategy
Prepare a new implementation strategy
Prepare a new draft MCM LHMP and submit it to the local participants governing bodies
for adoption
Submit an updated MCM LHMP to CalOES and FEMA for approval
Submit approved MCM LHMP to governing bodies of each jurisdiction participating in
the plan
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
132
5.3 IMPLEMENTATION THROUGH EXISTING PLANNING MECHANISMS
After the adoption of the MCM LHMP, the Marin County Sheriff’s OES and the Planning
Committee will ensure that elements of the MCM LHMP are incorporated into other existing
planning mechanisms. The processes for incorporating the MCM LHMP into various planning
documents will occur as (1) other plans are updated and (2) new plans are developed.
Therefore, the MCM LHMP participants will undertake the some or all of the following
activities:
Activity 1: The County, cities and towns will use information from the hazard analysis and
mitigation strategy sections in the MCM LHMP to update the safety element in their respective
general plans.
Activity 2: The County, cities/towns, and special districts will use information from the hazard
analysis and vulnerability analysis sections in the MCM LHMP to update their respective
Emergency Operation Plans.
Activity 3: The County, cities/towns, and special districts will use information from the
vulnerability analysis section in the MCM LHMP to develop emergency preparedness public
information and related outreach efforts.
Activity 4: CRS program participants will use information from the vulnerability analysis
(specifically the RL properties analysis) in the MCM LHMP to develop CRS-eligible mitigation
activities and reduce the number of RL properties within the county.
Activity 5: The County, cities, and special districts will refer to the mitigation strategy section in
the MCM LHMP when updating their respective capital improvement plans.
The responsibility for carrying out these activities is the City/Town Managers, District General
Managers, or County Administrators, who may delegate implementation or administration to
their staff.
5.4 CONTINUED PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT
The Marin County Sheriff’s OES and the MCM LHMP Planning Committee are dedicated to
involving the public directly in the continual reshaping and updating of this plan. Similar to the
2013 Marin County LHMP, a downloadable copy of the MCM LHMP will be available on the
Marin County Sheriff’s Office Website. Also, any proposed changes or updates will be posted on
this Website. The Marin County’s Sheriff’s Website will also contain an e-mail address and
phone number to which people can direct their comments or concerns. Additionally, copies of
the plan will continue to be kept with all of the local participants. The existence and location of
these copies will also be posted on the County Website as well as websites maintained by
participating jurisdictions.
Finally, a press release was issued prior to finalization of the 2018 Marin County Multi-
Jurisdictional LHMP. This provided the public an outlet for which they can express their
concerns, opinions, or ideas about any updates/changes that are proposed to the plan. The Marin
County Sheriff’s OES will be responsible for using county resources to publicize the press
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
133
releases and maintain public involvement through public access channels, web pages, and
newspapers as deemed appropriate.
During the 5-Year plan cycle, the Planning Team will continue to include the general public in
notices on the planning process. The Planning Team will solicit feedback from the public on
perceived impacts of projects identified in the plan, as well as shifting perceptions of hazards that
are identified in the plan. An example of a shift in perception of a hazard is the public view of
wildfire as a threat in light of the devastating North Bay fires of 2017 which occurred in
neighboring counties.
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
1
6. Appendix A – FEMA Compliance Documents
Appendix A
FEMA Compliance Documents
The Local Mitigation Plan Review Tool demonstrates how the Local Mitigation Plan meets
the regulation in 44 CFR §201.6 and offers States and FEMA Mitigation Planners an
opportunity to provide feedback to the community.
Jurisdiction:
County of Marin and political
subdivisions
Title of Plan:
2018 Marin County Multi-
Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Date of Plan:
August 2018
Local Point of Contact:
Thomas Jordan
Address:
1600 Los Gamos Drive
Suite 200
San Rafael, CA 94903
Title:
Emergency Services Coordinator
Agency:
Marin County Sheriff - Office of Emergency
Services
Phone Number:
415 473 6584
E-Mail:
T_Jordan@MarinSheriff.org
State Reviewer:
Title:
Date:
FEMA Reviewer:
Title:
Date:
Date Received in FEMA Region (insert #)
Plan Not Approved
Plan Approvable Pending Adoption
Plan Approved
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
2
SECTION 1:
REGULATION CHECKLIST
INSTRUCTIONS: The Regulation Checklist must be completed by FEMA. The purpose of
the Checklist is to identify the location of relevant or applicable content in the Plan by
Element/sub-element and to determine if each requirement has been ‘Met’ or ‘Not Met.’ The
‘Required Revisions’ summary at the bottom of each Element must be completed by FEMA
to provide a clear explanation of the revisions that are required for plan approval. Required
revisions must be explained for each plan sub-element that is ‘Not Met.’ Sub-elements
should be referenced in each summary by using the appropriate numbers (A1, B3, etc.),
where applicable. Requirements for each Element and sub-element are described in detail in
this Plan Review Guide in Section 4, Regulation Checklist.
1. REGULATION CHECKLIST Location in
Plan
(section and/or
page number)
Met
Not
Met Regulation (44 CFR 201.6 Local Mitigation Plans)
ELEMENT A. PLANNING PROCESS
A1. Does the Plan document the planning process, including how it
was prepared and who was involved in the process for each
jurisdiction? (Requirement §201.6(c)(1))
Sections 1.6.5, 1.6.6,
2.2, 2.3
Table 2-1
A2. Does the Plan document an opportunity for neighboring
communities, local and regional agencies involved in hazard
mitigation activities, agencies that have the authority to regulate
development as well as other interests to be involved in the
planning process? (Requirement §201.6(b)(2))
Section 2.4
Appendix E
A3. Does the Plan document how the public was involved in the
planning process during the drafting stage? (Requirement
§201.6(b)(1))
Sections 2.41, 2.42,
2.44
A4. Does the Plan describe the review and incorporation of
existing plans, studies, reports, and technical information?
(Requirement §201.6(b)(3))
Sections 2.3, 3.2
Appendices G - S
A5. Is there discussion of how the community(ies) will continue
public participation in the plan maintenance process?
(Requirement §201.6(c)(4)(iii))
Sections5.3, 5.4
A6. Is there a description of the method and schedule for keeping the
plan current (monitoring, evaluating and updating the mitigation plan
within a 5-year cycle)? (Requirement §201.6(c)(4)(i))
Section 5.2
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
3
1. REGULATION CHECKLIST Location in
Plan
(section and/or
page number)
Met
Not
Met Regulation (44 CFR 201.6 Local Mitigation Plans)
ELEMENT A: REQUIRED REVISIONS
ELEMENT B. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT
B1. Does the Plan include a description of the type, location, and
extent of all natural hazards that can affect each jurisdiction(s)?
(Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(i))
Sections 3.2, 3.3
Table 3-3
B2. Does the Plan include information on previous occurrences of
hazard events and on the probability of future hazard events for
each jurisdiction? (Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(i))
Section 3.3
B3. Is there a description of each identified hazard’s impact on the
community as well as an overall summary of the community’s
vulnerability for each jurisdiction? (Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(ii))
Section 3.3,
Appendices G - S
B4. Does the Plan address NFIP insured structures within the
jurisdiction that have been repetitively damaged by floods?
(Requirement §201.6(c)(2)(ii))
Section 3.4
Table 3-7
ELEMENT B: REQUIRED REVISIONS
ELEMENT C. MITIGATION STRATEGY
C1. Does the plan document each jurisdiction’s existing
authorities, policies, programs and resources and its ability to
expand on and improve these existing policies and programs?
(Requirement §201.6(c)(3))
Section 4.4
Appendices G - S
C2. Does the Plan address each jurisdiction’s participation in the
NFIP and continued compliance with NFIP requirements, as
appropriate? (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(ii))
Section 3.3.5
Table 3-7
C3. Does the Plan include goals to reduce/avoid long-term
vulnerabilities to the identified hazards? (Requirement
§201.6(c)(3)(i))
Section 4.2
Table 4-1
C4. Does the Plan identify and analyze a comprehensive range of
specific mitigation actions and projects for each jurisdiction being
considered to reduce the effects of hazards, with emphasis on new
and existing buildings and infrastructure? (Requirement
§201.6(c)(3)(ii))
Section 4.3
Table 4-2
Appendices G - S
APPENDIX A FEMA Compliance Documents
4
1. REGULATION CHECKLIST Location in
Plan
(section and/or
page number)
Met
Not
Met Regulation (44 CFR 201.6 Local Mitigation Plans)
C5. Does the Plan contain an action plan that describes how the
actions identified will be prioritized (including cost benefit
review), implemented, and administered by each jurisdiction?
(Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(iv)); (Requirement §201.6(c)(3)(iii))
Sections 4.3, 4.4
C6. Does the Plan describe a process by which local governments will
integrate the requirements of the mitigation plan into other planning
mechanisms, such as comprehensive or capital improvement plans,
when appropriate? (Requirement §201.6(c)(4)(ii))
Section 5.3
ELEMENT C: REQUIRED REVISIONS
ELEMENT D. PLAN REVIEW, EVALUATION, AND IMPLEMENTATION (applicable
to plan updates only)
D1. Was the plan revised to reflect changes in development?
(Requirement §201.6(d)(3))
Sections 1.6.1, 3.5
D2. Was the plan revised to reflect progress in local mitigation
efforts? (Requirement §201.6(d)(3))
Appendices G - S
D3. Was the plan revised to reflect changes in priorities?
(Requirement §201.6(d)(3))
Section 4.3
ELEMENT D: REQUIRED REVISIONS
ELEMENT E. PLAN ADOPTION
E1. Does the Plan include documentation that the plan has been
formally adopted by the governing body of the jurisdiction
requesting approval? (Requirement §201.6(c)(5))
E2. For multi-jurisdictional plans, has each jurisdiction requesting
approval of the plan documented formal plan adoption?
(Requirement §201.6(c)(5))
ELEMENT E: REQUIRED REVISIONS
ELEMENT F. ADDITIONAL STATE REQUIREMENTS (OPTIONAL FOR STATE
REVIEWERS ONLY; NOT TO BE COMPLETED BY FEMA)
F1.
F2.
ELEMENT F: REQUIRED REVISIONS
APPENDIX A FEMA COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTS
5
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APPENDIX B Adoption Resolutions
6
7. Appendix B – Adoption Resolutions Appendix B
Adoption Resolutions
To be inserted at time of adoption
APPENDIX B Adoption Resolutions
7
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APPENDIX C Planning Committee
8
8. Appendix C – Planning Committee Appendix C
Planning Committee
Department, Agency, or Municipality Name
Marin County Sheriff’s Office Thomas Jordan, Emergency Services Coordinator
Marin County Department of Public Works
Hannah Lee, Senior Civil Engineer
Beb Skye, Engineering Technician
Felix Meneau, Assistant Engineer
Gerhard Epke, Senior Program Coordinator
Marin County Fire Department Scott Alber, Fire Marshal
Marin County Community Development Agency Kristen Drumm, Senior Planner
Alex Westhoff, Planner
City of Belvedere Irene Borba, Director of Planning & Building
Laurie Nilsen, Emergency Services Coordinator
Town of Corte Madera
Kelly Crowe, Senior Civil Engineer
Matt Cobb, Battalion Chief
Hamid Khalili, Police Captain
Adam Wolff, Planning and Building Director
Peter Brown, Public Works Director
City of Fairfax Mark Lockaby, Chief Building Official
Michele Gardner, Deputy Town Clerk
City of Larkspur
Matt Cobb, Battalion Chief
Bob Quinn, Public Works Superintendent
Neal Toft, Planning Director
Julian Skinner, Public Works Director .
City of Mill Valley
Tom Welch, Fire Chief
Andrew Poster, Public Works Director
Elisa Sarlatte, DPW Engineering Manager
Town of Ross
Richard Simonitch, Public Works Director
Heidi Scoble, Planning Manager
Erik Masterson, Police Chief
Town of San Anselmo Sean Condry, Public Works Director
Elise Semonian, Planning Director
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
9
Dave Donery, Town Manager
City of San Rafael
Talia Smith, Senior Management Analyst
Quin Gardner, Emergency Management Coord
Robert Sinnott, Deputy Fire Chief
Kevin McGowan, Asst Public Works Director
Bill Guerin, Public Works Director
City of Sausalito
Jonathon Goldman, Public Works Director
Bill Frass, Police Captain
Lilly Whalen, Clerk
Mike McKinley, Emergency Services Coordinator
Town of Tiburon
Kyra O’Malley, Associate Planner
Laurie Nilsen, Emergency Services Coordinator
Scott Anderson, Community Development Director
City of Novato
Nancy Andrews, Senior Management Analyst
Bob Brown, Community Development Director
Bill Tyler, Fire Chief
Jim Correa, Police Captain
Dave Jeffries, Consultant
North Marin Water District
Drew McIntyre, General Manager
Rocky Vogler, Chief Engineer
Pippin Cavagnaro, Associate
Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation
District
Hannah Lee, Senior Civil Engineer
Felix Meneau, Assistant Engineer
Gerhard Epke, Senior Program Coordinator
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
10
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
11
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APPENDIX C Planning Committee
12
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
13
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
14
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
15
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
16
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
17
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
18
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
19
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
20
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
21
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
22
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
23
APPENDIX C Planning Committee
24
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APPENDIX D Plan Review Committee
25
9. Appendix D – Plan Review Committee Appendix D
Plan Review Committee
DC3 Position Title Name
Chairperson Judy Arnold
Marin Managers Joe Chinn
Schools Michael Grant
Emergency Medical Services Miles Julihn
Access and Functional Needs Peter Mendoza
MIDC Denis O’Leary
Transit Mohamed Osman
Health and Human Services Lisa Santora
Police Chiefs Tricia Seyler-Campbell
Public Works Eric Steger
At Large Representative Bill Tyler
MCCMC Catherine Way
Fire Chiefs Jason Weber
American Red Cross Debbie Yee
Economic Forum Garry Lion
District 1 Frank Cox
District 2 Michael McDermott
District 3 Keith Kennedy
District 4 Anne Sands
District 5 Ed Schulze
DC3 = Marin County Disaster and Citizen Corps Council
APPENDIX D Plan Review Committee
26
APPENDIX D Plan Review Committee
27
APPENDIX D Plan Review Committee
28
APPENDIX D Plan Review Committee
29
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APPENDIX E Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement
30
10. Appendix E - Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement Appendix E
Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement
As described in Section 2.5 of this plan, Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement, over 100 public comments
were received in the initial phase of public outreach. These comments were used by the Planning Committee to
identify community concerns about specific hazards and ideas about how to mitigate those hazards as well as input
on social vulnerabilities.
This information was used in the development of the plan as an insight for County and Municipal planners on the
perceptions held by community members.
The following Figures represent Public Outreach effort collateral material:
1. Outreach Flyer for the Public Workshops
2. Public Workshop Agenda
3. Media Release to solicit feedback on the Draft Plan
4. News Article example from the Pt. Reyes Light
Figure 1 - Workshop Flyer
APPENDIX E Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement
31
Figure 2 - Workshop Agenda
APPENDIX E Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement
32
Figure 3 - Media Release Plan Review
APPENDIX E Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement
33
Figure 4 - Plan Review Article Pt Reyes Light
APPENDIX E Public Outreach and Stakeholder Involvement
34
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APPENDIX F Plan Maintenance
35
11. Appendix F - Plan Maintenance Appendix F
Plan Maintenance
The Planning Committee has developed the following revised approach to the MCM LHMP plan
maintenance. In addition to hosting quarterly review meetings, every 12 months from plan
adoption the Marin County Sheriff’s OES will email each member of the Planning Committee an
Annual Review Questionnaire to complete. The Annual Review Questionnaire will include the
following requests:
1) Provide a summary of any hazard events that occurred during the prior year and their
impact on your community.
2) Provide a review of successful mitigation initiatives identified in your jurisdictions
existing/prior LHMP (if applicable). Provide comment on why targeted strategies were
not completed.
3) Re-evaluation of the action plan to determine if the timeline for identified projects needs
to be amended (such as changing a long-term project to a short-term project because of
funding availability).
4) Provide recommendations for new projects.
5) Provide recommended changes in, or potential for, new funding options (e.g. grant
opportunities).
6) Provide recommendation on integration of new data such as GIS data and mapping used
to inform the Plan.
7) Identify the impact of any other planning programs or initiatives within the community
that involve hazard mitigation.
8) Attach any additional important notes on vulnerability analysis and hazard mitigation
planning for your community (e.g. attach annual reports regarding plan implementation).
The Marin County Sheriff’s OES will collect all completed questionnaires and determine if the
MCM LHMP needs to be updated to address new or more threatening hazards, new technical
reports or findings, and new or better-defined mitigation projects. The Marin County Sheriff’s
OES will summarize these findings and email them out to the Planning Committee. If the Marin
County Sheriff’s OES believes that the MCM LHMP needs to be updated based on the findings,
then department will request that the Planning Committee attend a MCM LHMP update meeting.
In addition, the implementation strategy will be monitored and updated through the use of the
Mitigation Project Progress Report or a FEMA annual report. During each annual review, each
department or agency currently administering a FEMA mitigation project will submit a progress
report or quarterly reports to the Marin County Sheriff’s OES to review and evaluate. The
APPENDIX F Plan Maintenance
36
progress report will discuss the current status of the mitigation project, including any changes
made to the project, identify implementation problems, and describe appropriate strategies to
overcome them. After considering the findings of the submitted progress reports, the Marin
County Sheriff’s OES may request that the implementing department or agency meet to discuss
project conditions.
In addition to quarterly meetings, the Annual Review Questionnaire, the Mitigation Project
Progress Report or FEMA annual report, and any other meetings, the Planning Committee will
reinitiate the plan update process MCM LHMP every 4 years to meet the 5 year planning cycle.
To ensure that this update occurs, within the first six months of the fourth year following plan
adoption, the Planning Committee will undertake the following update process activities:
Research funding available to assist in MCM LHMP update (and apply for funds that
may take up to one year to obtain)
Thoroughly analyze and update the risk of natural hazards in the communities of Marin
County
Complete a new Annual Review Questionnaire and review previous questionnaires
Provide a detailed review and revision of the mitigation strategy
Prepare a new implementation strategy
Prepare a new draft MCM LHMP and submit it to the local participants governing bodies
for adoption
Submit an updated MCM LHMP to CalOES and FEMA for approval
Submit approved MCM LHMP to governing bodies of each jurisdiction participating in
the plan
APPENDIX F Plan Maintenance
37
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APPENDIX G Marin County
38
12. Appendix G - Marin County Appendix G
Marin County
Table G-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Unincorporated Marin
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total
Number % of
Total
Number % of
Total
Number % of
Total
Number % of
Total
Earthquake 19,441 100% 3057 100% 368 100% 12 100% 17 100%
Flood 3350 17% 353 12% 142 39% 12 100% 4 23.5%
Fire 15022 77% 2180 71% 240 65% 1 8% 4 23.5%
Tsunami 1485 8% 247 8% 96 26% 11 92% 2 11.8%
Landslide 3432 18% 545 18% 36 10% 0 0% 2 11.8%
Dam Inundation 524 3% 86 3% 61 17% 0 0% 0 0%
Table G-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Unincorporated Marin
Roads Railroads
Miles % of Total Miles % of Total
Earthquake 945 100% 8 100%
Flood 175 19% 8 100%
Fire 450 48% 1 13%
Tsunami 68 7% 1.2 15%
Landslide 392 41% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 48 5% 0 0%
Table G-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Unincorporated Marin
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 6 100%
Flood 0 0%
Fire 1 16%
Tsunami 0 0%
Landslide 4 67%
Dam Inundation 0 0%
APPENDIX G Marin County
39
Table G-4. Vulnerability of Power in Unincorporated Marin
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total
Number % of
Total
Number % of
Total
Miles % of
Total
Miles % of Total
Earthquake 14 100% 6 100% 2 100% 65 100% 22.2 100%
Flood 8 57.1% 2 33.3% 0 0% 7.5 11.5% 1.4 6.3%
Fire 7 50% 3 50% 2 100% 9.5 14.6% 3.3 14.9%
Tsunami 2 14.3% 0 0% 0 0% 4 6.2% 0 0%
Landslide 3 21.4% 1 16.7% 0 0% 20.6 31.7% 1.7 7.7%
Dam Inundation 1 7.1% 1 16.7% 0 0% 1.6 2.5% 0 0%
Table G-5. Vulnerability of Water/Sewage in Unincorporated Marin
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 3 100%
Flood 1 33.3%
Fire 2 66.7%
Tsunami 0 0%
Landslide 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0%
Table G-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Unincorporated Marin
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 21 100% 26 100% 12 100% 2 100%
Flood 3 14.3% 1 3.8% 0 0% 2 100%
Fire 9 42.9% 16 61.5% 3 25% 0 0%
Tsunami 1 4.8% 1 3.8% 0 0% 0 0%
Landslide 1 4.8% 3 11.5% 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 1 4.8% 3 11.5% 2 16.7% 0 0%
APPENDIX G Marin County
40
Table G-7. Unincorporated Marin County Human and Technical Resources for Hazard Mitigation
Staff/Personnel Resources Department or Agency Principal Activities Related to Hazard Mitigation
Planner(s), engineer(s) and technical
staff with knowledge of land
development, land management
practices, and natural hazards.
Community Development
Agency, Department of Public
Works
Develops and maintains the General Plan, including the Safety Element.
Develops area plans based on the General Plan, to provide more specific guidance for the development of more
specific areas.
Reviews private development projects and proposed capital improvements projects and other physical projects
involving property for consistency and conformity with the General Plan.
Anticipates and acts on the need for new plans, policies, and Code changes.
Applies the approved plans, policies, code provisions, and other regulations to proposed land uses.
Engineer(s), Building Inspectors/Code
Enforcement Officers or other
professional(s) and technical staff
trained in construction requirements
and practices related to existing and
new buildings.
Community Development
Agency, Department of Public
Works
Oversees the effective, efficient, fair, and safe enforcement of the California Building Code
Engineers, construction project
managers, and supporting technical
staff.
Community Development
Agency, Department of Public
Works
Provides direct or contract civil, structural, and mechanical engineering services, including contract, project, and
construction management.
Engineer(s), project manager(s),
technical staff, equipment operators,
and maintenance and construction
staff.
Department of Public Works
Maintains and operates of a wide range of local equipment and facilities as well as providing assistance to
members of the public. These include providing sufficient clean fresh water, reliable sewer services, street
maintenance, storm drainage systems, street cleaning, street lights and traffic signals.
Floodplain Administrator Department of Public Works
Reviews and ensures that new development proposals do not increase flood risk, and that new developments are
not located below the 100 year flood level. In addition, the Floodplain Administrator is responsible for planning and
managing flood risk reduction projects throughout the local jurisdiction.
Emergency Management Sheriff Office of Emergency
Services
Maintains and updates the Emergency Operations Plan for the local jurisdiction. In addition, coordinates local
response and relief activities within the Emergency Operation Center, and works closely with local, state, and
federal partners to support planning and training and to provide information and coordinate assistance.
Procurement Services Manager GSA Provides a full range of municipal financial services, administers several licensing measures, and functions as the
local jurisdiction’s Procurement Services Manager.
APPENDIX G Marin County
41
Table G-8. Marin County Financial Resources for Hazard Mitigation
Type Subtype Administrator Purpose Amount
Local
General Fund
WPD/Property Tax, Land
Development fees
WPD Director
Program operations and specific
projects.
IWPP/CIP
Variable.
Federal
Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program (HMGP)
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA)
Supports pre- and post-disaster
mitigation plans and projects.
Available to California communities after a Presidentially declared disaster has occurred in
California. Grant award based on specific projects as they are identified by eligible applicants.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation
(PDM) grant program FEMA Supports pre-disaster mitigation
plans and projects.
Available on an annual basis as a nationally competitive grant. Grant award based on specific
projects as they are identified (no more than $3M federal share for projects).
Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA) grant
program
FEMA Mitigates repetitively flooded
structures and infrastructure.
Available on an annual basis, distributed to California communities by the California Office of
Emergency Services (Cal OES). Grant award based on specific projects as they are identified.
Assistance to Firefighters
Grant (AFG) Program
FEMA/USFA (U.S. Fire
Administration)
Provides equipment, protective
gear, emergency vehicles, training,
and other resources needed to
protect the public and emergency
personnel from fire and related
hazards.
Available to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services providers. Grant
awards based on specific projects as they are identified.
Community Block Grant
Program Entitlement
Communities Grants
U.S. HUD (U.S.
Department of Housing
and Urban
Development)
Acquisition of real property,
relocation and demolition,
rehabilitation of residential and non-
residential structures, construction
of public facilities and
improvements, such as water and
sewer facilities, streets,
neighborhood centers, and the
conversion of school buildings for
eligible purposes.
Available to entitled cities. Grant award based on specific projects as they are identified.
APPENDIX G Marin County
42
Federal
(cont)
Community Action for a
Renewed Environment
(CARE)
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
(EPA)
Through financial and technical
assistance offers an innovative way
for a community to organize and
take action to reduce toxic pollution
(i.e., stormwater) in its local
environment. Through CARE, a
community creates a partnership
that implements solutions to reduce
releases of toxic pollutants and
minimize people’s exposure to
them.
Competitive grant program. Grant award based on specific projects as they are identified.
Clean Water State
Revolving Fund (CWSRF) EPA
The CWSRF is a loan program that
provides low-cost financing to
eligible entities within state and
tribal lands for water quality
projects, including all types of non-
point source, watershed protection
or restoration, estuary management
projects, and more traditional
municipal wastewater treatment
projects.
CWSRF programs provided more than $5 billion annually to fund water quality protection
projects for wastewater treatment, non-point source pollution control, and watershed and
estuary management.
Public Health Emergency
Preparedness (PHEP)
Cooperative Agreement.
Department of Health
and Human Services’
(HHS’) Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
Funds are intended to upgrade
state and local public health
jurisdictions’ preparedness and
response to bioterrorism, outbreaks
of infectious diseases, and other
public health threats and
emergencies.
Competitive grant program. Grant award based on specific projects as they are identified.
Homeland Security
Preparedness Technical
Assistance Program
(HSPTAP)
FEMA/DHS
Build and sustain preparedness
technical assistance activities in
support of the four homeland
security mission areas (prevention,
protection, response, recovery) and
homeland security program
management.
Technical assistance services developed and delivered to state and local homeland security
personnel. Grant award based on specific projects as they are identified.
APPENDIX G Marin County
43
Table G-9. Marin County, Legal and Regulatory Resources for Hazard Mitigation
Regulatory
Tool Name Description (Effect on Hazard Mitigation) Hazards Addressed
Mitigation,
Preparedness,
Response, or Recovery
Affects Development in
Hazard Areas?
Plans
Countywide Plan:
Water
Resources,
Environmental
Hazards, and
Public Safety
Sections
(2007, updated
2015)
Describes hazard areas and regulates current and future
development based on known hazard areas.
Earthquake, landslides,
fires, flooding
Mitigation &
Preparedness Yes
Local Coastal
Program (last
updated 1981)
Pursuant to the California Coastal Act, Marin County’s Local
Coastal Program guides land use and development to ensure
protection of public access and other coastal resources along
Marin County’s Pacific coastline. Included is a hazards section
with policies that guide development standards and project
review for areas subject to hazards including flooding, bluff
retreat, earthquakes, and coastal erosion.
Earthquake, flooding,
coastal erosion, landslides
Mitigation &
Preparedness Yes
City/District
Emergency
Response Plan
or Emergency
Operations Plan
Describes what the local jurisdiction’s actions will be during a
response to an emergency. Includes annexes that describe in
more detail the actions required of the local jurisdiction’s
departments/agencies. Further, this plan describes the role of
the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) and the coordination
that occurs between the EOC and the local jurisdiction’s
departments and other response agencies. Finally, this plan
describes how the EOC serves as the focal point among local,
state, and federal governments in times of disaster.
Varied Response No
Plans (cont)
Area Housing
Authority
Organizational
Emergency
Response Plan
Enhances the Area Housing Authority’s ability to effectively
respond to emergencies by establishing procedures and
assigning responsibilities
Seismic events, wildfire,
floods and mudslides, train
derailment, dam failure,
hazardous spills, terrorism,
transportation accidents,
plan crashes
Preparedness, Response
and Recovery No
Marin
Stormwater
Resource Plan
(SWRP)
SWRP is a watershed-level resource planning document
covering the County and Marin’s 11 cities that describes
watershed issues, identifies project opportunities with multiple
benefits, and creates a prioritized list of project opportunities
Stormwater Mitigation &
Preparedness Yes
APPENDIX G Marin County
44
based on quantifying multiple benefits.
Policies Code of
Ordinances
The purpose of this code is to establish the minimum
requirements to safeguard the public health, safety, and
general welfare through structural strength, means of egress
facilities, stability, access to persons with disabilities,
sanitation, adequate lighting and ventilation and energy
conservation, and safety to life and property from fire and
other hazards attributed to the built environment; to regulate
and control the demolition of all buildings and structures, and
for related purposes.
Flooding, Wildfire,
Earthquake
Mitigation, Preparedness,
and Response Yes
The following actions were included in the County of Marin’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Many of these actions a re being implemented by the
Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District which is staffed by the County of Marin. Table G -10. Evaluation of Existing County of
Marin and Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Current and Potent ial Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs indicates the
status of these actions. Table G-11. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs to be carried out by or in partnership with
County of Marin and/or Marin County Flood Control & Wat er Conservation District includes details and actions being considered in addition to those
in Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions. Table 4-2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from those
associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables G -1 through G-6).
Table G-10. Evaluation of Existing County of Marin and Marin County Flood Control & Water Conservation District Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation
Projects and Programs
Status
Project or Program Name and Description Timeline
Ongoing Seismic Retrofit of County-owned buildings not current to code.
Goal is for all County-owned buildings to comply with current codes and standards for public safety.
The specific work plan for implementation of the project will be informed by the seismic data assessment and asset management database creation underway
over the next 3-5 years.
Next steps for County-owned buildings include working on the jail and Hall of Justice at the Civic Center, and the Fire and Sheriff station at Point Reyes
Station. The next MCM LHMP should include a project for input of the seismic assessment data into a database. Individual buil ding projects are being
identified through the seismic assessment.
Public Works is currently working on several facility renovations and design projects on County facilities:
(1) West Marin Service Center, Point Reyes Station: Expansion of existing facility that includes additional office areas, interview rooms, a community room,
2012-2025
APPENDIX G Marin County
45
and other utility upgrades. Upon completion in mid-2018, the facility will comply with the 2013 California Building Code.
(2) Civic Center Roof Replacement: The complete removal of all adhered roofing systems, repair of the concrete domes, and installation of a new roofing
system. Inspection of the existing structural concrete of the roof domes will be undertaken during the project.
(3) Tomales Fire Station- Replacement: Project is currently under design and consists of the complete replacement of the current 3,500 sf facility with a new,
8,600 sf state-of-the art fire station. All design will comply with the existing CA Building Code.
(4) 120 N. Redwood- Seismic Assessment: DPW coordinated a seismic assessment of the facility in late 2017 for a required Employment Development
Department (EDD) certification.
(5) Marin Center- Seismic Assessment of the Veteran's Memorial Auditorium & Exhibit Hall: Seismic Assessments of these two facilities, which are part of the
County's Marin Center campus (i.e., cultural events center, fairgrounds, and conference/convention facility). The assessment will guide future strategic
planning for improvements within the campus. Currently seeking HMGP funding for implementation of seismic retrofits.
Additionally, the Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District is preparing to implement seismic upgrades (bolting and anchoring pumps and
roof) to the Cove Pump Station building in Tiburon. Staff also continue gathering available seismic assessment data on County-owned (and possibly leased
sites in the future) facilities. This information will be brought into an asset management database, which is in the early st ages of development, and will support
risk assessment and work plan development
Ongoing
Ross Valley 10 Year Work Plan
Initiated environmental review for the overall program as well as several projects, and made progress on feasibility studies for key flood risk reduction
projects. Due to high level of public outreach and inter-agency coordination required, work plan will be reduced in scope and timeline will extend beyond
2022, to at least 2027.
2012 to 2027
and likely
beyond
Ongoing
Marin County Watershed Program
1st phase complete. Completed 16 studies as part of 1st phase and identified potential projects in Novato, Gallinas, Richardson's Bay, and Stinson Beach
watersheds. Second phase is yet to be funded.
Phase 1 – 2008
to 2017
Phase 2 - TBD
Ongoing
Las Gallinas Levee Evaluation
Completed Phase 1 of Evaluation and prepared preliminary design for system improvements (funding shortfall identified). Next phase of evaluation on hold
indefinitely due to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program limitations. With grant funding from other sources, would proceed with smaller-scale system
improvements. A 2016 request for FEMA HMGP funding for "spot improvements" of the system was denied, and the request was resubmitted in 2017 for
system-wide improvements (pending review). If FEMA funding is approved, levee system improvements could be made as early as 2020.
Phase 1 – 2008
to 2014
Phase 2 - TBD
Ongoing
Marin County Structure Elevation Program
For individual homeowners to elevate their homes above the base flood elevation with FEMA HMA funding.
Advertised program and submitted funding applications to CalOES/FEMA for homes across the County (both incorporated and unincorporated).
If FEMA funding is approved, could proceed with home elevation projects at up to 16 homes as early as 2019. Program may be ongoing.
2016 to TBD
APPENDIX G Marin County
46
Table G-11. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs to be carried out by or in partnership with County of Marin and/or Marin County Flood
Control & Water Conservation District
No. Description Hazard
Addressed
New or Existing
Construction
Responsible Agency Potential Funding
Source
Timeline
1
Acquire electric bikes and safety equipment for official use during
major disasters such as earthquakes to facilitate transportation
and response.
All New Any and All Departments
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
2
Marin Center Facilities Seismic Retrofits - two significant
structures of the Marin Center, the Veterans’ Memorial Auditorium
and the Marin Exhibit Center, do not meet the Basic Performance
Objective for Existing Buildings (BPOE), defined in the ASCE 41
standard for Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings,
and the performance objective required by the California Building
Code. The proposed intervention will correct the identified seismic
deficiencies and improve the seismic performance to meet the
performance objective for State-owned buildings of the California
Building Code.
Earthquake Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years
3
San Anselmo Flood Risk Reduction Project (formerly Memorial
Park - includes Building Bridge #2 and the Former Sunnyside
Nursery flood diversion and storage basin)
Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
4 Corte Madera Creek Flood Risk Management Project, Phase I
(Formerly Phoenix Lake detention basin) Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
5 Azalea Ave Bridge Replacement Flood Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
6 Nokomis Ave Bridge Replacement Flood Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
7 Madrone Ave Bridge Replacement Flood Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
8 Winship Bridge Replacement Flood Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
9 Sycamore Ave Bridge Replacement Flood Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds 0-5 years
APPENDIX G Marin County
47
potential
10 Lower Corte Madera Creek Improvements- Hillview Drainage Flood New Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
11
Continue supporting the Sonoma County Water Agency led
Advanced Quantitative Precipitation Information effort. DWR and
potentially FEMA grant funding will be used to place new X-band
radar units throughout the Bay Area to provide more precise
rainfall forecasting for atmospheric rivers.
Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
12 Restore Pacheco Pond and peak flood flow diversion to wetlands
to improve water quality and habitat. Upgrade tide gates. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5+ years
13 Restore Deer Island Basin to Full Tidal Conditions. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
3-5 years
14 Rush Creek Drainage Improvements Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
2-3 years
15 Novato Levee Evaluation, Improvements, and Repairs Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing, 0-5 years
16 Upgrade stormwater pump stations: Farmers, Cheda, and
Lynwood. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Varies, 0-5 years
17 Simmons Slough Water Management System – Flood risk
Reduction Project Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
2-3 years
18 City of Novato Drainage Improvements per Storm Drain
Masterplan Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
19 Encourage property owners located in the dam or levee
inundation hazard areas to purchase voluntary flood insurance. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing,
20 Build Flood Flow Bypass from Easkoot Creek. Likely to include
wetland and riparian habitat restoration. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds 5-10 years
APPENDIX G Marin County
48
potential
21 Santa Venetia Timber-Reinforced Berm Improvement Project Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
22 Meadow Drive Interceptor and Ditch Upgrades Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
23 Santa Venetia Pump Station No. 4 Upgrades Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
~5 years
24 Pump Station No. 2 Upgrade, Outfall Rehabilitation, and
interconnection to Pump Station No. 1 Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5+ years
25 Pump Station No. 5 Upgrade (including address leaking tide gate
adjacent) Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
26 Corrillo Drive Pipe Rehabilitation and Gate Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
1-2 years
27 Santa Venetia and Rafael Meadows Street Drain Upgrades Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
28 Gallinas Creek Geomorphic Dredge to support navigation and
storm drain outfall. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years
29 McInnis Park Wetland Restoration Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years
30 Levee Setback and Upgrade Project, Wetland Restoration on
County property near San Rafael Airport. Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
unknown
31 Pump Station No. 1 Upgrade (SCADA) Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years
32 Estancia Ditch and Pump Station Upgrades Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds 0-5 years
APPENDIX G Marin County
49
Control potential
33 Cove Pump Station Improvements, including generator
installation Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-1 year
34 Tiburon Street Drainage Improvements Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
unknown
35 Karen Way Ditch Improvements Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5-years
36 Strawberry Levee Improvements Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5-years
37 West Creek Flood Wall Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5+ years
38 East Creek Outfall Modifications (tidal) Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
3 years
39 Mill Valley Comprehensive Flood Control & Drainage Master Plan Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
3 years
40 Coyote Creek Levee Improvements Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years
41 Marin City Drainage Improvements Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
42 Richardson Bay Shoreline Protection Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5+ years
43 Bothin Marsh Restoration and Beneficial Reuse of Coyote Creek
sediments (removed for flood control) Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5+ years
44 Manzanita Modifications (Caltrans) Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds ongoing
APPENDIX G Marin County
50
Control potential
45 Lower Ryan Creek Pump Station Study and Upgrades Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5+ years
46 Crest Marin, Cardinal, and Shoreline Pump Station Upgrades Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
3-5 years
47 Arroyo Corte Madera del Presidio Riverine Flood Risk Reduction Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years
48 Flood Preparedness Pilot Program Flood New and Existing Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
49 Consider sea level rise adaptation findings and recommendations
from CSMART Flood New and Existing
Community Development/
Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing
50
Initiate Community Plans for Adapting to Coastal Hazards in
conjunction with community members and asset managers for
site scale planning around vulnerable assets of community wide
importance (roadways, utilities, etc.). Specific tasks may include
identifying subarea boundaries for prioritization based on flood
frequency, impacts and more; and conduct engineering studies
with cost estimates to evaluate alternatives which may include
armoring, elevation, realignment, etc.
Flooding
(coastal)
Existing – focus should
be on existing
infrastructure.
Community Development/
Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing
51
Develop a “Homeowners Guide to Flood Preparedness” to help
property owners navigate regulatory system and funding
opportunities to retrofit homes to accommodate sea level rise and
storms. Topics could cover the County Permitting process, permit
development requirements, agency compliance (FEMA, CA
Coastal Commission) and technical information and guidance on
home retrofitting options including elevation and floodproofing.
The Guide could be mailed to homeowners, available in libraries,
posted online and presented in public workshops.
Flooding (coastal
and riverine)
Existing – residential
and commercial
buildings subject to
current and/or future
flooding.
Community Development/
Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
0-5 years
52 Follow all four phases of FEMA's How-to-Guide: "Integrating
Historic Property and Cultural Resource Considerations into All Existing – historic
buildings and other
Community Development/
Public Works/ Flood
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds 0-5 years
APPENDIX G Marin County
51
Hazard Mitigation Planning" to develop and implement a
mitigation plan for at risk cultural resources.
cultural resources
exposed to hazards
Control potential
53 Conduct a comprehensive finished floor-elevation inventory to
fully assess West Marin building flood vulnerabilities.
Flooding (coastal
and riverine) Existing
Community Development/
Public Works/ Flood
Control
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
5 years?
54 Protect and restore natural buffers which may include wetland
and beach/dune habitat.
Flooding (coastal
and riverine) Existing
Community Development/
Marin County Parks and
OpenSpace District/ Public
Works
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing
55
Assess bulkheads surrounding Tomales Bay to determine their
structural integrity and continued capability to protect surrounding
homes, roadways and other assets from flooding.
Flooding
(coastal) Existing Community Development
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing
56 Establish additional local funding mechanisms for increased flood
and fire mitigation. Fire Existing
Marin County Fire/
Community Development/
Marin County Parks and
OpenSpace District/ Public
Works
State and Federal Grants,
local matching funds
potential
Ongoing
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
52
13. Appendix H - City of Belvedere Appendix H
City of Belvedere
City of Belvedere
The City of Belvedere had an estimated population of 2,068 in 2010, with 1,045 housing units in the City. The C ity has a total area of 2.406 square
miles. The median income for a household in the City was $130,796 and the per capita income for the City was $113,595. Approx imately 2.9 percent
of families and 5.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Belvedere was incorporated as a city in 1896.
Table H-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Belvedere
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 773 100% 87 100% 11 100% 0 N/A 1 100%
Flood 334 43% 41 47% 9 82% 0 N/A 0 0%
Fire 493 64% 51 59% 5 45% 0 N/A 1 100%
Tsunami 339 44% 42 48% 9 82% 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 93 12% 14 16% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 0%
Dam
Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 1 100%
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
53
Table H-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Belvedere
Roads Ferry Landing Railroad
Miles % of Total Number % of Total Miles % of Total
Earthquake 13 100% 1 100% 0 N/A
Flood 4 31% 1 100% 0 N/A
Fire 10 77% 0 0% 0 N/A
Tsunami 5 38% 1 100% 0 N/A
Landslide 3 23% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Table H-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Belvedere
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
54
Table H-4. Vulnerability of Power in Belvedere
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table H-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Belvedere
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table H-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Belvedere
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 0 1 100% 1 100% 0 N/A
Flood 0 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
55
Fire 0 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0 1 100% 0 0% 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table H -7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables H -1 through H-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, response etc.), or are
carried forward in Table H-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table H-7. Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Belvedere
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant
Included in
Updated Action
Plan
2011 ABAG Plan Annex Strategy Priorities
Implement the goals and objectives set forth in the Flood Mitigation Plan X X X
Fund study and possible repair to elevation of rip rap at Bay, adjacent to San Rafael
Avenue X X X
Update Tiburon Peninsula Joint Disaster Plan X X X
Educational and training outreach to community regarding disaster preparedness,
personal awareness, and flood insurance X X X
Update staff training under SEMS & other applicable disaster response training
programs X X X
Develop recommendations based on future California or US Geological landslide &
tsunami mapping & studies X X X
Implement recommendations based on future California or US Geological landslide &
tsunami mapping & studies X X X
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
56
2011 Flood Mitigation Plan Objectives
Objective 1: Obtain FEMA Accreditation of the Beach Road and San Rafael Avenue Levees and Revision of the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map
Feasibility Study for Beach Road and San Rafael Avenue Levees X X X
Hydrology/Hydraulic Study of Interior Drainage System X X X
Permit, Design, and Construct Modifications to Levees and Improvements to Interior
Drainage System X X X
FEMA Accreditation of Levees X X X
Objective 2: FEMA’s Community Rating System
Implement System X X X
Objective 3: Update and Enforce City Codes and Ordinances to Minimize the Flood Hazard Risk
Continue to enforce the City Flood Ordinance X X X
Continue to comply with all requirements of the NFIP X X X
Explore potential for enhancing current building codes or design standards that will
result in reduced surface runoff to interior drainage system X X X
Objective 4: Increase the mitigation capability of residents, business owners, and others who could be affected by floods
Continue to use the TENS flood warning system X X X
Continue Get Ready X X X
Explore use of Belvedere Lagoon for flood protection X X X
Objective 5: Increase the City’s Capabilities to Respond and Recover from Emergencies and Disasters Caused by Flood Hazards
Develop/Disseminate Warning Protocols/Procedures X X X
Table H-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs
Ongoing Mitigation Activities Responsible Department or Agency Timeframe Funding
Fund study and possible repair to elevation of rip rap at Bay, adjacent to San Rafael Avenue City Engineer 5-year Not Identified
Update Tiburon Peninsula Joint Disaster Plan City Manager, Joint Disaster
Council & Town of Tiburon 5-year Not Identified
Educational and training outreach to community regarding disaster preparedness, personal
awareness, and flood insurance
City Manager
& 5-year Not Identified
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
57
Joint Disaster Council
Update staff training under SEMS & other applicable disaster response training programs City Manager Ongoing Not Identified
Develop recommendations based on future California or US Geological landslide & tsunami mapping
& studies City Engineer Unknown Unknown
Implement recommendations based on future California or US Geological landslide & tsunami
mapping & studies City Engineer Unknown Unknown
Feasibility Study for Beach Road and San Rafael Avenue Levees City Engineer/Public Works 5-year General Fund
Hydrology/Hydraulic Study of Interior Drainage System City Engineer/Public Works 5-year General Fund
Permit, Design, and Construct Modifications to Levees and Improvements to Interior Drainage
System City Engineer/Public Work 5-year T.B.D.
FEMA Accreditation of Levees City Engineer/Public Work 5-year N/A
Implement FEMA Community Rating System Planning/Building 5-year General Fund
Explore potential for enhancing current building codes or design standards that will result in reduced
surface runoff to interior drainage system Planning/Building, Public Works Ongoing General Fund
Continue to use the AlertMarin flood warning system Police, Marin County Office of
Emergency Services Ongoing General Fund
Continue Get Ready Police, Tiburon Fire Protection District Ongoing General Fund
Explore use of Belvedere Lagoon for flood protection City Engineer/Public Works, BLPOA 5-year General Fund
Develop/Disseminate Warning Protocols/Procedures Police 5-year General Fund
Continue Disaster Preparedness Website City Website Manager, Tiburon Fire
Protection District Ongoing General Fund
Continue Joint Disaster Advisory Council City Councils of Belvedere and Tiburon Ongoing General Fund
Disaster Preparedness Education City Manager &
Joint Disaster Council Ongoing General Fund
Block Captain Program City Manager &
Joint Disaster Council Ongoing General Fund
Sand Bag Program City Manager &
Joint Disaster Council Ongoing General Fund
Dead Tree Removal Public Works Ongoing General Fund
Sea Wall Repair Renovation (two projects) Public Works Ongoing General Fund
New Mitigation Activities Responsible Department or Agency Timeframe Funding
Evacuation decal project with Tiburon City Manager &
Joint Disaster Council 5-year General Fund
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
58
Culvert repair/replacement on San Rafael Ave at Lagoon where flooding occurred. (Belvedere-
Tiburon joint project) Public Works 5-year General Fund
Beach Road sea wall repair renovation phase 1 Public Works 5-year General Fund
Phase 2 sea wall long-term sustainability project. Identify and implement flood and seal level rise
protection for island residents and lagoon properties Public Works 5-year Unknown
Sidewalk repairs Public Works Ongoing General Fund
Hillside stability database/rating system Public Works Unknown Unknown
Program or protection against damage from loose boats in Richardson Bay Public Works Unknown Unknown
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
59
Table H-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 2010 General Plan
‘Belvedere 2030’
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. It describes hazard areas and regulates current and future
development based on known hazard areas. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk information
and strategies.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan
2011 ABAG Annex
This Hazard Mitigation Plan and its predecessors identify risks from natural hazards present in the City/Town and includes st rategies
to reduce these risks.
Plan Capital Improvement Plan
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) directs construction activities for City owned facilities and infrastructure for the next five years.
Mitigation actions may involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure. As this plan gets updated there is
potential to improve it with updated strategies.
Plan 2011 Flood Mitigation Plan This plan includes more specific information on Flood Mitigation, including listing additional resources, goals, strategies, and actions.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes standards for
where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of activities can occur in
an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning Ordinance.
Policy Municipal Code
The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation.
Title 2: Administration and Personnel; Chapter 2.32 Disaster Council and Emergency
Services
This Chapter provides for the preparation and carrying out of plans for the protection of
persons and property within this City in the event of an emergency; the direction of the
emergency organization; and the coordination of the emergency functions of this City
with all other public agencies, corporations, organizations and affected private persons.
Title 8: Health and Safety; Chapter 8.36 Urban Runoff and Pollution Prevention; Section
8.36.100 Watercourse Protection
This Section requires property owners to keep watercourse that pass through private
properties free of obstructions that could retard the flow of water through the watercourse
and not modify the natural flow of water in a watercourse.
Title16: Building and Construction; Chapter 16.20 Flood Damage Prevention
This Chapter prevents or minimizes flood damage in flood hazard areas by regulating
construction and other land use activities.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
City Planning, Building, and
Public Works Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting environmental
review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning and building can be
implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for City-owned infrastructure, including streets, bike lanes
and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or retrofitted public infrastructure, as well
as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works Department
Personnel City Police Department The Belvedere Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
APPENDIX H City of Belvedere
60
Personnel Tiburon Fire Protection
District
The Tiburon Fire District protects the town of Tiburon, the city of Belvedere, and the surrounding area. The Fire District's boundaries
represent a diverse community with responsibility for commercial, residential, wildland / urban interface, and parts of the San
Francisco Bay. The Fire Protection District supports implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as well as
capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These include
State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant programs include
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach City Block Captain Program The block-captain program trains volunteers throughout the community to act as a conduit between neighbors and emergency
services in the case of a disaster
Training and Outreach Community Rating System
Working Group
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) to earn flood insurance premium reductions for property owners. A Countywide collaboration of CRS community staff has
been started in recent years and has led to shared resources including outreach materials and floodplain management training. This
collaboration has the potential to expand and lead to a wide variety of flood mitigation activities.
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is designed to
help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and their families safe.
(https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
61
14. Appendix I - Town of Corte Madera Appendix I
Town of Corte Madera
Town of Corte Madera
The Town of Corte Madera had an estimated population of 9,253 in 2010, with 4,026 housing units in the Town. The Town has a t otal area of 4.406
square miles. The median income for a household in the Town was $79,839 and the per capita income for the Town was $46,326. Approximately 2.7
percent of families and 4.5 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Corte Madera was incorporated in 1916.
Table I-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Corte Madera
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 2,538 100% 716 100% 106 100% 5 100% 0 N/A
Flood 975 38% 114 16% 81 76% 5 100% 0 N/A
Fire 1253 49% 204 28% 18 17% 0 0% 0 N/A
Tsunami 191 8% 40 6% 13 12% 1 20% 0 N/A
Landslide 479 19% 141 20% 4 4% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 37 5% 7 7% 0 0% 0 N/A
Table I-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Corte Madera
Roads Railroads Ferry
Number % of Total Miles % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 50 100% 0 0% 0 N/A
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
62
Flood 24 48% 0 0% 0 N/A
Fire 25 50% 0 0% 0 N/A
Tsunami 4 8% 0 0% 0 N/A
Landslide 12 24% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 2 4% 0 0% 0 N/A
Table I-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Corte Madera
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
Table I-4. Vulnerability of Power in Corte Madera
Transmission
Tower
Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans.
Line
Natural Gas
Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Miles % of
Total Miles % of
Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 3.9 100% 2.9 100%
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 2.5 64.1% 1.5 51.7%
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 1.3 33.3% 1.2 41.4%
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
63
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 1.2 30.8% 0 0%
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A .6 15.4% .6 20.7%
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A .5 12.8% 0 0%
Table I-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Corte Madera
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 10 100%
Flood 0 N/A 10 100%
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 5 50%
Landslide 0 N/A 2 20%
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table I-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Corte Madera
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 4 100% 4 100% 2 100% 0 N/A
Flood 2 50% 2 50% 0 0% 0 N/A
Fire 2 50% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Tsunami 1 25% 1 25% 0 0% 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table I -7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
64
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables I -1 through I-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, response etc.), or are
carried forward in Table I-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table I-7. Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Corte Madera
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing Not
Started
Still
Relevant
Included in Updated
Action Plan (New #)
Mitigation Activities and Priorities from 2012
Government Mitigation Strategies: As a member of the Marin Emergency Radio Authority
(MERA), the Town participates in the decisions on management of the current county-wide,
interagency emergency radio system. MERA, with the Town as participant, is also studying the
replacement for the system as it reaches the end of its service life. Town employees have
been offered CERT, Get Ready, and appropriate EOC training for their duties as disaster
service workers. An updated General Plan was adopted which includes significant public
safety components.
X X MLT-14
Education Mitigation Strategies: Education facilities in town are either under the Larkspur-
Corte Madera School District, or are private. The Town has a close working relationship with
the schools to facilitate disaster planning, exercises, and facility upgrades.
X discard
Health Mitigation Strategies: The Town of Corte Madera is not responsible for health care
facilities within the Town’s boundaries. The Marin County Health Department would be the
responsible agency, along with the State of California. We are in close cooperation with those
entities to pre-stage disaster-related resources in town.
X discard
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
65
Economy Mitigation Strategies: The Town continues to review and adopt current California
Building and Fire codes. The town also provides public disaster preparedness education to the
business community to reduce the impact and aid the recovery of their economically-vital
functions. We also work closely with the Chamber of Commerce in these endeavors.
X Remove: response and
recovery
Environmental Mitigation Strategies: The Town now requires Vegetation Management Plans
(VMP) for development in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas. This reduces the chance
of a wildland fire igniting the structure(s) and reciprocally, wildland ignition from a structure fire.
The Town also has been removing exotic, invasive, and hazardous species and replacing with
native, safer vegetation.
X X For CM Annex
Housing Mitigation Strategies: The Town continues to review and adopt current California
Building codes. A new 79 unit, multi-building, multi-story apartment building (affordable and
green building components) was constructed. It meets or exceeds codes for seismic, flood, fire
and other disaster scenarios. The Town has adopted the International Wildland Urban
Interface Code and applied it to new construction and substantial remodel work.
X X CWPP standard super-
cedes
Earthquake natural gas valves are required in new construction or during substantial remodel
work X X For CM Annex
Infrastructure Mitigation Strategies: As new development occurs, roadways and driveways are
required to be of minimal 12 to 20 foot width and with approved turnarounds and/or turnouts.
The Town demolished a seismically unsafe sanitary district structure and constructed a new
facility. Countywide GIS emergency response mapping was completed. A Mutual Threat Zone
(wildland mutual aid) plan was developed. The water district has continued replacement and
upsizing of water mains, tanks, and hydrants using funds from a district-wide bond. Utility
undergrounding has been completed in the historic “Town Square” district. Completed public
works improvement projects include replacement of aging sewer and storm drain pipes, pump
stations, and facilities.
X X X
Carry road width forward,
completed other, carry
forward
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
66
Land Use Mitigation Strategies: The Town continues to keep local ordinances compliant with
the FEMA model ordinance, and applies flood ordinance provisions diligently. In addition to
using FEMA maps to regulate flood hazard areas, the Town may require elevation certificates
at the building permit stage to verify compliance with NFIP requirements.
X Discard: following NFIP is
implicit
Future Mitigation Activities and Priorities' from 2012
The Town is developing a joint Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with the City of Larkspur.
It will be located in a new Twin Cities Police Authority building (serving Corte Madera and
Larkspur). The state of the art facility is scheduled for completion in January 2012. It will meet
or exceed requirements for disaster resistance. The existing EOC will be retained as a back-
up. A new internet-based mass notification/ information/education platform will be launched
with the opening of the new facility.
X EOC is shared with County
In 2014, the Town Council will adopt the 2013 California Building, Fire, Residential and other
model codes which apply to all construction activity within the Town boundaries. The Codes
incorporate public health, safety, energy, green building and access standards used in the
design and construction of all buildings. The new code provisions will allow the Town to utilize
the latest technologies, advances in construction standards and seismic design for use in new
residential and commercial construction and in remodels.
X Adopting current state
building codes is implicit
The Town has historically been very focused on flood control mitigation. Capital improvement
projects, as well as maintenance and upgrading of flood control and sewer facilities have been
of very high priority. Currently however, the economic realities faced by government and
private entities alike have delayed scheduled projects. It is anticipated that these projects will
resume when funding is available.
X X Carry CIP forward to CM
Annex
Ongoing Mitigation Strategy Programs' from 2012
Continue to enforce and/or comply with State-mandated requirements, such as the California
Environmental Quality Act X Implicit
Incorporate FEMA guidelines and suggested activities into local government plans and
procedures for managing flood hazards X X FLD-2
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
67
Continue to participate in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating
System (CRS) X X FLD-1
Continue to comply with all applicable building and fire codes as well as other regulations
when constructing or significantly remodeling infrastructure facilities X Implicit
Continue to facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness materials and trainings
through the Corte Madera Fire Department. Evacuation shelter identification and
management, CERT classes, Get Ready classes.
X Discard- preparedness
Conduct periodic tests of the emergency sirens, AM radio station, and CERT emergency
warning systems X Tech-nology has changed,
see MLT 14
Continue to maintain the existing emergency operations center as a back-up X Discard, not mitigation
specific-ally
Development of interoperable communications for first responders from cities, counties,
special districts, state, and federal agencies. X X MLT-14
Participation in general mutual-aid agreements and agreements with adjoining jurisdictions for
cooperative response to fires, floods, earthquakes, and other disasters. X Discard, not mitigation
specific-ally
Continue to repair and make structural improvements to storm drains, pipelines, and/or
channels to enable them to perform to their design capacity in handling water flows as part of
regular maintenance activities.
X X FLD-5
Programs to reduce the amount of flammable vegetation. Including weed wrench loaning,
voluntary inspections and recommendations to property owners, free “chipper days”
program, annual inspections and mandatory abatement program. Active participation in the
local Fire Safe Marin council.
X X FIR-3
Fire code amendments to reduce the damage to structures from earthquake, landslide and
fire. Including automatic natural gas shut-off valves and fire sprinklers for new and
substantially remodeled structures.
X X Carry CIP forward to CM
Annex
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
68
Table I-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs
Action Number / Name Responsible Agency Potential Funding Source Timeline
Corte Madera Mitigation Activities and Priorities from 2012
Require Vegetation Management Plans (VMP) for development in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas.
This reduces the chance of a wildland fire igniting the structure(s) and reciprocally, wildland ignition from a
structure fire. The Town also has been removing exotic, invasive, and hazardous species and replacing with
native, safer vegetation.
Fire Department Unknown 5-year
Earthquake natural gas valves are required in new construction or during substantial remodel work Building Department Unknown 5-year
As new development occurs, roadways and driveways are required to be of minimal 12 to 20 foot width and with
approved turnarounds and/or turnouts. Fire Department Unknown 5-year
Implement projects identified in Capital Improvement Plan, such as maintaining & upgrading of flood control and
sewer facilities. Public Works Unknown 5-year
Fire code amendments to reduce the damage to structures from earthquake, landslide and fire. Including
automatic natural gas shut-off valves and fire sprinklers for new and substantially remodeled structures. Fire Department Unknown 5-year
Table I-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 2009 General Plan
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. The Town has a Safety Element in its General Plan
that includes a discussion of fire, earthquake, flooding, and landslide hazards. This plan was adopted as an implementation
appendix to the Safety Element. In addition, the Town enforces the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act
(CEQA), which, since 1988, requires mitigation for identified natural hazards. The Town has used these pre-existing programs
as a basis for identifying gaps that may lead to disaster vulnerabilities in order to work on ways to address these risks through
mitigation. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk information and strategies.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011
ABAG Annex
This Hazard Mitigation Plan and its predecessors identify risks from natural hazards present in the Town and includes strategies
to reduce these risks.
Plan Capital Improvement Plan
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) directs construction activities for Town owned facilities and infrastructure for the next five
years. Mitigation actions may involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure. As this plan gets updated
there is potential to improve it with updated strategies.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes standards
for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of activities can
occur in an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning
Ordinance.
Policy Municipal Code The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation including Title 6 Health and Sanitation, Title 15
Buildings and Construction, and Title 16 Protection of Flood Hazard Areas
Administrative Administrative Services Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
APPENDIX I Town of Corte Madera
69
Department business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
Town Planning, Building, and
Public Works Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting
environmental review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning
and building can be implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for Town-owned infrastructure,
including streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or
retrofitted public infrastructure, as well as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works
Department
Personnel Central Marin Police Authority The Central Marin Police Authority conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related
to emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Corte Madera Fire
Department
The Corte Madera Fire Department protects the town from the effects of fire and other hazardous conditions and supports
implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as well
as capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These
include State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant
programs include Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Weekly Newsletter website
The Town produces a weekly digest of local issues in Town, which is an effective outreach tool. Additionally the Town website
contains links to a wide variety of mitigation information and training opportunities.
Training and Outreach Community Rating System
Working Group
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) to earn flood insurance premium reductions for property owners. A Countywide collaboration of CRS
community staff has been started in recent years and has led to shared resources including outreach materials and floodplain
management training. This collaboration has the potential to expand and lead to a wide variety of flood mitigation activities.
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is
designed to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and
their families safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
70
15. Appendix J - Town of Fairfax Appendix J
Town of Fairfax
Town of Fairfax
The Town of Fairfax had an estimated population of 7,441 in 2010, with 3,585 housing units in the Town. The Town has a total area of 2.204 square
miles. The median income for a household in the Town is $58,465 and the per capita income for the Town is $34,080. Approximately 4.3 percent of
families and 6.5 percent of the population is below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Fairfax was incorporated as a town in 1931.
Table J-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Fairfax
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 2,104 100% 532 100% 87 100% 0 N/A 1 100%
Flood 212 10% 78 15% 32 37% 0 N/A 0 0%
Fire 1849 88% 447 84% 27 31% 0 N/A 1 100%
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 412 20% 41 8% 1 1% 0 N/A 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 0%
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
71
Table J-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Fairfax
Roads Railroad Ferry
Miles % of Total Miles % of Total
Earthquake 33 100% 0 0
Flood 4 12% 0 0
Fire 28 85% 0 0
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0
Landslide 11 33% 0 0
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0
Table J-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Fairfax
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
72
Table J-4. Vulnerability of Power in Fairfax
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table J-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Fairfax
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
73
Table J-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Fairfax
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 4 100% 2 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 0% 1 50% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 4 100% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation pla n. Table J-7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4-2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables J -1 through J-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, respo nse etc.), or are
carried forward in Table J-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table J-7 – Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Fairfax
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant Included in Updated
Action Plan (New #)
'Future Mitigation Actions and Priorities' from 2012
In January 2011, the Town Council adopted the 2010 California Building Code which applies to all
construction activity within the Town boundaries. The California Building Code is comprised of 11
parts that incorporate public health, safety, energy, green building and access standards used in the
design and construction of all buildings. The new code provisions will allow the Town to utilize the
latest technologies, advances in construction standards and seismic design for the use in new
residential and commercial construction and in remodels.
X X MLT-3
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
74
The Town has determined that the combination of construction type, age, and shaking exposure to
the Fairfax Pavilion which is the only facility suitable as a shelter, are significant. The Town has
applied for and received a Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant to seismically retrofit this building. The
Pavilion renovation will qualify as a principal disaster shelter by Red Cross standards.
X X For Fairfax Annex
No determination has been made at this time for the Town-owned Women’s Club (Council
Chambers). It is anticipated this building will need seismic retrofitting. X X For Fairfax Annex
The Town will establish a General Plan Implementation Committee (GPIC) to guide and assist in the
implementation of the Town’s new 2010 General Plan; including the implementation of the new
Safety Element section titled “Community Preparedness.”
X no
'Ongoing Mitigation Strategies' from 2012
Continue to comply with all applicable building and fire codes as well as other regulations when
constructing or significantly remodeling infrastructure facilities X X MLT-3
Continue to enforce and/or comply with State-mandated requirements, such as the California
Environmental Quality Act X X Implicit
Incorporate FEMA guidelines and suggested activities into local government plans and procedures
for managing flood hazards X X FLD-2
Continue to participate in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program X X Implicit
Continue to facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness materials and trainings through the
General Plan Implementation Committee X X Preparedness
Conduct periodic tests of the emergency sirens and emergency warning systems X
Continue to maintain the emergency operations center X X Response
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
75
The Town will participate in the Ross Valley Watershed group, which is how priorities were set for
flooding hazard mitigation. A successful local election has created a flood
fee generating revenues to fund watershed wide flood mitigation projects through the local flood
control district. A hydrologic study has been completed that encompasses the entire Ross Valley
watershed in order to determine the effects of potential flood mitigation projects.
X X Fairfax Annex- update
language
As new flood-control projects are completed, request that FEMA revise its flood insurance rate maps
and digital Geographic Information System (GIS) data to reflect
flood risks as accurately as possible – ongoing project, Planning and Building Dept.
X X Fairfax Annex and MLT 5
Enforce and/or comply with the hazardous materials requirements of the State of California Certified
Unified Program Agency (CUPA) – Ross Valley Fire Department,
ongoing project.
X X Implicit- requirement
Seek grant funding for vegetation removal along roadways and roadside collection/chipping of
hazardous vegetation within the Wildland-Urban Interface. X X FIR-3, FIR-5, FIR-6
Ross Valley Fire to work with other Marin County Fire agencies and Marin Municipal Water District to
review and update MMWD Fireflow Master Plan to improve the water distribution system. X X FIR-4
Table J-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Fairfax
Hazard(s) addressed Responsible Agency
Potential Funding
Source Timeline
Fairfax Mitigation Activities and Priorities from 2012
Seismically retrofit and/or renovate the Town Pavilion Earthquake Town Administration, DPW,
Building HMGP, PDM grants 1-5 years
Seismically retrofit / renovate Town-owned Women’s Club (Council Chambers) Earthquake, Flood Town Administration, DPW,
Building HMGP, PDM grants 5-10 years
Conduct periodic tests of the emergency sirens & emergency warning systems Flood Police, Fire, Town
Administration general funds Ongoing
Continue to maintain the emergency operations center All Police, Fire, Town
Administration general funds Ongoing
Continue to participate in the Ross Valley Flood Protection & Watershed Program, which
establishes priorities for flooding hazard mitigation projects. Flood Town Administration, DPW Special flood fee, state
and federal grants Ongoing
As new flood-control projects are completed, request that FEMA revise its flood insurance
rate maps and digital Geographic Information System (GIS) data to reflect Flood Planning Department general funds As constructed
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
76
flood risks as accurately as possible – ongoing project, Planning and Building Dept.
New Fairfax Mitigation Activities
Continue to use Town Nixle for public outreach All Police, Fire, Town
Administration general funds Ongoing
Mitigate flooding impacts at Town facilities such as Town Hall Flood Town Administration, DPW Special flood fee, state
and federal grants 5+ years
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
77
Table J-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 2010 General Plan
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. The new Safety Element includes a discussion of
fire, earthquake, flooding, and landslide hazards; and importantly includes a section on Community Preparedness.
Consistent with the Plan Maintenance and Update Process section of the 2004 Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Annex,
the General Plan Advisory Committee (GPAC) reviewed, refined, and incorporated selected mitigation strategies into the final
draft 2010 General Plan Safety Element. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk
information and strategies.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan 2011
ABAG Annex
This Hazard Mitigation Plan and its predecessors identify risks from natural hazards present in the Town and includes
strategies to reduce these risks.
Plan Capital Improvement Plan
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) directs construction activities for Town owned facilities and infrastructure for the next
five years. Mitigation actions may involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure. As this plan gets
updated there is potential to improve it with updated strategies.
Plan
Emergency Response Plan &
Community Preparedness
Plan
These plans inform priority mitigation actions and programs.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes
standards for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of
activities can occur in an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted
into the Zoning Ordinance.
Policy Municipal Code
The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation. The Town adopts the current California Building
Code which applies to all construction activity within the Town boundaries. The California Building Code is comprised of 11
parts that incorporate public health, safety, energy, green building and access standards used in the design and construction
of all buildings. The new code provisions will allow the Town to utilize the latest technologies, advances in construction
standards and seismic design for the use in new residential and commercial construction and in remodels.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology,
and business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to
the department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
Town Planning, Building, and
Public Works Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conduc ting
environmental review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning
and building can be implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for Town-owned infrastructure,
including streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or
retrofitted public infrastructure, as well as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works
Department
Personnel Fairfax Police The Town Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Ross Valley Fire Department The Ross Valley Fire Department protects the town from the effects of fire and other hazardous conditions and supports
implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
APPENDIX J Town of Fairfax
78
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as
well as capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These
include State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant
programs include Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Fairfax Volunteers
Fairfax Volunteers supplement town staff in a variety of outreach and community activities related to hazard mitigation. This
includes organizing neighborhood groups, creek and path stewardship and emergency preparedness coordination.
Training and Outreach Community Rating System
Working Group
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) to earn flood insurance premium reductions for property owners. A Countywide collaboration of CRS
community staff has been started in recent years and has led to shared resources including outreach materials and
floodplain management training. This collaboration has the potential to expand and lead to a wide variety of flood mitigation
activities.
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is
designed to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents
and their families safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
79
16. Appendix K - City of Larkspur Appendix K
City of Larkspur
City of Larkspur
The City of Larkspur had an estimated population of 11,926 in 2010, with 6,376 housing units in the City. The City has a tota l area of 3.243 square
miles. The median income for a household in the City was $66,710 and the p er capita income for the City was $56,983. Approximately 1.8 percent of
families and 3.7 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Larkspur was incorporated as a city in 1908.
Table K-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Larkspur
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 2,478 100% 1482 100% 134 100% 10 100% 4 100%
Flood 485 20% 282 19% 42 31% 10 100% 0 0%
Fire 1535 62% 164 11% 22 16% 0 0% 1 25%
Tsunami 353 14% 191 13% 41 31% 10 100% 1 25%
Landslide 411 17% 205 14% 6 4% 0 0% 0 0%
Dam
Inundation 511 21% 465 31% 55 41% 5 50% 0 0%
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
80
Table K-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Larkspur
Roads Railroads Ferry Stations
Miles Number Miles Percent Number Percent
Earthquake 51 100% 1 100% 1 100%
Flood 12 24% 0 0% 1 100%
Fire 25 49% 0 0% 0 0%
Tsunami 11 22% 0.1 10% 1 100%
Landslide 10 20% 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 12 24% 0 0% 1 100%
Table K-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Larkspur
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
81
Table K-4. Vulnerability of Power in Larkspur
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Miles % of
Total Miles % of
Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0.7 100%
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0.3 42%
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Table K-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Larkspur
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
82
Table K-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Larkspur
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 6 100% 3 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 2 33% 3 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 1 18% 3 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table K -7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to relat ed actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables K -1 through K-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparednes s, recovery, response etc.), or are
carried forward in Table K-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4-2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table K-7 – Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Larkspur
Number Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant
Included in
Updated Action
Plan (New #)
AH-1 Backup Generators X X MLT-9
AH-2 Public Works Corporation Yard Office Seismic Tie Down X
AH-3 Engineering Public Works Office X
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
83
AH-4 Public Works Office X
AH-5 Public Works Corporate Shop Generator X X MLT-9
AH-6 50KW Mobile Generator with trailer X X MLT-9
AH-7 80KW Backup Generator X X MLT-9
AH-8 Public Outreach Program X X prevention- for
EOP
AH-9 Partnerships with local jurisdictions and mutual stakeholders to prevent collaborative
disaster damage X X MLT-6, MLT-8
AH-10 Information Technology System Upgrade X not mitigation- for
EOP
AH-11 Cache of Emergency Supplies and Container X preparedness- for
EOP
AH-12 Mobile Disaster Command Center X response- for EOP
AH-13 Larkspur Disaster Council X not mitigation- for
EOP
AH-14 Community Emergency Response Team (C.E.R.T) Cache and Storage Unit X for EOP
AH-15 Community Training Room Expansion X preparedness- for
EOP
AH-16 Upgrade 9-1-1 Telephone System X
AH-17 Telephone System Upgrade X new building
AH-18 LCD w/DLP Capability Televisions X
AH-19 Wireless Computers (Wireless I.T. System X
AH-20 Electrical upgrade for remodeled EOC X Now part of
County EOC
AH-21 Emergency Operations Center Remodel X Now part of
County EOC
EQ-1 City Hall Seismic Upgrade X X X for Larkspur
Annex
EQ-2, WF-1 Fire Station Seismic Upgrade X X X for Larkspur
Annex
EQ-3, WF-2 Fire Station Expansion X X X for Larkspur
Annex
FL-1, SW-1 Upgrade Storm Drain System X
For Larkspur
Annex-storm drain
master plan
FL-2 Buy Out Program X X FLD-6
FL-3 Property Development Program X X FLD-2
FL-4 Elevate Home Program X X FLD-6
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
84
FL-5 Trash Pumps (two 6 inch) X X for Larkspur
Annex (combine)
FL-6 Five (5) Discharge Suction Hoses X X for Larkspur
Annex (combine)
FL-7 Two 4 inch Trash Pumps w/ suction hoses X X for Larkspur
Annex (combine)
FL-8 Future Flood Elevation Feasibility Study for Coastal Buildings X X FLD-10, FLD-11
FL-9 Flood Mitigation Plan X X for Larkspur
Annex
WF-2 High Fire Zone Assessment Program X X for Larkspur
Annex
WF-3 Contract Service for Vegetation Debris Bins X X FIR-3
WF-4 Chipper Program X X FIR-3
WF-5 Fuel Management Program X X FIR-9, FIR-5, FIR-
3
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
85
Table K-8 - Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Larkspur
Action Name
Former Action
Number, if
applicable
Description Responsible
Agency
Potential Funding
Source Timeline
City Hall Seismic
Upgrade EQ-1
A complete seismic upgrade of City Hall, to interior & exterior walls, floors & footings.
Removal of second floor storage room and reconstruction of the rear wall. A preliminary
structural analysis was prepared in 1994. A partial seismic upgrade based on that study was
completed when the roof was replaced in 1997.
Public Works Federal/
State Grants (PDM) 5-years
Fire Station
Seismic Upgrade EQ-2, WF-1
A complete seismic upgrade of the Fire Station attached to City Hall. Including improvements
to interior & exterior walls, floors, roof structure & footing. Included are improvements to bring
the building up to current ADA requirements. Repair and patch interior and exterior finishes.
Public Works, Fire
Department
Federal/
State Grants (PDM) 5-years
Fire Station
Expansion EQ-3, WF-2
Construction of a new second floor, Area of construction 4000 sq.ft at the City Hall Fire
Station w/parking below. The addition links Fire Station & City Hall. The second floor allows
for the expansion of the City Offices, and additional room for a Incident Command EOC.
Public Works, Fire
Department
Federal/State
Grants (PDM) 5-years
Upgrade Storm
Drain System FL-1, SW-1
Upgrade current storm drainage system to accommodate increased water flow from
excessive rains. Which entails:
1. Replacing & enlarging current drain pipe (8 crossings x 40 ft)
approximately 2 miles of the existing 15.
2. Replacing two (2) dozen gates/valves at critical discharge points.
3. Install two (2) new pump stations at; A) Hillview B). Larkspur Marine
4. Upgrade existing pump stations at A) Heathergarden B) Larkspur Plaza
C) Industrial Way
5. Install back flow check valve at 4 ft culvert under A) Hwy 101 at
Redwood B) Hwy 101 at Industrial Way
6. Install 1000 ft of new culvert under public streets
7. Replace 250 catch basins/drain inlets
8. Install 20 new catch basins/drain inlets
Public Works
Federal/State
Grants; Flood
Mitigation Hazard
Program
ASAP
Trash Pumps FL-5, FL-6, FL-7
Purchase 6 inch trailer mounted Trash Pumps & discharge suction hoses
Public Works
Federal/State
Grants; Flood
Mitigation Hazard
Program
5-year
Flood Mitigation
Plan FL-9 Develop a Comprehensive Flood Mitigation Plan. The Plan will identify repetitive flood areas
and develop short and long term flood mitigation strategies
Public Works
Federal/State
Grants; Flood
Mitigation Hazard
Program
5-year
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
86
High Fire Zone
Assessment
Program
WF-2
Fire dept staff goes door-to-door and assess fire treat potential to business and private home
owners. The staffs make suggestions/enforce defensible space according to city fire codes
and ordinances.
Fire Department General Budget Ongoing
Table K-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 1990 General Plan update
Larkspur is in process of finalizing an update to its General Plan, which is scheduled for adoption in 2019. The General Plan
outlines the City’s long-term strategic goals, policies and programs that affect the City’s growth and development such as land
use, transportation, streets and sidewalks, utilities & infrastructure, parks, housing and neighborhoods, recreation and community
facilities, commercial services and products, the environment, public health and safety, and flooding. Chapter 7, Community
Health and Safety, addresses many of the hazards addressed in this plan.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan Larkspur’s previous Hazard Mitigation Plan identified risks from natural hazards present in the City and informed strategies to
reduce these risks presented in this plan.
Plan Capital Improvement Program
Every year, City staff develops a Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for council consideration, which serves as a
multi-year planning tool to coordinate the financing and scheduling of major projects to improve and maintain its infrastructure.
The CIP directs construction activities for City owned facilities and infrastructure for the next five years. Mitigation actions may
involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure.
Policy Subdivision Regulations;
Municipal Code Chapter 17
The city’s subdivision ordinance, establishes standards to regulate the division of land and also establishes standards to restrict
the creation of building sites in areas where flooding, lack of adequate access or services, or other conditions may create
hazards to life or property. The regulations promote public health, safety and general welfare and minimize public and private
losses due to hazardous conditions in specific areas and insure that reasonable caution is taken to preclude loss or damage to
life and property.
Policy Zoning Ordinance; Municipal
Code Chapter 18
The zoning ordinance implements the general plan by establishing specific regulations for development. The zoning ordinance
defines minimum lot sizes, densities and development standards, and regulates land use in hazardous areas. It includes
standards for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of
activities can occur in an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into
the zoning ordinance.
Policy Slope & Hillside Ordinance;
Municipal Code Chapter 18.34
The slope and hillside ordinance reduces densities and impervious construction in steep hillside areas. The ordinance provides a
higher standard of review at the planning phase to address potential for hazards and environmental degradation related to slope
failure, increased erosion, sedimentation, storm water run-off, fire hazards, loss of vegetation, excessive grading, visual intrusion
of structures, and potential for traffic hazards. The ordinance serves to protect public health, safety and general welfare and
minimize public expense for long-term maintenance of slope areas resulting from over-development in hillside areas.
Policy Fire Prevention: Municipal
Code Chapter 15
Policy Building Regulations;
Municipal Code Chapter 15
The City also adopted the most recent State of California approved Uniform Building Code, including the Residential Building
Code and Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) standards to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare by providing enhanced
fire resistance for exterior treatments and new roof coverings in high fire hazard zones. The Seismic Safety Code contains
structural requirements to insure structural integrity during seismic and other hazardous events and prevent personal injury, loss
of life and substantial structural damage. The City requires the undergrounding of utilities in the case of new construction and
major remodels. The City has also adopted the International Property Maintenance Code to provide for the abatement of unsafe
APPENDIX K City of Larkspur
87
and/or uninhabitable buildings.
Policy Floodplain Management;
Municipal Code Chapter 15.18
The city of Larkspur enforces floodplain management regulations in special flood hazards identified by the Federal Insurance
Administration, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. These regulations address the construction, location,
extension, conversion or alteration of structures or land in special flood hazard zones, including both new development and
modifications to existing uses and structures. The ordinance regulates and restricts development in flood-prone areas to promote
the public health, safety and general welfare, to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas, and
to minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general
public.
Policy
Stormwater Management;
Municipal Code Chapter 9.11
and 9.12
The City enforces regulations for best management practices during development as well as permanent and ongoing erosion
control measures to minimize off-site stormwater flow and buildup of sedimentation and other obstacles in drainage ways. The
city identifies drainage ways and watercourses as public easements and provides standards for the protection, maintenance,
enhancement and restoration of streams and waterways in a manner which preserves the conveyance of stormwater run-off and
enhances their ecological integrity and resource functions and value.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
Planning & Building
Department
Conducts comprehensive planning activities, including preparation of the General Plan.
Develops and enforces zoning regulations.
Prepares CEQA documents.
Verifies compliance with Uniform Building Code through checking plans, issuing permits, and inspections.
Oversee flood plain management program, including flood elevation determinations and flood-proof construction.
Coordinates development review with public works, fire, polices, and outside agencies.
Conducts site inspections to enforce permit and code compliance.
Leads damage assessments and documentation during emergency.
Administrative and
Personnel Public Works Department
Public Works Department is responsible for City-owned infrastructure, including streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains,
traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or retrofitted public infrastructure, as well as those related to
water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works Department
Personnel Central Marin Police Authority The Central Marin Police Authority conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Larkspur Fire Department
Larkspur Fire Department protects the city and portions of unincorporated Greenbrae from the effects of fire and other hazardous
conditions and supports implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Larkspur also has a volunteer fire department and manages its vegetation management program
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
88
17. Appendix L - City of Mill Valley Appendix L
City of Mill Valley
City of Mill Valley
Mill Valley had an estimated population of 13,903 in 2010, with 6,534 housing units in the City. The City has a total area of 4.847 square miles. The
median income for a household in the City was $90,794 and the per capita income for the City was $64,179. Approximately 2.7 percent of families
and 4.5 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Mill Valley was incorporated as a city in 1900.
Mill Valley completed a single-jurisdiction All Hazards Mitigation Plan in 2017 which is hereby incorporated by reference into this appendix and
includes much more jurisdiction-specific information about Mill Valley. Below are summary tables updating Mill Valley’s vulner ability analysis and
mitigation strategies.
Table L-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Mill Valley
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 3,556 100% 1439 100% 220 100% 0 N/A 2 1005
Flood 585 16% 316 22% 137 62% 0 N/A 0 0%
Fire 2683 75% 927 64% 61 28% 0 N/A 2 100%
Tsunami 97 3% 259 18% 41 19% 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 662 19% 149 10% 12 5% 0 N/A 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 0%
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
89
Table L-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Mill Valley
Roads Railroad Ferry
Miles % of Total Miles Number
Earthquake 75 100% 0 0
Flood 13 17% 0 0
Fire 64 85% 0 0
Tsunami 4 5% 0 0
Landslide 19 25% 0 0
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0
Table L-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Mill Valley
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 2 100 %
Flood 0 0
Fire 2 100 %
Tsunami 0 0
Landslide 1 50 %
Dam Inundation 0 0
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
90
Table L-4. Vulnerability of Power in Mill Valley
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Miles % of
Total Miles % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 1 100% 1 100% 3.1 100% .9 100
Flood 0 N/A 0 0% 0 N/A .5 16% 0 0
Fire 0 N/A 1 100% 0 N/A 2.2 71% .8 88.9%
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 0% 0 N/A .4 13% 0 0
Landslide 0 N/A 1 100% 0 N/A 1.0 32% .5 55.6%
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 0% 0 N/A .5 16% 0 0%
Table L-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Mill Valley
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 1 100% 6 100%
Flood 0 0% 5 83.3%
Fire 0 0% 0 0%
Tsunami 1 100% 0 0%
Landslide 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0%
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
91
Table L-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Mill Valley
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 12 100% 3 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 7 58.3% 3 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 2 16.7% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 1 8.3% 2 66.7% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table L -7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables L -1 through L-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (th ey may rather be preparedness, recovery, response etc.), or are
carried forward in Table L-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4-2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table L-7 – Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Mill Valley
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant Included in Updated
Action Plan (New #)
‘Future Mitigation Actions’ from Single-Jurisdiction Plan
Building Assessment
Perform appropriate seismic and fire safety analysis based on
current and future use for all City-owned facilities and
structures.
X MLT-2
Strengthen and/or
Replace City
Buildings
Strengthen and/or replace City-owned buildings in the
identified prioritized order as funding is available. X MLT-2
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
92
Soft Story Assessment of Soft-Story Buildings (non-City owned) for
Potential Mandated Retrofit Program. X EQ-2
Non-City Buildngs Reduce hazard vulnerabilities for non-City-owned buildings
throughout Mill Valley. X MLT-3
Fire Code Reduce fire risk in existing and new development through fire
code updates and enforcement. X MLT-3
Vegetation
Management
Reduce fire risk in existing and new development (non-City
owned) through vegetation management. X FIR-2,3,4,5
Hazard Information
Collect, analyze and share information with the Mill Valley
community about Mill Valley hazards and associated risk
reduction activities.
X MLT-5
Partnerships
Ensure that the City provides leadership and coordinate with
the private sector, public institutions, and other public agencies
in disaster mitigation.
X MLT-6 and annex
MMWD Work with MMWD to ensure an adequate water supply during
emergencies and for disaster recovery X MLT-14
Streamline Rebuild Streamline the zoning and permitting process to rebuild
residential and commercial structures following disasters. X annex
Energy Assurance Develop an Energy Assurance Plan for City Operations X MLT-9
Gas Safety
Improve the disaster-resistance of the natural gas delivery
system to increase public safety and to minimize damage and
service disruption during and after a disaster.
X MLT-6 and annex
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
93
Storm Water System
Rehabilitate and improve the capacity of the City’s storm water
system to reduce local flooding caused by inadequate storm
drainage.
X Fld-5 and annex
Extreme Heat Reduce Mill Valley’s vulnerability to extreme heat events and
associated hazards. X annex
Severe Storms Reduce Mill Valley’s vulnerability to severe storms and
associated hazards. X annex
Water Security
Collaborate with local, state, regional and federal partners to
increase the security and capacity of Mill Valley’s water supply
from climate change impacts
X annex
NFIP Maintain City participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program. X Fld-1
Sea-Level Rise Mitigate the impacts of sea-level rise in Mill Valley. X Fld-10,11,13
Table L-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Mill Valley
Action Responsible Agency Potential Funding
Source Timeline
Partnerships Ensure that the City provides leadership and coordinate with the private sector, public institutions, and
other public agencies in disaster mitigation.
Administration/ Public
Works/ Planning/
Building Departments
General Fund Ongoing
Streamline Rebuild Streamline the zoning and permitting process to rebuild residential and commercial structures following
disasters.
Public Works/
Planning/ Building
Departments
General Fund Ongoing
Gas Safety Improve the disaster-resistance of the natural gas delivery system to increase public safety and to
minimize damage and service disruption during and after a disaster.
Public Works/
Planning General Fund Ongoing
Storm Water
System
Rehabilitate and improve the capacity of the City’s storm water system to reduce local flooding caused
by inadequate storm drainage.
Public Works/
partnerships General Fund Ongoing
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
94
Extreme Heat Reduce Mill Valley’s vulnerability to extreme heat events and associated hazards.
Public Works/
Planning/ Building
Departments
General Fund Ongoing
Severe Storms Reduce Mill Valley’s vulnerability to severe storms and associated hazards.
Public Works/
Planning/ Building
Departments
General Fund Ongoing
Water Security Collaborate with local, state, regional and federal partners to increase the security and capacity of Mill
Valley’s water supply from climate change impacts
Public Works/
Planning/ Building
Departments
General Fund Ongoing
APPENDIX L City of Mill Valley
95
Table L-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 2013 General Plan Update
‘2040 General Plan’ Mill Valley’s General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. The General Plan is currently being updated.
Plan City All Hazard Mitigation Plan
v 4.0
Mill Valley’s previous Hazard Mitigation Plan identified risks from natural hazards present in the City and informed strategies to
reduce these risks presented in this plan.
Plan Capital Improvement Program
Every year, City staff develops a Five-Year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for council consideration, which serves as a
multi-year planning tool to coordinate the financing and scheduling of major projects to improve and maintain its infrastructure.
The CIP directs construction activities for City owned facilities and infrastructure for the next five years. Mitigation actions may
involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes standards
for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of activities can
occur in an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning
Ordinance.
Policy Municipal Code The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
City Planning, Building, and
Public Works Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting
environmental review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning and
building can be implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for City-owned infrastructure, including
streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or retrofitted
public infrastructure, as well as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works Department
Personnel Mill Valley Police The Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to emergency
preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Mill Valley Fire Department Mill Valley Fire Department protects the city from the effects of fire and other hazardous conditions and supports implementation
of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as well as
capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These
include State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant
programs include Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Website
The City website contains links to a wide variety of mitigation information and training opportunities.
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is designed
to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and their
families safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
APPENDIX M City of Novato
96
18. Appendix M - City of Novato Appendix M
City of Novato
City of Novato
The City of Novato had an estimated population of 51,904 in 2010, with 21,158 housing units in the City. The City has a total area of 27.440 square
miles. The median income for a household in the City was $63,453, and the per capita income for the City was $32,402. Approxi mately 3.1 percent
of families and 5.6 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 dat a, U.S. Census Bureau).
Novato was incorporated as a city in 1960.
Table M-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Novato
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 11,815 100% 4909 100% 516 100% 218 100% 3 100%
Flood 1606 14% 605 12% 128 25% 41 19% 1 33.3%
Fire 7029 59% 2550 52% 106 21% 72 33% 0 0%
Tsunami 86 1% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Landslide 1885 16% 293 6% 25 5% 3 1% 0 0%
Dam
Inundation 2682 23% 1061 22% 287 56% 13 6% 0 0%
APPENDIX M City of Novato
97
Table M-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Novato
Roads Railroads Ferry
Miles % of Total Miles % of Total Number
Earthquake 237 100% 9 100% 0
Flood 53 22% 7 78% 0
Fire 117 49% 4 44% 0
Tsunami 2 1% 0 0% 0
Landslide 34 14% 0 0% 0
Dam Inundation 66 28% 3 33% 0
Table M-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Novato
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX M City of Novato
98
Table M-4. Vulnerability of Power in Novato
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 36 100% 3 100% 2 100% 26.5 100% 2 100%
Flood 29 80.6% 1 33.3% 0 0% 8.2 30.9% 0 0%
Fire 6 16.7% 1 33.3% 2 100% 8.5 32.1% 2 100%
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% .1 .4% 0 0%
Landslide 1 2.8% 0 0% 0 0% 1.8 6.8% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 11 30.6% 1 33.3% 0 0% 7.4 27.9% 0 0%
Table M-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Novato
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 2 100% 4 100%
Flood 0 0% 4 100%
Fire 0 0% 0 0%
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0%
Landslide 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0%
APPENDIX M City of Novato
99
Table M-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Novato
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 21 100% 5 100% 10 100% 0 0%
Flood 2 9.5% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Fire 4 19.0% 0 0% 2 20% 0 0%
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Landslide 0 0% 1 20.0% 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 7 33.3% 1 20.0% 4 40% 0 0%
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table M-7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables M-1 through M-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions
in Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, response etc.), or are
carried forward in Table M-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table M-7 – Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Novato
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant Included in Updated
Action Plan (New #)
1.1.3 Update the City of Novato's Local Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years. no
1.2.1 Repair water leak in the Police Building, (designated as an alternate EOC facility), to
avoid any disruption to using the facility as an alternate EOC during an emergency.
CIP project to
be completed
this year
x
1.2.2 Install an above ground diesel tank at the Corporation Yard to have diesel fuel readily
available during an emergency. x x MLT-9
1.3.2 Compile and inventory City-owned buildings at risk. Completed 2013 x MLT-2
APPENDIX M City of Novato
100
1.3.3
Continue the code enforcement inspection program for apartments of 3 or more units
in the City to find seismic safety, flood and health and safety compliance issues and to
identify buildings at risk to specific hazards.
x x MLT-3 and annex
1.3.4
Continue to conduct annual inspection and maintenance of storm sewer drainage
systems and utilize new vacuum truck with additional capacity and enhanced storm
drain clearing technology.
X x Fld-5
1.5.1 Identify appropriate staffing levels of public safety personnel to address vulnerabilities
identified within the capabilities of the City. x not mitigation
1.5.2
Purchase and install an emergency generator at the City’s Todd Senior Center, (a
designated emergency shelter) to provide power if electrical service is disabled during
an emergency.
x x MLT-9
1.5.3 Conduct training biannually on response and recovery exercises for city staff and
volunteers. x not mitigation
1.5.5
Implement and maintain the telephone emergency response system to broadcast
emergency information and warnings to designated first responders, the public,
individuals, pre-designated telephone listing and selected geographical areas.
x - see County
contract for
ALERT Marin
referenced in plan
under the
Warnings section
rather than
mitigation actions
for CRS purposes
1.5.6 Prepare a site-specific vulnerability assessment of City-owned critical facilities that use
the best available science and technology with regards human-caused hazards.
human-caused not
relevant to DMA
2000
1.5.7 Protect the city’s data, technology infrastructure and staff against cyber attacks such
as but not limited to:
human-caused not
relevant to DMA
2000
· Identity Theft
· Virus/Malware/Spyware/Spam
· Network and system attacks
· Web site hacking
2.1 Encourage the public to prepare and maintain a 3- day preparedness kit for home and
work useable for all hazards. Prepared-ness,
not mitigation
2.2 Continue the City’s outreach program to flood-prone property owners and the citizens
of Novato to help them mitigate their flood risks. x x FLD-4
2.3
Update City websites to provide convenient public access to earthquake hazard maps,
and educational mitigation materials and distribute printed publications to the
community concerning hazards
x - as part of
multi-
jurisdictional
LHMP virtual
engagement
x MLT-5
3.1.
Update the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan, as needed and update the plan
when the State of California and the County of Marin update their Emergency
Preparedness plans.
x
x - update
ongoing
language to
EOP
not mitigation
Preparedness
replaced with
Operations in
column 2 ‐
APPENDIX M City of Novato
101
Still Valid
3.4 Identify projects for pre-disaster mitigation funding and assure adequate funding
where feasible to restore damaged facilities.
x - discuss
projects with
DPW
x Fld-5, EQ-3, LS-2
4.1.3 Request Caltrans to seismic retro-fit US-101 bridge sections located within the City of
Novato. x x EQ-3
4.1.5 Annually inspect the Hamilton levees and associated flood control pump stations.
x - update
ongoing
language to
include
assessment,
maintaining
accreditation,
and making
necessary
improvements
to levee/pump
stations
x Fld-5
4.1.6
Repair and resurface Atherton US 101 bridge crossing for safe vehicle traffic and
protect rebar that is beginning to be exposed, this bridge crossing is a major
evacuation route for the Novato area.
x - verify with
DPW x - as a retrofit, not
simple repair EQ-3
4.2.1 Participate in the completion of the County’s Watershed Stewardship Plan. The plan’s
projects will address preventative measures to mitigate flood impacts. x
Fld-5 and annex Storm
Drain Master Plan
projects
4.2.4
Require all development in the 100 year flood zone to comply with the Floodplain
Zoning requirements in the Novato Municipal Code and ensure projects comply with
the California Environmental Quality Act and refer any development proposal that has
a direct or indirect impact on flood protection to Public Works for comment and other
agencies as necessary.
x x Fld-2
4.2.6 Maintain Novato’s compliance and good standing under the National Flood Insurance
program (NFIP) and the Community Rating System (CRS). x x Fld-1
4.2.7
Create a comprehensive computerized model of the Novato’s basins and produce
maps to aid the Clean Storm Water program by completing the Storm Drainage
Master Plan. The GIS database will work to monitor flow throughout the City’s network
of storm drains.
x x x
annex - does DPW have
specific projects that
came out of this?
4.2.8
Meet annually with all agencies involved in Marin County Flood Control projects to
ensure that structural projects are considered and continue to cooperate with Marin
jurisdictions in pursuing all available sources of funding to finance improvements to
storm drainage facilities.
x x x annex
4.2.9 Train Public Works and Police personnel in emergency flood response techniques. x
Prepared-ness,
not mitigation as
is, but MLT-7
broadens to
mitigation training
MLT-7
APPENDIX M City of Novato
102
4.2.10 Reduce flooding in northeasterly area of downtown Novato by providing
enhancements to the existing ditch on the west side of the railroad tracks. x x Fld-5
4.2.11 Participate with FEMA to update and maintain the Flood FIRM/DFIRM maps. x delete ongoing
4.2.12 Provide emergency flood control resources such as plastic sheeting and sand bags to
businesses and citizens in emergencies. x preparedness, not
mitigation
4.2.13 Manage seepage at the Hamilton Levee to minimize impacts and inundation risks to
private property. x - verify with
DPW x Fld-5
4.2.14 Install pollution prevention devices at outfalls throughout the city to mitigate storm
water discharges into the creeks.
pollution not part
of this plan, refer
to Stormwater
Resources Plan
(SWRP)
4.3.1 Expand the GIS system to identify properties located within the Wildland-Urban
Interface (WUI). x x MLT-11
4.3.2 Promote defensible space on City land behind homes in Novato. x x FIR-3, FIR-5
NFD-1 Complete a Novato Specific Community Wildfire Protection Plan new proposal annex
NFD-2 Develop an inventory of structures with shake and shingle roofing material to identify
and target education efforts and the need for roof conversions. new proposal MLT-11
NFD-3 Consider ways to use drone technology for disaster response, recovery, including fire
protection. new proposal not really
mitigation oriented annex
NFD-4 Articulate and promote the concept of land use planning related to fire risk and
individual landowner objectives and responsibilities. new proposal annex
NFD-5 Coordinate with county and local government staff to integrate Firewise approaches
into planning documents and ordinances. new proposal
annex - or consider
adding multi-jurisdictional
action
NFD-6
Continue to support community vegetation reduction grants and chipper programs to
encourage compliance with defensible space and vegetation management
requirements.
new proposal FIR-3, FIR-5
NFD-7 Consider the creation of transition zones (areas between developed residential areas
and open space areas) where additional defensible space clearance is needed. new proposal
annex - or consider
adding multi-jurisdictional
action
NFD-8
Continue inter-agency coordination with Marin’s fire service community and other
partners to maintain a community presence and to develop and distribute public
information regarding fuel reduction efforts throughout the county.
new proposal
annex - or consider
adding multi-jurisdictional
action
NFD-9 Continue efforts to partner with neighborhoods located in WUI areas to educate them
on becoming fire adapted or Firewise communities. new proposal
annex - or consider
adding multi-jurisdictional
action
NFD-10 Continue implementation of the countywide fuel break and fire plan implementation new proposal
annex - or consider
adding multi-jurisdictional
action
NFD-11 Prioritize evacuation routes for fuel reduction programs new proposal FIR-1
NFD-12 Encourage community-level drills for evacuation preparedness new proposal not mitigation annex
APPENDIX M City of Novato
103
NFD-13 Work to reduce regulatory barriers that limit hazardous fuels reduction activities (e.g.,
tree removal process). new proposal
annex - or consider
adding multi-jurisdictional
action
NFD-14
EOC Display upgrade: Design and budget also includes power requirements,
programming and integration of existing AV equipment for the new Video Wall location
as well as removal of the existing front projection system.
new proposal annex
NFD-15 Map all City owned open space new proposal annex
NFD-16 Develop a Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) for all City owned open space new proposal FIR-4
NFD-17 Annual weed abatement on City owned land new proposal FIR-4
NFD-18 Creation of shaded fuel breaks on City owned land near residential & commercial
structures new proposal FIR-4
Table M-8 - Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Novato
# Description Hazard(s)
addressed Responsible Agency Potential
Funding Source Timeline Notes
Mitigation Activities and Priorities from Prior LHMP
N-1
Continue the code enforcement inspection program for
apartments of 3 or more units in the City to find seismic safety,
flood and health and safety compliance issues and to identify
buildings at risk to specific hazards.
All Novato Community
Development City General Fund On-going
N-2
Update the City's Emergency Preparedness Plan, as needed and
update the plan when the State of California and the County of
Marin update their Emergency Preparedness plans.
All Novato Emergency
Management
City General Fund
and Fire General
Fund
Phase 1 - 2018
Phase 2 - 2020 reference Novato EOP in annex
N-3
Participate in the completion of the County’s Watershed
Stewardship Plan. The plan’s projects will address preventative
measures to mitigate flood impacts.
Storm / Flood Novato Public Works City General Fund On-going Fld-5 and annex Storm Drain Master
Plan projects. does DPW want to add
specific projects?
N-4
Create a comprehensive computerized model of the Novato’s
basins and produce maps to aid the Clean Storm Water program
by completing the Storm Drainage Master Plan. The GIS
database will work to monitor flow throughout the City’s network
of storm drains.
Storm / Flood Novato Public Works City General Fund 2019 annex - does DPW have specific
projects that came out of this?
N-5
Meet annually with all agencies involved in Marin County Flood
Control projects to ensure that structural projects are considered
and continue to cooperate with Marin jurisdictions in pursuing all
available sources of funding to finance improvements to storm
drainage facilities.
Dam / Storm /
Flood Novato Public Works City General Fund On-going x - check with DPW
APPENDIX M City of Novato
104
New Mitigation Activities and Priorities
NFD-1 Complete a Novato Specific Community Wildfire Protection Plan Fire Novato Fire District Fire General Fund On-going annex
NFD-2 Consider ways to use drone technology for disaster response,
recovery, including fire protection. Fire Novato Community
Development City General Fund On-going not mitigation oriented
NFD-3
Articulate and promote the concept of land use planning related
to fire risk and individual landowner objectives and
responsibilities.
Fire
Novato Fire District &
Novato Community
Development
Fire General Fund
and City General
Fund
On-going annex
NFD-4 Coordinate with county and local government staff to integrate
Firewise approaches into planning documents and ordinances. Fire Novato Public Works
and Novato Fire District
City General Fund
and Fire General
Fund
2020 annex - or consider adding multi-
jurisdictional action
NFD-5
Consider the creation of transition zones (areas between
developed residential areas and open space areas) where
additional defensible space clearance is needed.
Fire Novato Fire District Fire General Fund On-going annex - or consider adding multi-
jurisdictional action
NFD-6
Continue inter-agency coordination with Marin’s fire service
community and other partners to maintain a community
presence and to develop and distribute public information
regarding fuel reduction efforts throughout the county.
Fire Novato Fire District Fire General Fund On-going annex - or consider adding multi-
jurisdictional action
NFD-7
Continue efforts to partner with neighborhoods located in WUI
areas to educate them on becoming fire adapted or Firewise
communities.
Fire Novato Fire District Fire General Fund On-going annex - or consider adding multi-
jurisdictional action
NFD-8 Continue implementation of the countywide fuel break and fire
plan implementation Fire Novato Community
Development City General Fund On-going annex - or consider adding multi-
jurisdictional action
NFD-9 Encourage community-level drills for evacuation preparedness All
Novato Public Works &
Community
Development
City General Fund 2019 not mitigation
NFD-10 Work to reduce regulatory barriers that limit hazardous fuels
reduction activities (e.g., tree removal process). Fire Novato Fire District Fire General Fund On-going annex - or consider adding multi-
jurisdictional action
NFD-11
EOC Display upgrade: Design and budget also includes power
requirements, programming and integration of existing AV
equipment for the new Video Wall location as well as removal of
the existing front projection system.
Fire Novato Community
Development City General Fund On-going annex
NFD-11 Map all City owned open space Fire
Novato Fire District &
Novato Community
Development
Fire General Fund
and City General
Fund
On-going annex
APPENDIX M City of Novato
105
Table M-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 2016 General Plan Update
‘General Plan 2035’
The City is currently finalizing an update to its General Plan, which serves as a basis for decisions that affect the City’s growth and
development such as transportation, land use, streets and infrastructure, parks, housing and neighborhoods, recreation and community
facilities, downtown, the environment, public health and safety, and flooding. The General Plan is a strategic and long-term document
identifying goals and polices that guides and directs the City in terms of implementing policies, programs and resources. As required by
State law, the City of Novato’s General Plan includes seven chapters, or "elements": land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open
space, noise and safety.
Plan
2011 Hazard Mitigation Plan
& 2008 Flood Mitigation
Plan
Novato’s previous Hazard Mitigation Plan identified risks from natural hazards present in the City and informed strategies to reduce these
risks presented in this plan. The 2008 Flood Mitigation Plan was developed in conjunction with the Hazard Mitigation Plan and contains
more details specific to the local flood hazards. The Flood Mitigation Plan is now incorporated into this Hazard Mitigation Plan.
Policy Subdivision Regulations
The City’s subdivision ordinance, Chapter 9 of the City of Novato Municipal Code establishes standards to regulate the division of land,
defines minimum lot sizes, densities and development standards, and regulates land use in hazardous areas.
Subdivision regulations also establish standards to regulate the division of land and eliminate the creation of building sites in areas where
flooding may create hazards to life or property. The regulations promote public health, safety and general welfare and minimize public and
private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas and insure that reasonable caution is taken to preclude loss or damage to life and
property.
Policy Zoning Regulations
The City’s Zoning Ordinance establishes various zoning districts and implements the goals and policies of the Novato general plan by
classifying and regulating the uses of land and structures within the City of Novato. In addition, it protects and promotes the public health,
safety, and general welfare of residents, and preserve and enhance the aesthetic quality of the city. When lots are subdivided, the
developer is required to provide adequate access for firefighters, flowrates and storage of water for firefighting.
Policy
Clean Storm Drain
Regulation
This regulation ensures the future health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of the City of Novato by establishing a funding source
to provide enforcement of the city's Urban Runoff Pollution Prevention Ordinance, to provide maintenance and repair of the city's
stormwater drainage facilities, to provide capital improvements to the city's storm drainage system, and to provide other clean stormwater
activities. It also protects and enhances the water quality of the State's, and the Nation's watercourses, water bodies, and wetlands in a
manner pursuant to and consistent with the Clean Water Act.
Policy Development Standards
The development standards in Chapter 5 of the Municipal Code are authorized by the California Government Code which allows local
government controls in building, planning and subdivision. The City development standards enforce disaster-resistant development to
minimize risk from natural hazards.
Policy Adequate Water Supply
Each permit or approval application affected by this requirement shall indicate the way water is to be supplied. The degree of specificity
shall relate to the type of permit or approval requested. All affected permit or approval processes shall include provisions for adequate
water supply. This insures that the North Marin Water District will provide water to serve the use and/or development upon th e
establishment of the use or the completion of the development. Each use or development proposal which involves or requires water
service (domestic, commercial, industrial, agricultural) either for sanitary use, consumption, production, irrigation or visual amenity, shall
provide for such water by agreement with the North Marin Water District.
Policy
Flood Damage Prevention
Requirements
Chapter 5-31 of the Municipal Code is titled Flood Damage Prevention Requirements. It was adopted to reduce flood hazards in the
special flood hazard areas within the City of Novato. It addresses the construction, location, extension, conversion or alteration of
structures or land in special flood hazard zones. These regulations apply to both new development and construction and existi ng
structures. By regulating and restricting development in such areas will minimize risks of public and private losses due to flood hazards in
APPENDIX M City of Novato
106
these specific areas. The areas of special flood hazards are identified by the Federal Insurance Administration, through the Federal
Emergency Management Agency. It is the purpose of this section to promote the public health, safety and general welfare, and to
minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas, and to minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts
associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public.
Policy Waterway and Riparian
Protection
This ordinance provides standards for the protection, maintenance, enhancement and restoration of streams and waterways in a manner
which preserves and enhances their ecological integrity and resource functions and value. This ordinance establishes adequate buffer
areas along watercourses to avoid flood hazards and maintain or expand storage capacity for flood waters; protect water quality and in-
stream habitat; preserve, enhance and restore riparian habitat and adjacent wetlands and upland buffers; and, provide for continuous
wildlife migration corridors connecting habitat areas. This regulation allows development, which is compatible with the important physical,
habitat, aesthetic, and recreational functions of waterways, while ensuring that these functions and values are protected in perpetuity.
Policy Hillside and Ridgeline
Protection
This ordinance reduces the potential for hazards and environmental degradation related to slope failure, increased erosion,
sedimentation, storm water run-off, fire hazards, loss of vegetation, excessive grading, visual intrusion of structures, and potential for
traffic hazards. It also provides for proper maintenance and fire management and minimizes public expense for long-term maintenance of
slope areas and public improvements in hillside areas.
Policy Drainage Development
Requirements
In Section 5-15 of the Municipal Code standards for drainage are defined and are necessary to insure that underground and surface
waters are conducted through and away from developments in such a manner as to not detrimentally affect other properties; insure that
underground and surface water is not a problem within the completed development; and further, to correct or improve existing
underground or surface water problems within the boundaries of the development and within the immediately affected surrounding area.
APPENDIX M City of Novato
107
Policy Fire Safety
The City of Novato recognizes the Novato Fire Protection District as the agency responsible for providing fire prevention and firefighting
services to the incorporated area of the City of Novato.
Therefore, Chapter 5-21 of the Municipal Code requires all applications for permits or approvals affected by this chapter shall be referred
to the Novato Fire Protection District for its review and comment.
Fire regulations are adopted to minimize the hazard to life and property due to fire. All affected permit or request for approval applications
shall include fire safety provisions. Such as:
• Emergency Vehicle Access including but not limited to: Minimum street widths, grades, horizontal and vertical clearances are defined so
certain major equipment can properly function on such streets to provide access and egress that is optimal for emergency response
vehicles.
• Certain developments that include proposed open space dedications or where developments abut existing open space, access for fire
equipment to that open space shall be provided.
• New developments, and certain types of remodels, proposed in identified fire hazard severity zones or in the defined Wildland Urban
Interface (WUI) areas shall use ignition resistant building construction materials and methods to reduce structural ignitability.
• Any new development or substantial remodel construction to occur in areas defined by the Novato Fire District Board, and adopted by
resolution of the City Council, as Wildland Urban Interface areas shall, prior to final clearance occupancy or use, eliminate certain types of
fire prone vegetation, except single specimen shrubs or trees, within 30 feet (or up to 100 feet for extra hazardous conditions upon
direction of the fire chief) of all structures.
Policy Building and Housing
The purpose of the Building and Housing code is to establish rules and regulations governing building activity in the city and to safeguard
life, health, property, and public welfare by providing minimum fire retardancy requirements for new roof coverings. This information is
also needed to assist the city in compiling information on the use, location, and condition of properties within the jurisdiction of the City of
Novato and provides for the abatement of unsafe buildings. By agreement, for health and safety reasons, the city may share this
information or resultant vital statistics with other governmental agencies.
The City has also adopted the most recent State of California approved Building Code, Mechanical Code, Seismic Safety Code, and
National Electrical Code which contain structural requirements for existing and new buildings. The codes are designed to insure structural
integrity during seismic and other hazardous events and prevent personal injury, loss of life and substantial structural damage. The City is
prepared to adopt new codes and standards as passed by the State of California.
APPENDIX M City of Novato
108
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Maintains insurance on City facilities
Operates the City Redevelopment Agency and manages Housing activities
Manages internal City communications and computer systems
Designated a grant analyst position to develop additional funding opportunities for various projects and programs.
Administrative Disaster Council Established by City Municipal Code, 2-13
Develops and recommends emergency and mutual aid plans and agreements
Administrative and
Personnel Public Works Departments
Provides road construction and maintenance services
Conducts emergency repair services to transportation and public works infrastructure systems
Maintains drainage infrastructure
Oversees floodplain management and flood mitigation programs
Makes flood elevation determinations
Works with water and sewer agencies to maintain surviving utilities, and services and evaluates the safety of public structures and
infrastructure during emergency responseDesigns constructs and maintains city owned buildings
Manages the Repetitive Loss Program
Administrative and
Personnel Community Development
Verifies compliance with Building Code through checking plans, issuing permits, and conduction field inspections.
Conducts comprehensive planning activities, including leading preparation of the General Plan
Develops zoning regulations
Prepares CEQA documents
Leads situation analysis, damage assessments and documentation during emergency response
Conducts site inspections to enforce permit and code requirements
Personnel Novato Police
Plans and coordinates response, recovery and mitigation activities
Develops emergency operation plans for the City
Leads emergency response and coordinates with fire for rescues and hazardous materials response
Communicates with federal, state, and other local agencies
Coordinates with the County to utilize the Marin Medical Reserve Corps (MMRC), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES)
and other volunteer organizations.
Oversees disaster volunteers
Performs emergency response activities, including evacuation and security
Utilizes the emergency warning systems through telephone notification utilizing reverse 911 and the EAS system as their primary
warning capability.
Personnel Novato Fire Protection
District
The City of Novato recognizes the Novato Fire Protection District as the agency responsible for providing fire prevention, firefighting
services and emergency medical services to the incorporated area of the City of Novato. The district also responds to hazardous material
incidents.
Coordinates emergency response, including rescues, fire suppression and hazardous materials response.
Plans and coordinates response, recovery, and mitigation activities
Conducts emergency management and preparedness trainings
Provides plan check and inspection services for fire related code compliance
Enforces the Vegetation Management Plan which sets clearance distances, type of vegetation for fire fuel breaks around structures
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and typically fund the majority of personnel resources above
as well as capital improvement projects.
APPENDIX M City of Novato
109
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These include State
flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that have being pursued. These FEMA grant programs include Hazard
Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Novato Fire Foundation
A non-profit organization supported by the Novato Fire Protection District provides enhanced fire and life safety programs, services and
education to the Novato community.
(https://www.novatofirefoundation.org/)
Training and Outreach CERT
The CERT program, or Community Emergency Response Team is a national program to train citizens to help fill the gap between a
disaster or emergency and the arrival of professional services. Novato participates in providing CERT training in coordination with other
Marin County agencies. (https://readymarin.org/cert/)
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is designed to help
residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and their families safe.
(https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
Training and Outreach Firewise USA™
Firewise Neighborhoods: The Firewise USA™ program has empowered neighbors to work together in reducing their wildfire risk. Using a
five-step process, communities develop an action plan that guides their residential risk reduction activities, while engaging and
encouraging their neighbors to become active participants in building a safer place to live.
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
110
19. Appendix N – Town of Ross Appendix N
Town of Ross
Town of Ross
The Town of Ross had an estimated population of 2,415 in 2010, with 884 housing units in the Town. The Town has a total area of 1.556 square
miles. The median income for a household in the Town is $102,015 and the per capita income for the Town is $51,150. Approximately 5.6 percent of
families and 8.5 percent of the population is below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Ross was incorporated as a town in 1908.
Table N-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Ross
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 750 100% 64 100% 12 100% 0 N/A 5 100%
Flood 218 29% 11 17% 10 83% 0 N/A 3 60%
Fire 764 100% 64 100% 12 100% 0 N/A 5 100%
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 43 6% 1 2% 1 8% 0 N/A 0 0%
Dam
Inundation 276 37% 20 31% 11 92% 0 N/A 5 100%
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
111
Table N-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Ross
Roads Railroad Ferry Terminals
Number % of Total Miles Number
Earthquake 20 100% 0 0
Flood 3 15% 0 0
Fire 20 100% 0 0
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0
Landslide 2 10% 0 0
Dam Inundation 7 35% 0 0
Table N-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Ross
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
112
Table N-4. Vulnerability of Power in Ross
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Miles % of
Total Miles % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table N-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Ross
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
113
Table N-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Ross
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 2 100% 2 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 1 50% 2 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 2 100% 2 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 2 100% 2 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table N-7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables N-1 through N-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, respo nse etc.), or are
carried forward in Table N-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table N-7 – Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Ross
Action Number / Name Complete Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant Included in Updated
Action Plan (New #)
AH-1 Train homeowners to locate and shut off gas valves if they smell or hear
gas leaking. discard No, not a hazard mitigation
action
AH-2 Conduct periodic tests of the alerting and warning system. X X Annex
AH-3
Implement Ross Valley Emergency Preparedness. Initiate discussions with
other Ross Valley jurisdictions to consider opportunities to jointly respond
to emergencies such as flood, fire, earthquake or other emergency
situations. Cost savings and coordination opportunities could include the
creation of a Town staff disaster planning coordinator, formation of a
disaster preparedness committee reporting to Town staff (resident
volunteers, Town official), sharing of resources and development of
outreach programs to residents and businesses to provide training and
X X MLT-6
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
114
information about disaster preparedness. (General Plan Program 5.B)
AH-4
Encourage the formation of a community- and neighborhood-based
approach to wildfire education and action through local Fire Safe Councils
and the Fire Wise Program to take advantage of grant funds currently
available to offset costs of specific
X X Annex
AH-5
Promote attendance at local or regional hazard conferences and
workshops for elected officials and staff to educate them on the critical
need for programs in mitigating earthquake, wildfire, flood, and landslide
hazards.
X X MLT-7
AH-6
Facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness or mitigation
materials that are prepared by others, such as by posting links at the Town
web site, emails and placing materials at the Ross Post Office. Conduct
workshops, and/or provide outreach encouraging residents, school
employees, and private businesses' employees to have family disaster
plans that include drop-cover-hold earthquake drills, fire and storm
evacuation procedures, and shelter-in place emergency guidelines.
X X FLD-4
AH-7 Review and, if necessary, update evacuation plans. Consider organizing
evacuation drills X X FIR-1
AH-8
Consider expanding residential building reports to include hazard
disclosure for known natural hazards in Ross: 1) Special Flood Hazards
Areas (designated by FEMA), 2) Areas of Potential Flooding from dam
failure inundation, 3) Very High Fire Hazards Severity Zones, 4) Wildland
Fire Zones, and 5) Liquefaction and Landslide Hazards Zones (designated
under the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act).
X X Annex
AH-9
Establish preservation-sensitive measures for the repair and re-occupancy
of historically significant privately-owned structures, including requirements
for temporary shoring or stabilization where needed, arrangements for
consulting with preservationists and expedited permit procedures for
suitable repair or rebuilding of historically or architecturally valuable
structures.
X X MLT-17
AH-10
Create incentives for private owners of historic or architecturally significant
buildings to undertake mitigation to levels that will minimize the likelihood
that these buildings will need to be demolished after a disaster, particularly
if those alterations conform to the federal Secretary of the Interior’s
Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
X MLT-17
AH-11
Continue development and maintenance of the Local Hazard Mitigation
Plan. Consider coordination with the ABAG Regional Hazard Mitigation
Plan in the future.
discard, no longer using
ABAG plan. See MLT-1
AH-12
Create and update hazard mitigation page on the Town website that
provides a copy of the hazard plan, progress reports, information on
hazards and mitigation with an emphasis on what residents may undertake
to mitigate for their own sites, emergency response and warning
information.
X X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
115
AH-13 Continue to regulate and enforce the location and design of street-address
numbers on buildings. X X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding
AH-14
Encourage replacing above ground electric and phone wires and other
structures with underground facilities, and use the planning-approval
process to ensure
that all new phone and electrical utility lines are installed
underground.
X X MLT-4
AH-15
Support and encourage efforts of lifeline infrastructure/utility system
providers (PG&E, MMWD and Marin Sanitary Service) as they plan for and
arrange financing for seismic retrofits and other disaster mitigation
strategies. (For example, by passing resolutions in support of retrofit
programs.)
X X MLT-6
AH-16
Assist residents and businesses in the development of defensible space
through roadside collection and/or chipping services (for brush, weeds, and
tree branches).
X X FIR-3
AH-17
Consider establishing a hazard mitigation fee for building permits to create
a hazard mitigation funding source for initiatives or grant cost-share
requirements
X X Annex (?)
AH-18 Consider hazard abatement districts as a funding mechanism to ensure
that mitigation strategies are implemented and enforced over time. X X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding
AH-19 Consider improvement of currently unused pedestrian rights-of-way/paths
as walkways to serve as additional evacuation routes. X X Annex
AH-20 Map areas of vulnerable roads and develop action plan to assist residents
to repair private roads, driveways and slide hazard areas. X LS-1, LS-2
AH-21
Identify and work with non-profits and through other mechanisms to protect
as open space those areas susceptible to extreme hazards (such as
through land
acquisition, zoning, and designation as priority conservation areas).
X X MLT-8
AH-22
Develop a continuity of operations plan for the Town that includes back-up
storage of plans and essential electronic files as well as procedures to
continue normal Town operations after a disaster. Identify and mitigate
problems with architectural components and equipment that will prevent
critical buildings from being functional after major natural disasters, such as
computers and servers, phones, files, and other space those areas
susceptible to extreme hazards (such as through land
acquisition, zoning, and designation as priority conservation areas).
X X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding
AH-23
Prepare a basic Recovery Plan that outlines the major issues and tasks
that are likely to be the key elements of community recovery, as well as
integrate this planning into response planning (such as with continuity of
operations plans).
X X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
116
AH-24 Elevate Public Safety building and Town Hall above the base flood
elevation and upgrade to meet current fire and seismic safety standards. X X MLT-2
AH-25
Consider retrofit or replacement of critical facilities that are shown to be
vulnerable to damage in natural disasters, considering any issues of
historical significance.
X X MLT-2
AH-26
Comply with all applicable building and fire codes, as well as other
regulations (such as state requirements for fault, landslide, and liquefaction
investigations in particular mapped areas) when constructing or
significantly remodeling Town-owned facilities.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding
AH-27 Establish plans for ensuring fuel will be available for police, fire and
vehicles X X MLT-9
AH-28 Train on call public works staff in emergency response. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
mitigation funding. See
MLT-7
AH-29
If necessary, when remodeling Town-owned buildings and facilities,
remove asbestos to speed up clean up of buildings so that they can be
reoccupied more quickly.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-30
Develop and enforce a repair and reconstruction ordinance to ensure that
damaged buildings are repaired in an appropriate and timely manner and
retrofitted concurrently.
X X Annex- combine with AH-
31
AH-31 Develop post-disaster development and recovery ordinance to facilitate
recovery. X X Annex- combine with AH-
30
AH-32
Consider a program to encourage owners of private buildings and
educational facilities to participate in a program similar to San Francisco’s
Building Occupancy Resumption Program (BORP). This program permits
owners of private buildings to hire qualified structural engineers to create
building-specific post-disaster inspection plans and allows these engineers
to become automatically deputized as City/County inspectors for these
buildings in the event of an earthquake or other disaster.
X Discard, not practical for
small town
AH-33
Continue to maintain a list of property owners that may need assistance
during or after a hazard event and their contact information, such as
seniors and the disabled.
X Remove, not hazard
mitigation per say
AH-34 Continue the neighborhood watch block captain and team programs. X Remove, not hazard
mitigation per say
AH-35
Continue to sponsor the formation and training of Get Ready Ross /
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) for residents in the
community.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-36 Continue to work with other local agencies to offer the 20-hour basic CERT
training course. X Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
117
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-37
Consider relocating or setting up backup Town Emergency Operations
Center out of the floodplain and train employees on how to access the area
and on the EOC plan.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-38
Provide information to encourage residents to maintain at least 72 hours
and up to one week of emergency supplies in the event of isolation during
an emergency for work and home.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-39
In the event that lights are needed for rapid evacuation after a disaster,
consider installing battery back-ups, emergency generators, or lights
powered by alternative energy sources to ensure that intersection traffic
lights function following loss of power.
X X MLT-9
AH-40 Consider relaxing development standards for installation of emergency
generators (such as exceptions to setbacks). X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-41
Obtain at least three laptop computers for use outside of Police
Department should the public safety building be uninhabitable due to
hazards.
X X Annex
AH-42 Obtain propane heaters, stoves and lanterns for emergency use for
employees. X
AH-43 Encourage employees to have a family disaster plan so that they are
prepared to assist the Town in the event of a disaster. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-44
Ensure that fire, police, and other emergency personnel have adequate
radios, breathing apparatuses, protective gear, and other equipment to
respond to a major disaster.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-45 Maintain the Town's emergency operations center in a fully functional state
of readiness. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-46
Update and maintain the Town's Standardized Emergency Management
System (SEMS) Plan and the National Incident Management System
(NIMS) Plan, and submit NIMSCAST report.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-47
Work cooperatively with the American Red Cross, Town schools, churches,
MA&GC and non-profits to set up memoranda of understanding for use of
education facilities an appropriate as emergency shelters following
disasters.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
118
AH-48
Minimize the likelihood that power interruptions will adversely impact
critical facilities by ensuring that they have adequate back-up power.
Obtain small gasoline powered generator for emergency power for public
safety to charge flashlight, portable batteries, etc.
X X MLT-9
AH-49 Develop a program to provide at-cost NOAA weather radios to residents of
flood hazard areas. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-50 Offer CERT training to employees. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
AH-51 Continue to implement activities in the Town of Ross Climate Action Plan
(November 2010). X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
DAM-1
Improve coordination among the Marin Municipal Water District and the
Town so that the Town can better plan for evacuation of areas that could
be inundated if the Phoenix Lake Dam fails.
X X Annex
DR-1 Continue to require projects to comply with MMWD water conservation
ordinances. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
EQ-1
Obtain a current initial earthquake performance evaluation of Town owned
buildings (public safety, Town Hall, post office). Inform staff, Town Council
and the public, regarding the extent to which the Town buildings may be
affected by an earthquake and if they will only perform at a life safety level
(allowing for the safe evacuation of personnel) or are expected to remain
functional following an earthquake.
X MLT-2
EQ-2
If necessary, research to determine seismic stability of Town-owned
bridges. If work is necessary, expedite the funding and retrofit of
seismically-deficient Town-owned bridges by working with Caltrans and
other appropriate governmental agencies,
X X EQ-1, EQ-3
EQ-3
Continue to require preparation of site-specific geologic or geotechnical
reports for development and redevelopment proposals in areas subject to
earthquake-induced landslides or liquefaction and condition project
approval on the incorporation of necessary mitigation measures related to
site remediation, structure and foundation considering they are historic
structures.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
119
EQ-4
Require that local government reviews of geologic and engineering studies
are conducted by appropriately trained and credentialed staff or
contractors.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
EQ-5
Investigate and adopt appropriate financial, procedural, and land use
incentives for property owners to retrofit vulnerable structures (see
http://quake.abag.ca.gov/fixit). Inform residents that retrofits are exempt
from increases in property taxes.
X X EQ-1
EQ-6
Create a mechanism to require the bracing of water heaters and flexible
couplings on gas appliances, and/or the bolting of homes to their
foundations and strengthening of cripple walls to reduce fire ignitions due
to earthquakes.
X X
Partially relevant to
mitigation funding, see
EQ-1
EQ-7
Continue to require engineered plan sets for seismic retrofitting of heavy
two-story homes with living areas over garages, split level homes, soft-
story seismic retrofits, and hillside homes, until standard plan sets and
construction details become available.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
EQ-8
Continue to require that all new privately-owned buildings be constructed in
compliance with requirements of the most recently adopted version of the
California Building Code.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
EQ-9
Ensure that building department staff and contract building inspectors are
appropriately trained and certified and support continued education to
ensure enforcement of building codes and construction standards, as well
as to identify typical design inadequacies of housing and recommended
improvements.
X X MLT-6
EQ-10 Promote regional retrofit classes or workshops for homeowners. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
EQ-11 Require geologic reports in areas mapped by others as having significant
liquefaction or landslide hazards. X X LS-1, EQ-4
EQ-12
Encourage contract building inspector and building staff to take classes on
a periodic basis (such as the FEMA- developed training classes offered by
ABAG) on retrofitting of single-family homes, including application of Plan
Set A.
X X MLT-7
EQ-13 Expedite the funding and retrofit of road structures by working with
Caltrans and other appropriate governmental agencies. X X EQ-3
EQ-14 Consider modification to Town building code to initiate a lower threshold for
seismic improvement. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
EQ-15 Utilize or consider adoption of a retrofit standard that includes standard
plan sets and construction details for voluntary bolting of homes to their X ?
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
120
foundations and bracing of outside walls of crawl spaces (“cripple” walls),
such as Plan Set A developed by a committee representing the East Bay-
Peninsula-Monterey Chapters of the International Code Council (ICC),
California Building Officials (CALBO), the Structural Engineers Association
of Northern California (SEAONC), the Northern California Chapter of the
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI-NC), and ABAG’s
Earthquake Program.
EQ-16 Install earthquake-resistant connections when pipes enter and exit bridges
and work to retrofit of these structures. X X EQ-3
EQ-17
Prepare an inventory of private facilities that are potentially hazardous,
including, but not limited to, multiunit, soft story, concrete tilt-up, and
concrete frame buildings.
X X EQ-2
FL-1
As new flood-control projects are completed, request that FEMA revise its
flood- insurance rate maps and digital Geographic Information System
(GIS) data to reflect flood risks as accurately as possible.
X
FL-2 Document and install plaques to inform property owners of historic flood
levels. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-3
Work with San Anselmo to improve their drainage system and add new
culverts at seven sites along upper Oak Avenue in San Anselmo, as
identified as Measure 1 in the “Final Draft Report: Planning-Level
Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for Reducing Street Inundation and
Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue in Ross and San Anselmo,
California,” January 25, 2011.
X
FL-4 Consider amending the Town floodplain management ordinance to create
cumulative substantial improvement rules. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-5 Prepare articles to educate /remind homeowners of actions they can take
before/after California,” January 25, 2011. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-6
Annually inspect and clean Town creeks of debris. Use public outreach to
inform the Town’s residents of the annual creek clean-up work. Maintain a
log of debris removed annually.
X X FLD-5
FL-7 Continue to provide information on locations for obtaining sandbags deliver
those materials to vulnerable populations upon request. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-8 Continue to provide link to web enabled and publicly-accessible County
automated system of flood gauges. X X Annex
FL-9 Assist, support, and/or encourage the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, X Remove. This is a good
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
121
various Flood Control and Water Conservation Districts, and other
responsible agencies to locate and maintain funding for the development of
flood control projects that have high cost- benefit ratios (such as through
the writing of letters of support and/or passing resolutions in support of
these efforts).
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding as written
FL-10
Continue to encourage new development near floodways to incorporate a
setback from watercourses to allow for changes in stormwater flows in the
watershed over time.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-11 Continue to have Town staff inspect creek areas after each storm. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-12 Continue to inspect creek areas in response to citizen complaints. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-13 Encourage residents and business owners to elevate structures within
flood hazard areas. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-14
Enforce provisions under creek protection, stormwater management, and
discharge control ordinances designed to keep watercourses free of
obstructions and to protect drainage facilities to conform to the Regional
Water Quality Control Board's Best Management Practices.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-15
Continue to enforce regulations concerning new construction (and major
improvements to existing structures) within flood zones in order to be in
compliance with federal requirements and become a participant in the
Community Rating System of the National Flood Insurance Program.
X X FLD-1
FL-16 Install grates to catch debris.
Annex? or discard. This
might have been included
regarding Phase II
stormwater permit
FL-17
Participate in Ross Valley Flood Protection and Watershed Program. Work
with other Ross Valley jurisdictions to address a watershed-wide approach
to drainage, warning systems, emergency response, and flood insurance
programs. (General Plan Program 6.A)
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-18 Perform annual creek dredging to remove accumulated sediments from
Lagunitas Road to the fish ladder. X
New bridge doesn't
necessitate
dredging
FL-19
Continue to repair and make structural improvements to storm drains,
pipelines, and/or channels to enable them to perform to their design
capacity in handling water flows as part of regular maintenance activities.
X X MLT-1, FLD-5
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
122
Continue to request private property owners to do the same, as necessary.
FL-20
Work with other Ross Valley jurisdictions to explore and adopt land use
regulations to minimize additional runoff, or reduce runoff, within the Ross
Valley watershed. (General Plan Program 6.C)
X X Annex?
FL-21
Prepare GIS storm water map of the watershed to determine the water flow
and design a culvert system appropriate to the volume and flow of peak
runoff. Complete the identification of existing culverts and the need for new
ones.
X X
Annex. Partially
completed, reword as
stormdrain master plan?
FL-22 Reconstruct and enlarge bridge openings and culverts. X X MLT-10
FL-23
Construct a new 1,400 ft. long, 42-48” diameter reinforced concrete pipe
culvert network running under the south gutter line on lower Bolinas
Avenue. The culvert would originate with inlets at the Richmond Avenue
intersection and outfall to Corte Madera Creek at the Sir Francis Drake
Boulevard Bridge, as identified as Measure 4 in the “Final Draft Report:
Planning-Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for Reducing Street
Inundation and Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue in Ross and San
Anselmo, California,” January 25, 2011.
X X Annex
FL-24
Construct an approximately 300,000 gallon subsurface stormwater
detention vault beneath Richmond Avenue as identified as Measure 8b in
the “Final Draft Report: Planning-Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for
Reducing Street Inundation and Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue
in Ross and San Anselmo, California,” January 25, 2011.
Remove? This isn't even in
the Town of Ross
FL-25
Create bioretention areas at the St. Anselm Church overflow parking lot
and the Town’s adjacent right of way as identified as Measure 4b in the
“Final Draft Report: Planning-Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for
Reducing Street Inundation and Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue
in Ross and San Anselmo, California,”
X X Annex
FL-26
Ensure staff are knowledgeable regarding floodplain management
regulations to improve enforcement of current standards for all
development within flood hazard areas. Ensure that contract building
inspectors have appropriate training and expertise in floodplain
management regulations to monitor construction projects.
X X FLD-9
FL-27
Secure a one-way flap gate at the existing Corte Madera Creek outfall at
the Winship Avenue Bridge section as identified as Measure 2j in the “Final
Draft Report: Planning- Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for
Reducing Street Inundation and Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue
in Ross and San Anselmo, California,” January 25, 2011.
X X Annex
FL-28 Create and update a photo record of the Town creeks to document
condition and structures linked with GPS. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-29 Continue maintenance efforts to keep storm drains and creeks free of X Remove. This is a good
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
123
obstructions, while retaining vegetation in the channel (as appropriate) to
allow for the free flow of water. Develop a “Maintain-a-Drain” campaign,
similar to that of the City of Oakland, encouraging private businesses and
residents to keep storm drains in their neighborhood free of debris.
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-30
Support creation of detention basins at Phoenix Lake and locations in the
Ross Valley and other flood control projects as recommended in the Ross
Valley Flood Damage Reduction Feasibility Study.
No longer being
considered as part of the
flood control program
FL-31
Continue to develop guidelines that limit the coverage of impervious
surfaces, that require the use of permeable surfaces, that implement other
regulations to effectively channel and minimize site runoff, and that allow
water to percolate into the ground. (General Plan Program 6.B)
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-32 Assist neighborhoods to develop regular program of inspecting and
clearing private road culverts. X FLD-5
FL-33
To reduce flood risk, thereby reducing the cost of flood insurance to private
property owners, apply for participation in the Community Rating System of
the National Flood Insurance Program and work to qualify for the highest-
feasible rating.
X FLD-1
FL-34
When properties that may provide opportunities for drainage improvements
are for sale, acquire easements to install drainage improvements, such as
between Bolinas Avenue and Fernhill.
X X Annex
FL-35
Amend Town floodplain management regulations to review thresholds for
“substantial improvement” to take into account the depreciated cost value
of structures, rather than the market value.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-36 Create a building and elevation inventory of structures in the floodplain X X Annex
FL-37
Adopt regulations or design guidelines to limit basement and understory
storage and mechanical areas below the base flood elevation, particularly
for repetitive damaged properties.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
FL-38
Amend Town floodplain management regulations to adopt freeboard
regulation to require finished floor to be 18” above the base flood elevation,
rather than at the base flood elevation, to protect joists and vents from
flood damage. Develop base flood elevation map using historical flood
data.
X Annex, Reword
FL-39 Purchase three pair hip-wader pants, for use by on-duty personnel to reach
flooded areas. X Annex
FL-40 Purchase one SUV for use in flooding situations where patrol cars may not
be able to operate due to high water. X Annex
FL-41
Continue the Town of Ross participation in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) and require projects that result in substantial
improvements to comply with the Town floodplain development regulations
and provide elevation certificates to the Town.
X
partially addressed with
FLD-1 Elevation
Certificates is good
strategy but not nec
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
124
applicable to HMGP
funding
LS-1
Establish and enforce provisions under the creek protection, grading, storm
water management, and discharge control ordinances designed to control
erosion and Town.
X ?
LS-2 Continue to enforce requirements in zoning ordinance to address hillside
development Town. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
LS-3
Increase efforts to reduce landslides and erosion in existing and future
development by improving appropriate code enforcement and use of
applicable standards for private property, such as those appearing in the
California Building Code, California Geological Survey Special Report 117
– Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in California,
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) report Recommended
Procedures for Implementation of DMG Special Publication 117:
Guidelines for Analyzing and Mitigating Landslide Hazards in California,
and the California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists Guidelines for
Engineering Geologic Reports. Such standards should cover excavation,
fill placement, cut-fill transitions, slope stability, drainage and erosion
control, slope setbacks, expansive soils, collapsible soils, environmental
issues, geological and geotechnical investigations, grading plans and
specifications, protection of adjacent properties, and review and permit
issuance.
X X LS-1
LS-4
Require geotechnical and soil-hazard investigations be conducted and filed
to prevent grading from creating unstable slopes, and that any necessary
corrective actions be taken prior to development approval.
X Annex?
LS-5 Require that staff and consultants reviewing these investigations are
appropriately trained and credentialed. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
WF-1
Ensure that Town-initiated fire-preventive vegetation-management
techniques and practices for creek sides and high-slope areas do not
contribute to the landslide and erosion hazard. For example, vegetation in
these sensitive areas could be thinned, rather than removed, or replanted
with less flammable materials. When thinning, the non-native species
should be removed first. Other options would be to use structural
mitigation, rather than vegetation management in the most sensitive areas.
X X FIR-6, FIR-5
WF-2 Work with Marin Municipal Water District to identify needed improvements
to the water supply for fire suppression X X MLT-14
WF-3
Continue to adopt and amend as needed updated versions of the California
Building and Fire Codes so that optimal fire-protection standards are used
in construction and renovation projects.
X This is implicit
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
125
WF-4 Increase local patrolling during periods of high fire weather. X X
Annex or discard?
Probably not HMGP
fundable
WF-5 Monitor weather during times of high fire risk using, for example, weather
stations tied into police and fire dispatch centers. X X Annex
WF-6
Participate in multi-agency efforts to mitigate fire threat, such as the Hills
Emergency Forum (in the East Bay), various FireSafe Council programs,
and town/city-utility task forces. Such participation increases a jurisdiction’s
competitiveness in obtaining grants.
X X Annex
WF-7
Increase efforts to reduce hazards in areas exposed to high to-extreme fire
threat through improving engineering design and vegetation management
for mitigation, appropriate code enforcement, and public education on
defensible space mitigation strategies.
X X FIR-2, FIR-3, FIR-5
WF-8
Expand vegetation management program to more effectively manage the
fuel load through roadside collection and chipping, mechanical fuel
reduction equipment, use of goats or other organic methods of fuel
reduction.
X X FIR-5
WF-9 Continue the defensible space vegetation program. X X FIR-2
WF-10
Maintain fire roads and/or public right-of-way roads and keep them
passable at all through roadside collection and chipping, mechanical fuel
reduction
equipment, use of goats or other organic methods of fuel reduction. Plan
for any additional tanks the Town may need to ensure enough capacity for
fire fighting.
X X FIR-2, FIR-5
WF-11
Prepare an accurate database of water tanks owned by Marin Municipal
Water District and privately owned tanks and swimming pools that are
available for fire fighting.
? Annex
WF-12
Conduct periodic fire-safety inspections of all multi-family buildings, as
required by State law. Conduct periodic fire-safety inspections of all
privately-owned commercial and buildings.
X Discard. This is an
ongoing program
WF-13 For new development, ensure all dead-end segments of roads and/or long
driveways include turn-around sufficient for fire equipment. X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
WF-14
Consider fire safety, evacuation, and emergency vehicle access when
reviewing proposals to add secondary units or additional residential units in
wildland-urban- interface fire-threatened communities or in areas exposed
to high-to-extreme fire threat.
X X FIR-1
WF-15
Create a mechanism to enforce provisions of the California Building and
Fire Codes and other local codes that require the installation of smoke
detectors and fire- extinguishing systems on existing residential buildings
by making installation a condition of finalizing a permit for any work valued
at over a fixed amount and/or as a condition for the transfer of property.
X
Annex or discard?
Probably not HMGP
fundable
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
126
WF-16 Require fire sprinklers in all new or substantially remodeled structures. X
Annex or discard?
Probably not HMGP
fundable
WF-17
Require that new homes in wildland-urban-interface fire-threatened
communities or in areas exposed to high-to-extreme fire threat be
constructed of fire-resistant building materials (including roofing and
exterior walls) and incorporate fire-resistant design features (such as
minimal use of eaves, internal corners, and open first floors) to increase
structural survivability and reduce ignitability.
X Isn't this already a policy?
WF-18 Work with Marin Municipal Water District and homeowners to upgrade fire
hydrants and water lines as necessary. X X MLT-14
WF-19
Require that development in hillside areas provide adequate access roads
(with width and vertical clearance that meet the minimum standards of the
Fire Code or relevant local ordinance), onsite fire protection systems, and
fire breaks.
X X FIR-1
WF-20
Prepare Water System (Pressure) Master Plan. Coordinate with the Marin
Municipal Water District (MMWD) to evaluate water pressure and water
lines to ensure adequate fire protection. Identify locations where
improvements are needed and adopt requirements and funding
mechanisms in coordination with MMWD to implement these
improvements. (General Plan Program 5.A)
X Annex? or MLT 14
WF-21
Continue to ensure existing and new development have a reliable source
of water for fire suppression (meeting acceptable standards for minimum
volume and duration of flow).
X
See MLT-14. Remove.
This is a good action, but
not relevant to natural
hazard mitigation funding
WF-22
Develop plans for evacuation or sheltering in place of Ross and Branson
school children in the event of a wildfire emergency so that streets are not
overloaded near schools by students evacuating and parents attempting to
pick up their children, which may restrict access by emergency vehicles.
X
Remove. This is a good
action, but not relevant to
natural hazard mitigation
funding
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
127
Table N-8 - Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Ross
Action Number / Name Estimated Cost
Potential
Funding
Sources
Timeline Responsible Agency
AH-17 Consider establishing a hazard mitigation fee for building permits to create a hazard mitigation funding source
for initiatives or grant cost-share requirements Low Revenue
generating 1-3 years Administration, Planning
and/or Building
AH-19 Consider improvement of currently unused pedestrian rights-of-way/paths as walkways to serve as additional
evacuation routes. High General Fund 2-5 years Public Works and/or Planning
AH-2 Conduct periodic tests of the alerting and warning system. Low General Fund Continuous Fire
AH-30 Develop and enforce a repair and reconstruction ordinance to ensure that damaged buildings are repaired in an
appropriate and timely manner and retrofitted concurrently. Low General Fund 6-12 months Planning
AH-31 Develop post-disaster development and recovery ordinance to facilitate recovery. Low General Fund 6-12 months Planning
AH-4
Encourage the formation of a community- and neighborhood-based approach to wildfire education and action
through local Fire Safe Councils and the Fire Wise Program to take advantage of grant funds currently available
to offset costs of specific
TBD
General Fund
and State fire
grants
1-2 years Fire
AH-41 Obtain at least three laptop computers for use outside of Police Department should the public safety building be
uninhabitable due to hazards. $3,000
General Fund
and/or
State/Federal
Grants
1 Year Police
AH-42 Obtain propane heaters, stoves and lanterns for emergency use for employees. Low
General Fund
and/or
State/Federal
Grants
1 Year Police
AH-8
Consider expanding residential building reports to include hazard disclosure for known natural hazards in Ross:
1) Special Flood Hazards Areas (designated by FEMA), 2) Areas of Potential Flooding from dam failure
inundation, 3) Very High Fire Hazards Severity Zones, 4) Wildland Fire Zones, and 5) Liquefaction and
Landslide Hazards Zones (designated under the Seismic Hazards Mapping Act).
Low General Fund 1-3 years Building and/or Planning
DAM-1 Improve coordination among the Marin Municipal Water District and the Town so that the Town can better plan
for evacuation of areas that could be inundated if the Phoenix Lake Dam fails. Low General
Fund/staff time 1-3 years Fire
FL-16 Install grates to catch debris. Medium General Funds,
DPW Continuous Public Works
FL-20 Work with other Ross Valley jurisdictions to explore and adopt land use regulations to minimize additional runoff,
or reduce runoff, within the Ross Valley watershed. (General Plan Program 6.C) Low General Funds Ongoing Public Works, Planning and/or
Administration
FL-21
Prepare GIS storm water map of the watershed to determine the water flow and design a culvert system
appropriate to the volume and flow of peak runoff. Complete the identification of existing culverts and the need
for new ones.
$80,000
General Funds
and County
Partnerships
Two to Five
months Public Works
FL-23
Construct a new 1,400 ft. long, 42-48” diameter reinforced concrete pipe culvert network running under the south
gutter line on lower Bolinas Avenue. The culvert would originate with inlets at the Richmond Avenue intersection
and outfall to Corte Madera Creek at the Sir Francis Drake Boulevard Bridge, as identified as Measure 4 in the
“Final Draft Report: Planning-Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for Reducing Street Inundation and
Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue in Ross and San Anselmo, California,” January 25, 2011.
$780,000
State Federal
Grants
1-2 years Public Works
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
128
FL-25
Create bioretention areas at the St. Anselm Church overflow parking lot and the Town’s adjacent right of way as
identified as Measure 4b in the “Final Draft Report: Planning-Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for Reducing
Street Inundation and Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue in Ross and San Anselmo, California,”
$220,000
State Federal
Grants/ drainage
fees, Partnership
with San Anselmo
1-2 years Public Works
FL-27
Secure a one-way flap gate at the existing Corte Madera Creek outfall at the Winship Avenue Bridge section as
identified as Measure 2j in the “Final Draft Report: Planning- Level Hydrology and Hydraulics Study for Reducing
Street Inundation and Overflow by Stormwater; Bolinas Avenue in Ross and San Anselmo, California,” January
25, 2011.
$20,000
State Federal
Grants/ drainage
fees, Partnership
with San Anselmo
1-2 years
Public Works; County of Marin
agencies responsible for
implementing the Ross Valley
Flood Reduction and Creek
Management Strategy.
FL-34 When properties that may provide opportunities for drainage improvements are for sale, acquire easements to
install drainage improvements, such as between Bolinas Avenue and Fernhill. High unknown Ongoing Public Works
FL-36 Create a building and elevation inventory of structures in the floodplain Medium General Fund 1-3 years Building and/or
Planning
FL-38
Amend Town floodplain management regulations to adopt freeboard regulation to require finished floor to be 18”
above the base flood elevation, rather than at the base flood elevation, to protect joists and vents from flood
damage. Develop base flood elevation map using historical flood data.
Low General Fund 1-5 years Building and/or Planning
FL-39 Purchase three pair hip-wader pants, for use by on-duty personnel to reach flooded areas. $1,500 General Fund 1 Year Police
FL-40 Purchase one SUV for use in flooding situations where patrol cars may not be able to operate due to high water. $45,000
General Fund,
state/federal
grants
1 Year Police
FL-8 Continue to provide link to web enabled and publicly-accessible County automated system of flood gauges. 0 General Fund Completed Administration
LS-1 Establish and enforce provisions under the creek protection, grading, storm water management, and discharge
control ordinances designed to control erosion and Town. Low General Fund Ongoing Building
LS-4 Require geotechnical and soil-hazard investigations be conducted and filed to prevent grading from creating
unstable slopes, and that any necessary corrective actions be taken prior to development approval. Low General Fund Ongoing Building and/or Planning
WF-11 Prepare an accurate database of water tanks owned by Marin Municipal Water District and privately owned
tanks and swimming pools that are available for fire fighting. TBD
General Fund,
staff time,
partnerships
1 to 5 years Fire and/or
Planning
WF-15
Create a mechanism to enforce provisions of the California Building and Fire Codes and other local codes that
require the installation of smoke detectors and fire- extinguishing systems on existing residential buildings by
making installation a condition of finalizing a permit for any work valued at over a fixed amount and/or as a
condition for the transfer of property.
Low General Fund Continuous Building and Fire
WF-16 Require fire sprinklers in all new or substantially remodeled structures. Low
General Fund,
Fire Department
staff time
Continuous Fire
WF-20
Prepare Water System (Pressure) Master Plan. Coordinate with the Marin Municipal Water District (MMWD) to
evaluate water pressure and water lines to ensure adequate fire protection. Identify locations where
improvements are needed and adopt requirements and funding mechanisms in coordination with MMWD to
implement these improvements. (General Plan Program 5.A)
TBD
General Fund,
Fire Department
staff time
Ongoing Fire
WF-4 Increase local patrolling during periods of high fire weather. Low General Fund,
Fire Department Continuous Fire
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
129
staff time
WF-5 Monitor weather during times of high fire risk using, for example, weather stations tied into police and fire
dispatch centers. Low
General Fund,
Fire Department
staff time
Continuous Fire
WF-6
Participate in multi-agency efforts to mitigate fire threat, such as the Hills Emergency Forum (in the East Bay),
various FireSafe Council programs, and town/city-utility task forces. Such participation increases a jurisdiction’s
competitiveness in obtaining grants.
Low
General Fund,
partnerships &
Fire Department
staff time
Continuous Fire
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
130
Table N-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan 2007 General Plan
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. Portions of the plan that support mitigation include:
Location of Future Development. (General Plan Policy 5.1)
Geologic Review Procedures. (GPP 5.2)
Fire Resistant Design. (GPP 5.3)
Maintenance and Landscaping for Fire Safety. (GPP 5.4)
Fire Safety in New Development. (GPP 5.5)
Hazardous Materials Storage and Disposal. (GPP 5.11)
Access for Emergency Vehicles. (GPP 5.12)
Town Responsibilities for Emergency Preparation and Response. (GPP 5.13)
Flood Protection in New Development. (GPP 6.1)
Flood Control Improvements. (GPP 6.2)
Ross Valley Flood and Watershed Protection. (GPP 6.3)
Runoff and Drainage. (GPP 6.4)
Permeable Surfaces. (GPP 6.5)
Creek and Drainageway Setbacks, Maintenance and Restoration. (GPP 6.6)
Riparian Vegetation. (GPP 6.7)
Plan Town of Ross 2012 Local
Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Town’s prior Hazard Mitigation Plan is a stand-alone document which identifies risks from natural hazards present in the
Town and includes strategies to reduce these risks. Many of the strategies identified in 2012 were carried forward to the multi-
jurisdictional plan.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes standards
for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of activities can
occur in an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning
Ordinance.
Policy Municipal Code
The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation. The Town adopts the current California Building Code
which applies to all construction activity within the Town boundaries. The California Building Code is comprised of 11 parts that
incorporate public health, safety, energy, green building and access standards used in the design and construction of all
buildings. The new code provisions will allow the Town to utilize the latest technologies, advances in construction standards and
seismic design for the use in new residential and commercial construction and in remodels.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
Town Planning, Building, and
Public Works Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting
environmental review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning
and building can be implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for Town-owned infrastructure,
including streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or
retrofitted public infrastructure, as well as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works
Department
Personnel Ross Police The Town Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
APPENDIX N Town of Ross
131
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Ross Valley Fire Department The Ross Valley Fire Department protects the town from the effects of fire and other hazardous conditions and supports
implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as well
as capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These
include State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant
programs include Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Town Newsletter
Much of what happens in Town happens at each month’s regular Town Council meeting. But since most Town residents don’t
regularly attend Council meetings, The Morning After, our monthly e-newsletter, was created to fill that void by delivering up-to-
the-minute news highlights delivered by email the day following the Council meeting. The Morning After is the flagship
publication of the Town’s email list designed to keep residents, business owners, Ross organizations and interested parties up-
to-date on Town news and information.
Training and Outreach Community Rating System
Working Group
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) to earn flood insurance premium reductions for property owners. A Countywide collaboration of CRS community
staff has been started in recent years and has led to shared resources including outreach materials and floodplain management
training. This collaboration has the potential to expand and lead to a wide variety of flood mitigation activities.
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is designed
to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and their
families safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
132
20. Appendix O - Town of San Anselmo Appendix O
Town of San Anselmo
Town of San Anselmo
The Town of San Anselmo had an estimated population of 12,336 in 2010, with 5,538 housing units in the Town. The Town has a t otal area of 2.677
square miles. The median income for a household in the City is $71,488 and the per capita income for the City is $ $41,977. Approximately 2.5
percent of families and 5.1 percent of the population is below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
San Anselmo was incorporated as a town in 1907 .
The Town of San Anselmo completed a single-jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation and Climate Adaptation Plan in 2017 which is hereby incorporated
by reference. The referenced plan has much more information in addition to the update on San Anselmo vulnerab ility and mitigation actions below.
Table O-1. Vulnerability of Structures in San Anselmo
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 3,768 100% 536 100% 176 100% 1 100% 0 N/A
Flood 587 16% 219 41% 92 52% 1 100% 0 N/A
Fire 2678 71% 288 54% 55 31% 0 0% 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Landslide 662 18% 33 6% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 21 1% 7 1% 5 3% 0 0% 0 N/A
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
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Table O-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in San Anselmo
Roads
Miles % of Total
Earthquake 56 100%
Flood 9 16%
Fire 42 75%
Tsunami 0 0%
Landslide 14 25%
Dam Inundation 0.5 1%
Table O-3. Vulnerability of Communication in San Anselmo
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
134
Table O-4. Vulnerability of Power in San Anselmo
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas
Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A Check
data
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table O-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in San Anselmo
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
135
Table O-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in San Anselmo
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 30 100% 3 100% 4 100% 0 N/A
Flood 2 6.7% 3 100% 0 0% 0 N/A
Fire 16 53.3% 1 33.3% 1 25% 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table O-7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables O-1 through O-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, respo nse etc.), or are
carried forward in Table O-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table O-7 – Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in San Anselmo
Action # Description Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant
Included in
Updated Action
Plan (New #)
AH‐01
Expedite the funding and retrofit of seismically‐deficient Town‐owned bridges and road
structures by working with Caltrans and other appropriate governmental agencies. Identify
those that affect or are affected by flooding and either elevate them to increase stream flow
and maintain critical ingress and egress routes or modify the channel to achieve equivalent
objectives.
X X EQ-3
AH‐02
Assess the vulnerability of critical facilities (Town Hall, fire stations, corporation yard
buildings) to damage in natural disasters (earthquake, wildfire, flood) based on occupancy
and structural type, make recommendations on priorities for structural improvements,
mitigation, replacement or occupancy reductions, and identify potential funding
mechanisms. Inform staff, Town Council and the public, regarding the extent to which the
X X MLT-2
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
136
Town buildings may be affected by a natural disaster and if they will only perform at a life
safety level (allowing for the safe evacuation of personnel) or are expected to remain
functional following a disaster.
AH‐03
Assess the vulnerability of non‐critical facilities (ICC, Robson House, Library) to damage in
natural disasters based on occupancy and structural type, make recommendations on
priorities for structural improvements, mitigation or occupancy reductions, and identify
potential funding mechanisms. Clarify to workers in public facilities and emergency
personnel, as well as to elected officials and the public, the extent to which public facilities
are expected to perform only at a life safety level (allowing for the safe evacuation of
personnel) or are expected to remain functional following a natural disaster.
X X MLT-2
AH‐05
Adopt, amend as needed, and enforce updated versions of the California Building and Fire
Codes as well as other regulations (such as state requirements for fault, landslide, and
liquefaction investigations in particular mapped areas) so that optimal standards are used in
construction and renovation projects of private and public buildings and infrastructure.
X X MLT-3
AH‐06
Continue to enforce existing regulations requiring replacement of above ground electric and
phone wires and other structures with underground facilities.
Require underground utilities to be effectively sealed to prevent backflow of floodwaters into
the building and electrical utilities below the flood protection level to be protected against
floodwaters.
X X MLT-4
AH‐07 Provide information to residents and private business owners and their employees on the
availability of interactive hazard maps on MarinMap’s web site. X X MLT-5
AH‐08
AH‐09
Consider landslide or wildfire hazard concerns, including roads leading to the development,
when new construction or major remodels are proposed in hillside areas discourage
construction or add mitigation measures, as appropriate.
X X MLT-13
AH‐10 For new development, require a buffer zone between residential properties and
landslide areas or other appropriate mitigation to avoid hazards to persons or property. X X MLT-13, LS-1
AH‐11
Work with Town Open Space and Recreation Committees, non‐profits and through other
mechanisms to protect as open space or parks those areas susceptible to extreme hazards
(such as through land acquisition, zoning, and designation as priority conservation areas).
X X MLT-8
AH‐12 Develop evacuation plans for Town, which are necessary in order to include Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into the General Plan Safety Element. X
Discard - send to
General Plan
Safety Element
AH‐13
Inform residents and businesses through publications and media announcements of actions
they can take to mitigate hazards, including elevation of appliances above expected flood
levels, use of fire‐resistant roofing and defensible space in high wildfire threat and wildfire‐
urban‐interface areas, structural retrofitting techniques for older homes, and use of
intelligent grading practices.
x x MLT-5, FLD-4
AH‐14
Use disaster anniversaries, such as April (the 1906 earthquake) and October (Loma Prieta
earthquake and Oakland Hills fire) and December (local New Years Flood) to remind the
public of safety mitigation activities.
x Discard
AH‐15 Conduct and/or promote attendance at local or regional hazard conferences and
workshops for elected officials and staff to educate them on the critical need for programs in X X MLT-7
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
137
mitigating earthquake, wildfire, flood, landslide hazards, and climate adaptation.
AH‐16
Create incentives for private owners of historic or architecturally significant
buildings to undertake mitigation to levels that will minimize the likelihood that these
buildings will need to be demolished after a disaster, particularly if those alterations conform
to the federal Secretary of the Interior’s Guidelines for Rehabilitation.
X X
Combine with
AH-17 for Town
Annex
AH‐17
Develop list of locally historic resources.
Continue to require discretionary review and review under the California Environmental
Quality Act for the demolition of historically significant privately‐ owned structures in order to
encourage their preservation.
Establish preservation‐sensitive measures for the repair and re‐occupancy of historically
significant privately‐owned structures, including requirements for temporary shoring or
stabilization where needed, arrangements for consulting with preservationists, and
expedited permit procedures for suitable repair or rebuilding of historically or architecturally
valuable structures.
X X
Combine with
AH-16 for Town
Annex
AH‐18
Continue to work with utility system providers and other lifeline infrastructure (including
natural gas, electricity, water, wastewater system, transportation and communications) and
other municipal partners to develop strong and effective mitigation strategies for
infrastructure systems and facilities.
X X MLT-6
AH‐19 Increase recycling rates in local government operations and in the community. X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐20 Help educate the public, schools, professional associations and businesses about climate
action and Greenhouse Gas reduction. X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐21
Update and continue to implement Climate Action Plan which inventories global warming
emissions of operations and in the community & sets reduction
targets.
X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐22
Increase the use of clean, alternative energy by advocating for the development of
renewable energy resources and supporting the use of waste to energy
technology.
X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐23 Purchase Energy Star equipment and appliances for local government use. X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐24
Increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; reduce the number of
vehicles; launch an employee education program including anti‐idling
messages; convert diesel vehicles to bio‐diesel.
X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐25 Promote transportation options such as walking, bicycling, commute trip reduction
programs, incentives for carpooling and public transit. X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐26
Make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofitting Town
facilities with energy efficient lighting and urging employees to conserve energy and save
money.
X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐27 Maintain healthy urban forests; promote tree planting to increase shading andto absorb X X Discard- send to
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
138
CO2. climate action
plan
AH‐28 Consider if establishing special funding mechanisms (such as Fire Hazard Abatement
Districts or regional bond funding) to ensure mitigation strategies are enforced over time. X Discard as a
funding measure
AH‐29 Develop unused or new pedestrian rights‐of‐way as walkways to serve as additional
evacuation routes. X X For Town Annex
AH‐30
Review existing regulations and, if necessary, develop and enforce a repair and
reconstruction ordinance to ensure that damaged buildings are repaired in an appropriate
and timely manner and retrofitted concurrently. This repair and reconstruction ordinance
should apply to all public and private buildings, and also apply to repair of all damage,
regardless of cause.
X Discard
AH‐31
Continue to enforce State‐mandated requirements, such as the California Environmental
Quality Act, to ensure that mitigation activities for hazards, such as seismic retrofits and
vegetation clearance programs for fire threat, are conducted in a way that reduces
environmental degradation such as air quality impacts, noise during construction, and loss
of sensitive habitats and species, while respecting the community value of historic
preservation.
X X
Discard-
following state
regulations is
considered
implicit
AH‐32 Develop a public education campaign on the cost, risk, and benefits of earthquake, flood,
and other hazard insurance as compared to mitigation. X X Discard
AH‐33 Periodically assess the need for new or relocated fire or police stations and other
emergency facilities. X X
Discard -
covered by MLT-
2
AH‐34 Support and/or facilitate efforts by the California Geological Survey to complete the
earthquake‐induced landslide and liquefaction mapping for the Bay Area. X Discard
AH‐35
Encourage staff to participate in efforts by professional organizations to mitigate earthquake
and landslide disaster losses, such as the efforts of the Northern California Chapter of the
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute, the East Bay‐Peninsula Chapter of the
International Code Council, the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California, and
the American Society of Grading Officials
X X
Discard -
covered by MLT-
7
AH‐36 Increase efforts to reduce landslides and erosion in existing and future private development
through continuing education of design professionals on mitigation strategies. X
Discard, see EQ-
4. Town won't
realistically train
design
professionals
AH‐37 Adopt and enforce land‐use policies that reduce sprawl, preserve open space, and create
compact, walkable urban communities. X X
Discard -
Covered by
existing General
Plan
AH‐38
Work with the State Fire Marshall, the California Seismic Safety Commission, Pacific
Earthquake Engineering Research Center (PEER), and other experts to identify and
manage gas‐related fire risks of privately‐owned soft‐story mixed use buildings that are
prone to collapse and occupant entrapment consistent with the natural gas safety
recommendations of Seismic Safety Commission Report SSC‐02‐03. Note ‐ See
http://www.seismic.ca.gov/pub/CSSC_2002‐03_Natural%20Gas%20Safety.pdf. Also note ‐
Discard -
covered by EQ-1
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
139
any values that are installed may need to have both excess flow and seismic triggers
(“hybrid” valves).
AH‐39 Inventory global warming emissions in your own local government's operations and in the
community, set reduction targets and create an action plan. X X
Discard- send to
climate action
plan
AH‐40
Balance the need for the smooth flow of storm waters versus the need to maintain wildlife
habitat by developing and implementing a comprehensive Streambed Vegetation
Management Plan that ensures the efficacy of flood control efforts, mitigates wildfires and
maintains the viability of living rivers.
X X
Discard - not a
mitigation
measure
DAM‐01
Encourage Marin Municipal Water District to review and update mapped inundation area for
Phoenix Dam and coordinate with the Town on procedures for the emergency evacuation of
areas that would be inundated by a failure of Phoenix Dam.
X For Town Annex
DR‐01
Enhance Town Landscaping and Design Measures:
▪ Incorporate drought tolerant or xeriscape practices into new Town landscape designs to
reduce dependence on irrigation.
▪ Use permeable surfaces where feasible to reduce runoff and promote groundwater
recharge.
X X
Discard -
Drought not a
covered hazard
EQ‐01
Investigate and adopt appropriate financial, procedural, and land use incentives (such as
parking waivers) as incentives to encourage retrofitting of privately‐ owned seismically
vulnerable residential buildings, such as: (a) waivers or reductions of permit fees, (b) below‐
market loans, (c) local tax breaks, (d) grants to cover the cost of retrofitting or of a structural
analysis, (e) land use (such as parking requirement waivers) and procedural incentives, or
(f) technical assistance.
X X EQ-1
EQ‐02 Adopt the latest applicable standard for the design of voluntary or mandatory soft‐story or
seismically vulnerable building retrofits. X X EQ-2
EQ‐03 Encourage building inspectors to take classes on a periodic basis on retrofitting of single‐
family homes, including application of Plan Set A. X X MLT-7
EQ‐04
Conduct appropriate employee training and support continued education to ensure
enforcement of building codes and construction standards, as well as identification of typical
design inadequacies and recommended improvements.
X X MLT-7
EQ‐05 Conduct an inventory of privately‐owned existing or suspected soft‐story structures as a
first step in establishing voluntary or mandatory programs for retrofitting these buildings. X X Town Annex
EQ‐06
Use the soft‐story inventory to require private owners to inform all existing and prospective
tenants that they live or work in this type of building and may need to be prepared to live or
work elsewhere following an earthquake if the building has not been retrofitted.
X X Town Annex
EQ‐07
Require private owners to inform all existing tenants (and prospective tenants prior to
signing a lease agreement) that they live in an unreinforced masonry building and the
standard to which it may have been retrofitted. Require private owners to inform all existing
tenants that they may need to be prepared to work elsewhere following an earthquake even
if the building has been retrofitted, because it has probably been retrofitted to a life‐safety
standard, not to a standard that will allow occupancy following major earthquakes.
X X Town Annex
EQ‐08
Recognizing that the California Geological Survey has not completed earthquake‐induced
landslide and liquefaction mapping for much of the Bay Area, identify and require geologic
reports in areas mapped by others as having significant
X X EQ-4
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
140
liquefaction or landslide hazards.
EQ‐09 Promote regional retrofit classes or workshops to property owners, contractors and
inspectors. X Discard - coverd
by MLT-7
EQ-10
Require preparation of site‐specific geologic or geotechnical reports for development and
redevelopment proposals in areas subject to earthquake‐induced landslides or liquefaction
as mandated by the State Seismic Hazard Mapping Act in selected portions of the Bay Area
where these maps have been completed, and condition project approval on the
incorporation of necessary mitigation measures related to site remediation, structure and
foundation design and/or avoidance
X X EQ-4
EQ‐11
Require engineered plan sets for seismic retrofitting of heavy two‐story homes with living
areas over garages, as well as for split level homes (that is, homes not covered by Plan Set
A), until standard plan sets and construction details become available.
X X EQ-4
EQ‐12 Require engineered plan sets for seismic retrofitting of homes on steep hillsides (because
these homes are not covered by Plan Set A). X X EQ-4
EQ‐13 Require engineered plan sets for voluntary or mandatory soft‐story seismic retrofits by
private owners until a standard plan set and construction details become available. X X EQ-4
EQ‐14 Install earthquake‐resistant connections when pipes enter and exit bridges and work to
retrofit these structures. X X MLT-4, MLT-10
EQ‐15
EQ‐16 Inventory non‐ductile concrete, tilt‐up concrete, and other privately‐owned potentially
structurally vulnerable buildings. ?
FL‐01 Work for better cooperation among the patchwork of agencies managing flood control
issues. X X MLT-6
FL‐02 Conduct annual outreach to property susceptible to flooding as part of Town's participation
on Community Rating System. X X FLD-1
FL‐03 Ensure one member of Town staff is a Certified Floodplain Manager. X X FLD-9
FL‐04 Continue Mapping of the creeks to further evaluate, design, and implement additional flood
control projects. X X Town Annex
FL‐05
Pursue funding for the design and construction of storm drainage projects to protect
vulnerable properties, including property acquisitions, upstream storage such as detention
and retention basins (excluding Memorial Park), and channel widening with the associated
right‐of‐way acquisitions, relocations, and environmental mitigations.
X X Town Annex
FL‐06
Develop an approach and locations for various watercourse bank protection strategies,
including for example, (1) an assessment of banks to inventory areas that appear prone to
failure, (2) bank stabilization, including installation of rip rap, or whatever regulatory
agencies allow (3) stream bed depth management using dredging, and (4) removal of out‐
of‐date coffer dams in rivers and tributary streams
X X Town Annex
FL‐07
Working with stakeholders and the community, consider feasibility (including cost, funding,
environmental and downstream impacts) and options for purchasing and removal of
Building Bridge 2; the structure at 634‐636 San Anselmo Avenue which is a major flow
constriction at flood levels and within the floodway. As funding becomes available,
encourage private business owners to participate in acquisition and relocation programs.
X X FLD-6
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
141
FL‐08
Working with stakeholders and the community, consider feasibility (including cost, funding,
environmental and downstream impacts) and options for removal of Morningside Avenue
Bridge and potential construction of upstream and downstream extended wing walls.
X X Town Annex
FL‐09
Recognize that a multi‐agency approach is needed to mitigate flooding by having flood
control districts, cities, counties, and utilities meet at least annually to jointly discuss their
capital improvement programs for most effectively reducing the threat of flooding. Work
toward making this process more formal to insure that flooding is considered at existing
joint‐agency meetings.
X Town Annex
FL‐10 Improve upon existing hydrologic analysis of runoff and drainage systems to predict areas
of insufficient capacity in the storm drain and natural creek system. X X Town Annex
FL‐11 Continue and expand the “Village Volunteers” campaign encouraging private businesses
and residents to keep storm drains in their neighborhood free of debris. X X
Preparedness
instead of
mitigation so
discard
FL‐12
Continue to develop guidelines that limit the coverage of impervious surfaces, that require
the use of permeable surfaces, that implement other regulations to effectively channel and
minimize site runoff, and that allow water to percolate into the ground.
X X Town Annex
FL‐13
As funding opportunities become available, encourage home and apartment owners and
private business owners to participate in elevation and flood proofing programs for areas
within flood hazard areas.
X X FLD-6
FL‐14
For public infrastructure projects, perform a watershed analysis to examine the impact of
project development on flooding potential downstream, including communities outside of the
jurisdiction of proposed projects.
X
Discard- this is
required as part
of CEQA/EIR of
proposed flood
control projects
FL‐15
Ensure that new private development pays its fair share of improvements to the storm
drainage system necessary to accommodate increased flows from the development, or
does not increase runoff by Low Impact Development techniques such as pervious areas or
detention facilities.
X X
Discard already
codified as a
building premit
requirement and
per Phase 2
water board
NPDES permit
FL‐16
Encourage owners of properties in the floodplain to consider purchasing flood insurance.
For example, point out that most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover a property
for flood damage.
X X DAM-1
FL‐17 Encourage home and apartment owners to get elevation certificates. X X Town Annex
FL‐18 Continue to apply floodplain management regulations for private development in the
floodplain and floodway. X X
Discard- this is
current MFIP
regulation
FL‐19
Enforce provisions under creek protection, stormwater management, and discharge control
ordinances designed to keep watercourses free of obstructions, protect drainage facilities,
conform with the Regional Water Quality Control Board's Best Management Practices and
comply with applicable performance standards of the National Pollutant Discharge
X X
MLT-3 enforcing
existing
regulations is
considered
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
142
Elimination System Phase II municipal stormwater permit that seeks to manage increases in
stormwater run‐off flows from new development and redevelopment construction projects.
Enforce and comply with the grading, erosion, and sedimentation requirements by
prohibiting the discharge of concentrated stormwater flows by other than approved methods
that seek to minimize
implicit
FL‐21
Assist, support, and/or encourage the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, various Flood Control
and Water Conservation Districts, and other responsible agencies to locate and maintain
funding for the development of flood control projects that have high cost‐benefit ratios (such
as through the writing of letters of support and/or passing resolutions in support of these
efforts).
X x
Discard. Good
action, not
fundable through
FEMA hazard
mitigation grants
FL‐21
Seek funding for, and continue to repair and make structural improvements to, storm drains,
pipelines, and/or channels to enable them to perform to their design capacity in handling
water flows as part of regular maintenance activities.
X X FLD-5
FL‐22 Continue maintenance efforts to keep storm drains and creeks free of obstructions, while
retaining vegetation in the channel (as appropriate) to allow for the free flow of water. X X FLD-5
FL‐23 Continue to encourage new development near floodways to incorporate a setback from
watercourses to allow for changes in stormwater flows in the watershed over time. X X Town Annex
FL‐24 Continue to have Town staff inspect creek areas after each storm. X X Town Annex
FL‐25 Continue to investigate and seek funding for flood control ideas and projects throughout
Town X X
Discard. Good
action, not
fundable through
FEMA hazard
mitigation grants
FL‐26 Work with other Ross Valley jurisdictions to explore and adopt land use regulations to
minimize additional runoff, or reduce runoff, within the Ross Valley watershed. X X Town Annex
FL‐27
Working with stakeholders and the community, consider feasibility (including cost, funding,
environmental and downstream impacts) and options for reconstructing and enlarging
bridge openings and culverts.
X X MLT-10
FL‐28 Create and update a photo record of the Town creeks to document condition and structures
linked with GPS. X X
Discard as not
mitigation
measure
FL‐29
Working with stakeholders and the community, consider feasibility (including cost, funding,
environmental and downstream impacts) and options for flow bypass accommodation for
downtown constrictions
X X Town Annex
FL‐30
Establish and enforce requirements for new development so that site‐specific designs and
source‐control techniques are used to manage peak stormwater runoff flows and impacts
from increased runoff volumes.
X X
Discard -
covered by
existing policies
and regulations
FL‐31
Provide an institutional mechanism to ensure that development proposals adjacent to
floodways and in floodplains are referred to flood control districts and wastewater agencies
for review and comment (consistent with the NPDES program).
X X
Discard -
covered by
existing building
permit process
FL‐32 Continue to enforce regulations concerning new construction and substantial improvements X X FLD-1
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
143
to existing structures within flood zones in order to be in compliance with federal
requirements and to continue participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) of the
National Flood Insurance Program.
FL‐33
As new flood‐control projects are completed, request that FEMA revise its flood‐ insurance
rate maps and digital Geographic Information System (GIS) data to reflect flood risks as
accurately as possible.
X X Town Annex
FL‐34 Consider adopting cumulative substantial improvement requirement of 3 to 5 years under
Municipal Code Protection of Flood Hazard Areas. X X Town Annex
FL‐35
Conduct a watershed analysis at least once every ten years, or more frequently if there is a
major development in the watershed or a major change in the Land Use Element of the
General Plan of the cities or counties within the watershed.
X X
Reword to
update existing
hydraulic model
FL‐36
To reduce flood risk, thereby reducing the cost of flood insurance to private property
owners, work to maintain participation in the Community Rating System of the National
Flood Insurance Program and to qualify for the highest‐feasible rating.
X X FLD-1
FL‐37 Participate in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program & Community Rating System X X FLD-1
FL‐38
Require an annual inspection of approved flood‐proofed privately‐owned buildings to
ensure that (a) all flood‐proofing components will operate properly under flood conditions
and (b) all responsible personnel are aware of their duties and responsibilities as described
in their building’s Flood Emergency Operation Plan and Inspection & Maintenance Plan.
X X Town Annex
FL‐39 Balance the housing needs of residents against the risk from potential flood‐ related
hazards. X X
Discard - housing
will be required
to comply with
flood protection
ordinance
LS‐01
Increase efforts to reduce landslides and erosion in existing and future development by
improving appropriate code enforcement and use of applicable standards for private
property, such as those appearing in the California Building Code, California Geological
Survey Special Report 117 – Guidelines for Evaluating and Mitigating Seismic Hazards in
California, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) report Recommended Procedures
for Implementation of DMG Special Publication 117: Guidelines for Analyzing and Mitigating
Landslide Hazards in California, and the California Board for Geologists and Geophysicists
Guidelines for Engineering Geologic Reports. Such standards should cover excavation, fill
placement, cut‐fill transitions, slope stability, drainage and erosion control, slope setbacks,
expansive soils, collapsible soils, environmental issues, geological and geotechnical
investigations, grading plans and specifications, protection of adjacent properties, and
review and permit issuance.
X X LS-1
LS‐03
Continue to enforce design review requirements in zoning code and review under the
California Environmental Quality Act to address hillside development constraints, especially
in areas of existing landslides.
X X
Discard - as
ongoing program
and covered by
existing
regulations
LS‐04 Establish and enforce provisions (under Building Code, subdivision ordinances or other
means) that geotechnical and soil‐hazard investigations be conducted and filed to prevent X X Discard as
covered by
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
144
grading from creating unstable slopes, and that any necessary
corrective actions be taken.
adopted building
codes
LS‐06
Establish and enforce grading, erosion, and sedimentation ordinances by requiring, under
certain conditions, grading permits and plans to control erosion and sedimentation prior to
building permit approval.
X X
Discard - already
have grading
permit
requirements in
place
LS‐07 Establish and enforce provisions under the creek protection, storm water management, and
discharge control ordinances designed to control erosion and sedimentation. X X
Discard - already
have permit
requirements in
place
LS‐1
Ensure that Town and Ross Valley Fire Department‐initiated fire‐preventive vegetation‐
management techniques and practices for creek sides and high‐slope areas do not
contribute to the landslide and erosion hazard. For example, vegetation in these sensitive
areas could be thinned, rather than removed, or replanted with less flammable materials.
When thinning, the non‐native species should be removed first. Other options would be to
use structural mitigation, rather than vegetation management in the most sensitive areas.
X X Town Annex
LS‐2
The Director of Public Works and Building should require that local government reviews of
geotechnical and soil‐hazard investigations and geologic and engineering studies are
conducted by appropriately trained and credentialed staff or outside consultants.
X X Discard as
existing practice
WF‐01
Develop a plan for appropriate access and evacuation in hillside wildland‐urban‐ interface
areas. For example, creation of no parking areas for emergency vehicle access and
resident evacuation, signage, and early warning and evacuation.
X X FIR-1
WF‐02 Tie public education on defensible space and a comprehensive Fire Wise and defensible
space ordinance to a field program of enforcement. X X Town Annex
WF‐03
Encourage Ross Valley Fire Department to expand vegetation management programs in
wildland‐urban‐ interface areas to more effectively manage the fuel load through various
methods including, but not limited to, roadside collection and chipping, mechanical fuel
reduction equipment, selected harvesting, use of goats or other organic methods of fuel
reduction.
X X FIR-3
WF‐04 Encourage the formation of a community‐ and neighborhood‐based approach to wildfire
education and action through local Fire Safe Councils and the Fire Wise Program . X X Town Annex
WF‐05
Review existing General Plan policies, Municipal Code regulations and Ross Valley Fire
Department standards for roads to develop policies and regulations that ensure public
safety in wildfire hazard areas and protect the environment.
X X FIR-1
WF‐06
Encourage Ross Valley Fire Department to participate in multi‐agency efforts to mitigate fire
threat, such as the Hills Emergency Forum (in the East Bay), various FireSafe Council
programs, and city‐utility task forces. Such participation increases a jurisdiction's
competitiveness in obtaining grants.
X X
Discard as not
mitigation
measure
WF‐07
Assist private businesses and residents in the development of defensible space through the
use of, for example, “tool libraries” for weed abatement tools, roadside collection and/or
chipping services (for brush, weeds, and tree branches) in wildland‐urban‐interface fire‐
threatened communities or in areas exposed to high‐to‐extreme fire threat.
X X
FIR-1, FIR-2,
FIR-3, FIR-5,
FIR-6
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
145
WF‐08 Encourage Ross Valley Fire Department to increase local patrolling during periods of high
fire weather. X X Combine with
WF-09
WF‐09 Encourage Ross Valley Fire Department to monitor weather during times of high fire. X X Combine with
WF-08
WF‐10 Work to ensure a reliable source of water for fire suppression through the cooperative
efforts of water districts, fire districts, residents and commercial property owners. X X FIR-4
WF‐11
Seek funding to develop and implement a program to control invasive and exotic species
that contribute to fire and flooding hazards (such as eucalyptus, non‐native broom and
cordgrass). This program could include vegetation removal, thinning, or replacement in
hazard areas where there is a direct threat
to structures.
X X FIR-5
WF‐12
Seek funding to prepare a Biodiversity, Fire, and Fuels Integrated Plan (BFFIP) that
describes action that the Town will take to minimize fire hazards and maximize ecological
health in its open space areas.
X X Town Annex
WF‐13
Work with insurance companies to create a public/private partnership to give a discount on
fire insurance premiums to “Forester Certified” Fire Wise landscaping and fire‐resistant
building materials on private property.
X X
Discard as not
mitigation
measure
WF‐14
Consider fire safety, evacuation, and emergency vehicle access when reviewing proposals
to add secondary units or additional residential units in wildland‐ urban‐interface fire‐
threatened communities or in areas exposed to high‐to‐extreme fire threat.
X X FIR-1
WF‐15 Improve engineering design and vegetation management for mitigation, appropriate code
enforcement, and public education on defensible space mitigation strategies. X X Town Annex
WF‐16 Ensure adequate fire department access to developed and open space areas and keep fire
roads and public rights‐of‐way passable at all times. X X Town Annex
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
146
Table O-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in San Anselmo
Action
Number Revised or New Mitigation Strategy
Responsible Agency/
How will action be
implemented and
administered?
What is the process
by which the Town
will incorporate the
requirement of the
mitigation plan into
other planning
mechanisms (such as
General Plan)
Funding Source &
Cost/Benefit New Priority Timeline Type of mitigation
action:
AH‐16 &
17
Develop list of locally historic resources and create
incentives for private owners of historic or architecturally
significant buildings to undertake mitigation to levels that
will minimize the likelihood that these buildings will need
to be demolished after a disaster and/or establish
preservation‐sensitive measures for the repair and re‐
occupancy of historically significant privately‐owned
structures.
Town Manager or their
designee will draft
incentives for Town
Council consideration.
Not determined, may be
in annual budget or in
building or zoning
regulations.
General Fund, Staff
time and resources
and may result in
improvement of few
buildings.
Moderate Long Term, 5-10
years
Local Planning and
Regulations
AH‐29 Develop unused or new pedestrian rights‐of‐way as
walkways to serve as additional evacuation routes.
Town Council to
consider incorporating
requirement in Town
General Plan
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and, if
conducted by Town, in
Capital Improvement
Plan
General Fund,
Unknown cost,
potential life savings
for improved
evacuation routes
Moderate Long Term, 5-10
years
Structures and
Infrastructure
Projects
DAM‐01
Encourage Marin Municipal Water District to review and
update mapped inundation area for Phoenix Dam and
coordinate with the Town on procedures for the
emergency evacuation of areas that would be inundated
by a failure of Phoenix Dam.
Director of Building
and Public Works to
draft letter for Town
Council to consider
sending to Water
District.
To be incorporated into
Town Safety Element
General Fund,
Unknown cost.
Chance of dam failure
is unlikely. Inundation
area within Town may
be shallow and lower
than Base Flood
Elevation
Moderate Long Term, 5-10
years
Local Planning and
Regulations
EQ‐05
Conduct an inventory of privately‐owned existing or
suspected soft‐story structures as a first step in
establishing voluntary or mandatory programs for
retrofitting these buildings.
Town Manager or
Town Council to direct
Public Works and
Building Department
Staff to conduct
inventory.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time, potential for high
life and property
savings
Very High ‐ Actively
Looking for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Local Planning and
Regulations
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
147
EQ‐06
Use the soft‐story inventory to require private owners to
inform all existing and
prospective tenants that they live or work in this type of
building and may need to be prepared to live or work
elsewhere following an earthquake if the building has not
been retrofitted.
Public Works and
Building Director to
implement
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Low
cost, does not result in
mitigation
Very High ‐ Actively
Looking for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Education and
Awareness
EQ‐07
Require private owners to inform all existing tenants (and
prospective tenants
prior to signing a lease agreement) that they live in an
unreinforced masonry building and the standard to which
it may have been retrofitted. Require private owners to
inform all existing tenants that they may need to be
prepared to work elsewhere following an earthquake
even if the building has been retrofitted, because it has
probably been retrofitted to a life‐safety standard, not to
a standard that will allow occupancy following major
earthquakes.
Town Public Works
and Building Official to
incorporate new
requirements into local
regulations and notify
property owners of
required disclosures.
Adopted by ordinance
into Town Municipal
Code
General Fund, Low
cost, residents more
prepared for hazard
Very High ‐ Actively
Looking for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Education and
Awareness
FL‐04 Continue Mapping of the creeks to further evaluate,
design, and implement additional flood control projects.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund or
potentially state
federal grants.
Unknown cost, assists
in evaluating flood
control projects
Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding On Going Local Planning and
Regulation
FL‐05
Pursue funding for the design and construction of storm
drainage projects to protect vulnerable properties,
including property acquisitions, upstream storage such
as detention and retention basins (excluding Memorial
Park), and channel widening with the associated right‐of‐
way acquisitions, relocations, and environmental
mitigations.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project and
include on Capital
Improvement Plan
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and
Capital Improvement
Plan
State or Federal
Grants. Cost varies
and benefit varies.
Certain projects (such
as detention basins
and property
acquisitions)
unpopular
with public
Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding On Going Structure and
Infrastructure Project
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
148
FL‐06
Develop an approach and locations for various
watercourse bank protection strategies, including for
example, (1) an assessment of banks to inventory areas
that appear prone to failure, (2) bank stabilization,
including installation of rip rap, or whatever regulatory
agencies allow (3) stream bed depth management using
dredging, and (4) removal of out‐of‐date coffer dams in
rivers and
tributary streams
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and
Capital Improvement
Plan
State, regional, or
local funds. Cost
varies and benefit
varies.
Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding On Going Structure and
Infrastructure Project
FL‐08
Working with stakeholders and the community, consider
feasibility (including cost, funding, environmental and
downstream impacts) and options for removal of
Morningside Avenue Bridge and potential construction of
upstream and downstream extended wing walls.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and, if
conducted by Town, in
Capital Improvement
Plan
State or Federal
Grants. High cost,
large number of
buildings protected
Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Structure and
Infrastructure Project
FL‐09
Recognize that a multi‐agency approach is needed to
mitigate flooding by having flood control districts, cities,
counties, and utilities meet at least annually to jointly
discuss their capital improvement programs for most
effectively reducing the threat of flooding. Work toward
making this process more formal to insure that flooding is
considered at existing joint‐agency meetings.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to seek
agencies to consider
flooding at least
annually.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
Staff time Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Local Planning and
Regulation
FL‐10
Improve upon existing hydrologic analysis of runoff and
drainage systems to predict areas of insufficient capacity
in the storm drain and natural creek system.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project and
include on Capital
Improvement Plan
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
State or regional
funding. Unknown
cost, assists in
evaluating flood
control projects
Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding On Going Local Planning and
Regulation
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
149
FL‐12
Continue to develop guidelines that limit the coverage of
impervious surfaces, that require the use of permeable
surfaces, that implement other regulations to effectively
channel and minimize site runoff, and that allow water to
percolate into the ground.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to draft
regulations for
consideration by Town
Council
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and Town
Zoning Regulations
General Fund, Staff
time
Very High ‐ Looking
for Funding On Going Natural Systems
Protection
FL‐17 Encourage home and apartment owners to get elevation
certificates.
Public Works and
Building Department
Planning Department
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time Existing Program On Going
Education and
Awareness
Program
FL‐23
Continue to encourage new development near floodways
to incorporate a
setback from watercourses to allow for changes in
stormwater flows in the watershed over time.
Town Public Works
and Building
Department staff to
review development
projects for
conformance with
Town Municipal
Code
Incorporate Policy into
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time Existing Program On Going Natural Systems
Protection
FL‐24 Continue to have Town staff inspect creek areas after
each storm.
Public Works Director
to implement with
Public Works staff.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time Existing Program On Going Natural Systems
Protection
FL‐26
Work with other Ross Valley jurisdictions to explore and
adopt land use regulations to minimize additional runoff,
or reduce runoff, within the Ross Valley watershed.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
propose regulations
for Town Council to
consider
and encourage other
jurisdictions to adopt
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time Existing Program Short Term, 0-5
years
Local Planning and
Regulation
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
150
FL‐29
Working with stakeholders and the community, consider
feasibility (including cost, funding, environmental and
downstream impacts) and options for flow bypass
accommodation for downtown constrictions
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and, if
conducted by Town, in
Capital Improvement
Plan
General Fund,
Unknown cost Existing Program Short Term, 0-5
years
Structure and
Infrastructure Project
FL‐33
As new flood‐control projects are completed, request that
FEMA revise its flood‐ insurance rate maps and digital
Geographic Information System (GIS) data to
reflect flood risks as accurately as possible.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to request
FEMA to revise
FIRMS when
necessary
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time Existing Program Long Term Local Planning and
Regulation
FL‐34
Consider adopting cumulative substantial improvement
requirement of 3 to 5 years under Municipal Code
Protection of Flood Hazard Areas.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to draft
regulations for
consideration by Town
Council
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and Town
Zoning Regulations
General Fund, Staff
time, Low cost and
results in increase in
elevated
structures
Existing Program Short Term, 0-5
years
Local Planning and
Regulation
FL‐35
Update hydaulic model at least once every ten years, or
more frequently if there is a major development in the
watershed or a major change in the Land Use Element of
the General Plan of the cities or counties within the
watershed.
Public Works and
Building Department
Director to ensure
Ross Valley Flood
Protection and
Watershed Program
conducts project, or
seek funding for Town
to conduct project
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
General Fund, Staff
time or regional
partners. Unknown
cost
Moderate Long Term, 5-10
years
Local Planning and
Regulation
FL‐38
Require an annual inspection of approved flood‐proofed
privately‐owned buildings to ensure that (a) all flood‐
proofing components will operate properly under flood
conditions and (b) all responsible personnel are aware of
their duties and responsibilities as described in their
building’s Flood Emergency
Operation Plan and Inspection & Maintenance Plan .
Public Works and
Building Director to
implement
General Fund, Staff
time Moderate Long Term, 5-10
years
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
151
LS‐1
Ensure that Town and Ross Valley Fire Department‐
initiated fire‐preventive vegetation‐management
techniques and practices for creek sides and high‐slope
areas do not contribute to the landslide and erosion
hazard. For example, vegetation in these sensitive areas
could be thinned, rather than removed, or replanted with
less flammable materials. When thinning, the non‐native
species should be removed first. Other options would be
to use structural mitigation, rather than vegetation
management in the most sensitive areas.
Grading permit is
required from the
Director of Public
Works prior to any
grading over 25 cubic
yards.
San Anselmo Municipal
Code 3‐18 will be
amended to specify
applicable standards for
review.
General Fund. Cost:
Town attorney time to
prepare ordinance and
standards for adoption
by Town Council. Cost
of appropriate review
can be charged to
permit applicant.
Benefits: Increased
review of grading
plans.
Very High ‐ Actively
Looking for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Local Planning and
Regulations
WF‐02
Tie public education on defensible space and a
comprehensive Fire Wise and defensible space
ordinance to a field program of enforcement.
Town Manager to
consult with personnel
at Ross Valley Fire
Department and, if
necessary, RVFD
Board.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
State or Federal
Grants and Fire
Department funds.
Unknown cost. High
benefit to reducing
wildfire risk.
Very High ‐ Actively
Looking for Funding
Short Term, 0-5
years
Local Planning and
Regulations
WF‐04
Encourage the formation of a community‐ and
neighborhood‐based approach to wildfire education and
action through local Fire Safe Councils and the Fire Wise
Program .
Town Manager to
consult with personnel
at Ross Valley Fire
Department and, if
necessary, RVFD
Board.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
State or Federal
Grants and Fire
Department funds.
Cost of staff time and
benefit of more
educated residents
that take mitigation
actions.
Moderate Short Term, 0-5
years
Education and
Awareness
WF‐08 Encourage Ross Valley Fire Department to increase local
patrolling during periods of high fire weather.
Town Manager to
consult with personnel
at Ross Valley Fire
Department and, if
necessary, RVFD
Board.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
Fire Department
general fund for staff
time. Unknown cost.
Local residents likely
to report any visible
fires.
Existing Program On Going Natural Systems
Protection
WF‐09
Encourage Ross Valley Fire Department to monitor
weather during times of high
fire.
Town Manager to
consult with personnel
at Ross Valley Fire
Department and, if
necessary, RVFD
Board.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
Fire Department
general fund for staff
time. Unknown cost.
Existing Program On Going Natural Systems
Protection
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
152
WF‐12
Seek funding to prepare a Biodiversity, Fire, and Fuels
Integrated Plan (BFFIP) that describes action that the
Town will take to minimize fire hazards and maximize
ecological health in its open space areas.
Town Manager to
work with Ross Valley
Fire Department
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
State and Federal
grant Funding.
Unknown cost,
eventually results in
plan to reduce fire risk.
Moderate Short Term, 0-5
years
Natural Systems
Protection
WF‐15
Improve engineering design and vegetation management
for mitigation, appropriate code enforcement, and public
education on defensible space mitigation strategies.
Town Manager to
ensure that Ross
Valley Fire
Department continues
existing efforts to
reduce hazards.
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan
Fire Department
general fund for staff
time.
Existing Program On Going Local Planning and
Regulations
WF‐16
Ensure adequate fire department access to developed
and open space areas and keep fire roads and public
rights‐of‐way passable at all times.
Town Council to
consider incorporating
requirement in Town
General Plan
To be incorporated into
Safety Element of
General Plan and, if
conducted by Town, in
Capital Improvement
Plan
Fire Department
general fund for staff
time. Unknown cost,
potential life savings
with adequate fire and
evacuation routes
Existing Program On Going
Structures and
Infrastructure
Projects
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
153
Table O-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of
Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan Town of San Anselmo General Plan
The Town’s General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. It describes hazard areas and regulates
current and future development based on known hazard areas. The General Plan has been amended every few years since
1975 and as this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk information and strategies.
Plan Town of San Anselmo 2017 Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan
The Town’s prior Hazard Mitigation Plan is a stand-alone document which identifies risks from natural hazards present in
the Town and includes strategies to reduce these risks. Many of the strategies identified in 2017 were carried forward to the
multi-jurisdictional plan. Prior to this document the Town LHMP was an annex to the 2011 ABAG multi-jurisdictional plan.
Plan Town of San Anselmo 2008 Flood
Mitigation Plan
San Anselmo’s 2008 Flood Mitigation Plan provides a glimpse of the Town’s response to the 2005/06 flood and the
mitigation options that were considered before the 2011 Capital Improvement Plan Study for Flood Damage Reduction and
Creek Management
Plan
2011 Capital Improvement Plan Study for
Flood Damage Reduction and Creek
Management
This study describes plans and technical rationale for a suite of projects along the watershed that work together as a
system to reduce flooding and seeks to restore the ecological health and function of Corte Madera Creek and its tributaries.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes
standards for where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of
activities can occur in an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted
into the Zoning Ordinance.
Policy Municipal Code
The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation. The Town adopts the current California Building
Code which applies to all construction activity within the Town boundaries and supports earthquake and fire mitigation.
Watercourse Protection and Floodplain Development are sections that protect against worsening flood situations. The Muni
code is updated periodically to improve mitigation efforts.
Administrative Administrative Services Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology,
and business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related
to the department’s scope.
Administrative
and Personnel
Town Planning, Building, and Public
Works Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting
environmental review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to
planning and building can be implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for Town-owned
infrastructure, including streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions
involving new or retrofitted public infrastructure, as well as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the
Public Works Department
Personnel Ross Police The Town Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Ross Valley Fire Department The Ross Valley Fire Department protects the town from the effects of fire and other hazardous conditions and supports
implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Personnel Marin County Flood Control District The Marin County Flood Control and Water Conservation District supports flood mitigation efforts by partnering with Cities
and Towns to design, construct and maintain flood control infrastructure and channel improvements.
Personnel Volunteer Boards and Commissions
The Town has several volunteer groups that can help hazard mitigation efforts including the Town Council, Planning
Commission, Flood Committee and the Quality of Life Committee. These groups are both personnel resources and can
make recommendations to the Town Council, the governing body, which can update municipal and zoning codes.
APPENDIX O Town of San Anselmo
154
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as
well as capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These
include State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant
programs include Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation
Assistance (FMA)
Training and
Outreach Town Managers Newsletter The Town Manager’s newsletter was initiated after the 2005-06 floods and became a regular method of communication
between the Town and its residents.
Training and
Outreach
Community Rating System Working
Group
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP) to earn flood insurance premium reductions for property owners. A Countywide collaboration of CRS
community staff has been started in recent years and has led to shared resources including outreach materials and
floodplain management training. This collaboration has the potential to expand and lead to a wide variety of flood mitigation
activities.
Training and
Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is
designed to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents
and their families safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
155
21. Appndix P - City of San Rafael
Appendix P
City of San Rafael
City of San Rafael
The City of San Rafael (San Rafael) is the county seat of Marin County. San Rafael had an estimated population of 57,713 in 2 010, with 24,011
housing units in the City. The City has a total area of 22.422 square miles. The median income f or a household in the City was $60,994 and the per
capita income for the City was $35,762. Approximately 5.6 percent of families and 10.2 percent of the population were below t he poverty line (2010
data, U.S. Census Bureau).
San Rafael was incorporated as a city in 1874.
The City of San Rafael completed a single-jurisdiction Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2017 which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference
into this appendix. It includes much more jurisdiction-specific information to supplement the vulnerability and mitigation updates below.
Table P-1. Vulnerability of Structures in San Rafael
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 10,310 100% 4809 100% 1062 100% 250 100% 9 100%
Flood 1125 11% 1508 31% 556 52% 174 70% 0 0%
Fire 7502 73% 2599 54% 118 11% 5 2% 6 66.7%
Tsunami 270 3% 136 3% 61 6% 5 2% 0 0%
Landslide 1685 16% 387 8% 11 1% 0 0% 1 11.1%
Dam
Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
156
Table P-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in San Rafael
Roads Railroads Ferry
Miles % of Total Miles % of Total Number
Earthquake 327 100% 6 100% 0
Flood 67 20% 2 33% 0
Fire 213 65% 2 33% 0
Tsunami 17 5% 0.1 2% 0
Landslide 55 17% 0 0% 0
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0
Table P-3. Vulnerability of Communication in San Rafael
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 4 100%
Flood 0 0%
Fire 2 50%
Tsunami 0 0%
Landslide 1 25%
Dam Inundation 0 0%
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
157
Table P-4. Vulnerability of Power in San Rafael
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Miles % of
Total Miles % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 2 100% 4 100% 15.9 100% 14.5 100%
Flood 0 N/A 1 50% 1 25% 7.6 47.8% 2 13.8%
Fire 0 N/A 1 50% 1 25% 2.1 13.2% 5.6 38.6%
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 0% 1 25% 1.5 9.4% .1 .7%
Landslide 0 N/A 0 0% 0 0% .2 1.3% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
Table P-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in San Rafael
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 2 100% 7 100%
Flood 1 50% 7 100%
Fire 0 0% 0 0%
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0%
Landslide 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0%
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
158
Table P-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in San Rafael
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 30 100% 9 100% 16 100% 0 N/A
Flood 2 6.7% 3 33.3% 3 18.8% 0 N/A
Fire 16 53.3% 3 33.3% 3 18.8% 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 1 6.3% 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table P -7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables P -1 through P-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, response etc.), or are
carried forward in Table P-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
Table P-7. Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in San Rafael
Action Number / Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant Included in Updated Action
Plan (New #)
‘Future Mitigation Actions’ from 2017
1. Integrate Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of General Plan X X MLT-1
2. Identify the locations then subsequently equip, stock and train staff in order to
establish emergency evacuation shelters used to temporary house people during major
emergencies.
X Annex
3. Update the San Rafael Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Handbook X Annex
4. Outfit and equip the City’s new Emergency Operation’s Center
(EOC) scheduled for operation in Calendar Year 2019 X Annex - but tweak to refer to
improvements in disaster
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
159
resistance of this critical facility
5. Plan, prepare, conduct community outreach and deploy emergency evacuation
exercises in neighborhoods prone to wildfire or tidal flooding during extreme wet weather
periods.
X Annex
6. Bayside Acres Beach Sewer Relocation/Replacement X X Annex
7. Beach Drive (Fiberglass) Pump Station and Sewer Rehabilitation X X Annex
8. Recruit and ultimate appoint a new Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) to fill
vacant post. X N/A
9. Evaluate and Implement signal timing for first responders X ? Annex
10. Tree Safety Maintenance Program X X Annex
11. Purchase and installation of EMTRAC signal control equipment into 17 San Rafael
Fire Vehicles and 25 intersections. X ? Annex
12. Develop an Energy Storage Plan X ? MLT-9
13. San Rafael Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Implementation X X Annex
14. San Rafael Corrugated Metal Pipe Replacement Program X X Fld-5
15. Elevate/Raise Low Lying Roadways X X MLT-10,
MLT-20
16. Elevate Critical Infrastructure X X MLT19, Fld-6
17. Improvements to Existing Berms, Levees and Flood Control Systems X X Fld-5
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
160
18. Continued involvement in the BayWAVE county-wide vulnerability assessment
(Phase 1 and 2); Implement resulting strategies from Phase 2 of the program. X X Fld-10
19. Develop a climate adaptation plan, and implement resulting strategies X X Annex and/or consider Fld-11
20. Freitas Ditch Riparian and Flood Improvement Project X X Fld-5
21. Spinnaker Point Levee Assessment Study X X Annex
22. Water Storage Facility Study X ? Annex
23. Leaky Pipe Replacement Program X ? Annex
24. Marin Municipal Water District exploration of desalination plants X ? Annex
25. Evaluate the use of reclaimed water/increase purple pipes X ? Annex
26. Evaluate and enhance conservation measures to reduce water consumption X ? Annex or MLT-2
27. Retrofit/upgrade four remaining URM’s X X MLT-2 (if these URMs are
City-owned buildings)
28. Earthquake Hazard Study X X Annex or MLT-2
29. Public Facility Vulnerability Assessment and Improvements X X MLT-2
30. Structural Soft Story Identification and Mitigation Plan X X EQ-1 and/or annex
31. Develop and Maintain a Community Rating System (CRS) X X Fld-1
32. Beach Drive Structural Flood Protection X X Fld-5
33. Adopt a Drain Program X X annex or Fld-5
34. City Pump Station Analysis and Improvements X X Fld-5
35. City Storm Drain System Analysis and Improvements X X Fld-5 or annex
36. City Flood Alert System X annex
37. Gallinas Creek Dredging X X Fld-5
38. San Rafael Canal Dredging X X Fld-5
39. 70-96 Bret Harte Sewer Easement Repair X X annex
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
161
40. Landslide Identification and Management Program X X LS-2/
annex
41. Fairhills Slide Repair X X LS-2/ Annex
42. Funding for Vegetation Management Coordinator Position X X FIR-3? FIR-9? Public or
Private lands?
43. Create a City of San Rafael specific Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). X X Annex or FIR-1
44. Create new strategic fuel interruption zones in WUI areas and maintain and expand
existing fuel interruption zones already in place. X X Annex or FIR-3
45. Juniper and Bamboo Clearing Program from Residential Properties within WUI. X X FIR-5, FIR-9
46. Create new point specific wildfire prevention programs specifically targeting areas
where homeless encampments are known to exist. X X annex
47. San Rafael Measure A Project Implementation X X annex
48. East San Rafael Shore Project: Plan X X annex
49. East San Rafael Shore Project: Permitting and Construction X X annex
Table P-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in San Rafael
Action # and Name Hazard(s)
addressed
Responsible
Agency
Potential
Funding Source Timeline
2. Identify the locations then subsequently equip, stock and train staff in order to establish emergency
evacuation shelters used to temporary house people during major emergencies. All Hazards
City of San Rafael
Fire Department,
Emergency
Management
Coordinator,
American Red
Cross, Salvation
Army
Grant Funding,
General Funding
Possible
Immediate
3. Update the San Rafael Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Handbook All Hazards
City of San Rafael
Fire Department,
Emergency
Management
Coordinator
Grant Funding,
General Funding
Possible
To be prepared during late
2017 and 2018 calendar years.
4. Outfit and equip the City’s new Emergency Operation’s Center
(EOC) scheduled for operation in Calendar Year 2019 All Hazards
City of San Rafael
Fire Department,
Emergency
Management
Coordinator
Grant Funding,
General Funding
Possible
Planning in 2018 with
purchase and installation in
2019.
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
162
5. Plan, prepare, conduct community outreach and deploy emergency evacuation exercises in
neighborhoods prone to wildfire or tidal flooding during extreme wet weather periods. All Hazards
City of San Rafael
Fire Department,
Emergency
Management
Coordinator
Grant Funding,
General Funding
Possible
Planning in 2018 into 2019.
6. Bayside Acres Beach Sewer Relocation/Replacement Severe Storms,
Sea level Rise
San Rafael
Sanitation District
Capital
Improvement
Program
FY 16/17 to FY 18/19
7. Beach Drive (Fiberglass) Pump Station and Sewer Rehabilitation Severe Storms,
Sea level Rise
San Rafael
Sanitation District
Capital
Improvement
Program
FY 18/19 to FY 19/20
8. Recruit and ultimate appoint a new Emergency Management Coordinator (EMC) to fill vacant post.
All Hazards,
Disaster
Management
City of San Rafael
Fire Department
Seeking grant
funding
opportunities.
Immediate.
9. Evaluate and Implement signal timing for first responders All Hazards Public Works –
Traffic Operations City General Fund Immediate.
10. Tree Safety Maintenance Program
Minimize public
safety impacts
from trees falling
in the road right
of way.
Public Works –
Traffic Operations City General Fund FY 2019/20
11. Purchase and installation of EMTRAC signal control equipment into 17 San Rafael Fire Vehicles and
25 intersections.
Emergency
Response
City of San Rafael
Fire Department
City of San Rafael
Public Works
Department
Grant Funding.
General Funding. Immediate.
13. San Rafael Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Implementation Multi-Hazard
All City
departments as
identified in the
CIP
CIP Current year - 19/20
19. Develop a climate adaptation plan, and implement resulting strategies
Climate Change,
SLR, coastal
flooding
Sustainability
Coordinator,
Community
Development,
Public Works
Department, PIO,
City Manager’s
Office
Grants, general
fund, permit fees,
public-private
partnerships
Short term, 0-5 years
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
163
22. Water Storage Facility Study
Drought and
Water Shortage,
Wildfire.
Minimize
dependency on
outside water
sources for
irrigation
Public Works –
Parks City General Fund FY 2020 Study –
23. Leaky Pipe Replacement Program Drought and
Water Shortage
Public Works –
Parks City General Fund FY 2020
24. Marin Municipal Water District exploration of desalination plants Drought and
water supply
Public Works
Department,
Sustainability
Coordinator,
Community
Development, PIO
Rate mechanisms,
grants Mid term, 3-7 years
25. Evaluate the use of reclaimed water/increase purple pipes Drought and
water supply
Public Works
Department,
Sustainability
Coordinator,
Community
Development, PIO
Rate mechanisms,
planning fees,
grants
Near term, 1-5 years
26. Evaluate and enhance conservation measures to reduce water consumption Drought and
water supply
Sustainability
Coordinator, City
Manager’s Office,
Community
Development, PIO
Rate mechanisms,
planning fees,
grants
Near term, 1-5 years
28. Earthquake Hazard Study Earthquake
Hazards
Community
Development/Buil
ding
Inspection/Public
Works
Grants Within 5 years
30. Structural Soft Story Identification and Mitigation Plan Earthquake
Hazards
Community
Development/Buil
ding
Inspection/Public
Works
Grants Within 5 years
33. Adopt a Drain Program 100/500-year
and Storm
Public
Works/Volunteer
Existing budgets,
staff time. FY19/20
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
164
Flooding Coordinator
35. City Storm Drain System Analysis and Improvements
100/500-year
and Storm
Flooding
Public Works
Grants, Capital
Improvement
Program
FY19/20
36. City Flood Alert System
100/500-year
and Storm
Flooding
Public
Works/Emergency
Services
Grants Study – FY18/19
39. 70-96 Bret Harte Sewer Easement Repair Landslide San Rafael
Sanitation District
Capital
Improvement
Program
FY 18/19
40. Landslide Identification and Management Program Landslides
Public
Works/Community
Development
Grants FY20/21
41. Fairhills Slide Repair Landslides
Public
Works/Community
Development
Grants or General
Fund 1-5 years
43. Create a City of San Rafael specific Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Wildfire City of San Rafael
Fire Department
FEMA PDM and
HMGP grants. Immediate.
44. Create new strategic fuel interruption zones in WUI areas and maintain and expand existing fuel
interruption zones already in place. Wildfire
City of San Rafael
Fire Department
Marin County
Open Space
District
Marin County Fire
Department –
Tamalpais Fire
Crew
Grant Funding.
General Funding
unlikely . FEMA
PDM and HMGP
grants.
Immediate.
46. Create new point specific wildfire prevention programs specifically targeting areas where homeless
encampments are known to exist. Wildfire
➢ City of San
Rafael Fire
Department
➢ City of San
Rafael Homeless
Outreach
Coordinator
➢ City of San
Rafael Police
Department –
Open Space
Grant Funding.
General Funding
unlikely. FEMA
PDM and HMGP
grants.
Immediate.
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
165
Ranger
➢ City of San
Rafael Public
Works
Department
➢ Marin County
Open Space
District
➢ Marin County
Fire Department –
Tamalpais Fire
Crew
47. San Rafael Measure A Project Implementation
Wildfire, other
hazards
depending on
current Measure
A priorities
City departments
as identified in the
Measure A
Workplan
Measure A
funding
Current Measure A workplan
2017 to 2018 and annually
thereafter
48. East San Rafael Shore Project: Plan
Maritime and
fluvial flooding in
the Central and
East San Rafael
valley,
adaptation for
sea level rise
TBD May include
City of San
Rafael/Resilient
Shore/Shore Up
Marin
Proposition AA,
RbD Competition,
other sources to
be determined
24 months from project
initiation
49. East San Rafael Shore Project: Permitting and Construction
Maritime and
fluvial flooding in
the Central and
East San Rafael
valley,
adaptation for
sea level rise
TBD May include
the city of San
Rafael and /or a
special district
such as a GHAD
Proposition AA,
district
assessments,
redirected flood
insurance
premiums, and
other sources to
be determined
5-10 years
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
166
Table P-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan City General Plans City General Plan ‘2020’ was adopted in 2004 and been amended several times since. The City is currently undergoing its
next General Plan update ‘2040’ and community workshops are being held.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan City recently completed a stand-alone Hazard Mitigation Plan:
https://www.cityofsanrafael.org/hazard-mitigation-plan/
Plan
City of San Rafael Community
Emergency Preparedness Plan
(2009)
Policy City Ordinances
Yes, subdivision ordinance, floodplain ordinance, stormwater ordinance
Chapter 4.12 – Wildland Urban Interface
Title 7 – Emergency Services
Title 12 – Building Regulations
Title 14 – Building Code and Zoning
Title 15 – Subdivisions
Title 17 – Waters and Waterways
Title 18 – Protection of Flood Hazard Areas
Title 19 – Open Space
Policy Zoning
The Zoning Ordinance sets forth regulations and standards for development to ensure that the policies, goals, and
objectives of the General Plan are carried out. Rezoning can be initiated by the City Council, Planning Commission, or by an
individual property owner.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department Provide support with plan maintenance and update process.
Administrative Disaster Council Provide support with plan maintenance and update process.
Administrative and
Personnel Public Works Departments Provide support with plan maintenance and update process.
Administrative and
Personnel Community Development Provide support with plan maintenance and update process.
Personnel Police Provide support with plan maintenance and update process.
Personnel Fire Protection District Provide support with plan maintenance and update process.
Financial General Fund Provide primary or supplemental project funds.
Financial State and Federal Grants Provide primary or supplemental project funds.
Financial Capital improvements project
funding Provide primary or supplemental project funds.
Financial Authority to levy taxes for specific
purposes Provide primary or supplemental project funds.
Financial Incur debt through general
obligation bonds and/or special Provide primary or supplemental project funds.
APPENDIX P City of San Rafael
167
tax bonds
Training and Outreach
Local citizen groups or non-profit
organizations focused on
environmental protection,
emergency preparedness, access
and functional needs populations,
etc.
Community Emergency Response Team, Marin Conservation League, City of San Rafael Climate Action Team
Training and Outreach
Ongoing public education or
information program (e.g.,
responsible water use, fire safety,
household preparedness,
environmental education)
County Household Hazardous Waste Program, MCSTOPP, Marin County Environmental Health Services, The Bay Institute
Training and Outreach Natural disaster or safety related
school programs Get Ready:
APPENDIX Q City of Sausalito
168
22. Appendix Q - City of Sausalito Appendix Q
City of Sausalito
City of Sausalito
Sausalito had an estimated population of 7,061 in 2010, with 4,536 housin g units in the City. The City has a total area of 2.257 square miles. The
median income for a household in the City was $87,469 and the per capita income for the City was $81,040. Approximately 2.0 p ercent of families
and 5.1 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Sausalito was incorporated as a city in 1893.
Below is a summary of vulnerability and potential jurisdiction -specific mitigation actions in Sausalito. This is the City of Sausalito’s first Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan, therefore there are no prior mitigation actions to evaluate.
Table Q-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Sausalito
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 1,293 100% 1548 100% 170 100% 49 100% 9 100%
Flood 24 2% 57 4% 37 22% 45 92% 0 0%
Fire 1158 90% 1174 76% 63 37% 0 0% 3 33.3%
Tsunami 16 1% 83 5% 54 32% 48 98% 0 0%
Landslide 0 0% 39 3% 0 0% 0 0% 1 11.1%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 0%
APPENDIX Q City of Sausalito
169
Table Q-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Sausalito
Roads Ferry Landing
Miles % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 44 100% 1 100%
Flood 7 16% 1 100%
Fire 30 68% 0 0%
Tsunami 10 23% 1 100%
Landslide 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0%
Table Q-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Sausalito
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A
APPENDIX Q City of Sausalito
170
Table Q-4. Vulnerability of Power in Sausalito
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 1 100% 0 N/A 1.9 100% 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 1 100% 0 N/A 1.18 62% 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A 0 0 0 N/A
Table Q-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Sausalito
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A
APPENDIX Q City of Sausalito
171
Table Q-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Sausalito
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 3 100% 4 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 2 66.7% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 0% 2 50% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 1 25% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from those associated with
hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables Q-1 through Q-6), which is all except dam inundation. Table Q-7. Current and Potential
Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not
part of the Table 4-2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions, or for which that they wanted to include additional details).
Table Q-7. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Sausalito
Action Description
Hazard(s)
addressed Responsible Agency Potential
Funding Source Timeline
Develop and maintain an improvements and property value
database as a hazard mitigation planning activity All Public Works/Building
Departments Unknown 5-years
Design and construct nature-based living shorelines and
breakwaters to attenuate wave amplitude Flood/Tsunami Public Works, partner
agencies
State/Federal
Grants
Long term, 5-
10 years
Develop tools and policies for adapting to subsidence Flood Public Works/Planning Unknown 5-years
Incorporate historic preservation into adaptation, mitigation and
recovery activities All Public Works, Planning,
Building Departments Unknown Long term, 5-
10 years
APPENDIX Q City of Sausalito
172
Table Q-8 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan General Plan
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. It describes hazard areas and regulates current and
future development based on known hazard areas. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk
information and strategies.
The City of Sausalito General Plan last received a comprehensive update in September 1995. The Circulation Element was last
updated in 1999. The Housing Element was last updated in 2015. A General Plan Update process began in 2016 and is expected
to continue for three years.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan The City has not previously had a Hazard Mitigation Plan. This multijurisdictional plan is the first plan to focus on the mitigation of
natural hazards.
Policy Municipal Code The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation including Title IV Land Improvement and Use, Title V
Public Works, and Title VI Public Health, Safety and Welfare.
Policy Zoning Ordinance
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes standards for
where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of activities can occur in
an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning Ordinance.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel Public Works Departments
Public Works Department is responsible for City-owned infrastructure, including streets, bike lanes and sidewalks, storm drains,
traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or retrofitted public infrastructure, as well as those related to water
conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works Department
Administrative and
Personnel
Community Development
Department
This department is responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting environmental
review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning and building can be
implemented by this department.
Personnel City Police Department The Sausalito Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Southern Marin Fire
Protection District
The District has responsibility for fire suppression and emergency response in commercial, residential, wildland / urban interface,
and parts of the San Francisco Bay. The Fire Protection District supports implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk
of wildfire.
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as well as
capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These
include State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant programs
include Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is designed
to help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and their families
safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
Training and Outreach Newsletter The Tiburon Talk newsletter gets emailed every other month and often contains articles about hazard preparedness and
mitigation, including how to sign up for Get Ready classes.
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
173
23. Appendix R - Town of Tiburon Appendix R
Town of Tiburon
Town of Tiburon
The Town of Tiburon had an estimated population of 8,962 in 2010, with 4,025 housing units in the Town. The Town has a total area of 13.182
square miles. The median income for a household in the Town was $106,611 and the per capita income for the Town was $85,966. Approximately
1.6 percent of families and 3.3 percent of the population were below the poverty line (2010 data, U.S. Census Bureau).
Tiburon was incorporated in 1964.
Table R-1. Vulnerability of Structures in Tiburon
Single-Family Multi-Family Commercial Industrial Historic Sites
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total
Earthquake 2,402 100% 870 100% 49 100% 0 N/A 4 100%
Flood 61 3% 41 5% 43 88% 0 N/A 1 25%
Fire 2191 91% 729 84% 9 18% 0 N/A 0 0%
Tsunami 53 2% 72 8% 45 92% 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 582 24% 49 6% 0 0% 0 N/A 1 25%
Dam
Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 0%
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
174
Table R-2. Vulnerability of Transportation in Tiburon
Roads Ferry Landing Railroad
Number % of Total Number % of Total Miles
Earthquake 45 100% 1 100% 0
Flood 3 7% 1 100% 0
Fire 39 87% 0 0% 0
Tsunami 4 9% 1 100% 0
Landslide 11 24% 0 0% 0
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0
Table R-3. Vulnerability of Communication in Tiburon
MERA
Number % of Total
Earthquake 1 100%
Flood 0 0%
Fire 1 100%
Tsunami 0 0%
Landslide 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0%
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
175
Table R-4. Vulnerability of Power in Tiburon
Transmission Tower Substation Natural Gas
Substation
Electric Trans. Line Natural Gas Pipeline
Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of
Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A .4 100%
Flood 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Fire 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A .3 75%
Tsunami 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Landslide 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A .2 50%
Dam Inundation 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 N/A 0 0%
Table R-5. Vulnerability of Water / Sewage in Tiburon
Wastewater Treatment Plants Pump Stations
Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 3 100% 2 100%
Flood 1 33.3% 0 0%
Fire 0 0% 0 0%
Tsunami 1 33.3% 0 0%
Landslide 0 0% 0 0%
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0%
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
176
Table R-6. Vulnerability of Critical Facilities in Tiburon
Schools Law Enforcement & Fire Medical Facilities Airports
Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total Number % of Total
Earthquake 4 100% 3 100% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Flood 4 100% 1 33.3% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Fire 0 0% 2 66.7% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Tsunami 0 0% 1 33.3% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Landslide 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
Dam Inundation 0 0% 0 0% 0 N/A 0 N/A
The following actions were included in this jurisdiction’s prior local hazard mitigation plan. Table R-7 Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions indicates
the status of these actions and also refers to related actions from Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions through which this jurisdiction will
continue implementation or consideration of these actions. Table 4 -2 includes activities that address all hazards and this jurisdiction will select from
those associated with hazards to which they were found to be vulnerable (in Tables R -1 through R-6). Actions that aren’t related to specific actions in
Table 4.2 are either discarded because they are not considered “mitigation” (they may rather be preparedness, recovery, respo nse etc.), or are
carried forward in Table R-8. Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs which represents this jurisdiction’s jurisdiction-specific
actions (i.e. actions they want to implement that are not part of the Table 4 -2 of common activities that was prepared for use by all jurisdictions).
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
177
Table R-7. Evaluation of Prior Mitigation Actions in Tiburon
Action Name Completed Ongoing Not Started Still Relevant Included in Updated Action
Plan (New #)
‘Future Mitigation Actions’ from 2012
In January 2011, the Town Council adopted the 2010 California Building Code which applies to
all construction activity within the Town boundaries. The California Building Code is comprised
of 11 parts that incorporate public health, safety, energy, green building and access standards
used in the design and construction of all buildings. The new code provisions will allow the
Town to utilize the latest technologies~ advances in construction standards and seismic design
for use in new residential and commercial construction and in remodels.
X X MLT-3
As part-of the Capital Improvement Program, the Town will implement a Shoreline Park rip rap
restoration, in order to shore up all the larger rocks at Shoreline Park and help prevent erosion
into the San Francisco Bay. Shoreline Park is fully exposed to the Bay which is susceptible to
sea level rise, tsunamis and possible tidal flooding.
X
Also as part of the Capital Improvement Program, the Town will implement a foundation repair
to a section of Paradise Drive in order to shore up the embankment by constructing a "soil nail"
wall. This would help stabilize the exposed earthen bank that holds up Paradise Dr. just past the
Caprice restaurant, which street segment could be susceptible to landslide as a result of
earthquakes or storms.
X X For Tiburon Annex
The Town will continue to research the possibility of construction of a new LEED certified Public
Works Corp Yard, as this is the Town's primary critical facility in need ofrepair/updating. Seismic
retrofit work would be done simultaneously in order to ensure this critical facility could withstand
the next major earthquake in the Bay Area. This project is largely dependent on funding.
X X For Tiburon Annex
In order to assist with the prevention of wildfires, the Town will work with Conservation Corps
North Bay to obtain a matching Cal Fire Grant in order to implement the fire related items within
the Town's Open Space Management Plan. The Town's Public Works Department will also
begin working on a "zone approach" to remedy the highest priority areas in the open space to
clear out invasive species and heavy brush. In addition, the Town will begin implementation of a
program designed for residents living adjacent to open space, which outlines the guidelines for
mowing grasses and vegetation clearing on open space lands.
X X X
‘On-Going Mitigation Strategies’ from 2012
F. Continue to comply with all applicable building and fire codes as well as other regulations X X MLT-3
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
178
when constructing or significantly remodeling infrastructure facilities (INFR, HOUS, ECON,
GOVT)
Continue to enforce and/or comply with State-mandated requirements, such as the California
Environmental Quality Act (ENVR a-1) X X
Complying with State and
Federal regulations is
considered implicit in this
plan
Incorporate FEMA guidelines and suggested activities into local govemment plans and
procedures for managing flood hazards (LAND, GOVT, HOUS, INFR) X X FLD-2
Continue to participate in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (GOVT d-5) X X
Complying with State and
Federal regulations is
considered implicit in this
plan
Continue to facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness materials and trainings
through the Tiburon Office ofEmergency Services (INFR, HOUS, ECON, GOVT) X X For Tiburon Annex
Conduct periodic tests of the emergency sirens and BEARS emergency warning systems
(GOVT c-15) X X For Tiburon Annex
Continue to maintain the emergency operations center (GOVT c-1 0) X X For Tiburon Annex
Table R-8 - Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs in Tiburon
Activity Responsible Agency Potential
Funding Source Timeline
Mitigation Activities and Priorities from Prior LHMP
Also as part of the Capital Improvement Program, the Town will implement a foundation repair to a section of Paradise
Drive in order to shore up the embankment by constructing a "soil nail" wall. This would help stabilize the exposed
earthen bank that holds up Paradise Dr. just past the Caprice restaurant, which street segment could be susceptible to
landslide as a result of earthquakes or storms.
City Engineer/
Public Works
General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
The Town will continue to research the possibility of construction of a new LEED certified Public Works Corp Yard, as
this is the Town's primary critical facility in need of repair/updating. Seismic retrofit work would be done simultaneously in
order to ensure this critical facility could withstand the next major earthquake in the Bay Area. This project is largely
dependent on funding.
City Engineer/
Public Works
General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
In order to assist with the prevention of wildfires, the Town will work with Conservation Corps North Bay to obtain a
matching Cal Fire Grant in order to implement the fire related items within the Town's Open Space Management Plan.
The Town's Public Works Department will also begin working on a "zone approach" to remedy the highest priority areas
in the open space to clear out invasive species and heavy brush. In addition, the Town will begin implementation of a
program designed for residents living adjacent to open space, which outlines the guidelines for mowing grasses and
vegetation clearing on open space lands.
Fire Department General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
Continue to facilitate the distribution of emergency preparedness materials and trainings through the Tiburon Office of
Emergency Services
Tiburon Office of
Emergency Services General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
179
Conduct periodic tests of the emergency sirens and BEARS emergency warning systems Tiburon Office of
Emergency Services General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
Continue to maintain the emergency operations center Tiburon Office of
Emergency Services General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
New Mitigation Activities and Priorities
Address coastal erosion along Main Street seawall City Engineer/
Public Works
General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
Use existing hydraulic analysis to design and implement improvements to Beach Road area drainage. City Engineer/
Public Works
General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
Culvert repair/replacement on San Rafael Ave at Lagoon where flooding occurred. (Belvedere- Tiburon joint project) City Engineer/
Public Works
General Fund,
Federal Grants 0-5 years
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
180
Table R-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan General Plan (Tiburon
2020)
The General Plan outlines long-term direction for development and policy. It describes hazard areas and regulates current and
future development based on known hazard areas. As this plan gets updated there is potential to improve it with updated risk
information and strategies.
Plan Hazard Mitigation Plan
2012 ABAG Annex
This Hazard Mitigation Plan and its predecessors identify risks from natural hazards present in the Town and includes strategies to
reduce these risks.
Plan Capital Improvement Plan
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) directs construction activities for Town owned facilities and infrastructure for the next five
years. Mitigation actions may involve construction of new or upgraded facilities and infrastructure. As this plan gets updated there is
potential to improve it with updated strategies.
Plan Open Space Management
Plan
Open Space management influences risk of landslides, wildfire, and in some cases flooding. The Town manages 250 acres of open
space. Fire hazard and fuel loading is the primary concern driving management of non-native species in this pan.
Policy Municipal Code The Muni Code includes several sections that address hazard mitigation including Title IV Land Improvement and Use, Title V
Public Works, and Title VI Public Health, Safety and Welfare.
Policy
Zoning Ordinance
(Chapter 16 of Municipal
Code)
The Zoning Ordinance implements the General Plan by establishing specific regulations for development. It includes standards for
where development can be located, how buildings must be sized, shaped, and positioned, and what types of activities can occur in
an area. Mitigation actions that pertain to new or substantially redeveloped buildings can be adopted into the Zoning Ordinance.
Administrative Administrative Services
Department
Administrative Services Department handles finance and purchasing, budgeting, risk management, information technology, and
business licensing for the community. The department may be responsible for implementing mitigation actions related to the
department’s scope.
Administrative and
Personnel
Town Planning, Building,
and Public Works
Departments
These departments are responsible for planning and building related activities including issuing permits, conducting environmental
review, preparing planning documents, and addressing housing issues. Mitigation activities related to planning and building can be
implemented by this department. Public Works Department is responsible for Town-owned infrastructure, including streets, bike
lanes and sidewalks, storm drains, traffic signals, and streetlights. Mitigation actions involving new or retrofitted public infrastructure,
as well as those related to water conservation, fall within the purview of the Public Works Department
Personnel Town Police Department The Tiburon Police Department conducts emergency preparedness activities for the community. Mitigation activities related to
emergency preparedness can be implemented by the Police Department.
Personnel Tiburon Fire Protection
District
The Tiburon Fire District protects the town of Tiburon, the Town of Belvedere, and the surrounding area. The Fire District's
boundaries represent a diverse community with responsibility for commercial, residential, wildland / urban interface, and parts of the
San Francisco Bay. The Fire Protection District supports implementation of mitigation actions that reduce the risk of wildfire.
Financial General Fund General Fund monies come primarily through property taxes and sales taxes and fund the personnel resources above as well as
capital improvement projects.
Financial State and Federal Grants
Matching grant programs are one of the largest sources of funding dedicated to hazard mitigation and risk reduction. These include
State flood control grants that have been awarded and FEMA grants that are being pursued. These FEMA grant programs include
Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)
Training and Outreach Get Ready
The Get Ready program, developed in Marin County, is a free 2-hour course provided to the community. The course is designed to
help residents plan for an emergency with a family plan, evacuation checklist, and strategies to keep residents and their families
safe. (https://readymarin.org/get-ready/)
Training and Outreach Newsletter The Tiburon Talk newsletter gets emailed every other month and often contains articles about hazard preparedness and mitigation
APPENDIX R Town of Tiburon
181
APPENDIX S North Marin Water District
182
24. Appendix S - North Marin Water District Appendix S
North Marin Water District
North Marin Water District
North Marin Water District (NMWD) was formed in April 1948 following voter approval under the California State law known as the
County Water District Law (Division 12 of the California Water Code).
NMWD primarily serves the City of Novato and surrounding unincorporated areas in Marin County, encompassing approximately 75
square miles. The Novato Service Area has approximately 20,750 active service connections serving approximately 24,000 dwell ing
units, as well as commercial, industrial and institutional customers. The estimated Novato Service Area population is 61,000. NMWD
also provides service to several small improvement districts in the West Marin Service Area near the Pacific Ocean, via approximately
800 service connections.
NMWD owns and operates Stafford Lake and the associated treatment plant, which provides approximately 20% of Novato’s water.
The lake lies four miles west of downtown Novato and collects runoff from 8.3 square miles of watershed property located upstream
at the upper tributary reaches of Novato Creek. Water from Stafford Lake is drawn by the intake tower and fed by gravity or by
pumping (depending on the lake level) into the treatment plant located just below the dam. In addition to providing water su pply for
domestic needs and firefighting purposes, Stafford dam provides flood protection for the greater Novato area. The Marin County
Flood Control and Water Conservation District has partnered with NMWD to share in the cost of obtaining additional flood liability
insurance.
Water from the Russian River via connection to the Sonoma County Water Agency’s aqueduct provides the remaining 80% of the
Novato Service Area supply of water. This water originates from both the Eel River and the Russian River watersheds. The water
supply for the West Marin Service Area is derived from groundwater.
NMWD maintains and operates approximately 340 miles of pipeline, 42 tanks totaling over 37 million gallons of storage, and
associated pump stations, hydropneumatic systems, and regulator valves. NMWD sizes its storage tanks to meet operational,
firefighting and emergency requirements. Storage requirements for both the Novato and West Marin Service Areas are updated on a 5-
year cycle, and are based in part on input provided by Novato Fire Protection District and Marin County Fire.
Ensuring water quality and protecting public health is one of NMWD’s primary goals. Water quality data is routinely collecte d
throughout the distribution systems and at water sources.
APPENDIX S North Marin Water District
183
As NMWD’s service area includes the City of Novato, the Vulnerability Analysis tables (M-1 through M-6) in Appendix M apply to
NMWD as well. With some of unincorporated Marin County also part of their service area, some of the vulnerabilities summarized in
tables G-1 through G-6 also apply to NMWD. Because both the City of Novato and unincorporated Marin are vulnerable to all hazards
outlined in the main body of this MCM LHMP, NMWD is also considered to be vulnerable to all hazards: i.e. earthquake, flood, fire,
tsunami, landslide, and dam inundation. Table 4-2. Potential Common Mitigation Actions lists actions that NMWD and other
participating agencies may employ, with the most likely actions including DAM-2, DAM-3, FLD-5, MLT-6, MLT-14, MLT-15,
MLT-20, and TSU-1 (NMWD does not have a direct role in TSU-1, but Dillon Beach and other unincorporated Marin communities it
serves are working to maintain TsunamiReady status). Additional details and jurisdiction-specific actions to be considered by NMWD
are included in Table S-1 – Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs. This is NMWD’s first Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan and therefore there are no prior mitigation actions to evaluate.
Table S-1 - Current and Potential Hazard Mitigation Projects and Programs
Name Hazard(s)
addressed Potential Funding Source Timeline
Oceana Marin Treatment and Storage Pond Repair Storm (wind) Federal Grants 0-5 years
Oceana Marin Force Main Replacement and Main Pump Station
Upgrade/Relocation Storm (Flood/wind) Federal Grants 0-5 years
Oceana Marin Cliff-side Sewer Lining Storm (wind/coastal
erosion) Federal Grants 0-5 years
Olema Domestic Water Pump Station Flood Protection Storm (flood) Federal Grants 0-5 years
Creek Crossing Upgrades (Rush, Novato, Leveroni) Storm (flood) Federal Grants 0-5 years
Stafford Dam Upgrades - Upstream Face Armoring, Accelerometers Storm (wind),
earthquake Federal Grants 0-5 years
Table S-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
APPENDIX S North Marin Water District
184
Table S-9 Planning Mechanisms, Regulatory Tools, and Resources
Type of Resource Resource Name Ability to Support Mitigation and Potential for Improvement
Plan Strategic Plan 2018
The Strategic Plan is the District's highest-level planning document. It represents the Board's direction for the future and the
staff’s work plan for implementing it. It identifies the agency's mission, vision, and values, while providing a set of goals and
objectives that becomes a framework for all decision‐making.
The Plan is also a practical working tool that provides clear direction to the staff about the Board's goals and objectives, and
includes a work plan developed by the staff to meet those goals and objectives. As such, it is referred to regularly as a guide
to District actions during the period covered.
To keep it fresh and provide opportunities for improvement, it should be updated every five years and rolled forward so that
there is always a five‐year guide to the future.
Plan 5-year Master Plans NMWD uses Master Plans or Capital Improvement Plans for guiding infrastructure maintenance and upgrades of its systems
grouped by service district such as Novato, West Marin and Oceana Marin.
Policy Board of Directors North Marin Water District is an independent special district governed by a five-member Board of Directors elected at large
for four-year terms.
Policy Policies & Regulations
North Marin Water District is a public agency of the State of California established under the County Water District Law
(Division 12 of the California Water Code). Policies and regulations have been adopted by the Board of Directors of the
District pursuant to Water Code Section 31024 and establish the procedures under which the District operates, including the
terms and conditions under which facilities will be installed and water will be supplied to users and the charges and rates for
such service.
Administrative and
Personnel
Administration / Finance
Department
The Administrative Department is comprised of the Administrative Services, Consumer Services, Finance and Information
System. Consumer Services is responsible for reading water meters, responding to customer calls for service and
assistance with their water service, creation and mailing of water bills, and answering customer questions regarding their bill
or water use. Finance is responsible for general accounting and budgeting, payroll, purchasing, financial investments, risk
management and information systems.
Administrative and
Personnel Engineering
The Engineering Department consists of a small professional and technical staff that oversees the planning, permitting,
design, construction and project management of water supply, treatment, transmission and distribution facilities necessary to
serve NMWD's customers. Engineering functions for wastewater-related facilities are also provided by the Engineering
Department to support the NMWD wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system in Oceana Marin (Dillon Beach
area).
Administrative and
Personnel Construction / Maintenance
The Construction/Maintenance Department has a variety of duties, principally related to the installation, repair and
replacement of water main pipelines, their appurtenances and performs all “underground” maintenance for the District. The
Construction/Maintenance Department also assists other departments to upkeep structures, grounds, storage tanks and
pumping facilities
Administrative and
Personnel Operations / Maintenance The Operations/Maintenance Department manages the supply, distribution and water quality for the City of Novato and the
West Marin communities, and performs all “above-ground” maintenance for the District
Financial Combined Budget The budget of combined service areas pays for the District’s operating expenses and comes from the revenue from water
APPENDIX S North Marin Water District
185
sales.
Financial Grants Federal, State, and local grants offer opportunities to invest in mitigation improvements that would otherwise not be feasible
or prioritized.
Training and Outreach Social Media NMWD is endeavoring to increase the use of social media for public outreach materials.
Training and Outreach Staff Training and Professional
Development
NMWD supports staff involvement in local, regional, and national water industry organizations including payment of
subscription dues and attendance at conferences.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
~...-..-...-:i.:-----------•·· ...................................................................... .P.L.A.N .. N.I..N.G .... D..I..Y.I..S.1.0 .N ........................... .
FILING REQUESTED BY AND
WHEN FILED RETURN TO :
Marin County Community Development Agency
Planning Division
3501 Civic Center Drive, #308
San Rafael, CA 94903
Attn: Don Allee
12/3/18
1. Project Name:
2. Project Location:
NOTICE OF EXEMPTION
Marin County
Environmental Planning and Review
Marin County Multi-Jurisdict ional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Entirety of Main County
3. Project Summary: Marin County (the County) and its partners have developed a Multi-
Jurisdictional Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (MCM LHMP) to assess risks posed by
natural hazards and to develop a mitigation strategy for reducing the County's risks. The
County has prepared the MCM LHMP in accordance with the requirements of the
Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (OMA 2000). The MCM LHMP replaces the County LHMP
that was approved by FEMA on August 29, 2013 .
4. Public Agency Approving Project: California Governor's Office of Emergency Services,
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Marin County Board of Supervisors
5. Project Sponsor:
6. CEQA Exemption Status:
Marin County Office of Emergency Services
CEQA Guidelines section 15060(c)(2); 15061 (b)(3)
(General Rule)
7. Reasons for Exemption: While subsequent action or projects stemming from the MCM
LHMP may be subject to CEQA, the MCM LHMP itself will not result in a direct or reasonably
foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
Project Planner: Reviewed by:
Planner
3501 Civic Cen ter Dr ive • Suite 308 • San Rafael, CA 94903-4157 • 415 473 6269 T · 415 473 7880 F · 415 473 2255 TTY · www.mari ncounty .arg/plan
November 21, 2018
Thomas Jordan
Emergency Services Coordinator
Marin County Sheriff/ Office of Emergency Services
1600 Los Gamos Drive
Suite 200
San Rafael, California 94903
Dear Mr. Jordan:
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA. 94607-4052
FEMA
We have completed our review of the 2018 Marin County Multi-Jurisdictional Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan, and have determined that this plan is eligible for final approval pending its
adoption by Marin County and all participating jurisdictions. Please see the enclosed list of
approvable pending adoption jurisdictions.
Formal adoption documentation must be submitted to the FEMA Region IX office by the lead
jurisdiction within one calendar year of the date of this letter, or the entire plan must be updated
and resubmitted for review. We will approve the plan upon receipt of the documentation of
formal adoption.
If you have any questions regarding the planning or review processes, please contact JoAnn
Scordino, Community Planner, at (510) 627-7225 or by email at ioann.scordino@fema.dhs.gov.
Enclosure
Sincerely,
Juliette Hayes
Director
Mitigation Division
FEMA, Region IX
cc: Julie Norris, Mitigation and Dam Safety Branch Chief, California Governor's Office of
Emergency Services
Jennifer Hogan, State Hazard Mitigation Officer, California Governor's Office of
Emergency Services
www.fema.gov