Natural hazard mitigation in Southern California



“Provide technical assistance and guidance to local governments to improve hazard risk
assessments, mitigation project identification and analysis, and the development of
local hazard mitigation plans”

“Develop a statewide program of support for hazard identification, prioritization, and
support for local governments”

These objectives aim at increasing hazard awareness, at distribution of knowledge on natural
hazards, at the development of a planning process that allows for partnerships, and at
encouraging non-structural mitigation measures.

Berke e.a. (1996) have made researches into natural hazard mitigation mandates of several US
states. Concerning California state mandates, they conclude that these lack the authority
necessary to enforce a strict observance of the mandate. There is few obligation for local
governments to have their plans approved by the State. Drafts have to be approved, but in
practice they are hardly ever rejected no matter what the contents are, and there are few
measures the State can take if local governments do not comply with the rules. The research
indicates that local plans are more effective and of a higher quality if the state government
enforces strict compliance with its mandates (Berke e.a. 1996). Though the goals and
objectives of the State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan are strong, they may not
fully ooze through to the local level due to a lack of authority. This is certainly a point of
attention since it can help explain the findings of the case studies in the next chapter.

General plan

Each city and county in California must adopt a general plan: a comprehensive long-term plan
for de development of the city or county. A general plan must be reviewed by the Division of
Mines and Geology and the Department of Conservation of the state of California, and
amended if necessary, before it can be officially adopted. Once a general plan is adopted, it is
a legislative act (State of California 2004). Since 1976, the State of California mandates all
local governments to include hazard mitigation in their local general plan. The mandatory
elements of a general plan are land use, circulation, housing, open space, conservation, safety
and noise. Other elements are optional and it is possible to combine elements if deemed
necessary (OPR 1998, State of California 2004). Natural hazard mitigation should be included
in the safety element. The safety element deals with (CERES 2004):

Seismically induced surface rupture, ground shaking, ground failure, tsunami, dam
failure

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