Blue Lake Rancheria, California (2021)
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Tribal Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan
Blue Lake Rancheria, California
April 2021
"We judge our success by the number of children that graduate from high school and pursue higher
education and careers. Not by how much money we have in the bank."
-Arla Ramsey, Vice Chairperson, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe
Mission Statement
The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe strives each day to secure a better future for its people; to protect
its sovereignty and cultural heritage; to respect, learn from, and correct injustices of the past; and
to define an economic and diplomatic framework with its neighbors for mutually beneficial
relationships.
Cover photos:
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The Blue Lake Rancheria’s energy facilities proved critical to many neighbors and essential services
during regional power outages in 2019 and 2020
The Tribe prepared more than 24,000 meals to serve neighboring communities during the COVID-19
pandemic of 2020
Blue Lake Rancheria has emerged as a preeminent center for emergency response training in the Western
US. During a course hosted by the Tribe in 2019, students practice mass casualty care and extrication.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
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Table of Contents
Blue Lake Rancheria mission statement
i
1.0 – INTRODUCTION
1-1
1.1 Executive Summary
1-1
1.2 Plan Adoption and Assurances
1-7
1.2.1 Tribal Resolution and Certification
1-8
1.2.2 FEMA approval letter
1-10
1.3 Authorities
1-11
1.4 Plan Organization
1-12
2.0 – PLANNING PROCESS
2-1
2.1 Documentation of the Planning Process
2-1
2.1.1 Planning Process Description
2-1
2.1.2 TMHMP Planning Group Description
2-3
2.1.3 Public Involvement
2-8
2.1.4 Additional Stakeholder Involvement
2-9
2.2 Program Integration
3.0
2-12
2.2.1 Review and Integration of Existing Plans
2-12
2.2.2 TMHMP and Integration with the BLR Family of Plans
2-13
2.2.3 BLR TMHMP and FEMA Program Integration
2-14
2.2.4 BLR TMHMP and Inter-Tribal Integration
2-15
PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTION
3-1
3.1 Project Location
3-1
3.1.1 Tribal Planning Area
3.2 Community Profile
3-3
3.2.1 Tribal Goals
3-3
3.2.2 Our People
3-4
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3-1
Demographic Data
General Health and Social Factors
3-5
3-7
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
3.2.3 Our Lands, Environment, and Use
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Climate
Topography, Geology and Soils
Water Resources
Biological Resources
Waste Management and Hazardous Materials
Traffic and Transportation
Utilities
Land Use
3-8
3-8
3-9
3-10
3-10
3-11
3-11
3-12
3.3 Future Development
3-15
3.4 Economy
3-15
3.5 Tribal Government
3-16
3.5.1 Tribal Government Overview
•
4.0
3-8
BLR Organizational Chart
3-16
3-18
3.5.2 Emergency Services
3.19
3.5.3 Law Enforcement
3-19
3.5.4 Fire and Rescue
3-20
3.5.5 Emergency Medical Services
3-21
3.5.6 Volunteer Emergency Resources
3-21
3.5.7 Mitigation Benefits of Tribal Ordinances,
Policies, Programs and Resources
3.6 Integration of Mitigation Partners
3-22
3.7 Hazards History
3-26
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION and RISK ASSESSMENT
4.1
4.1 Hazard Identification
4-1
3-24
4.1.1
Climate Crisis Overview
4-5
4.1.2
Types and Descriptions of Hazards
4-8
1. Earthquake
2. Wildfire
3. Public Health/Infectious Disease Outbreak
4. Severe Storm
5. Flood, Including Dam Failure
6. Influx of Evacuees
7. Drought
8. Sustained Power Outage
9. Criminal or Terrorist Act
10. Hazardous Materials Release
11. Air or Water Quality Event
4-9
4-11
4-14
4-16
4-18
4-21
4-22
4-23
4-25
4-26
4-28
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
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12. Aircraft Crash
13. Cyber Incident
14. Transportation/Supply Chain Disruption
15. Civil Disturbance
16. Land Movement Other than Earthquake
4.1.3 Other Hazards
4-31
4-32
4-33
4-36
4-36
4-37
4.2 Profiling Hazards
4-37
4.2.1 Hazard Event Timelines
4-38
4.2.2 Hazard Ranking Comparison From 2020 to 2015
4-40
4.2.3 Hazard Locations, Extent, and Previous Occurrences
4-41
4.2.4 Hazard Probabilities
4-42
4.2.5 Hazard Operational Impacts and Vulnerabilities
4-42
4.2.6 Data Deficiencies
4-46
4.3 Assessing Vulnerabilities
4-46
4.3.1 Overview
4-46
4.3.2 Potential Hazard Impacts Ranked by Vulnerability
4-47
4.3.3 Hazard Specific Vulnerabilities
1. Earthquake
2. Wildfire
3. Flood, Including Dam Failure
4. Public Health/Infectious Disease Outbreak
5. Aircraft Crash
6. Criminal or Terrorist Act
7. Severe Storm
8. Hazardous Materials Release
9. Sustained Power Outage
10. Transportation Emergency/Supply Chain Disruption
11. Influx of Evacuees
12. Drought
13. Civil Disturbance
14. Land Movement Other Than Earthquake
15. Cyber Incident
16. Air or Water Quality Incident
4.4 Identifying Structures
4-61
4.4.1 Existing Buildings, Infrastructure, and Critical Facilities
4-61
4.4.2 Future Buildings, Infrastructure, and Critical Facilities
4-63
4.5 Estimating Potential Losses
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4-48
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4-53
4-54
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4-57
4-57
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4-59
4-59
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4.5.1 Loss Estimation Methodology
4-63
4.5.2 Estimated Loss Values
4-63
4.5.3. Hazard Loss Descriptions
4-64
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
5.0
4.6 Cultural and Sacred Sites
4-67
4.7 Exclusions
4-67
MITIGATION STRATEGY
5-1
5.1 Tribal Hazard Mitigation Goals
5-1
5.2 Identification and Analysis of Tribal Mitigation Actions
5-2
5.2.1 Hazard Specific Mitigation Actions
5-2
All Hazards
1. Earthquake
2. Wildfire
3. Public Health/Infectious Disease Outbreak
4. Severe Storm
5. Flood, Including Dam Failure
6. Influx of Evacuees
7. Drought
8. Sustained Power Outage
9. Criminal or Terrorist Act
10. Hazardous Materials Release
11. Air or Water Quality Event
12. Aircraft Crash
13. Cyber Incident
14. Transportation/Supply Chain Disruption
15. Civil Disturbance
16. Land Movement Other Than Earthquake
5-3
5-3
5-3
5-4
5-4
5-4
5-4
5-4
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-5
5-6
5-6
5-6
5.2.2 Mitigation Action Effects on Existing and
New Buildings and Infrastructure
5-6
5.3 Implementation of Tribal Mitigation Actions
5-7
5.3.1 Mitigation Action Priority Analysis and Criteria
5-7
5.3.2 2021 Mitigation Strategy
5-7
5.4 Action Evaluation and Prioritization Worksheet
5-9
5.5 Status of 2015 Mitigation Actions
5-16
5.5.1 Summary of 1015 Mitigation Actions
5-23
5.6 Tribal Capability Assessment
5-23
5.6.1 Planning and Regulatory
5-24
5.6.2 Administrative and Technical
5-26
5.6.3 Financial
5-27
5.6.4 Education and Outreach
5-28
5.7 Pre-and Post-Disaster Hazard Management Laws,
Regulations, Policies and Programs
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
5-28
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6.0
5.8 Changes Due to, or Since, Last Plan Approval
5-29
5.9 Tribal Funding Capabilities for Hazard Mitigation
5-29
5.10 Tribal Funding Sources
5-30
5.10.1 Previous Hazard Mitigation Funding Sources
5-30
5.10.2 Current Hazard Mitigation Funding Sources
5-30
5.10.3 Potential Hazard Mitigation Funding Sources
5-30
PLAN MAINTENANCE PROCESS
6-1
6.1 Monitoring, Evaluating and Updating the plan
6-1
6.2 Administering and Monitoring Progress of Mitigation Activities
6-2
6.2.1 Monitoring Mitigation Measures and Project Closeouts
6-2
6.2.2 Mitigation Strategy and Goals Review Process
6-2
6.2.3 Changes to Previous Plan’s Mitigation Activities Tracking
6-2
6.3 Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms
6.3.1 Identification and Integration of Mitigation Strategy with
Other Tribal Planning Mechanisms
6.4 Continued Member and Stakeholder Involvement Strategy
6-3
6-4
6-4
APPENDICES
Page viii
Appendix A Blue Lake Rancheria Family of Plans
A-1
Appendix B FEMA Region IX Tribal Plan Review Tool
B-1
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
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1.0 – INTRODUCTION
1.1 Executive Summary
Hazard mitigation is described in FEMA’s 2017 Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide as the process
used by tribal, state, and local government leaders to understand risks from natural hazards and to
develop long-term strategies to reduce the impacts of future events on people, property, and the
environment.
The effects of natural and human-caused hazards impact the safety and well-being of Blue Lake
Rancheria residents and patrons, both directly and indirectly. While most hazards cannot be
eliminated, their effects can often be mitigated. The Tribe, working in conjunction with the planning
group updated this Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (TMHMP) to guide and focus hazard
mitigation activities. This plan profiles significant hazards to the community and identifies
mitigation goals and actions.
The purpose of this plan is to promote understanding of hazards and develop sound public policy to
protect Tribal members, guests, critical facilities, infrastructure, private property, and the
environment from natural, technological, and human-caused hazards. The plan includes resources
and information to assist tribal residents, patrons, organizations, local government, and others
interested in participating in hazard mitigation planning.
For this plan update, the Blue Lake Rancheria opted to include human-caused incidents, including
technological factors.
Since 2003 the Blue Lake Rancheria has been impacted or threatened by more than 40 natural
disasters, human-caused or technological emergencies, and combinations of both. The Rancheria
occupies both Tribal trust and nontrust lands at risk of riverine flooding, upstream dam failure and
inundation, seismic events, extreme weather, and other hazards.
The purpose of hazard mitigation is to protect our people and help them avoid damage to their
homes, possessions, property, culture, and environment by providing a strategy to reduce or
eliminate long-term risk from known and likely hazards. A multi-hazard strategy addresses the
relationships among various types of hazards, leverages resources to address multiple hazards, and
allocates limited resources to areas susceptible to the most severe or frequent hazards.
This Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (TMHMP) was prepared on behalf of the Blue Lake
Rancheria (BLR or Rancheria) by BLR staff and shared responsibility stakeholders such as
government agencies and community members. The Tribe followed a planning process prescribed
by FEMA, which began with the re-formation of the Community Planning Committee (planning
group) comprised of key tribal representatives and other stakeholders. The planning group
conducted a Hazard Vulnerability Analysis identifying and assessing the Rancheria’s vulnerability to
hazards and examined the capabilities in place to mitigate them.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Introduction
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Hazard, Risk and Vulnerability Assessment
A Hazard Vulnerability Assessment was conducted in detail and the results are contained in Section
4. A brief summary of the TMHMP sections is included in the following pages. Possible hazard
events are first identified based on most likely to occur, and secondly those with the most damaging
impacts. Profiles of prioritized hazard events are described in detail later in Section 4. These hazard
profiles answer the basic question: “How bad can it get?” Assets vulnerable to the most probable
hazards are inventoried and mapped in the plan and estimates of potential structural and economic
losses are summarized.
Hazard Analysis.
The planning group considered the hazards with historical occurrences and those deemed reasonably
likely in the future. All hazards that presented practical levels of risk to the BLR were considered
and analyzed. Based on discussions and analysis, hazards were then prioritized and described in
Section 4, Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.
Considering probability, past history, and likely effects on the categories of fatalities, injuries,
economy, mental health, critical facilities, infrastructure, and environment, these 16 hazards were
included in this plan. They are ranked from highest to lowest assessed risk (severity + probability).
High Risk
Moderate
Risk
Low Risk
1. Earthquake
2. Wildfire
3. Public health/infectious disease
4. Severe storm
5. Flood, including dam failure
6. Influx of evacuees
7. Drought
8. Sustained power outage
9. Criminal or terrorist act
10. Hazardous materials release
11. Air or water quality event
12. Aircraft crash
13. Cyber incident
14. Transportation or supply chain disruption
15. Civil disturbance
16. Land movement other than earthquake
Table 1.1 Hazard rankings
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Introduction
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Hazard Summaries
1. Earthquake. BLR is less than 1,000 feet away from the Blue Lake Thrust Fault, and subject to
the influences of the regional Mendocino Triple Junction, the Coast Range Thrust Fault, and the
Cascadia Subduction Zone. Earthquakes with a Richter magnitude of 6.0 or higher have
occurred three times in the last 20 years and larger earthquakes between 6.9 and up to 9.1 Richter
magnitude are possible.
2. Wildfire. The Rancheria is surrounded on all but one side by wildlands or former agricultural
lands consisting of infrequently maintained grasslands and heavily wooded riparian corridors,
beyond which are heavily forested slopes. To the north and east the Rancheria is bounded by
roads, common ignition locations due to mechanical or other human factors.
3. Public health/infectious disease. Early in the project this was acknowledged as a threat to the
Rancheria. The 2020-21 COVID-19 pandemic provided a vivid example of the hazard and
opportunities to plan and learn from response and mitigation actions.
4. Severe Storm. Severe Storm refers to any dangerous meteorological phenomena with the
potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of life. It includes thunderstorms,
downbursts, freezing rain, snowstorms, ice storms, windstorms, and dust storms. The most
damaging local components of severe storms are high winds and heavy rain.
5. Flood, including dam failure. Parts of BLR are situated within an area with a 1 percent annual
likelihood of flooding from the Mad River, Dave Powers Creek, and/or the FEMA Regulatory
Floodway on Powers Creek. It is also vulnerable to failure of the R.W. Matthews Dam. This plan
update foregoes a separate dam failure section as redundant.
6. Influx of evacuees (new). This hazard was added as a result of experience during 2019 power
outages, when an estimated 10,000 people arrived to obtain fuel, essential supplies, and services.
7. Drought. Drought has become a common condition throughout California. Although direct risks
are low, secondary effects include increased frequency, intensity, and duration of wildfires, with
associated air quality impacts, loss of wildlife habitat, degraded water quality, weakened food
security, and loss of visitor revenues.
8. Sustained power outage (new). Although the Rancheria has developed a model electric micro
grid, it may remain vulnerable to sustained outages, especially when accompanied by
transportation system disruptions. The emerging role of the Rancheria as an island of services
during widespread outages poses its own challenges.
9. Criminal or terrorist act. BLR has experienced crime and occasional threats and attempts that
could be construed as terrorist in nature. Because mitigation measures for both are similar, they
are consolidated in this document. The prior plan’s category of workplace violence is also
considered here.
10. Hazardous materials release. The BLR maintains and provides materials and conditions that
could lead to a hazardous materials release, however the greatest risk is considered commercial
traffic on SR 299.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Introduction
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11. Air or water quality event. The prevalent air contaminant in recent years has been smoke from
nearby and distant wildfires. Historical air quality violations from a nearby industrial park remain
a concern to the Tribe. Water quality threats include the industrial park, nearby wastewater
treatment plant, an upstream blacktop plant, and a failed soil contamination cap at an abandoned
lumber mill approximately a mile away with a dioxin plume contaminating groundwater.
12. Aircraft crash (new). Because of the Rancheria’s proximity to the approach path to an airport
serving military, commercial, and general aviation, this event is considered in the plan.
13. Cyber incident. Tribal government and enterprises have become targets for attempted intrusions
and other cybercrimes. In this update, it is treated separately from other crimes.
14. Transportation emergency or supply chain disruption (new). BLR’s reliance on vulnerable
California Route 299 and U.S. 101 for goods, services, and guests prompted this addition. Even a
few days of closure of SR 299 could have a variety of serious impacts on the people and
operations of the Tribe.
15. Civil disturbance (new). Any level of civil disturbance could impact the people, operations, and
peace of the Rancheria, without rising to the level of a crime. These may include small, orderly
protests or large, threatening events.
16. Land movement other than earthquake. While the majority of the BLR does not lie in an area
susceptible to landslides, they are a hazard along key access routes. Closures or significant delays
along SR 299 could isolate BLR and the City of Blue Lake from outside emergency services,
healthcare facilities, and other essential services, while disrupting essential supply chains.
Risk Assessment is prescribed by FEMA and is the process followed by the BLR. Potential hazard
events are identified and prioritized. Then, profiles of the most imminent hazard events that can occur
on the Rancheria, including weather related hazards, seismic hazards, and technological hazards are
described in further detail in the Plan. These hazard profiles answer the basic question: “How bad can it
get?” Assets vulnerable to the most imminent hazards are inventoried and mapped in the plan and
estimates of potential structural and economic losses are summarized.
A study of Tribal special infrastructure, lifelines and populations was conducted in the initial version
of this plan and updated based on changing conditions and practical experience, particularly with
power outages, wildfire smoke, and infectious disease.
Critical facilities and capabilities - Those facilities and resources that must operate in an
emergency to meet Tribal needs and operate to provide the economic capability of the Tribe, and
without which hardship would fall on the Tribal Members.
Special infrastructure and lifelines refer to those transportation resources, utility infrastructure that
supply electricity, water and fuel, and supply lines necessary to support our special infrastructure and
Tribal Members.
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Introduction
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Special Populations refers to Tribal Elders, persons with access and functional needs, and other
members that may require additional access, support, resources, or accommodation to withstand a
disaster, emergency, or other event. This includes guests unaware of local hazards, vulnerabilities,
risks, resources, and capabilities.
Critical and Special categories include:
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•
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Blue Lake Casino
Blue Lake Hotel
BLR Tribal Government and Justice Center
BLR fire station
BLR Gaming Commission offices
BLR gas station and convenience store
Solar power collection, battery storage and distribution facilities (microgrid)
RV Park
Tribal member homes
Highways and roadways
Water distribution system
Wastewater collection and treatment systems
Elders, children, and persons with access and functional needs
BLR has developed and acquired Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers to superimpose on
Tribal lands, special infrastructure, lifelines and populations to identify those areas in hazard zones.
Because of its small footprint, in many cases the hazard zone lies over the entire Tribal area. This
tool will help focus effort on what areas need to be improved, hardened or where future development
should be carefully considered or avoided.
Vulnerabilities at BLR are generally considered highest among the residential structures and inhabitants
of the Rancheria. The greatest economic losses to residents result from the sum of structural
replacement costs and displacement costs during reconstruction. Loss of contents in the residential
structures is less substantial.
Conversely, gaming enterprises, hotel, convenience store/gas station, solar microgrid and Tribal
government buildings, while the least structurally vulnerable, would suffer the most economic
damage due to repair and replacement costs, losses to high value contents, and short- or long-term
loss of function. The gaming enterprise is the largest economic asset of the Tribe, and functional
downtime equates to substantial economic losses. Downtime is particularly problematic for the
gaming business because it cannot be temporarily relocated elsewhere due to permitting restrictions.
The greatest vulnerability for non-residents and patrons of the gaming enterprise are their
automobiles during a large flood or earthquake. With an average of 750 patrons with 500 vehicles
on site at any given time, potential economic losses could be as high as $10 million in vehicle
damage alone.
Mitigation Strategy and Goals
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Introduction
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The TMHMP explores measures that can be taken to reduce the probability of an emergency or event
by each hazard, and to reduce the impacts on the people and resources when such an event occurs.
Mitigation activities described in this TMHMP will continue to be implemented in four inclusive
settings: personal, home, community, and inter-community.
• A variety of cost-effective personal activities are contemplated to be promulgated in the
community through existing and new community outreach programs.
• The second level is focused on structural improvements to residential structures to increase their
resistance to flood, earthquake, wind, and fire.
• Activities recommended for implementation at the community scale are focused on improving
resilience and in some cases building for redundancy. Both actions will help effective postemergency recovery.
• Inter-community activities include procedures, policies, relationships and joint training and
exercising with neighboring jurisdictions, agencies, and organizations to improve the
effectiveness and efficiency of activities in all phases of the emergency management cycle:
prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Generally speaking, the cost-effectiveness of structural mitigations decreases proportionally with the
value of the residential structures, but this may be offset to some extent by reduced displacement
costs associated with temporarily housing residents while replacing heavily damaged manufactured
homes. Since the gaming enterprise generates substantial income and cannot, by law, be displaced
off of sovereign lands, virtually all mitigation measures that reduce damages and functional
downtime for the gaming facilities are considered cost effective by the Tribe.
After discussions of risks and goals, the plan lists mitigation actions developed collaboratively by the
planning group with the intent to meet the identified goals. These projects are planned for
implementation over time. The plan also lists plan update and maintenance procedures, including a
five year update schedule.
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Introduction
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
1.2 Plan Adoption and Assurances
Requirement §201.7(c)(5): [The tribal hazard mitigation plan shall include] documentation that the
plan has been formally adopted by the governing body of the tribal jurisdiction requesting approval of
the plan (e.g., Tribal Council).
Adoption
This plan was approved for submission by Tribal Council Resolution 21-14. Upon receipt of
FEMA’s Approval Pending Adoption of the plan, the Tribal Council will make a final resolution
adopting the BLR TMHMP. A copy of that document immediately follows this section.
Assurances
Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) Recognizes and commits that that the tribal government will comply
with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations in effect with respect to the periods for which it
receives grant funding, including 2 CFR Parts 200 and 3002, and will amend its plan whenever
necessary to reflect changes in tribal or Federal laws and statutes. [44 CFR § 201.7(c)(6)]
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Introduction
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1.2.1 Tribal Resolution
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Introduction
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Introduction
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1.2.2 FEMA Approval Letter
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
FEMA Region IX
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA 94607-4052
June 11, 2021
Anita Huff Director
Blue Lake Rancheria Office of Emergency Services
PO Box 428
Blue Lake, CA 95525
Dear Ms. Huff:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has completed its review of the Blue
Lake Rancheria’s Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan in accordance with the Code of Federal
Regulations, Title 44, Part 201, Section 7 (44 CFR 201.7) for a standard tribal hazard mitigation
plan and has determined that this plan is eligible for final approval pending its adoption by the
Blue Lake Rancheria.
FEMA’s review for Code of Federal Regulations, Title 44, Part 201, Sections 3 and 5 (44 CFR
201.3 and 44 CFR 201.5) for an enhanced tribal hazard mitigation plan is still ongoing and you
will be notified of the results as they are completed.
Formal adoption documentation must be submitted to FEMA Region IX by the Blue Lake
Rancheria within one calendar year of the date of this letter, or the entire plan must be updated
and resubmitted for review. FEMA will approve the standard plan upon receipt of the
documentation of formal adoption.
If you have any questions regarding the planning or review processes, please contact the FEMA
Region IX Hazard Mitigation Planning Team at fema-r9-mitigation-planning@fema.dhs.gov.
Sincerely,
Digitally signed by
ALISON KEARNS
Date: 2021.06.14
15:42:13 -07'00'
Alison Kearns
Risk Analysis Branch Chief
Mitigation Division
FEMA Region IX
Enclosure (1)
Blue Lake Rancheria Standard Plan Review Tool, dated June 11, 2021
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Introduction
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
1.3 Authorities
The Blue Lake Rancheria Constitution was approved by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs on
March 22, 1989, revised and approved by the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs on February 11,
1994, and ratified by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on March 7, 1994.
Figure 1.1 Certificate of Approval of the Constitution of the Blue Lake Rancheria by the Acting Deputy Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
March 7, 1994
Section 322 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act)
42 U.S.C. 5165, as amended by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA) (P.L. 106-390), provides
for States, Indian Tribal governments, and local governments to undertake a risk-based approach to
reducing risks to natural hazards through mitigation planning. The National Flood Insurance Act of
1968, 42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq., as amended, further reinforces the need and requirement for mitigation
plans, linking flood mitigation assistance programs to State, Tribal, and Local Mitigation Plans.
The Blue Lake Rancheria adopted this update to the TMHMP at a regularly scheduled meeting of the
Tribal Business Council on March 3, 2021. Through the Blue Lake Rancheria Constitution, the
Tribal Business Council has the authority to promote sound public policy regarding natural and
human-caused hazards. A copy of the signed Resolution from this jurisdiction is located on Page 18. The Tribal Business Council posts all agendas seven days prior to the meeting to allow for public
participation.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Introduction
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The Blue Lake Rancheria Office of Emergency Services (OES) Director is responsible for submitting
the adopted TMHMP to FEMA Region 9 for review. The review will address the federal criteria
outlined in the FEMA Interim Final rule 44 CFR Part 201.7. Upon approval by FEMA, BLR will
gain eligibility for local mitigation project grants and post-disaster hazard mitigation grant projects.
1.4 Plan Organization
Prior versions of this plan included considerable amounts of information repeated in multiple sections.
In an effort to make the document more concise and user friendly, this version is restructured.
1. Section 1’s introduction is focused on the document’s authorities and organization. It no longer
includes community and hazard details contained elsewhere in the document.
2. Section 2 describes the planning process.
3. Section 3 describes the planning area description, moved from the prior plan’s introduction. It
includes descriptions of the geographic area, demographics, Tribal assets, government structure, and
unique characteristics.
4. Section 4 provides hazard identification and risk assessment, now including both natural and human
caused hazards. Human caused hazards are not required for multi hazard mitigation plans, however
Tribal leadership opted to include them. The temporary population of the Rancheria can exceed the
resident population by thousands during a major planned event or, as demonstrated during regional
power outages in 2019, emergencies.
The people, resources and environment of the Rancheria may be more vulnerable to human caused
events than those of natural origins, and human interactions may complicate many natural
occurrences. Examples include power outages and wastewater discharges during severe storms, and
wildfires primed by natural conditions, and ignited by human or technological presence.
5. Section 5 provides the mitigation strategy, specific actions, and an assessment of prior mitigation
actions.
6. Section 6 provides a maintenance process for the five-year life of this plan.
Appendices
A. Describes the Blue Lake Rancheria Family of Plans
B. Provides a completed FEMA Region IX Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Tool
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Introduction
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
2.0 – PLANNING PROCESS
An effective planning process is essential in developing and maintaining a good plan.
44 CFR §201.7(b):
Federal mitigation planning regulation includes the following paragraph at 44 CFR 201.7(d)(3) that
directs the update of Tribal Mitigation Plans:
Indian Tribal governments must review and revise their plan to reflect changes in development,
progress in local mitigation efforts, and changes in priorities and resubmit it for approval within
5 years in order to continue to be eligible for non-emergency Stafford Act assistance and FEMA
mitigation grant funding, with the exception of the Repetitive Flood Claims program.
This document represents the third iteration of the Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) Tribal Multi-Hazard
Mitigation Plan (TMHMP), and upon final approval supersedes the 2015 plan.
This plan was updated using these FEMA guidance documents:
•
•
•
Tribal Mitigation Planning Handbook May 2019
Tribal Mitigation Plan Review Guide effective December 5, 2018
Region IX Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan Review Tool
The BLR TMHMP has been substantially reorganized from the 2015 format to reduce redundancy
and provide a better understanding of local hazards and their effects.
2.1 Documentation of the Planning Process
Requirement 201.7(c)(1): [The plan shall document] the planning process used to develop the plan,
including how it was prepared, who was involved in the process, and how the public was defined and
involved. This shall include:
(i) An opportunity for the public to comment on the plan during the drafting stage and prior to plan
approval, including a description of how the Indian Tribal government defined “public”, and;
(ii) As appropriate, an opportunity for neighboring communities, tribal and regional agencies
involved in hazard mitigation activities, and agencies that have the authority to regulate
development, as well as businesses, academia, and other private and nonprofit interests to
be involved in the planning process.
2.1.1 Planning Process Description
After a competitive bid process, in February of 2019 the Tribe entered into an agreement to provide
support to development of an update to the 2015 THMP. The agreement was awarded to Preparedness
Consulting & Training, a firm in an adjacent county with extensive emergency preparedness and
planning experience for rural and remote jurisdictions and prior emergency management contract work
for the Tribe.
A BLR planning group was established, with invitees shown in Table 2.2.
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That group reviewed the prior plan and conducted new analysis in order to update and expand on it.
A decision was made early on to include human caused hazards in this update.
A Hazard Vulnerability Assessment (HVA) tool was used to identify and quantify the effects of area
hazards and rank them according to predicted severity.
Figure 2.1 Hazard Vulnerability Assessment survey tool
During subsequent review, some events were consolidated into others for clarity and brevity, and
others deleted outright. Four hazards were added: Aircraft Crash, Influx of Evacuees, Supply Chain
Disruption, and Sustained Power outage. The climate crisis has been added as a contributing factor to
numerous hazards, and its effects considered in their assessments.
This analysis was originally conducted early in the planning period during 2019 and repeated in 2020
to reflect local experience with two new hazards: prolonged Public Safety Power Shutoffs and the
COVID-19 pandemic.
Each type of hazard event has unique characteristics in the nature, duration, severity of its impacts on
a community, and propensity to cause cascading events. Therefore, after identifying potential
hazards, a second step in risk assessment is to analyze the nature of potential hazard events and
where the events can occur. This analysis is known as hazard profiling. In profiling hazards, the
frequency of events and severity of their potential damages are considered. An event’s frequency
measures how often such an event of any magnitude has occurred in a set number of years, and it is
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Planning Process
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
often considered to be a useful parameter in estimating an event’s future occurrence. Severity
answers the question, “How bad can these events get?” Once hazards are profiled, they can be
compared on a consistent basis and ranked in terms of frequency and severity.
After organizing resources to plan the mitigations, communities need to identify the characteristics
and potential consequences of hazards to quantify the risks of each hazard’s occurrence. It is
important to understand how much of the community can be affected by specific hazards and what
the impacts would be on important community assets. Risk assessment is essential to determine and
prioritize mitigation actions.
The BLR’s approach in developing the TMHMP was the identification of risks, vulnerabilities, and
potential damages that the Rancheria faces from both those hazard events predicted to occur more often
and have the greatest impacts on human life safety, environment, and property. Although not required,
the planning group and tribal leadership opted to include human-caused and technological hazards in the
plan.
In addition to identifying the hazards, the planning group sought to gather local perspectives on
potential hazards, historical occurrences, and mitigation measures. Only the results of the second
survey were used in preparing this plan, as the earlier results were deemed to have been rendered
irretrievably out of date by the events of 2019 and 2020, a testament to the dynamic nature of
mitigation planning.
2.1.2 TMHMP Planning Group Description
This plan was developed with input from the primary stakeholders listed below. Early planning
included identification of candidates for the planning group and setting a kickoff meeting date of
June 20, 2019.
Planning group invitees included 20 BLR Tribal staff, of which 4 are Tribal members; 4 emergency
managers from neighboring tribes, 1 city manager from the adjacent City of Blue Lake, 5
knowledgeable managers from county and regional agencies, 11 from California state agencies, 4
from federal agencies, and two project staff, including an earth sciences professor. During the course
of the project, some members naturally departed, others joined, and still others changed agencies or
roles.
Overall, 36% of the planning group were affiliated with regional native tribes.
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Tribal members and staff
Baldosser, Jace
Cox, Randy
Eidsness, Janet
Fuller, Michelle
Ganion, Jana
Gill, Justin
Graham Hill
Huff, Anita
Kindred, Mandi
Kullmann, Stephen
Norton, Kim
Mayr, Kyle
Norton, Kira
Oliveira, Julie
Pollard, Robert
Ramos, Jason
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Ramsey, Arla
Ramsey, Lynette
Reed, Josh
Sanderson, Tim
Smith, Mike
Stokes, Emily
Winkle, Deb
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Blue Lake Rancheria
Tribal Member/Casino Manager
Electric System Director
Tribal Historic Preservation Officer
Environmental Director
Sustainability & Gov’t Affairs
Police Chief
Security Manager/Police Chief
Director, Emergency Services
Tribal Member
Community Development
Fiscal Controller
Resident, BLR Fire Department EMT
Benefits Coordinator
Police Sergeant
Information & Technology Director
Tribal Council/ Tribal Administrator/
Business Enterprises CEO
Tribal Vice Chairperson
Resident
Gaming Commission Director
Fire Chief
Facilities Director
OES Coordinator
Elder Programs Director
Neighboring tribal and local jurisdictions
Baker, Dean
Hayden, Serene
LaFazio, Tessa
Mager, Amanda
White, Randy
Yurok Tribe
Yurok Tribe
Tolowa Dee Ni’ Nation
City of Blue Lake
Karuk Tribe
Public Works
Emergency Mgt. Specialist
Emergency Mgr. pro tem
City Manager
Emergency Manager
County and regional agencies
Derby, Ryan
Lanni, Dorie
Muller, Heather
Reed, Valerie
Scott, Kymmie
Swoveland, Matt
Humboldt Co. Office of Emergency Services
Humboldt Co. Office of Emergency Services.
Humboldt Co. Dept. of Health & Human
Services (DHHS)
United Indian Health Services
Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group and
Del Norte Co. Office of Emergency Services
Humboldt Co. Environmental Health
Emergency Manager
Emergency Services Mgr.
Public Information Officer/
Emergency Manager
Community Health Services
Co-chair and Emergency
Manager
Senior Hazmat Specialist
Table 2.2: TMHMP Planning Group
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State agencies
Atchley-Thomas,
Sara
Barr, Stacy
Bennett, Josh
Campbell, Mike
Dengler, Lori
Hogan, Jennifer
California Department of Transportation
Tribal Liaison
California Highway Patrol
California Dept. of Forestry/Fire Protection
California Highway Patrol
Humboldt State University
California Governor’s Office of Emergency
Services
Humboldt State University OES
California Highway Patrol
California Dept. of Forestry & Fire
Protection
California Department of Transportation
California Governor’s Office of Emergency
Services
California Highway Patrol
Captain
Battalion Chief
Sergeant
Earth Sciences Professor
Hazard Mitigation Officer
Aylward, Ryan
Rodriguez,
Jayson
National Weather Svc. Eureka
U.S. Coast Guard
Meteorologist
Scordino, JoAnn
Tripp, Sandi
FEMA
FEMA (ex officio planning support)
Jones-Koczera, Cris
Morris, Shawn
Ramey, Chris
Robertson, Jesse
Shemenski, Denise
Villano, Shawn
Emergency Manager
Captain
Battalion Chief
Transportation Planning
Tribal Advisor
Sergeant
Federal agencies
Mitigation Community
Planner
Reg IX Tribal Liaison
Project consultants and staff
Dittmer, Eric
Masterman, Larry
Southern Oregon University
Preparedness Consulting & Training
Consultant
Consultant/Team Lead
Table 2.2: TMHMP Planning Group (Continued)
This group was selected to achieve this mix of perspectives, subject matter expertise, and experience
with local hazards:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Historical events, local impacts, and lessons learned
Cultural and historical perspectives
Public insights into past, current, and future hazards and mitigation measures
Subject matter expertise in predictably high threats and hazards, specifically those related to
weather, wildfire, seismic activity, transportation system disruption, hazardous materials
release, and economic issues
Thorough understanding of the Rancheria’s population, culture, facilities, and operations
Familiarity with public safety and emergency management concepts and local capabilities
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Planning group meetings were set for every other month, with the option to add meetings as needed.
Meetings occurred as follows:
2019
June 20
July 17
September 26
November 20
2020
January 22
August 20
Regular meetings were suspended in early 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic with
cases confirmed in Humboldt and surrounding counties. When the pandemic and its local impacts
lingered longer than expected, virtual meetings were reconvened in August.
To inform the larger group, meetings often included presentations on specific hazards. These
included:
• Local and regional climate and weather considerations
• Sustained power outages, including Public Safety Power Shutoffs
• Local and regional seismicity
• Wildfire
• Criminal or terrorist activities
To compliment and support the planning effort, the Rancheria hosted a FEMA course on Mitigation
Planning for Tribes October 1 through 4, 2019. A number of planning team members completed the
course.
All meetings were open to the public. For the purposes of this planning project, public is defined as
all BLR Tribal Members and residents. Participation was also open to those in neighboring
jurisdictions with an interest in the Tribe’s emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation planning.
Early on in the process, planning team members were invited to select subjects of specialized
knowledge or interest.
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Subject
Air quality or water quality
Climate change
Dam failure
Earthquake
Extreme weather (severe storm, heat
wave, drought, etc.)
Flood (separated from dam failure)
Infectious disease
Land movement other than earthquake
Tsunami
Volcanic activity
Wildfire
Economic issues
Hazardous materials release
Sustained power outage
Planning team members
Michelle Fuller, BLR
Jana Ganion, BLR
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Jana Ganion, BLR
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Stephen Kullman, BLR
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Ryan Derby, Humboldt Co. DHHS, later OES
Michelle Fuller, BLR
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Randy Cox, BLR
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Stephen Kullman, BLR
Emily Stokes, BLR
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Ryan Derby, Humboldt Co. DHHS, later OES
Stephen Kullman, BLR
Emily Stokes, BLR
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Ryan Derby, Humboldt County DHHS, later OES
Michelle Fuller, BLR
Ryan Derby, Humboldt Co. DHHS, later OES
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Deb Winkle, BLR
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Eric Dittmer, Southern Oregon University/PCTI
Stacy Barr, CHP
Heather Muller, Humboldt Co. DHHS
Chris Ramey, CalFire
Tim Sanderson, BLR
Heather Muller, Humboldt Co. DHHS
Jace Baldosser, BLR
Jana Ganion, BLR
Mandi Kindred, BLR
Stacy Barr, CHP
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Stephen Kullman, BLR
Tim Sanderson, BLR
Randy Cox, BLR Electrical
Jana Ganion, BLR Energy
Mandy Kindred, BLR GM
Table 2.3 - TMHMP Planning Subject Selections (continued)
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Subject
Terrorism, criminal act, including
cyber, civil disturbance
Transportation disruption
Violence, including workplace
violence and active assailant
Cultural and historical considerations
Emergency public notifications
Pre-emergency public outreach
Public protective actions, e.g.
evacuation or in-place sheltering
Radiological incident
Planning team members
Stacy Barr, CHP
Julie Oliveira, BLR Police
Robert Pollard, BLR IT
Emily Stokes, BLR OES
Stacy Barr, CHP
Julie Oliveira, BLR Police
Jesse Robertson, Caltrans
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Julie Oliveira, BLR Police
Josh Reed, BLR Gaming Commission
Mandi Kindred, Blue Lake Casino GM
Janet Eidsness, BLR Tribal Historic Preservation
Officer
Ryan Aylward, National Weather Service
Ryan Derby, Humboldt Co. DHHS, later OES
Jana Ganion, BLR Energy
Mandi Kindred, Blue Lake Casino GM
Stephen Kullman, BLR Community Development
Heather Muller, Humboldt Co. DHHS
Julie Oliveira, BLR Police
Jesse Robertson, Caltrans
Tim Sanderson, BLR Fire
Ryan Derby, Humboldt Co. DHHS, later OES
Jana Ganion, BLR Energy
Stephen Kullman, BLR Community Development
Heather Muller, Humboldt Co. DHHS
Mandi Kindred, BLR GM
Jesse Robertson, Caltrans
Steven Kullman, BLR Community Development
Cris Koczera, Humboldt State University
Table 2.3 - TMHMP Planning Subject Selections (continued)
2.1.3 Public Involvement
BLR’s citizens, residents, and members of the tribe are considered “public”, as well as being
stakeholders in the governance and operation of tribal government and enterprises. Because the nature
of casino, event center, and hotel operations invite large numbers of guests, the plan includes
consideration for that element of the public, however general public participation in the planning process
was limited to residents and employees within the Tribal jurisdiction.
In addition to the 20 tribal staff members included in the planning group, additional measures to
obtain public participation included individual interviews with tribal elders with many years living
and working on the Rancheria and immediate surroundings. Elders were asked about changes in
local conditions, emerging hazards, past events, including those that may not be in written records,
past and present mitigation activities, and personal preparedness and mitigation priorities.
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Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Each interview was held at the Rancheria. These included:
• September 26, 2019 Arla Ramsey, Tribal Vice Chair
• September 26, 2019 Mike Brundin
• September 26, 2019 Nikki Brundin
• October 2, 2019 Anita Huff
• October 2, 2019 Merel Babcock
• January 21, 2020 Jana Ganion
Each December, Blue Lake Rancheria hosts an
Elders Luncheon, typically with more than 100
tribal elders in attendance. For several years, the
event has included information and gifts to
Figure 2.1 Historical hazards interview with Tribal
encourage personal and community emergency
Vice Chair Arla Ramsey
preparedness. The December 4, 2019 luncheon
included an invitation for any of those in attendance
to participate in the planning meetings or be interviewed. The 2020 luncheon was cancelled due to
COVID-19 precautions and use of the venue as a large COVID testing facility.
2.1.4 Additional Stakeholder Involvement
Geography, the nature of hazards, and other conditions make it likely that Humboldt and Del Norte
Counties will be isolated from larger, more populous, and resource-rich jurisdictions and planned
logistic staging areas during and after a major disaster. A high level of local and regional selfsufficiency is considered essential to effective disaster mitigation in the area.
For several years BLR has embraced collaboration with neighboring tribal entities, nearby units of
local, regional, state, and federal government, and other organizations. This commitment
acknowledges that the Rancheria, though sovereign, is also part of a larger community. Its people
and other resources can benefit its neighbors, and when an emergency impacts its own people, lands,
and resources, the most immediate, effective, and appropriate response may include those same
neighbors.
This was made abundantly clear in 2019, when planned Public Safety Power Shutoffs were executed
by Pacific Gas and Electric Company to mitigate dangers from high winds during critical wildfire
hazard periods. Many communities in Humboldt County were left without commercial power for as
long as six days. The Rancheria’s ability to generate and store its own electrical power meant its
convenience store could remain open for ice and other essentials, its gas station could provide fuel to
emergency services and others in urgent need, and its casino and hotel facilities could provide
essential and comfort services to the public, including rest, meals, incident information, and device
charging stations. BLR supported emergency operations to county and local governments throughout
the events.
Additional stakeholders sought out for subject matter expertise and local insight included:
• California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
• California Department of Transportation (Caltrans)
• California Highway Patrol
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Region II and Tribal Advisor
City of Blue Lake
Federal Emergency Management Agency Region 9 and Tribal Liaison
Humboldt State University
Humboldt County Sheriff Office of Emergency Services
Humboldt County Health and Human Services/Public Health
Humboldt County Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Unit
Humboldt County Airports
Humboldt Bay Fire Hazardous Materials Unit
Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Redwood Coast Tsunami Work Group
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Forest Service
U.S. Weather Service
This constituted a change from the 2015 plan, which adopted a planning approach that sought to limit
“over-reliance" on outside agencies. Although BLR has expanded its self-sufficiency since then,
leadership also recognizes the value of collaborating with neighboring agencies for effective
planning, response, recovery and mitigation.
Other tribes were invited to participate in the hope that all could benefit from each other’s history,
expertise, collaboration, and experience in the mitigation planning process.
Humboldt County and its Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) coordinate all phases of
emergency management activities and resources for the Humboldt Operational Area (OA), consistent
with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). This system is designed and maintained to
facilitate coordinated response to complex emergencies, disasters and major events.
The Tribe adopted NIMS by Tribal Resolution 11-09 on June 9, 2011.
Although sovereign tribal entities are not required to participate as part of the OA, the Blue Lake
Rancheria has committed to working cooperatively within that framework to improve planning,
training and coordination with neighboring jurisdictions, and has been an OA participant since 2015.
The Tribe is integrated with State and Federal hazard mitigation programs and funding both
indirectly and directly. Examples of indirect integration with State and Federal programs include:
•
•
•
2-10
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) responds to fires at the
Rancheria through mutual aid agreements with the City of Blue Lake and the Bureau of
Indian Affairs;
U.S. Marshals and California Highway Patrol support to the Rancheria in certain situations
per agreements with County OES;
The U.S. Coast Guard provides emergency air transportation to the Rancheria through
agreements with local emergency medical services, such as Mad River Hospital and Arcata
Mad River Ambulance, among others;
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Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
•
•
The U.S. Coast Guard recently entered into a memorandum of understanding for Blue Lake
Rancheria to serve as a Continuity of Operations and backup location for its Humboldt Bay
operations;
Blue Lake Rancheria police officers are cross-deputized with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s
Office.
The Tribe is a planning partner in the R.W. Matthews Dam Emergency Action Plan with the
operator, Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District (HBMWD). This plan was completed in
cooperation with agencies from Ruth Lake to Humboldt Bay. The plan is exercised annually, and
BLR’s Environmental Director sits on the Board of Directors for HBMWD.
The separate Mad River Valley Matthews Dam Response Plan was completed in August of 2015 by
agencies including Blue Lake Fire and city manager, Fieldbrook Fire, Humboldt County Sheriff’s
Office and Office of Emergency Services, California Highway Patrol and the US Bureau of Land
Management. The plan was adopted by the tribe on Sept 1, 2015. The tribe took the lead on the
planning of this document. BLR is the only tribe involved.
Since November of 2014 BLR has had an agreement with the American Red Cross to serve as a
shelter site available to evacuees and others in times of disaster. Due to this agreement the
Rancheria is listed in the National Shelter Survey System.
The Tribe maintains facilities and services useful in emergencies and disasters, routinely made
available to other jurisdictions, functions, and the public at large. These include:
• An emergency operations center
• Fire department
• Police department
• Shelter facilities with a capacity of approximately 400 people
• Fueling stations with as much as 30,000 gallons of gasoline, diesel, and LPG fuels
• A retail convenience store
• Tribal Court
• Five onsite diesel generators (80 kw – 1,000 kw)
• An indefinite supply of water.
• An independent electric microgrid based on solar power and battery capacity to provide
reliable, long-endurance electrical power to these and other BLR facilities even when
commercial power is interrupted. This proved to be an essential service during Public Safety
Power Shutoffs in 2019, when facilities provided vehicle fuels, charging stations for personal
communications devices, and climate-controlled respite centers. The Tribe has been credited
with saving four lives of people dependent on powered medical devices who were housed in
the hotel for the duration of the outage.
BLR has been active with Humboldt County Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD)
to offer shelter and meals in times of disaster for several years. In early 2021 the Tribe agreed to
serve as liaison between a reorganized COAD and the nine tribal entities in Humboldt County.
Specific consultation and coordination were conducted with other agencies with specific expertise or
interest. To describe a few of those, Pacific Gas and Electric Company owns a decommissioned nuclear
powerplant nearby and is responsible for Public Safety Power Shutoffs which cut power to large areas
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when wildfire or weather conditions threaten the integrity and operation of transmission systems.
Humboldt State University provided information on local seismic hazards. The Humboldt County
Airports Department provided information on the airport in McKinleyville and its approaches.
Coordination with other agencies included meetings, telephone interviews, access to Web resources,
correspondence related to identifying hazards, and involvement in drafting plan content. The maps of
the Rancheria were created using the Humboldt County GIS and information taken from the
following federal agency websites:
•
Humboldt County GIS, Hazard Mitigation
http://gis.co.humboldt.ca.us/Freeance/Client/PublicAccess1/index.html?appconfig=hazards
•
FEMA Flood Map Service Center
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search?AddressQuery=428%20Chartin%20Road%2C%20Blue%2
0Lake%2C%20CA%2095525
•
USGS Earthquakes Hazards Program
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/hazards/products/conterminous/
•
California State Department of Conservation, Landslides information
http://www.quake.ca.gov/gmaps/WH/landslidemaps.htm
2.2 Program Integration
Requirement 201.7(c)(1)(iii) and (iv): [The plan shall:] [include] (iii) Review and incorporation, if
appropriate, of existing plans, studies, and reports; and (iv) Be integrated to the extent possible with
other ongoing tribal planning efforts as well as other FEMA programs and initiatives.
2.2.1 Review and Integration of Existing Plans
The planning group conducted a content analysis of the BLR Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan of
2015, focusing on content relevance, currency, and accuracy, new or possibly updated conditions or
information, and lessons learned over the course of the plan lifecycle. A majority of the content
warranted revision, both due to growth in tribal services and enterprises, and to significant changes
in local hazards and risks. For example, planned power outages as a wildfire mitigation measure and
the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic were unanticipated in 2015.
The 2014 Humboldt County Operational Area Hazard Mitigation Plan was consulted in development
of this document, although that plan expired during the project. A 2019 update was submitted in
January 2020, and the status is Final Pending Adoption.
The BLR 2015 Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (TMHMP) does live on within this update as a
living document. Relevant content was brought forward ‘as is’, and where needed, updated as the
jurisdiction, its hazards, threats, and planning concepts have evolved. This TMHMP was organized
to reflect the most current mitigation planning guidance from federal and state agencies and to
facilitate review and approval by FEMA.
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At the community level, the TMHMP includes the entire BLR community. Threats and hazards
include those that may occur outside of tribal lands, but impact its people, facilities, culture, and
environment. Mitigation planning includes reduction of losses of infrastructure, functional and
economic losses, as well as threats to human health and safety. The TMHMP was developed with
consideration of current and long-range business and land use plans.
Mitigation planning also integrated with existing Tribal land use, building, and zoning ordinances
and regulations in a manner that supports compliance and improves implementation of the
ordinances. (BLR Ordinance 89-02: Rules to Govern the Use of Land within the Exterior
Boundaries of the Blue Lake Rancheria, BLR Ordinance 95-08: Amendment of Ord 88-02
Building/Zoning for the Lands within the Exterior Boundaries of the Blue Lake Rancheria, BLR
Ordinance 88-02: Adoption of Building/Zoning Ordinance for Lands within the Exterior Boundaries
of the Blue Lake Rancheria). For example, BLR already requires that the first floor elevation of any
new structures be a minimum of one-foot above the 1-percent flood like event water surface
elevation (based on the BLR Casino Environmental Assessment, EAS June 2001), and BLR secured
a Civil Engineer to established elevations and provided signature for Flood Elevation Certificates.
2.2.2 BLR TMHMP and Integration with the BLR Family of Plans
The TMHMP took into consideration the various existing plans pertaining to other components of
the BLR. In that process, it was determined that a number of these plans should be identified as
requiring updates, modifications and in a couple instances, the creation of plans not already on hand.
The following is a current list of plans the BLR and its components require to best protect its people,
resources, and the environment.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) including the Blue Lake Casino emergency annex
BLR Shelter Operations Plan
BLR Multi Year Training and Exercise Plan
R.S. Matthews Dam Failure Mad River Valley Response Plan
Draft BLR Communications Plan (with FEMA’s Office of Emergency Communications)
BLR Fire Management Plan and Hazardous Fuels and Safety Zone Plan
BLR Tribal Police Emergency Response Plans and Procedures
BLR Spill Response Procedure
Emergency Action Plans for the Blue Lake Hotel, Blue Lake Casino, and Rancheria lands
These plans are under development and scheduled for completion in 2021:
• BLR Cyber Security Plan
• BLR Hazardous Materials Plan
• BLR Evacuation Plan
The Tribal Emergency Operations Plan (TEOP) was used to include pre-disaster preparedness,
disaster response, and post-disaster recovery for the update of the TMHMP for the Rancheria.
Mitigation Planning included: 1) reduction of losses of infrastructure; 2) reduction of functional and
economic losses; and 3) threats to human health and safety. The TMHMP update includes
consideration of both current and long-range business and land use plans, existing land uses,
including building, zoning and regulations/ordinances.
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2.2.3 BLR TMHMP and FEMA Program Integration
As FEMA is the lead federal agency responsible for providing technical and financial assistance to
Tribal governments for disaster planning and implementation, BLR coordination with that agency
came in various forms. BLR coordinated most closely with FEMA Region 9 in the following ways:
•
The BLR utilized FEMA HAZUS data to assist in profiling hazard events and developing loss
estimates.
The Rancheria coordinated with a number of FEMA mitigation staff, including Region 9 Tribal
Liaison for questions, guidance and early plan review. This was essential for the plan’s
compliance with mitigation standards for Tribal plans, and to support approval.
Recent FEMA integration included comprehensive on-site delivery of FEMA and consortium
courses, hosted in-house by the Tribe, including:
▪ The first ever tribal and rural offering of the Emergency Management Institute’s four
week Emergency Management Advanced Academy, concluding June 2019
▪ PER 340 Active Threat Integrated Response Course, September 2019
▪ Mitigation Planning for Tribes, October 2019
▪ MGT 317 Disaster Management for Public Services, November 2019
▪ MGT 341 Disaster Preparedness for Hospitals and Healthcare, November 2019
▪ PER 375 Surviving an Active Shooter for all BLR staff, February 2020
•
•
Additional integration is planned with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for watershed development
and resources.
Figure 2.2 students practice casualty care skills in PER 340 Active Threat Integrated
Response Course conducted at the Sapphire Palace event center in September 2019.
•
2-14
Deliveries of FEMA’s ICS 300 Intermediate ICS for Expanding Incidents and ICS 400
Advanced ICS for General Staff and Complex Incidents were planned for in-house delivery
for neighboring tribes and jurisdictions in March and April 2020, however were put on hold
in response to COVID-19 precautions. One goal of those courses was to develop local
Planning Process
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
instructor availability. Both courses will be rescheduled when conditions allow, potentially
summer of 2021.
The Tribe is integrated with three FEMA and two Department of Homeland Security mitigation
programs, initiatives, and revenue sources as follows:
•
•
•
•
•
Directly with the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program through grant acquisition to
create the Tribal Emergency Operations Plan (TEOP)
Directly via hosting FEMA disaster mitigation training at the Rancheria
Directly through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for development of this
TMHMP update
Directly with the National Incident Management System (NIMS) through ongoing
compliance with County emergency management protocols and utilization of the Capability
Assessment Support Tool (NIMCAST) in the development of this TMHMP.
Indirectly with the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) that is funding the
development of a Multi-Agency MHMP through County OES
As shown above, in most cases the Tribe’s integration with State and Federal programs occurs
indirectly through collaborative relationships between external entities whose disaster response
service area includes the Rancheria. The level of direct integration between the Tribe and the
programs above has increased through the development of this and other plans, compliance with
NIMSCAST, and the Tribe’s participation in the development of the County’s Multi-Agency
MHMP.
2.2.4 BLR TMHMP and Inter-Tribal Integration
Since 1983 BLR has reached out to neighboring tribal entities for joint training, planning,
exercises, and other mitigation activities. The Tribe actively participates in these entities:
• The National Tribal Emergency Management Council (NTEMC)
• The Tribal Emergency Management Association (iTEMA)
• The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services Tribal Affairs program
• The Northern California Tribal Emergency Management Council (NC-TEMC), in which
BLR has been integral to formation.
In 2019 BLR hosted the four-day FEMA course Mitigation for Tribal Governments. During the
same year, the Tribe hosted the first tribal and rural iteration of FEMA’s four-week National
Emergency Management Advanced Academy.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Process
2- 15
Figure 2.3 FEMA Advanced Emergency Management Academy students at work
during one of many small group activities
For BLR’s TMHMP planning process, BLR invited these neighboring tribes:
Bear River Band
Karuk Tribe
Trinidad Rancheria
Elk Valley Rancheria
Resighini Rancheria
Wiyot Tribe
Hoopa Tribe
Tolowa Dee Ni’ Nation
Yurok Tribe
Other integration includes regular invitations to neighboring tribes to participate in emergency
management and mitigation training hosted at BLR and after-action reviews of local events and
incidents.
2-16
Planning Process
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
3.0 PLANNING AREA DESCRIPTION
3.1 Project Location
The Blue Lake Rancheria is a Sovereign Indian Nation situated in the Mad River Valley on
California’s north coast. The Rancheria is bordered by unincorporated Humboldt County and the
City of Blue Lake (2018 population 1,262). To the west are the city of Arcata at 6 miles and
unincorporated McKinleyville at 10. To the southwest lies Eureka, both Humboldt County’s seat
and its largest city, at 16 miles. To the east are Trinity and Siskiyou Counties. The Rancheria lies 5
miles from the Pacific Ocean at an elevation of 68 to 75 feet above mean sea level.
3.1.1 Tribal Planning Area
Blue Lake Rancheria was established as a 32-acre reservation as “a refuge for homeless Indians”
through a Presidential Executive Order on December 24, 1908. The Executive Order was designed
to aid Native Americans displaced by the immigration of Europeans. On August 18, 1958, the U.S.
Congress terminated the Blue Lake Rancheria pursuant to Public Law 85-671. As a result of Tillie
Hardwick v. United States of America, the Blue Lake Rancheria was reinstated as a federally
recognized tribe on December 15, 1983.
The planning area covered under this hazard mitigation plan consists of all parcels within the
jurisdiction of the Tribe. Figure 3.6 shows the Tribal Lands and boundaries for the Rancheria,
including both trust and fee lands. Hazards and threats were assessed based on their potential
impacts on the Rancheria’s area, resources and people, even when they are located outside of the
jurisdiction.
The BLR is adjacent to the Mad River, which flows generally from east-northeast to northwest
toward the Pacific Ocean.
For emergency management purposes, the Rancheria is located in California’s Humboldt
Operational Area, California Mutual Aid Region II, California OES Coastal Administrative Region
and FEMA Region 9.
A site of cultural importance to the Tribe is located in a neighboring community. The Tribe has obtained
the property and monitors it to preserve its condition and cultural value. Its location and other details are
sensitive, and not provided in this document.
Nine other Tribal Nations are located within a few hours’ drive, including Hoopa, Karuk, Tolowa Dee
Ni’ Nation, Wiyot, Yurok, Trinidad, Elk Valley, Resighini and Bear River tribes.
There are 19 tribes in the Northern California Region. BLR is centrally located among the other local
tribes, and has established itself as a regional leader for inter-jurisdictional training and cooperation
including those tribal entities and neighboring jurisdictions at local, state, and federal levels.
Blue Lake Tribal lands comprise 98.5 acres on the Rancheria proper, and the small parcel in a
neighboring community obtained and maintained to protect its cultural significance.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 1
Figure 3.1 Blue Lake and vicinity
Figure 3.3 Northwest California Tribal Lands Northern California
Indian Development Council
3-2
Planning Area Description
Figure 3.2 California Mutual Aid and Administrative Regions
-
Figure 3.4 Wiyot ancestral territory
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
3. 2 Community Profile
The Rancheria is dedicated to the education, self-confidence, and upward mobility of its Tribal
Members. Blue Lake Rancheria serves Wiyot area tribes including Blue Lake Rancheria, Bear River
Band and the Wiyot Tribe, located in ancestral Wiyot territory. The tribe also includes members
who are Tolowa, Hupa, Karuk, Yurok, Redwood Creek, and Cherokee Indians.
3.2.1 Tribal Goals
The first performance measures that BLR staff takes with regard to any program or facilities initiative here is
the extent to which the program helps achieve goals defined by the BLR Tribal Council. The ten key goals
established include:
Social
• Survival, safety, and health of tribal members, staff, and the public.
• Social justice for tribal members and all native peoples.
• Meaningful opportunities to participate in community life.
Economic
• Continuity of economic enterprise operations and reputations.
• Sustained economic prosperity, productivity and diversification.
• Development of meaningful employment opportunities.
Environmental
• Environmental justice for Indigenous people as co-managers of natural resources.
• Protection of air & water quality, and the health of the environment.
• 100 percent renewable power (zero GHG emissions).
• Sustainable resource use (water, materials, etc.)
The Tribal Business Council and the General Council have set as a priority the provision of education, social
services, and community safety for tribal members and the Blue Lake Community as a whole. Decades of
commitment to education, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy have brought a reputation as one of the most
respected and prosperous tribes in Northern California.
Although this plan’s focus is on the jurisdiction, people, resources and mitigation efforts of Blue Lake
Rancheria, the Tribe is committed to continuing its efforts to work collaboratively with neighboring tribal
entities, the City of Blue Lake, County of Humboldt, State of California, the U.S. Government, and other
jurisdictions on matters of mutual interest and in particular emergency preparedness.
Currently comprising 94.58 acres of trust lands, and 3.95 acres of fee land, the Rancheria’s land is used for
residential, governmental, commercial, and open space purposes. A brief description of each type of land use
is provided below.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 3
3.2.2 Our People
To aid Natives displaced by the settlement of Euroamericans beginning in 1850, Blue Lake Rancheria
was established as a 32-acre reservation for homeless Indians through an Executive Order on December
24, 1908, and then was unlawfully terminated on August 18, 1958.
The termination was determined an unjust act by the Congress
of the United States. After a lawsuit that spanned decades, Tillie
Hardwick v. United States of America, the Blue Lake Rancheria
was reinstated as a federally recognized tribe on December 15,
1983.
Blue Lake Rancheria’s lands lie within the aboriginal territory of
the Wiyot people. Wiyot territory historically extended from
Little River, north of McKinleyville along the north coast south to
Bear River Ridge and inland 25 miles (Figure 3.4).
Figure 3.5 Traditional Wiyot cap
Figure 3.6 - BLR boundaries
3-4
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Within this territory, there existed many hundreds of historic and prehistoric villages, ceremonial,
burial and summer sites of the Wiyot Tribe. Of the three principal groups of Wiyot, the Mad River
Wiyot were known as the Baduwa’t, the Wiki on the Humboldt Bay and the Wiyat from the Eel River
Delta. Wiyot is used in preference to the old name of “Whishosk”.
Cultural heritage of the current members of the Blue Lake Rancheria includes Wiyot, Tolowa, Hupa,
Karuk, Yurok, Redwood Creek and Cherokee Indians.
Demographic Data
The following figures are derived from U.S. Census Bureau estimates for 2014-2018.
Resident population: 97 as of March 2021
The 2016 tribal census reported the number of residents as 203, including tribal members, members
of other tribes, and nontribal people. The number of tribal members living on the Rancheria has
decreased over time but has seen a recent surge in members returning. 48% of Tribal Members are
elders and children living on the Rancheria.
No significant seasonal fluctuations in Tribal or resident population have occurred.
Age:
N
%
Age Group:
N
%
Under 5
8
11.1%
18 & over
56
77.8%
5-9
2
2.8%
65 & over
14
19.4%
10-14
4
5.6%
85 & over
1
1.4%
15-19
2
2.8%
20-24
0
0.0%
Median Age
45.0
25-34
11
15.3%
35-44
9
12.5%
45-54
14
19.4%
55-64
3
4.2%
65-74
12
16.7%
75-84
1
1.4%
Sex:
Male 56.9
Female 43.1%
Disabled
Total
Under age18
18-64
Over 64
N
15
2
6
7
% of Population
20.8%
2.8%
8.3%
9.7%
% of Disabled Population
0.2%
0.6%
0.6%
Mitigation planning significance: Factors such as population size, demographics, and access and
functional needs must be reflected in preparedness strategies such as age- and culturally-appropriate
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 5
preparedness outreach and crisis communications. In response and recovery, these are factors in
resource and action planning for evacuation, sheltering, mass care and feeding, and other essential
actions.
Residence 1 Year Prior
Same House
Same County
Residence Total
N
67
2
69
% of Population
93.1%
2.8%
95.8%
Mitigation planning significance: Long-term residency suggests familiarity with local hazards, plans,
resources, and a sense of community useful in pre-disaster preparedness programs.
Educational Attainment
High school graduate or higher
Bachelor’s degree or higher
%
100.0%
24.5%
Mitigation planning significance: Understanding education levels guides development and delivery
of preparedness strategies, materials, and methods.
Occupation
N
47
Employed 16 & over
% of Employed
Management, business, science, & arts
Service
Sales & office
13
14
10
27.7%
29.8%
21.3%
Natural resources, construction, maintenance
2
4.3%
Production, transportation, material moving
8
17.0%
Industry
N
% of Employed
Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation & food services
Public Administration
Education, health care & social assistance
Professional, scientific, management/ administration & waste management
Transportation, warehousing & utilities
17
11
9
3
3
36.2%
23.4%
19.1%
6.4%
6.4%
Manufacturing
Other, Except Public Administration
Retail trade
2
1
1
4.3%
2.1%
2.1%
23
23
1
% of Employed
48.9%
48.9%
2.1%
Class of Worker
Private
Government
Self Employed
3-6
Planning Area Description
N
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Mitigation planning significance: The extent and nature of employment in a community can help
focus preparedness efforts, identify audiences for community readiness initiatives, and potential roles
for community volunteers.
General Health and Social Factors for Native American Populations in Humboldt and
Neighboring Counties:
United Indian Health Services (UIHS) reported these findings on the general health of the
population. Note: these statistics are regional; BLR-specific data are unavailable.
•
For 2020 county health rankings for the 58 counties in California, Humboldt County was
ranked as 47.
•
The 2018 Humboldt County Community Health Assessment stated the “most pronounced
disparities are experienced by Native Americans. Native Americans in Humboldt County will
die an average of 12 years sooner than Caucasians.” AI mortality rates for cardiovascular
disease and liver disease deaths for the 45-64 age range were approximately two times that of
the total for Humboldt County rates. Diabetes-related deaths represented the third-highest rate
in the AIs 65+ age group.
•
Data specific to current United Indian Health Services (UIHS) active clients show these health
issues deemed to put clients at a higher risk of developing other serious health problems:
o 34% are considered obese, having BMI of 30 or higher.
o 5% have pre-diabetes; 9% have Type 2 diabetes.
o 44% have high blood pressure.
o 10% have high cholesterol.
o 13% have been identified as using tobacco products.
•
Humboldt County has one of the state’s highest rates of Adverse Childhood Experiences
(ACEs), with 31% having scores of 4 or more on a scale of 0 to 10. An ACE score of 4 or
more is considered high risk.
•
Of UIHS clients 25 years and older in 2017-2018:
o 14% had a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder.
o 14% had a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder.
o 21% had a diagnosis of depression.
o 37% had a diagnosis of substance abuse (alcohol, cannabis, opiates, amphetamines,
tobacco, cocaine, and inhalants).
•
According to the 2018 Humboldt County Community Health Assessment:
o Humboldt County’s diabetes-related deaths are more than 2 times higher for Native
Americans than for the population as a whole.
o The rate of unintentional injury and death from all causes in Humboldt is
approximately twice that of California as a whole. The rate of unintentional injury and
death in Humboldt’s Native American population is substantially higher than both the
county and state overall rates, which may be a contributing factor to a lower average
age at death within the county’s Native American communities.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 7
o The years of potential life lost is 3 1/2 times higher for Native Americans than for
Caucasians, and more than twice that of the state overall for cirrhosis/ chronic liver
disease.
•
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services reports that from 2012-2016,
the highest rate of suicide was on both the neighboring Hupa and Yurok Indian Reservations with
a rate of over 40 per 100,000 people. Historically, the Humboldt/Del Norte region has had higher
rates of suicide at 24.8 per 100,000 people, compared to California’s rate of 10.4 per 100,000
people in 2016.
•
In Humboldt County children are placed into foster care at a rate over 2 times that of the state. Of
those children, 35.7 percent were Native American, even though Native Americans make up only
7 percent of the population. Native American children also represent 30.9 percent of substantiated
child abuse or neglect cases (California Child Welfare Indicators Project, 2015; National Indian
Child Welfare Association, 2016; average 2013-2015).
3.2.3 Our Lands, Environment and Use
Climate
Located slightly inland along the Mad River, the characteristic heavy coastal fog is tempered so that
the Tribe enjoys more hours of sunshine and warmer temperatures during summer than many
neighboring communities.
The average temperature at the Tribe’s weather station, 76 feet above sea level, is 59.5 °F. Winter
temperatures vary between 41°F and 58°F. Summer temperatures on average vary between 48°F and
64°F. Temperatures are influenced by cold air masses that flow inland from the Pacific Ocean
located 10 miles away.
The average rainfall on the Rancheria has historically been 3.37 inches per month, except for the last
few years where drought has affected precipitation amounts. Precipitation traditionally occurs from
December to April, with most of the precipitation associated with coastal storms of several days’
duration and usually moderate intensity. The average annual winter precipitation on the Rancheria is
6.27 inches per month. Average monthly summer precipitation is 1.31 inches.
Topography, Geology and Soils
The entire Rancheria is located on a low floodplain terrace near a meandering bend of the Mad River.
A detailed study of the area (Oscar Larson & Associates, 2000) found elevations in the Rancheria
range from 68 to 75 feet above mean sea level (AMSL). The area is located in the Northern
California Coastal Ranges and underlain by Jurassic and Cretaceous age marine sediments of the
Franciscan Assemblage.
The Rancheria is located in a complex local tectonic environment with multiple seismic sources
capable of producing strong ground motion. Any of four significant sources of earthquake generation
could affect the Rancheria – the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), the San Andreas Fault system,
interactions between the two known as the Mendocino Triple Junction, and the system of many
3-8
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
crustal faults inland close enough to cause casualties and damage to the Rancheria’s infrastructure,
enterprises, and residences.
The area’s soils were classified predominantly as Ferndale silt loam, as well as areas of mixed fine
and coarse materials, and are generally well drained to excessively well drained. The erosion hazard
rating for these soils on gentle slopes is considered low. Due to high ground water, the potential for
liquefaction effects in these soils during an earthquake is high.
Water Resources
The primary surface water feature on the Rancheria is the Mad River, which bisects the Rancheria
holdings along the western edge. A review of 50 years of aerial photography indicates a general
eastward lateral migration of the channel; however, since the construction of a levee upstream and
installation of rock rip rap bank stabilization along the river’s east bank, channel migration in the
Rancheria reach now favors the west bank of the Mad River.
The Mad River Flood Protection Project is located near the confluence of the Mad River and the Mad
River North Fork, along the right bank of each waterway for a total length of 1.6 miles, near the
Hatchery Road bridge at the southern end of the city of Blue Lake. The levee was constructed in
phases by the Army Corps of Engineers starting in 1954 and reaching completion in 1963. The levee
is composed of an earthen embankment with rock-slope protection on the river side.
Humboldt County and the City of Blue Lake share responsibility for levee operation and
maintenance.
Another section of the levee near Tribal land was constructed in 1984.
The Rancheria is bordered by Dave Powers Creek to the south and an unnamed drainage channel to
the north and east. The drainage channel may be a historic tributary of the Mad River.
Potable water is supplied by the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District, entering the Rancheria via
a pump station owned and operated by the City of Blue Lake. Potable water is used for residential
and commercial purposes, with 200+ connections. The system includes approximately 2,000 feet of
main lines; distribution line length has not been estimated. Plans for a SmartWater Grid include a
smart-controlled, high efficiency water grid with 240,000 gallons of on-site storage.
Non-potable water is supplied by at least five production groundwater wells and one monitoring well
on the Rancheria. Two of the wells are in use for individual residences. Non-potable water is used for
small-scale sustainable agriculture and landscaping, with eight irrigation turnouts
Users are approximately 2,000 residents and visitors per day under normal conditions, with a
potential to exceed 3,000 per day during emergencies and large scale events.
Current demand is 15,000 gallons per day, with slight growth over time. A 2017 document reports
demand at half of the supply. Drought conditions or other emergencies may create shortfalls
requiring use restrictions.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 9
Biological Resources
The Rancheria sits on the floodplain of the Mad River. The dominant plant communities found in the
surrounding region include the redwood, Douglas fir/tan oak, Sitka spruce, red alder, and black
cottonwood series. Habitat types in the Rancheria include non-native annual grassland, riparian, and
riverine aquatic. A 2020 review of Special Status species and regulated habitats was performed
specifically for the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Justice Center project but is valid for the entire
property due to its small size. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) noted that these
protected species are present on the adjacent Mad River:
• Northern California Coastal Coho (Oncorhychus kisutch)
• California Coastal Chinook (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
• Northern California Coast Steelhead (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
• Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
• Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii)
Both perennial and seasonal wetlands occur within the Rancheria holdings.
Waste Management and Hazardous Materials
Solid waste
Blue Lake Garbage collects and transports the Rancheria’s solid waste to a Humboldt Waste
Management Authority transfer station in Eureka, where it is ultimately transported to an out-ofcounty landfill.
Wastewater
The Rancheria uses a mixture of individual septic systems and city sewer hookups to manage
wastewater.
Hazardous Materials
Blue Lake Rancheria has two fixed facilities with storage of hazardous materials in quantities that
would be reportable under California Business Plan regulations. Although those requirements do not
apply to sovereign tribal entities, those quantities are used here as a guideline.
A 2020 review of business plan data from the California Environmental Reporting System showed
eleven locations with addresses in the adjacent city of Blue Lake and five in Korbel, two miles to the
east, listed as having hazardous materials in reportable quantities. The Rancheria operates a gas
station with storage for gasoline, diesel fuel and liquified petroleum gas.
For products in transportation, a 2020 hazardous materials commodity flow study assessed hazardous
materials transportation on SR 299 and surface streets adjacent to the Rancheria. It revealed an
average of nine placarded cargoes daily during peak hours of 7 AM to 7 PM weekdays, with 69.4%
of those motor fuels, specifically gasoline, diesel fuel, and liquified petroleum gas in quantities large
enough to require placarding, typically more than 1,001 pounds.
Another threat is illicit cannabis cultivation and production of Butane Honey Oil (BHO). Although
the illegal nature of these enterprises makes detailed measurement difficult, it is known that large
clandestine grows throughout California almost always use pesticides banned in the US, and
disregard groundwater protection and responsible disposal of wastes. BHO extraction uses
flammable gasses as a solvent, often resulting in explosion and fire.
3-10
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Traffic and Transportation
The ground transportation network serving the Rancheria consists of several public streets on the
Rancheria and several adjacent to the Rancheria within the jurisdictions of the County of Humboldt
and the City of Blue Lake. In addition, the largest commercial parcel on the Rancheria, the Blue
Lake Casino and Hotel, includes a 715-space parking lot, in which the drive aisles form an important
transportation component.
One peak hour turning movement count was taken during the a.m. and one p.m. peak hours in
February 2011; these volumes were estimated to represent 15% of the total daily traffic volumes for
the respective roadways. It was found that 3,020 vehicles access the enterprises on the Rancheria
daily.
Most members on the Rancheria have their own vehicles, while others access the daily public
transportation of the Blue Lake Rancheria Transit System (BLRTS). BLRTS provides public transit
to the communities of BLR, the City of Blue Lake, community of Glendale and City of Arcata. In
2019 BLRTS logged 11,049 riders.
Much higher traffic volumes and concentrations can occur surrounding a major event at the casino or
event center, or as a result of an incident or event in neighboring areas that brings an influx of people
seeking goods and services inaccessible elsewhere.
During the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) October 9, 2019 an estimated 10,000 people from
affected communities converged on BLR for fuel, groceries, ice, hot meals, device charging, and
other goods and services. This kind of influx is anticipated to be repeated whenever essential
services are disrupted around Humboldt County and the region.
Utilities
Available utilities include electricity, natural gas, propane, and voice and data communications.
Commercial electric service and natural gas distribution are provided by Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E). BLR operates a community-scale, low carbon solar-powered micro grid with
battery storage and legacy diesel backup, as well as a facility-scale microgrid. Both are island-able
from the regional grid and demonstrate energy resilience. The micro grids proved effective in
maintaining service during PG&E’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs in 2019 and 2020.
Propane is publicly available from one above ground tank; two additional tanks are used
commercially by the mini-mart/gas station. Propane is generally delivered by Sequoia Gas or Blue
Star Gas, both based in Arcata.
Landline telephone service is provided by AT&T. Voice over IP (VOIP) services are provided by
AT&T and Suddenlink, however only AT&T is utilized by the Tribe.
Cellular service is accessible from AT&T Wireless, Verizon, US Cellular, and other providers,
however the quality of service at the Rancheria is inconsistent.
Internet access is provided by Suddenlink (Altice) via both fiber and coaxial deliveries, and by
AT&T. Satellite-based up-and down-links are available from several providers.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 11
Television access is provided via cable by Suddenlink (Altice) and via satellite by several providers.
Using an over-the-air antenna is estimated to receive two to five local stations, including affiliates of
ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and PBS. Reception will depend on antenna type and location.
All services provided by AT&T are vulnerable to a single point of failure on the interconnection
from the region. The single interconnection over the past 10 years has suffered multiple failures
caused by fire, earthquake and other events along the US 101 corridor. During 2017 the fiber line fell
onto the highway and was almost cut by road workers to allow traffic to pass, as AT&T was slow to
respond. This was prevented by some urgent messaging between AT&T and the highway patrol.
Land Use
Housing
Total housing units
Occupied housing units
Homeowner vacancy rate
Rental vacancy rate
Owner-occupied
Renter-occupied
Overall
#
%
33
32
0
0
14
18
32
97.0%
0.0%
0.0%
42.4% Average household size
54.5% Average household size
97.9% Average household size
Median value of owner-occupied units
2.4
2.2
2.3
$187,500
The south and southwest portions of the Rancheria contain most of the population residing in woodframed homes, seconded by more housing on the east side of the Rancheria residing in manufactured
and older wooden homes.
Land use descriptions here have been updated for this iteration of the TMHMP in 2021. The
Rancheria’s residential area comprises roughly 25% of the total land, comprising:
Residence Type
Wood-framed homes
Triple-wide manufactured homes
Double-wide manufactured homes
Single-wide manufactured homes
Recreational vehicles
Yurt
2021
7
2
11
4
5
1
2015 2009
11
16
0
0
7
22
3
6
3
-1
--
As of early 2021, six Tribal government buildings exist:
• Tribal Government and Justice Center including a community center, Tribal Court, police
station, and emergency operations center, with occupancy planned for spring of 2021.
• Fire station (under construction as of April 2021)
• Gaming Commission Offices
• 2 Tribal warehouses
• Utilities barn
3-12
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Structure Function
Tribal Government building
Convenience store/gas station
Casino and event center
Hotel
Rental: mobile home
Rental: house
Rental: yurt
Carport/garage
Barn
Warehouse-distillery
Maintenance building
Microgrid project
Total
Count
6
1
1
1
11
6
1
2
2
1
1
1
36
Also in 2021, construction is scheduled to begin on the Toma Resilience Campus, planned as a stateof-the-art 20,000 square foot venue to support regional resilience strategies including disaster
preparedness.
The governmental and commercial buildings are generally located in the same area occupying
roughly 20% of Rancheria lands. Upon completion of current construction that area will be an
estimated 25%
The main commercial buildings on the Rancheria are part of the Blue Lake Casino complex.
Adjacent to the casino are the 102-room Blue Lake Hotel and the Sapphire Palace Event Center. The
casino houses three (3) restaurants in addition to its gaming areas.
A separate convenience store and gas station are located just south of the casino complex.
To the northwest from the casino complex lies the electric microgrid project.
48% of the Rancheria’s land area is undeveloped open space, including the wide bed and banks of
the Mad River and its riparian corridor, as well as relic agricultural fields and pastures in the interior
of the Rancheria.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 13
Figure 3.5 Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Lands and amenities Source: BLR OES
3-14
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
3.3 Future Development
The ultimate goal of planning at the Rancheria is the education and upward mobility of its Tribal
Members. The successful operation of the gaming complex has increased the Tribe’s capability to
address this goal. However, there are still many unmet needs in the community, including upgrading
aging infrastructure, expanding facilities for community health, welfare, and education, and the
creation of a ceremonial and cultural area. Given the amount of undeveloped land on the Rancheria
and presence of a somewhat stable hospitality industry, there are multiple opportunities for
additional developments that will further meet these goals.
Some projects on the planning horizon are listed below and shown in Figure 3.5 above:
• SmartWater Grid
• Toma Resilience Campus
• Hula sports facility
• RV Park
• Elder Care Facility
• Further generation projects for utility power
• Agricultural projects
• Helipad
These projects will likely be impacted by the same hazards zones as existing development. Most
significantly, wildfire and flooding hazards will need to be addressed in the planning, design and
construction processes. The elder care facility and micro grid project lie in areas that have fuels and
border possible ignition sources. The RV park is closer to the Mad River channel and its
corresponding flood threat.
3.4 Economy
According to the Humboldt Economic Index produced by Humboldt State University, the county’s
future is less clear than U.S. estimates. The 2018 Humboldt County Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS) reports that over the last 40 years, Humboldt County has experienced
a dramatic restructuring of its economy. Historically, the local economy was built primarily on
natural resource extraction, such as timber and fishing. These served as the county’s export base,
bringing in dollars that helped grow the rest of the economy. Environmental regulations, resource
depletion and market changes, however, have prompted dramatic diversification.
These target industries were deemed to offer the greatest opportunity for the region’s residents:
• Diversified health care
• Specialty food, flowers and beverages
• Building and systems construction
• Investment support services
• Management and innovation services
• Niche manufacturing
• Forest products
• Tourism
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 15
Alternative agriculture, including cannabis cultivation and processing, is described in the HCCDS as
a major aspect of the Humboldt County economy for more than 50 years, with economic
contributions estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Recent changes in pertinent California
law, tax structure and regulations have had mixed impacts on the county’s economy, and the future
effects are difficult to predict.
Effects on the Rancheria’s enterprises and economy could be affected by the prosperity of the county
and region, related tourism, and casual through traffic. One of the county’s strategies for developing
opportunity in alternative agriculture includes creating trade shows and other events which could focus
on research and education, a function the Rancheria is already well positioned to fulfill.
13% of the Tribal Members and 100% of non-members residing on the Blue Lake Rancheria are
employed by the Tribe. The last decades have seen a transformation of the regional economy and an
exodus of tribal members and local residents as lumber and fishing jobs diminished. The Tribe’s
economic development has provided a much-needed source for sustainable jobs at many income
levels.
BLR has developed a very strong local economy through hospitality and tourism, sustaining the
construction industry in expanding related facilities, expanded scientific and regulatory positions
within the tribal government, and expanded into both natural resource extraction and manufacturing
industries to diversify the economy. The tribe has received national attention for these efforts,
particularly with regard to energy initiatives.
3.5 Tribal Government
3.5.1 Tribal Government Overview
The Tribal Government is dedicated to the education, self-confidence, and upward mobility of Tribal
Members. The Business and General Council have placed education and social services as a priority for
Tribal Members and Blue Lake Community as a whole. Since the end of 1983, the Tribe have worked
hard and achieved remarkable success in education, entrepreneurship, and philanthropy.
The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe is a sovereign nation that exercises jurisdiction over its Tribal lands and
Tribal members. The Tribe is organized under an IRA constitution and has the authority to administer
programs designed to meet the needs of residents on the Blue Lake Rancheria, largely through a PL 93638 Self Determination Contract, and the operation of its economic development corporation.
Departments of the Blue Lake Rancheria include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Communications
Cultural Affairs
Economic Development
Education
Emergency Services
Energy
Environmental Programs
Finance
3-16
Planning Area Description
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fire
Gaming Commission
Grants & Contracts
Information Technology
Nutrition
Police
Public Works
Transportation
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Revenue is generated by the Tribe’s Blue Lake Casino, Blue Lake Hotel, and Play Station 777
convenience store and gas station, as well as other smaller economic enterprises.
The Tribe’s economic enterprises support hundreds of local jobs, government operations and programs,
economic diversification, resilience and sustainability efforts, environmental protection, and a wide
array of social services.
The Blue Lake Rancheria Education Foundation, founded in 2002, seeks to channel the success of
the Blue Lake Rancheria’s business operations into widespread community involvement and
investment. The Foundation seeks partnerships with other tribes across California as well as nonIndian local, national, and international organizations, in order to ensure that advances in Indian
Country and for other under-privileged and under-represented groups continue to grow.
The Tribe maintains a network of federal, state, local and tribal agencies to stay on the leading edge
regarding environmental issues. The Tribe manages a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency GAP
Grant stipulated for environmental infrastructure development.
Since 2013 the Tribe has accelerated transition to a zero carbon community. The Rancheria took a step
towards energy independence when its low carbon electric micro-grid became operational. The
microgrid includes the largest solar array in Humboldt County, providing power to the entire reservation
and allowing the tribe to provide essential goods and services to its members, residents, and thousands
of others during recent California outages.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 17
Figure 3.6 Blue Lake Rancheria Organizational Structure
3-18
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
3.5.2 Emergency Services
In 2010 Tribal Council Resolution 10-20 authorized establishment of the Blue Lake Rancheria Office
of Emergency Services, including wildland fire and law enforcement. Emergency management is
planned and coordinated by the Blue Lake Rancheria Office of Emergency Services, staffed by a
paid director and an emergency management coordinator.
BLR OES has emerged as a regional leader in tribal emergency planning, hosting training from
subject matter experts across the U.S., and including neighboring tribes and other jurisdictions in
training, planning, and other preparedness efforts.
3.5.3 Law Enforcement
The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Police Department provides primary law enforcement services.
Established in 2015 and federally commissioned in 2019, as of September 2020 the department is
authorized four sworn positions, including a chief and a sergeant. At that time, one of its sworn
officers was cross-deputized as a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy.
An additional nine Tribal employees are trained and authorized as tribal police reserve officers. Their
status is approximately equivalent to California Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Level
3 reserve officers.
Equipment includes two patrol vehicles, including an off-road utility vehicle providing access to
areas of the property otherwise accessible only on foot. Other equipment obtained in the past five
years includes ballistic vests and helmets, other safety gear, and training aids.
A purpose-built police station is included in the new Tribal Justice Center. It includes office spaces,
interview/holding room, records room, secure evidence storage, processing/reports, and an armory.
BLR enjoys a cooperative working relationship with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office,
California Highway Patrol, and other law enforcement agencies. These are authorized to operate on
Tribal lands under Public Law 280. Specific cooperation includes the cross-deputization of Tribal
police officers with the Sheriff’s Office and a 2021 memorandum of understanding with the
California Highway Patrol for documentation of collision reports on Tribal lands.
Prior to 2002 the City of Blue Lake had its own police department. Since its dissolution, the City and
surrounding unincorporated areas have been served by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office; no
deputies are routinely stationed there, and response times suffered accordingly.
In the past five years the Blue Lake Tribal Police Department has responded to a wide variety of
calls, including crimes more commonly expected in much larger jurisdictions:
• Bomb threats and suspected destructive devices
• Threats against tribal members, employees, and guests
• Domestic violence and workplace violence
• Drug trafficking and possession
• Robbery
• Property crimes
• Non-criminal responses including support for major events on the jurisdiction, and the major
influx of evacuees seeking goods and services during the 2019 Public Safety Power Shutoffs.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 19
Significant achievements since 2015 include becoming commissioned by the Federal Special Law
Enforcement Commission in 2019, the cross deputization program in 2018, and becoming the first
tribal law enforcement agency in California to meet the requirements for direct access to the
California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS) in 2018. This system allows the
tribe to access state and national databases for criminal histories, driver records and other
information.
In 2020 the Tribe trained virtually 100% of its workforce in active threat response.
Tribal Police goals and plans for 2021 through 2026 include:
• Fill vacant sworn positions and cross-deputize all
• Continue to develop and enhance the officer training program
• Continue to expand outreach training efforts for law enforcement, other tribal entities, other
emergency services, tribal members, and the public at large.
3.5.4 Fire and Rescue Services
The Blue Lake Rancheria Fire Department (BLRFD) provides primary services, with informal
automatic/mutual aid from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), the
City of Blue Lake Volunteer Fire Department (BLVFD), and other neighboring agencies. BLRFD is
a member of the joint Humboldt/Del Norte Hazardous Materials Response Authority.
A new BLR fire station is planned for completion in 2021, adjacent to the new Tribal office building.
Figure 3.6 BLR fire station shown under construction in April 2021.
Current staffing comprises a full time paid fire chief, who is also a California hazardous materials
specialist, and a recently vacated paid battalion chief position. Discussion is under way to determine
whether to fill the vacancy with another battalion chief or three shift captains. Volunteers number 18,
including 2 captains and 2 Emergency Medical Technicians.
3-20
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Equipment is a Type 1 structure engine, a Type 3 wildland engine, and a quint ladder truck with a
100-foot platform. Near-future plans include a utility vehicle and hazardous materials training trailer.
Fire Department goals and plans include:
• Occupy the new station and consolidate equipment and supplies there
• Establish a public safety dispatch center or agreement with an existing center
• Establish 3 paid captain positions to provide 24/7 coverage
• Establish a continuous National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) training program,
ultimately with in-house instructors
• Replace the older Type 1 engine
• Establish a cache of equipment and supplies for multi casualty incidents
3.5.5 Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Services include non-transport first response from BLR Fire, with 2 Emergency
Medical Technicians. Ambulance service is provided by Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, operating
24-hour paramedic service with a typical response time to the Rancheria of 10 minutes. Mad River
Community Hospital in Arcata (6.2 miles from BLR) provides 24-hour emergency service with a
physician on site. It is credentialed as a Level IV trauma center and Emergency Department
Approved for Pediatrics. St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka (17 miles from BLR) provides 24-hour
emergency service and is designated as a Level III trauma center. Emergency helicopter
transportation is available from by the US Coast Guard stationed in McKinleyville, CA. An
agreement is being developed with the Coast Guard to add a helicopter pad on the BLR campus.
3.5.6 Volunteer Emergency Resources
In addition to a cadre of volunteer firefighters and EMTs, volunteer emergency response resources
include a 2016 program established by BLR OES to train and supply Tribal Emergency Response
Team (TERT) volunteers in a variety of immediate emergency response skills such as casualty care,
light rescue, small firefighting, and disaster mental health. All TERT volunteers must also be trained
through FEMA’s ICS 400 Advanced level.
In 2021 BLR accepted responsibility to host and maintain an equipment and incident support trailer
for training regional tribal volunteers using Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
curriculum throughout Northern California in partnership with iTEMA and LISTOS California.
Figure 3.7 iTEMA CERT equipment and training trailer housed and maintained
by BLR for responses throughout Northern California
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 21
The Rancheria has become a regional center for public safety and emergency preparedness training,
drawing attendees from all over the Western U.S. In 2019 alone, the Tribe hosted 28 courses,
including 14 relevant to law enforcement and three restricted to law enforcement agencies.
Law enforcement-specific subjects included:
• Combatting human trafficking
• Criminal investigation
• Asset forfeiture/money laundering
For calendar year 2019 BLR’s Resiliency Training and Innovation Center hosted 28 distinct
emergency preparedness and public safety courses totaling 595 presentation hours, 710 students,
and 15,594 student hours.
•
•
•
•
•
The Emergency Management Institute’s four week Emergency Management Advanced
Academy
Active Threat Integrated Response Course
Mitigation Planning for Tribes
Disaster Management for Public Services
Disaster Preparedness for Hospitals and Healthcare
Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced curtailment of live training, the center hosted the
Department of Homeland Security course Surviving an Active Shooter for all 331 BLR staff in
February of 2020. Other courses delivered that year included:
• Field Force Operations
• Field Force Extrication Tactics
• Homicide Investigation
3.5.7 Mitigation Benefits of Tribal Ordinances, Policies, Programs and Resources
The Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe has enacted a number of measures that have yielded benefits to
emergency preparedness and hazard mitigation efforts.
Over the past decade the Tribe has implemented, maintained, and improved dozens of programs that
enhance the whole community’s preparedness for all emergencies, Tribal Government’s ability to
protect the people, resources, and environment of the Tribe, and emergency services’ collaboration with
neighboring tribal and non-Indian agencies.
Nearly all of these efforts mitigate the hazards in and around the rancheria by emphasizing whole
community preparedness, quality emergency services, interoperability among neighboring jurisdictions
and agencies, and proactive governance that recognizes the area’s hazards and risks.
The score indicates an assessment of each measure’s mitigation benefits on a scale from 0 (not at all
beneficial) to 5 (extremely beneficial) as determined by BLR OES.
3-22
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Measure
Ordinances and Resolutions
88-01 Use of Guns, Explosives
and Fireworks
Mitigation Benefits
Score
Allows enforcement of use of dangerous devices
5
88-02 Building and Zoning
Adopted state and federal standards to improve the safety
of buildings
5
88-05 Prevention and Control
of Fire
Allows enforcement of fire protective measures
4
00-01 Air Quality
Reduces airborne pollutants at the Rancheria
3
00-02 Environmental Policy
Protects Tribal interests in environmental issues
5
Protects the health of Tribal members, residents and the
environment
Mitigate the improper use of pesticides, previously a
00-05 Pesticide Control
serious threat to Tribal members and visitors
00-06 Solid Waste Disposal and Protects the Tribal environment from uncontrolled disposal
Waste Reduction
of solid and hazardous wastes
Eliminates discharges of pollutants and protects local
00-07 Water Quality
wetlands
00-11 Americans with
Applies ADA standards to Tribal facilities and operations,
Disability Act
increasing safety during evacuation
10-20 Office of Emergency
Authorized establishment of BLR’s Office of Emergency
Services
Services, Police and Fire departments
Provides for a full range of police services including crime
11-02 Establishment of BLR
prevention, enforcement, intervention, and investigation of
Police Department
Tribal, State, and Federal law
12-01 Orders restraining
Provides for prevention of violence and protection of
domestic violence
Indians on the Rancheria, particularly children
13-02 Establishment of a
Provided for the establishment of the BLR microgrid,
Department of Energy and
reducing reliance on commercial power
Technologies
Policies
4
Housing policies
Require annual inspection of all Tribal housing
4
Fire Safety
Requires fire inspections prior to any event
5
00-03 Health and Sanitation
Information Technologies
COVID-19 Response Annex
Establish mechanisms to secure data systems and
information from malicious intrusions, insider threats and
events
Reduces the risk of transmission and supports rapid
assessment and response to active outbreaks
4
4
5
5
5
4
3
5
4
5
Table 3.1 Mitigation effects of Tribal ordinances, policies, programs and resources
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Planning Area Description
3- 23
Measure
Programs
Community
Emergency
Preparedness
Tribal Emergency
Response Team
(TERT)
Resiliency Training &
Innovation Center
Annual Elders
Luncheons
Fire Safety
Mitigation Benefits
Score
• Provides outreach and training to BLR members, residents & staff
• Provides emergency kits, water filters, and other preparedness
items
• Provides emergency response training suitable to serve
individuals, families, neighborhoods, or the full community
• Provides hosting of one of two TERT training trailers in the State
of California
• Provides a comprehensive range of emergency management
training for local members and staff, other tribal entities, and
emergency responders
• These annual events have included personal and family
preparedness presentations since 2018
• Provides annual inspections and refills of fire extinguishers for all
residents, employees, and Elder nutrition clients
• Train all 8th graders in operation and use of fire extinguishers
from local school
5
5
5
4
4
Resources
Tribal Emergency
Response Team trailer
Sapphire Palace event
center
Blue Lake Hotel
Social Media
• Housed and maintained by BLR, this resource provides
equipment, supplies, and facilities for training TERT and CERT
courses throughout Northern California
• This large facility is often provided for emergency preparedness,
response, and mitigation training and exercises
• Annual Elders Luncheon held in the facility provide personal
preparedness information to the community
• Provides emergency shelter, community support center, device
charging, and other services to evacuees
• Provides updates to community of what resources are available at
BLR to the community
5
5
4
5
Table 3.1 Mitigation benefits of Tribal ordinances, policies, programs and resources (continued)
3.6 Integration of Mitigation Partners
Hazard mitigation is a responsibility shared throughout the Tribe. All BLR government departments are
expected to participate as practical in whole community mitigation activities. Where those activities fall
within the duties or expertise of a department, it is expected that they will accept a lead role or offer
technical guidance. These Tribal sectors and functions were involved in development of this mitigation
plan, and will be partners in its implementation:
• Communications
• Cultural Affairs
• Economic Development
• Education
• Emergency Services
• Energy
3-24
Planning Area Description
• Environmental Programs
• Finance
• Fire
• Gaming Commission
• Grants & Contracts
• Health & Social Services
• Housing
• Information Technology
• Nutrition
• Police
• Public Works
• Transportation
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Emergency management is handled by the BLR Office of Emergency Services. Collaboration with
the Humboldt County Operational Area, TEMC, iTEMA, and all local tribes supports integrated
efforts before, during, and after an emergency or disaster.
Economic development is handled by the Tribe’s own department and as a function of the Northern
California Tribal Chairperson’s Association, currently applying for a Section 17 status for joint
economic projects in the future.
Land use development oversight includes the Tribe’s environmental programs and participation in a
BIA Fee to Trust Consortium to discuss issues and collaborate for success.
Housing is managed within the Tribe for rental housing, home ownership and home loans.
Health and social services are provided in active coordination with United Indian Health Services, a
consortium of BLR and other tribes in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. In 2020 and 2021 COVID19 testing and vaccination projects highlighted the close and effective working relationship. Social
services emphasize youth, education, and elders. Plans are under way for construction of new
educational, recreational, and assisted living facilities and a health clinic.
The Tribe’s nutrition program prepares and delivers meals to clients on the Rancheria and in
neighboring communities. The Tribe prepared more than 24,000 meals for delivery to those with
food insecurity during 2020’s COVID-19 pandemic.
Infrastructure includes the Rancheria’s roads, electric microgrid, water and wastewater systems. The
Tribe’s transportation group manages the roads. The electric utility is managed by the Tribe’s own
energy unit, working with the US Department of Energy and California’s Energy Commission and
Public Utilities Commission. Water and wastewater are managed under an MOU with the City of
Blue Lake. A project is under way to increase BLR’s potable water independence and resilience.
Natural and cultural resources are managed by the Tribe’s own environmental programs and Tribal
Historic Preservation Officer, a member of the National Association for THPOs, the Society for
California Archaeology, the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and the California
Indian Environmental Alliance.
BLR has a longstanding, cordial, and effective emergency management relationship with tribes,
jurisdictions, and organizations throughout Northern California and beyond. Tribal resources routinely
shared with mitigation partners include the Resilience Training and Innovation Center, training and
exercise venues, and staff. In 2019 BLR hosted 28 mitigation and emergency management courses from
14 different federal, state, and academic programs, welcoming 710 students for 15, 594 student hours.
Those students came from agencies scattered across the Pacific.
As demonstrated in Table 2.2 on pages 2-4 and 2-5, integration with neighboring tribes, jurisdictions
and organizations is embraced by BLR. For mitigation purposes, collaboration will typically include
invitations to:
• California Department of Transportation
• California Forestry and Fire Protection
• California Highway Patrol
• California Office of Emergency Services
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
• FEMA Tribal Liaisons
• Humboldt County Airports
• Humboldt County Environmental Health
• Humboldt County Health & Human Services
Planning Area Description
3- 25
• Humboldt County Sheriff and OES
• Humboldt State University
• All nine neighboring tribes
• National Weather Service, Eureka
• Neighboring cities and special districts
• Regional Hazmat Response Team
• U.S. Coast Guard
Other agencies, organizations and individuals have offered their expertise and services in support of
BLR’s mitigation efforts. These will be called upon when the subject matter, potential hazard
impacts or interests are involved.
3.7 Hazards History
The Blue Lake Rancheria is located at the base of California’s North Coastal Ranges. This area
experiences a high rate of erosion and recurring flood events due to high annual precipitation,
ranging between 40 and 80 inches, and frequent heavy rain and snow in the upper portions of the
watershed. The Rancheria is located on the low fluvial floodplain terrace approximately 1,000 feet
east of a bend of the Mad River. The property is relatively flat with very little sloping and ranges
from 68 feet to 75 feet in elevation. Blue Lake Rancheria lies within the hazard area of several major
earthquake faults that are active on a weekly basis and capable of producing catastrophic seismic
events.
The Mad River Wiyot, also known as the Baduwa’t, have lived in active floodplains within one of
the State’s most seismically active watersheds for many thousands of years and have naturally been
engaged in some form of natural hazard mitigation planning. The ancestral Wiyot may simply have
thought of risk assessment and hazard planning as exercising “common sense” while modern day
Wiyot operate within a much more complex regulatory environment. In either the ancestral or
modern case, the primary goal of natural hazard mitigation planning has probably not changed
substantially: to reduce or eliminate the loss of life and resource damage resulting from natural
disasters.
Due to its geology, geography, topography, climate, and land use, Blue Lake Rancheria is susceptible
to multiple natural disasters, such as frequent flooding, earthquakes, severe storms, and, to a lesser
extent, wildfire, freezing, and landslides. Human-caused and technological hazards include dam
failure with subsequent inundation, sustained utility disruptions, hazardous materials releases, and
criminal/terrorist acts.
A detailed assessment of the risks posed by natural, technological, and human-caused disasters is the
subject of this Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Tribal Business Council of the Blue Lake
Rancheria has determined that developing a Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan is an essential undertaking
to better safeguard the people, business enterprises, and natural resources of the Blue Lake
Rancheria.
3-26
Planning Area Description
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
4.0 – HAZARD IDENTIFICATION & RISK ASSESSMENT
201.7(c)(2): [The plan shall include a risk assessment that provides the factual basis for activities
proposed in the strategy to reduce losses from identified hazards. Tribal risk assessments must
provide sufficient information to enable the Indian Tribal government to identify and prioritize
appropriate mitigation actions to reduce losses from identified hazards.
4.1 Hazard Identification
Requirement 201.7(c)(2)(i): The risk assessment shall include a description of the type … of all
natural hazards that can affect the tribal planning area.
Because the Rancheria is vulnerable to natural and human-caused hazards, and combined or
cascading emergencies involving both, the Tribe opted to include both in this plan. Technological
hazards are included within the human-caused category, as the threats, vulnerabilities, impacts, and
mitigation measures share much in common. Criminal and terrorism hazards are combined, as the
differences are often limited to perpetrators’ motivation, with little appreciable difference in
vulnerability or mitigation.
Because the climate crisis is increasingly understood to contribute to the nature, magnitude, and
effects of many local, regional, national, and global hazards, this section leads off with a discussion
of that factor.
Table 4.X lists potential impacts and response complications for the hazards identified by the
mitigation planning process, listed in order of their overall scores (severity + probability).
1.
Hazard
Potential Impact on Response and Recovery Operations
Earthquake
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
2.
Wildfire
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
High incidence of blunt and penetrating trauma and secondary medical emergencies
Structural and non-structural damage to fixed facilities including government, emergency
services, healthcare, schools and residences
May require evacuation of entire facilities
Impaired ground transportation
Disruption of utilities
Risk of fire, landslide, dam failure
Displaced populations may be reluctant to accept shelter indoors
Threatened, damaged, or destroyed fixed facilities including schools, healthcare services
and emergency services
May require evacuation of entire communities and/or schools, medical facilities and key
public facilities
Impaired land transportation
Air quality can cause health problems for vulnerable populations well outside of the area
threatened by the fire itself
Fire suppression needs may limit personnel availability for emergency medical response
Hazardous conditions for field responders
May be sustained for several weeks or until significant rainstorms occur
Table 4.1 Hazards and their impacts on response and recovery operations
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
4-1
Hazard
3.
4.
Potential Impact on Response and Recovery Operations
Public health
event/infectious
disease
outbreak
(Including
bioterrorism)
Severe storm
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Physical damage or destruction to key facilities including schools, healthcare,
communications, and emergency services sites
Disruption of emergency communications
Damage or destruction of numerous homes, business and other structures, with potential
for injury and death
Disruption of utilities, potentially lasting several days
Impaired and hazardous land transportation
Grounding of air transportation
Hazardous conditions for field responders
May cause hazardous materials releases and fires
May be sustained for several days
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
May be rapid in onset or development
Impaired land transportation
Closure or diminished functionality of some fixed facilities
Disruption of utilities
May require evacuation of medical facilities
Ongoing hazardous conditions for field responders
May interfere with emergency personnel reporting for duty
May cause hazardous materials releases
May be sustained for several days
•
•
•
May occur with little or no notice
Likely to tax limited personnel and other resources
Rationing of goods and services may be necessary and may generate uncooperative
response from some evacuees
May create competition for resources intended for the local community
•
•
5.
Flood including
dam failure and
seiche
6.
Influx of
evacuees
•
7.
•
•
•
Drought
•
8.
Sustained
power outage
Delayed onset of discovery and signs/symptoms
Initial impact on non-emergency services, such as doctors’ offices and clinics
May deplete staffing of response entities and ability to receive and manage essential
goods and services
Saturation of healthcare facilities may require establishment of ad hoc facilities or many
transfers outside of the jurisdiction and region
Positive identification of the infectious agent may be delayed for several days
Impact in large areas outside of the county may result in delays in notification and action
•
•
•
•
Increased number, intensity, and lethality of wildfires and their hazards
Possible impacts on drinking water supplies
Gradual onset may make it difficult for leadership to initiate an emergency declaration
and response actions
Impacts on agriculture, dependent businesses, and native species of plants, trees, and
animals
May impact power in essential facilities
May disrupt emergency communications
May disrupt street lighting, creating hazardous traffic and working conditions for
responders
May create high demands for service particularly for those with access and functional
needs, both in residences and facilities
Table 4.1 Hazards and their impacts on response and recovery operations (continued)
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Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
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Hazard
Potential Impact on Response and Recovery Operations
Criminal or
terrorist act
•
•
•
•
•
May not be identified as a deliberate act early in the response
Highly complex response involving many agencies and disciplines
May take many forms—arson, explosion, chemical, radiological, biological or a combination
Need for evidence preservation may complicate response
High risk of one or more sequential event targeting responders
10. Hazardous
materials
release (fixed
and in
transportation)
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
May require evacuation of schools, healthcare facilities and large facilities and open areas
May require closure of major transportation routes
Safe access by responders may be severely limited
Behavior of unknown and mixed commodities may be highly unpredictable
Changes in weather may require major changes in the response tactics
High incidence of “worried well” and psychosomatic presentations for care
May be sustained for a day or more
Criminal/terrorist acts may include sequential devices or booby traps to impact response
operations
9.
Mass contamination or exposure may add:
• May require specialized monitoring and/or mass decontamination
• May generate large numbers of casualties, potentially with high acuities and/or delayed onset of
signs and symptoms
• Will require a high level of public information, possibly including technical information on
exposure prevention, decontamination, and lay patient care
• May require transportation and shelter for large populations
Suspected radiological agent involvement may add:
• Likely to cause widespread public fear and very high demand for public information
• May require transportation and shelter for large numbers of impacted and concerned people
• May require specialized monitoring and assessment of the public, response personnel,
equipment, facilities, and other property
• Will generate high media interest
11. Air or water
quality event
•
•
•
•
•
•
Potential impacts to drinking water
Hazardous conditions for field responders
May be sustained for days or weeks
May require specialized response resources likely to be in high demand during a large event
Potential to cover a large area
Even a distant volcanic eruption could result in hazardous air quality from gasses and particulate
fallout
Table 4.1 Hazards and their impacts on response and recovery operations (continued)
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
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4-3
Hazard
Potential Impact on Response and Recovery Operations
12. Aircraft crash
(commercial
or military)
•
•
•
•
•
•
Potential for up to a hundred casualties, possibly including both injuries and fatalities
Uncontrolled presence of fuel and other hazardous materials
High potential for fire
High acuity of injured
Potential to cover a large area, including several impact points
Will generate high media interest
In the case of military aircraft, all of the above PLUS:
• May involve live ordnance, hydrazine and other highly hazardous materials
• May include explosive escape devices, e.g., canopies and ejection seats
• May involve classified equipment and/or cargo; will require cooperation with military and
possible Department of Defense responders
13. Cyber
incident
14. Transportation
emergency or
supply chain
disruption
•
•
•
•
•
Interference with legitimate use of data systems by Tribal government and enterprises
Unauthorized access, denial, and alteration of essential records and other data
Unauthorized withdrawal of funds
Disruption of security, communications, and other essential systems
Malicious harm to the integrity and reputation of Tribal interests
•
•
•
•
•
•
May extend for several miles
Access by emergency responders may be limited or delayed in the core of a large event
May be resource and responder intensive
Presence of many hazardous materials and conditions
May result in high numbers of high acuity trauma patients
Weather conditions may cause or contribute to the emergency, may preclude air
transportation and make ground transportation hazardous
May require evacuation and rescue over significant distances to reach transport vehicles
•
15. Civil
disturbance
16. Land
movement
other than
earthquake
•
•
•
•
•
Potential for escalation and violence must be continuously assessed
May result in restricted traffic movement
May impair access to and function of public facilities
May result in damage to surrounding property and structures
Response personnel may be targeted for violence, including those disciplines not equipped
for such operations
•
•
•
•
•
Impaired land transportation, impact on fixed facilities
Disruption of utilities
Possibility of subsequent land movement
Potentially undetected undermining of roads and structures
Potential isolation of residences, business or communities for sustained periods
Table 4.1 Hazards and their impacts on response and recovery operations (continued)
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Blue Lake
Lake
Blue
Rancheria
Rancheria
Earthquake Fault Zone of Required Investigation
Liquefaction Zone Area
1% Probability Floodplain
High Wildfire Severity (State Responsibility Area)
Moderate Wildfire Severity (State Responsibility Area)
Figure 4.1 - Blue Lake Rancheria Multi Hazard Risk Assessment Scope (Source: CalOES)
4.1.1 Climate Crisis Overview
There is international scientific consensus and growing certainty that climate change is occurring,
and it is now widely considered a climate crisis, placing life, critical infrastructure, ecosystems, and
property at continual and severe risk. The Earth’s atmosphere, lands, and oceans are rapidly
increasing in temperature, and that temperature increase is creating large, accelerated changes to the
environment, which in turn creates critical socio-economic hazards. The primary causes of climate
change, also called global warming, are attributed to greenhouse gases and pollutants such as carbon
dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, water vapor, black carbon particles, sulfur hexafluoride, and other
emissions. The vast majority of these climate-forcing emissions are caused by human activity,
primarily combusting carbon-based fuels for energy and transportation.
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Figure 4.2
Carbon dioxide increases in the atmosphere. Source: Scripps; NOAA
Global climate changes, including rapidly increasing temperatures, are amplifying local hazards,
making known issues more frequent and severe, and creating new, previously unknown impacts at
local, regional, national, and global scales. Further, hazards that have typically been isolated
occurrences are increasingly occurring in complex combined and cascading emergencies.
Local and regional climate crisis vulnerabilities, hazards, and impacts include but are not limited to:
• Extended drought
• Increased wildfire frequency, rate of growth, intensity, destruction, and lethality
• Hazardous air quality events
• Increasingly volatile weather
• Condensed rainfall events
• Recurrent flooding
• Lifeline sector outages (e.g., power, telecommunications, water/sewer systems)
• Supply chain disruptions (e.g., fuels, food)
• Sea level and ground water rise
• Increased disease vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, cyanobacteria)
• Increased threats to pollinators and other species
• “High to catastrophic threats” to security and cybersecurity
• Increased health hazards due to worsening air quality and other impacts
• Economic damages from various combinations of these issues.
As of this 2021 hazard mitigation plan, global and U.S. policy have not addressed the climate crisis
with enough carbon emission reductions to slow the temperature increases. Across the next five-year
timeframe of this plan, and a thirty-year hazard mitigation planning horizon (2020-2050), the Tribe
assumes climate crisis vulnerabilities, impacts, hazards, and threats listed in this plan will increase,
combine, and cascade.
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Global impacts
Over the five year life of the 2015 BLR HMP, the science on the global climate crisis and its local
impacts has improved. Climate impacts are increasing, as demonstrated across all measurements.
Globally the data are demonstrating accelerated warming and impacts. For example:
• in 2019 the oceans reached the highest temperatures ever recorded (NOAA)
• 2010-2019 was the warmest decade ever recorded (NOAA)
• September 2020 was the warmest month ever recorded (NOAA)
• the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets contain a combined ~220 feet of sea level rise (SLR),
and their melt is early and accelerating (NASA)
• Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the atmosphere are highest in human history (>418
ppm), CO2 increases are accelerating (NOAA), and the last time CO2 concentrations were this
high was ~3 million years ago, when sea levels were ~15-75 feet higher than they are today
• wildfires are increasingly the largest and most energetic in history (e.g., Australia, Alaska,
California, and near dangerous sites)
In the past five years, global and local studies of feedback loops have strengthened. For example, as
polar and Greenland ice caps melt, their ability to reflect sunlight reduces. The land and ocean
underneath these ice sheets are much darker and absorb much more heat after they are exposed by
the receding ice. This feedback loop increases temperatures and prevents ice from reforming.
Warming temperatures are accelerating permafrost melt across Arctic regions, which could release
~1,600 gigatons of CO2. By many estimates our remaining global budget for CO2 to avoid
catastrophic damage is less than one quarter of that amount, or ~360 gigatons.
Regional & local impacts
“In August 2020, Death Valley [California] reached 130 degrees Fahrenheit – possibly the
highest temperature ever reliably recorded on Earth.” Just as our understanding of global climate
crisis is improving, so is our understanding of the regional and local vulnerabilities and impacts.
Unfortunately, some of this understanding is due to real world events. In October 2019 the Blue
Lake Rancheria simultaneously managed nearby wildfires, wildfire smoke inundation, power
outages lasting several days, telecommunication outages, hosting evacuees from wildfire and smoke,
serving the region with emergency supplies such as fuel and ice due to regional power outages and
related disruptions of all kinds.
The increased wildfire events in the western US are attributed in part by the climate crisis. Local
experts underscore the heat, dry condition of the fuels and soils, lower humidity, more frequent and
intense wind events, and other conditions that combine with decades of fire suppression and fuel
build-up to create these megafires. As shown in Figure 4, five of the six largest wildfires in
California’s history occurred in 2020, with the largest spanning August – November of 2020 burning
over 1 million acres. Of California’s top 20 largest fires, 17 have happened since 2003.
Local and other experts have documented Humboldt County as experiencing the fastest sea level rise
(SLR) on the Pacific Coast, attributed to combination of sinking land/subsidence, and climate-caused
ocean and ground water level increases. As a result, estimates from the “Humboldt Bay Shoreline
Inventory, Mapping, and Sea Level Rise Vulnerability Assessment” (Laird, 2018) project the local
anchor natural gas power plant owned by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) will be
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inundated by SLR or groundwater intrusion before 2070. Efforts are underway to redesign and/or
relocate critical infrastructure at risk from SLR. Also impacting local SLR is the accelerated melting
of the polar ice caps, including the Thwaites Glacier and the Greenland ice sheet. King tide events
are increasing flooding in local coastal neighborhoods and infrastructure areas.
Because of historic heat waves (also called heat domes or heat storms) impacting the entire western
U.S. simultaneously August-October of 2020, California had to conduct rolling electrical power
outages to ease stress on the larger grid because the usual out-of-state reserves were not available.
There were two power instability ‘once-in-35-year events’ in just two weeks, the most severe
spanning the California grid on September 4-8, 2020 (CAISO briefing to SB 350 Disadvantaged
Communities Advisory Group, 2020). There were several California Independent System Operator
flex alert days in August, September, and October 2020 when the demand for electricity in California
threatened to exceed the supply available. It should be noted that these grid instability events were
not caused by California’s clean energy portfolio, but by the unexpected malfunction of natural gas
plant(s), and due to the heat storm affecting the entire western U.S. at once, resulting in insufficient
out-of-state power to import.
In 2019, Pacific Gas & Electric began initiating planned de-energizations called “public safety power
shutoffs” (PSPS) to mitigate against equipment-caused wildfire starts and effects during high wind
events. The utility projects these to last from two to ten days each, or longer depending on the
damage to the infrastructure during the weather/wildfire event. PG&E estimates PSPS events will be
necessary for the next decade, until ~2030. In September 2020, the grid instability described above
overlapped with a PSPS threat. For planning purposes, the power grid in California must be
considered unreliable when climate-forced wildfire and/or extreme weather events occur.
Total annual precipitation at the Blue Lake Rancheria and across the North Coast region is not
expected to change significantly, but is expected to be delivered in more intense storms and within a
shorter wet season. As a result, the region is expected to experience prolonged dry seasons and
reduced soil moisture conditions, even if annual precipitation remains the same or increases. There is
a higher likelihood of extreme wet years and extreme dry years. An “average” rainfall year will
become less common.
These impacts can also combine, and cascade, such as in August – October, 2020 as the Tribe
simultaneously managed several life-threatening issues: Covid-19 pandemic (social distancing and
other requirements), heat waves, wildfires, hazardous air pollution from wildfire smoke, power
outages, evacuations, and more.
4.1.2 Types and Descriptions of Hazards
The Blue Lake Rancheria is subject to a variety of hazards, both natural and human caused. The
degree to which each hazard affects the Tribe is based on frequency and severity. Descriptions of
the hazards considered by the BLR for this update planning process are provided here, ranked from
most to least severe overall.
Numbers in parentheses show the percentage of points awarded in the planning group’s assessment
of hazards.
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1. Earthquake (100%) Earthquakes in the region can include both lateral and vertical earth
movement, both from crustal and deeper subduction zone events. Local hazards include structural
and non-structural damage, soil liquefaction, disruption of water, wastewater, communications,
surface transportation and other essential systems.
Earthquake
Factor
Total severity
Probability
Fatalities
Injured
Economic
Mental health
Critical facilities
Infrastructure
Environmental
Rank
1
3
1
1
2
3
1
1
7
Blue Lake Rancheria lies less than two miles from the Blue
Lake Thrust Fault, McKinleyville Fault, Trinidad Fault, Falor
Fault, and the primary trace of the Mad River Fault zone. It is
also subject to the influences of major faults further described
here.
Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ) - There is at least a one in
three chance of a large (M8+) earthquake in the next 50 years
originating from the Cascadia Subduction Zone (CSZ), lying
a shallow eight miles beneath the Blue Lake Rancheria.
Recent seismological research indicates earthquakes often
originate off the California-Oregon border, and an event in
modern times is predicted to result in massive casualties and
damage to structures and infrastructure.
The Northern San Andreas Fault - The Northern San Andreas Fault ending off Cape Mendocino lies
44 miles west of BLR, and has been unusually inactive since the large San Francisco earthquake in
1906, when it ruptured all the way from just south of San Francisco to Cape Mendocino. The lack of
expected major earthquake activity along the northern San Andreas Fault System (“seismic gap”)
increases earthquake probability to an unknown extent. It also typically increases the severity of a
future event due to the release of additional accumulated strain.
Recent research indicates that an earthquake on the Cascadia Subduction Zone could trigger an
earthquake on the northern San Andreas Fault. Chris Goldfinger, Director, Active Tectonics and
Seafloor Mapping Laboratory, Oregon State University, noted that research is underway.
"I've been working on the chronology for San Andreas and Cascadia, and some of the events I can't
really tell apart in time," Goldfinger explained. "They seem to have happened at more or less the
same time." (Goldfinger, OPB 2/3/2019). https://www.opb.org/news/article/northwest-cascadia-sanandreas-fault-the-big-one-earthquake/
If verified, this connection would increase the probability of earthquakes along the northern San
along the San Andreas Fault is ongoing.
Mendocino Triple Junction – “The Mendocino Triple Junction marks the collision point of three
major tectonic plates including the Pacific, North American, and Gorda plates which are all moving
at different rates and in different directions. Because of this oblique collision, significant strain builds
up, resulting in one of the most seismically active regions on earth,” (David Jacobson, Temblor
3/28/17).
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Figure 4.3 nearby fault lines
Recent observations indicate increased seismic activity where the northern San Andreas Fault trace
turns westward to become part of the Mendocino Triple Junction. (“Why is the Northern San
Andreas so Quiet when its Mendocino tip so Noisy?” (David Jacobson Temblor 3/28/17). This may
increase the probability of seismic activity within the Triple Junction, which lies within 10 miles of
the BLR.
Inland crustal faults probability – The Blue Lake Rancheria’s proximity to numerous crustal faults
and a deep subduction zone makes earthquakes a fact of life. A 2020 geotechnical exploration report
by KC Engineering stated, “The Blue Lake Rancheria is located in a seismically-active region and
earthquake related ground shaking should be expected during the design life of structures
constructed on the site.”
Earthquakes with a Richter magnitude of 6.0 or higher have occurred three times in the last fifteen
years and larger earthquakes between 6.9 and up to 9.1 Richter magnitude are predicted.
The USGS database shows that there is a 93.38% chance of a major earthquake within 31 miles of
Blue Lake within the next 50 years. The Rancheria has experienced several relatively large
earthquakes in the recent past. Past estimates report that earthquakes causing serious damage to the
Rancheria have occurred every 15-20 years, understandable given the Rancheria’s location in a
relatively complex tectonic environment. Although the earthquakes are generally infrequent, they can
cause substantial damage to the Rancheria and surrounding communities. Most of the earthquakes
listed below were centered at distant faults, so their magnitudes and effects were somewhat
attenuated by the time they reached the Rancheria.
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Nevertheless, the Rancheria is located near other faults that while
they have not thus far caused damage to the BLR, they could have
more damaging effects. Table 4.2 lists the Richter magnitudes of
the significant, recorded earthquakes affecting the Rancheria as
compiled by Woodward–Clyde Consultants (1980), Dengler (1992)
and Scott (2015).
The associated hazard of liquefaction was determined in the KC
Engineering report to be “within acceptable to slightly excessive
tolerances” for the 2021 Tribal Government and Justice Center and
fire station. The riverbed soils and fills on BLR make liquefaction
likely.
Year
1922
1923
1932
1954
1976
1980
1992
1992
2005
2010
2014
Richter
Magnitude
7.3
7.2
6.4
6.5
6.3
7.2
7.1
6.2
7.2
6.5
6.9
The unpredictability and severity of area earthquakes can cause
severe damage to community assets that are less susceptible to
Table 4.2 Recorded earthquakes
with local effects
damage from other, more frequent hazard events. Earthquake early
warning is being implemented throughout California, currently
offering warning times of a few seconds to a few minutes for the Blue Lake area.
In a field of 21 hazards, earthquake was deemed the top hazard overall by the 2020 planning group,
and ranked in the top three for six out of seven Effects categories.
Due to high ground water, the potential for liquefaction effects in soils during an earthquake is high.
Closures of State Route 299 and US 101 due to landslide, subsidence, and other earth movement
(Figure 11), have disrupted ground transportation to, from, and within Humboldt County many times
in the past. Disruptions of these critical routes are likely to impede delivery of disaster services and
supplies and to restrict or prevent evacuation of casualties or evacuees.
2. Wildfire (87%) Wildfires of any cause generally pose the highest risk to dry areas near highvalue developments. However, wooden structures and other fuel sources can exacerbate the effects
of wildfires. Wildfires can be ignited by natural or human-caused ignition sources, and their effects
can be compounded by both natural and artificial factors.
Wildfire
The 2017 and 2018 fire seasons in California were successively the
Factor
Rank
worst fire seasons in state history, with 2018 being the deadliest
Total severity
2
and most destructive on record. The Humboldt County
Probability
6
Community Wildfire Protection Plan (2017) predicts “an
Fatalities
4
approximately 40% increase in probability of fire across the region
Injured
2
by end-century.
Economic
3
Mental health
2
The Rancheria is surrounded on all but one side by wildlands or
Critical facilities
3
former agricultural lands consisting of infrequently maintained
Infrastructure
3
grasslands and heavily wooded riparian corridors, beyond which
Environmental
1
are heavily forested slopes. To the north and east the Rancheria is
bounded by roads from which ignition sources could ignite wildfires. A 2003 wildland fire
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encroached to the Rancheria’s boundary. The causes of the fires were inconclusive, but likely human
caused. Although these fires burned tens of acres and threatened built infrastructure, no structures
were damaged.
Figure 4.4 Wildfire starts 2015-2020 J. Renner, CalFire
Much of the residential construction on the Rancheria is highly vulnerable to fire. Wood frame
construction and mobile homes are prevalent, and in many instances, closely spaced. Although 100%
are equipped with smoke and CO2 detectors, and inspected annually by the Tribe, none have fire
sprinklers. The Rancheria’s proximity to wildlands makes this hazard substantial. Detectors are
expected to significantly reduce deaths and injuries, however losses of homes and contents could be
high to extreme.
Indirect effects of large wildfires include air quality impacts which can affect vast areas for many
weeks at a time. 2008 and 2020 stand out as recent examples. The dangers of heavy and prolonged
wildfire smoke in ground-level air include significant human health effects, poor visibility, and
mental health stresses.
Wildfires and post-fire landslides and mudslides in burn scar areas near the SR 299 corridor may
disrupt traffic from the State’s interior, including supply chain transportation and visitors on which
the Rancheria’s enterprises rely. These disruptions may range in severity from brief delays to full
closures and may last many days or weeks.
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An emerging effect in the past few years has been large influxes of evacuees and others seeking
essential services where they are unavailable elsewhere due to planned or unplanned power outages.
Figure 4.5 - Wildfire Hazard Risk Assessment Map
According to November 2020 CalFire data:
• 15 of California’s 20 most destructive wildfires occurred between 2015 and 2020
• 10 of them occurred in Northern counties. Of those ten disasters:
Acres destroyed:
2,162,169
Structures destroyed:
35,736
Deaths:
138
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Figure 4.6 Top 20 largest wildfires in California through 2020. Source: CalFire
Since 2008, nearby and distant wildfires have caused air quality alerts to be issued when offshore
winds have driven heavy smoke to the Pacific Ocean from the interior.
3. Public Health/Infectious Disease Outbreak (86%) Although definitions vary among agencies
and sources, epidemic is considered to be the occurrence of a disease within a specific geographical
area or population in excess of what is normally expected.
Public Health/
Pandemic is considered an epidemic occurring on a scale which
Infectious Disease
crosses international boundaries. Outbreak is not firmly defined,
Factor
Rank
but similar to an epidemic, however more limited in scale.
Total severity
3
Probability
1
An outbreak of almost any magnitude may impact any
Fatalities
1
community. A single local case of a virulent disease like Ebola
Injured
1
may cause issues because of its lethality, communicability, and
Economic
1
intensive response resource requirements. The 2015 plan included
Mental health
1
pandemic as a hazard; this update broadens the category because a
Critical facilities
9
lower level of outbreak can have severe impacts on the Blue Lake
Infrastructure
15
Rancheria community.
Environmental
15
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It is noteworthy that Pandemic ranked #13 in the 2015 version of this plan. The elevation to #3 in
2020 is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, which had severe personal, public health, economic,
and operational impacts on the people and functions of the Rancheria.
Recent US outbreaks of Ebola and Zika, and relatively severe seasonal Influenza waves make clear
that a variety of pathogens and conditions must be anticipated.
The 2020 Novel Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic reached every US state and every
California County. At the time of this plan, cases, disabilities, and fatalities continued to mount in
Humboldt County and elsewhere.
Public health considerations may include:
• Illness prevention and infection control
• Disease surveillance, including testing, contact tracing, and other measures
• Monitoring of air, water, and other environmental sources, sanitation and food quality
• Establishment, management, or oversight of mass care shelters, healthcare locations, points of
dispensing, and others
In response to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic the Blue Lake Rancheria closed its casino, restaurants,
and hotel in four different waves for a total of 194 days:
• 3/18/20 to 5/18/20
206 employees laid off for an average of 61 days
• 6/7/20 to 7/6/20
150 employees laid off for an average of 29 days
• 7/18/20 to 8/28/20
109 employees laid off for an average of 41 days
• 11/27/20 to 1/17/21
126 employees laid off for an average of 51 days
Data on the health impacts on all residents are unavailable, however these figures apply to casino and
hotel staff:
• Known positive cases: 11
• Persons quarantined:
98
Economic loss to the Rancheria community was calculated for one 3-month period, revealing:
• $11.4 million in lost revenue
• $1.7 million in lost productivity
• $100,000 in estimated resumption cost
• Cost of implementing infection control measures totaled at $281,392
BLR’s COVID-19 response activities included:
• Entered into an MOU with the County of Humboldt OES at the beginning of the pandemic to
provide frozen, microwaveable meals that are produced on site for individuals quarantined in
hotel rooms throughout Humboldt County. Over 24,000 meals were produced for this cause.
•
Established a Homework Club for school aged children of BLR employees wanting to return to
work but lacking childcare. Sessions were monitored by adult student interns extensively
background checked and fingerprinted. This service was instituted due to schools remaining
closed due to COVID-19. Costs for this service were absorbed by the tribe and no fees were
charged.
Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021
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•
•
BLR partnered with Farmer Frog and the National Tribal Emergency Management Association
to provide local individuals (including non-English speakers), agencies, tribes and schools with
5,467 21-pound USDA food boxes (114,807 pounds). Most were picked up, but 10,000 pounds
was delivered by BLR emergency personnel to a neighboring tribal community that had just
endured housing stock losses from a wildfire.
BLR established a COVID-19 testing site early in the pandemic by partnering with tribal
organizations. An average of 1,100 tests per week were conducted beginning in April of 2020
and are ongoing. Tests are accessible to not only tribal peoples but non-tribal peoples as well.
These services are conducted free of charge.
Although vaccination was made available by the end of 2020, COVID-19 is expected to remain a
significant threat for the five year life of this plan, with direct and indirect effects. Unknown numbers
of residents, employees, and guests will be unable or unwilling to be vaccinated. The practical
efficacy and duration of protection provided by early vaccines will take time to determine, and public
concern may impact public health and enterprise operations.
The large volume of tourists and recreational visitors makes employees of BLR enterprises and their
close contacts susceptible to other infectious disease threats including seasonal influenza and other
pathogens.
Animal health is included under this hazard because the risk and potential impacts are considered
quite low. Two conditions are worth consideration:
• Zoonotic diseases, that is, diseases transmissible directly between animals and humans are a
consideration. Care must be taken
This text is long and has been trimmed here. Open the source document for the complete record.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.