Public hearing set to discuss mitigation plan

The Lincoln County Department of Public Safety's Office of Emergency Management will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, January 22, from 7 until 9 p.m. at The Lincoln Center.

The purpose of the meeting is to review the Lincoln County Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Plan and to receive public input on the plan.

According to Ernie Doss, public safety director, "The hazard mitigation plan is the result of a combined effort on the part of Lincoln County and the City of Lincolnton to reduce risks from natural hazards and to help guide decision-makers in committing resources for reducing the effects of hazards. The plan is meant to assist the county in coordinating and implementing hazard mitigation policies, programs, and projects."

Specifically, the plan contains mitigation goals and objectives as well as prescribed courses of action that can help Lincoln County and the City of Lincolnton reduce the risks associated with potential hazards and prevent loss.

The Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Program was created by the Disaster Mitigation Act, which was signed into law on October 30, 2000. The program encourages local pre-disaster planning so local governments have a venue for expressing hazard mitigation needs, resulting in faster allocation of funding and more effective risk reduction projects.