Residents are encouraged to attend the June 15, comment on the plan
The town of Killington is in the process of updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP). The town secured a grant from the State and has retained Rutland Regional Planning Commission to undertake the update in concert with support from the town.
The purpose of the HMP is to identify natural hazards that affect Killington, assess risk and vulnerability from these hazards and identify mitigation strategies to make Killington more disaster resistant and more resilient especially considering climate change.
The final plan which is expected to be completed in the fall 2022 and will need to be adopted by the Killington Select Board before submitted to FEMA for final approval.
Once adopted, this plan is not legally binding but outlines goals and actions to prevent future loss of life and property.
As part of the HMP process, the town’s planning committee, which consists of the town planner, town manager, fire chief and representatives from the planning commission and Select Board undertook a risk assessment to measure the potential loss of life, personal injury, economic impact, and property damage resulting from natural environmental hazards. The top natural hazards facing the town are:
- Extreme cold, snow, ice associated with winter storms
- High winds associated with thunder/tropical storms, tornados, and severe winter storms
- Wildfires
- Flash flooding and fluvial erosion associated with thunder/tropical storm.
The next phase of the project will be for the planning committee to identify strategies and polices that can minimize or mitigate the impact of these hazards.
A draft of the first half of the Killington Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP), which includes an introduction, purpose, community profile, and hazard identification and risk assessment, is ready for public review and is available on the town website as well as the town office.
The plan will be discussed on June 15 at 7 p.m. during the regular Killington planning commission meeting. This meeting will take place at the Public Safety Building and via Zoom (https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86571219532). Comments on the plan can be submitted to Lisa Davis, planning consultant, by email until July 6, 2022: lisa.davis@killingtontown.com.
