Santa Fe County is seeking public input for its Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMAP), a comprehensive effort to identify and develop strategies to minimize the impact of various hazards on the unincorporated area of the County. In order to ensure the success of the plan, the county is actively engaging with diverse stakeholders and inviting them to participate in public meetings and surveys.
Fire Chief Jacob Black emphasizes the importance of public engagement in hazard mitigation planning, stating, "Public engagement is critical to the success of hazard mitigation planning. These meetings also provide a great opportunity for the public to learn about the County’s emergency management, mitigation, and response efforts."
To gather input from constituents, Santa Fe County has scheduled four additional public meetings, three of which will be held in person and one virtual meeting. The dates, times, and locations of the in-person meetings are as follows:
- Thursday, February 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Santa Fe County Fire Station 80, 645 Old Las Vegas Highway, Santa Fe, NM 87505
- Wednesday, March 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Santa Fe County Fire Station 70, Municipal Way, Edgewood, NM 87015
- Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Santa Fe County Fire Station 50, 17919 U.S. 84/285
In addition to the in-person meetings, a virtual public meeting will also be announced soon, enabling members of the public to participate remotely. Residents are encouraged to attend these meetings and provide their valuable input on the development of the HMAP.
To further involve the community, a survey has been made available for residents to share their thoughts and opinions. The survey aims to gather relevant information that will be used in the planning team's approach and the development of the HMAP. The survey can be accessed through the Santa Fe County Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey.
For more information on the Hazard Mitigation Plan update and how to get involved, individuals can contact Stevie Ann Hodgson-O’Connell, Mitigation Outreach Specialist at H2O Partners, via email at shodgson@h20partnersusa.com or by calling 631-921-2460. Alternatively, they can reach out to Fire Chief Jacob Black of Santa Fe County at jblack@santafecountynm.gov or by calling 505-992-3083.
Santa Fe County is committed to ensuring the safety and resilience of its residents. By actively seeking public input and engaging with the community, the county aims to develop a comprehensive Hazard Mitigation Plan that addresses the unique challenges and hazards faced by the unincorporated area of the County.