 
|
|
PROJECT IMPACT WORK PLAN
- Regional Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Project (RRVAP)
Phase I: Mapping
- To clearly understand and identify the threats posed and the areas at greatest risk and to help local officials, business and property owners identify and prioritize vulnerable critical resources and infrastructure. [Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping project; data layers to include repetitive loss properties, critical facilities and infrastructure, emergency evacuation routes, Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) floodplain delineations, and Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH).]
Phase II: Strategy Development and Structural Needs Assessment
- A forum was held in 2002 for local and regional officials to identify specific structural mitigation needs and issues of concern across the Cape related to hazard mitigation.
- Constituency Building, Outreach and Education
(list is subject to change)
Outreach to and collaboration with:
- AmeriCorps-Cape Cod
- Chambers of Commerce - to reach local businesses and address, for example, possibilities of low interest loans for retrofitting and hazard mitigation, consistent dissemination of hazard information to visitors, and business continuity planning
- Regional home centers and hardware stores - for retrofitting instruction and supplies
- Utility companies - to look at their infrastructure and prepare contingency plans
- Home Inspectors - to provide flood protection assistance
- Boy/Girl Scouts of America (Cape Cod Chapters)
Public information materials:
- Preparedness posters for town halls, libraries, schools, and local businesses
- Local phone book - inclusion of "hazards and resources" page
- Traveling display - to be used at various regional or local events
Partner with regional institutions to sponsor workshops on hazard mitigation and related topics:
- Hurricanes and sea-level rise
- Hazard resistant landscaping - buffer, vegetation, erosion resistance
- Hazards disclosure and real estate vulnerability - targeted to local real estate agents
- Disaster planning for small businesses (Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce)
|
 ABOVE: Project Impact funds will help the Town of Eastham address drainage and recurring flooding problems along Steele Road.
 ABOVE: A crumbling retaining wall is all that stands between the Bass River and River Street in Yarmouth. Project Impact funds will help support the repair of the site to keep the road from collapsing and utilities lines from being damaged in a storm.
|
|
Structural Projects
- Identify and fund structural projects on Cape Cod that will help mitigate hazards by reducing future damage costs, economic, environmental, and social harm.
Eligible structural projects under this grant program include (a) construction-type projects such as construction, maintenance, or repair of tide gates, channel improvements, roadway elevation, dune restoration designed to enhance flood protection, drainage and sewer improvements, and detention/retention basins; and (b) property-protection activities such as acquisition, building relocation and elevation, barriers, dry/wet floodproofing, utility relocation or floodproofing, and sewer back-up protection.
Grants were awarded in late summer 2003 as follows:
- Steele Road Drainage Improvements (design phase), Eastham: This project will develop a design to reconstruct Steele Road and correct drainage deficiencies of surrounding roads if necessary. The goal is to mitigate recurring flooding problems that affect homes and can cause access issues for emergency response vehicles and homeowners during and after a major storm event or significant rain event. Total design cost is $77,700; Project Impact provided $25,000. (See photo to left.)
- Foster Road Culvert Replacement, Sandwich: Foster Road crosses over a salt marsh via a narrow causeway leading to Springhill Beach and beachfront neighborhoods. An existing 15-inch pipe under Foster Road is crushed and broken. The pipe should enable tidal flow to reach the upstream marsh area and to drain storm tides and trapped storm surge from the upstream marsh area. This project will replace the 15-inch culvert and install a secondary back-up pipe that can be manually opened to assist in the drainage of the upstream marsh area if necessary. Total project cost is $30,000; Project Impact provided $22,500.
- Repair of Bass River Retaining Wall along River Street, Yarmouth: Approximately 275 feet of the existing retaining wall will be removed and replaced with a stone revetment. The existing structure is failing and past attempts to shore up the wall have not created a permanent solution. The potential for failure and road collapse is high for the next significant storm event. Failure at this location will undermine River Street, preventing access to developed areas as well as threatening underground utilities. Total project cost is $90,000; Project Impact provided $25,000. (See photo to left.)
Education and Implementation of the Community Rating System (CRS)
- Encourage program participation so that all Cape communities will increase actions that mitigate future natural disaster losses and benefit local residents by reducing flood insurance rates.
Collaboration with the Cape Cod Animal Emergency Coalition
- To support the efforts of the Coalition, which intends to address the Cape-wide animal component of disaster preparation.
Technical Assistance to Mitigate Identified Hazards
- Provide technical assistance to towns related to mitigation strategies developed during Phase 2 of the RRVAP by helping them implement tools such as flood hazard mitigation plans, floodplain management plans, and protective local bylaws and regulations.
|
