Feedback for Hazard Mitigation Plan

The town is in the process of updating its Hazard Mitigation Plan and seeking feedback from the community before it is finalized.

A natural hazard mitigation plan provides communities with a set of goals, action items and resources designed to reduce risk from future natural hazards like winter storms and heat waves. Engaging in mitigation activities provides a number of benefits, including reduced loss of life, property, essential services, critical facilities, and economic hardship; reduced short-term and long-term recovery and reconstruction costs; increased cooperation and communication within the community through the planning process; and increased potential for state and federal funding for recovery and reconstruction projects.

By readopting the plan, Amherst will maintain its eligibility to apply for federal funding for natural hazard mitigation projects. The local planning process includes a range of representatives from town and state government and emergency management personnel, representatives from Eversource and Pennichuck Water, along with outreach to the community. The group met in five public meetings at Amherst Fire Rescue throughout 2022.

In order to provide a platform for easy collaboration with the public, a Google Doc link of the draft Amherst Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023 is available at https://www.amherstnh.gov/hazard-mitigation-plan-committee. Input will be collected until Tuesday, February 28. To ask questions, provide feedback and submit comments, feel free to provide suggested edits in the Google Doc or email Fire Chief & Emergency Management Director Matt Conley at [email protected] or (603) 673-1545. A downloadable PDF of the draft plan is also available here.