March 18, 2011

On behalf of the Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency, I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to participate in the update of the Lincoln County Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Plan.  By providing input and direction as a project stakeholder you can assist us by representing your interests in making Lincoln County a safer place to live and work. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requires that PDM Plans be updated every five years in order for the County to remain eligible to receive disaster mitigation funds.

The PDM Plan update will examine the wide range of hazards that affect Lincoln County, recent hazard events, the probability of future occurrences, and the vulnerabilities of our population.  From that assessment, a plan of action to mitigate these hazards can be developed. Your assistance with development of the updated PDM Plan will ensure it is meaningful and relevant throughout Lincoln County.

Lincoln County has contracted with Tetra Tech, Inc. to assist with the PDM Plan update.  Although Tetra Tech will provide project management, technical assistance, and otherwise provide a majority of the administrative work on the Plan, your participation is important to ensure our vulnerabilities are identified and the appropriate mitigation projects included in the updated Plan.

We have a 12 month timeframe for completing the project.  Public meetings will be conducted during the drafting phase at various locations around the County.  By the end of December we will have a final Plan to submit to FEMA for approval.  After FEMA approves the Plan, the County and incorporated towns of Libby, Eureka, Rexford and Troy will be asked to adopt the Plan.  Once the Plan is adopted, Lincoln County and the incorporated towns will be eligible to apply for FEMA grants for mitigation projects.

We look forward to your involvement in this very important project.  Completion of the Lincoln County PDM Plan update will go a long way to save lives, prevent losses and protect the environment.  If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact me at 406-293-6295 or Daphne Digrindakis with Tetra Tech at 406-443-5210.

Sincerely,

Vic White
Lincoln County Emergency Management Agency