# Blue Lake Rancheria, California (2021) > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ablue_lake%3Acbe0512484ee5247 ## Record - **Collection:** Tribal code - **Document type:** Tribal code ## Text 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: • • • 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 Page iii 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 • • Page iv 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 • • • • • • • • 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 Page v 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 Page vi 4-48 4-49 4-51 4-53 4-54 4-54 4-55 4-56 4-57 4-57 4-58 4-58 4-59 4-59 4-59 4-60 4-63 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 Page vii 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 Page ix 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 1- 1 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 1- 2 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 1- 3 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. 1- 4 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: • • • • • • • • • • • • • 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 1- 5 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. 1- 6 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 1- 7 1.2.1 Tribal Resolution 1- 8 Introduction Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Introduction 1- 9 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 1- 10 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 1- 11 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 1- 12 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. Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 1 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 2-2 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. Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 3 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 2-4 Planning Process Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 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 Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 5 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. 2-6 Planning Process Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 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) Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 7 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. 2-8 Planning Process 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 Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 9 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 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; Planning Process 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 Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 11 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. 2-12 Planning Process Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 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. Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal Hazard Mitigation Plan April 2021 Planning Process 2- 13 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 e [Text truncated at 120,000 characters. The full text is on the page linked above.] --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Ablue_lake%3Acbe0512484ee5247. Public record. Not legal advice.