TO: Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
FROM: Andrew Butler - District Engineer
REPORT BY: Andrew Butler - District Engineer
SUBJECT: Adoption of the Napa County 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution adopting the Napa County 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, including Volume 1 and the Volume 2 Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District (District) Annex. (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Napa County 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan (MJHMP) Update (the “Plan”) provides a comprehensive strategy to reduce the impacts of natural hazards such as earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, drought, and severe weather events. The Plan serves as a five-year roadmap for coordinated hazard mitigation actions among District, Napa County, and other planning partners.
Adoption of this Plan ensures that District and participating jurisdictions remain eligible for federal hazard mitigation grant funding administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), including programs such as Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). Adoption also fulfills the planning requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000).
The Plan includes a countywide risk assessment and mitigation strategy and identifies 136 mitigation actions to reduce hazard risks across the Napa County planning area.
Hazard Mitigation Planning
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 FEMA mitigation funding. The DMA 2000 established this requirement and directs FEMA to support mitigation planning as a means of reducing disaster losses nationwide.
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 Valley College
12. Napa Valley Transportation Authority
13. Napa Sanitation District
Participating jurisdictions worked together to identify hazards, assess vulnerabilities, collect public and stakeholder input, and develop mitigation strategies across their jurisdictions and the region.
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 an 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.
GENERAL PLAN INTEGRATION (AB 2140)
Adoption of the Plan also enables the District 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.
Requested Actions:
1. Adopt a Resolution adopting the Napa County 2026 Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan Update, including Volume 1 and the Volume 2 Napa County Flood Control and Water Conservation District
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
Adoption of the Plan supports the District’s goals to improve disaster resilience; protect critical facilities, infrastructure, and services; reduce long-term disaster recovery costs; and strengthen interagency coordination. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
None |
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Consequences if not approved: |
The District will not be able to have support for disaster resilience |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed project is categorically exempt from the provisions of the CEQA Guidelines pursuant to the provisions of California Code of Regulations, title 14, section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption), and Section 15262 (Feasibility and Planning Studies)