TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Oscar Ortiz- Sheriff/Coroner/Deputy Director of Emergency Services
REPORT BY: Brieanna Jones- Emergency Services Officer
SUBJECT: Adoption of the 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution accepting the Napa County 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, including Volume 1 and Volume 2. (No Fiscal Impact; Mandatory)
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BACKGROUND
Hazard mitigation refers to sustained actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risks to people and property from natural hazards. Examples include infrastructure improvements, regulatory updates, natural resource protection projects, and community preparedness initiatives.
Federal regulations require local governments to maintain an approved hazard mitigation plan to remain eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) mitigation funding. The Disaster Mitigation Act (DMA) 2000 established this requirement and directs FEMA to support mitigation planning as a means of reducing disaster losses nationwide. The previous Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update was adopted by the Board of Supervisors on June 9, 2020, and approved by FEMA August 13, 2020.
Multi-Jurisdictional Planning Effort
The Plan was developed through a collaborative planning effort led by the Napa County Sheriff’s Office. The planning process included participation from a total of 13 jurisdictions, including:
1. Napa County
2. City of American Canyon
3. City of Calistoga
4. City of Napa
5. City of St. Helena
6. Town of Yountville
7. American Canyon Fire Protection District
8. Howell Mountain Mutual Water Company
9. Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
10. Napa County Office of Education
11. Napa Sanitation District
12. Napa Valley College
13. Napa Valley Transportation Authority
Participating jurisdictions worked together to identify hazards, assess vulnerabilities, collect public and stakeholder input, and develop mitigation strategies across their jurisdictions and the region. These meetings took place starting in late 2024 and concluding Spring 2026 with many stakeholder engagement meetings and administrative and public review periods. Responses to comments from the public and stakeholders and a review with Cal OES have taken place.
Plan Structure
The Plan is organized into two volumes.
• Volume 1 - Base Plan: Provides the countywide framework for hazard mitigation planning, including hazard identification and risk assessment, community vulnerability analysis, countywide mitigation goals and strategies, and an implementation framework with monitoring procedures.
• Volume 2 - Jurisdictional Annexes: Includes annexes for each participating jurisdiction that identify locally-relevant hazards, jurisdiction-specific vulnerabilities, and local mitigation actions and implementation strategies.
Each participating jurisdiction is responsible for adopting and implementing its respective annex.
Public and Stakeholder Engagement
The Plan was developed through an extensive planning and outreach process that included a community survey on hazard risks, stakeholder workshops, public outreach events, review and comment opportunities on draft materials, and coordination with local agencies and planning partners. This outreach ensured compliance with FEMA requirements for public involvement in hazard mitigation planning and was integral to identifying local hazard priorities and realistic mitigation actions.
FEMA Review and Approval
The Plan has undergone review by the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and has been forwarded to FEMA Region IX for final approval. Following adoption by participating jurisdictions, FEMA will issue a formal approval letter, allowing the plan to take effect and enabling jurisdictions to remain eligible for FEMA mitigation funding. Each jurisdiction and special district plan to have meetings following the County BOS adoption of Volume 1.
General Plan Integration (AB 2140)
Adoption of the Plan also enables Napa County to integrate the plan into the Safety Element of the General Plan pursuant to California Government Code Sections 65302, 65302.6, and 8685.9. This integration improves eligibility for post-disaster hazard mitigation funding and strengthens coordination between hazard mitigation planning and local land-use policies.
FISCAL IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Mandatory |
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Consequences if not approved: |
If not approved, we will not have an approved plan on file with FEMA, and neither will all five jurisdictions or the special districts involved. This could leave the county ineligible from receiving FEMA mitigation funding. |
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Additional Information: |
Strategic Initiative: Build Healthy, Connected Communities |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: Adoption of the Plan is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, section 15061, subd. (b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption), section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies), and section 15306 (Information Collection - Class 6 Categorical Exemption). The Plan establishes policy guidance and mitigation strategies but does not authorize specific construction projects. Environmental review will occur for individual projects as required.