MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN (2014)

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HOOPA VALLEY TRIBE

MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Approved by FEMA

May 28, 2014

Approved by FEMA on May 28, 2014

HOOPA VALLEY TRIBE

MULTI-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Prepared By

The Hoopa Tribal Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) serving as the

Mitigation Planning Team (MPT)

Comprised of Divisions of the Hoopa Tribe and the Community of Hoopa

On Behalf of the Citizens of the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation

Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Program Director

Rod Mendes, Director - Hoopa Office of Emergency Services

2011 Update Editors

Rod Mendes, Dr. Bryan Preppernau & Norma McAdams

Hoopa Valley Tribe Local Emergency Planning Committee

Rod Mendes, Hoopa Office of Emergency Services

Dr. Bryan Preppernau, Pacific Rim Sciences

Barbara Ferris, Hoopa Public Utilities District

Curtis Miller, Hoopa Tribal EPA

Warren Tamerius, Hoopa Tribal Roads

Jimmy Campbell, Hoopa Forestry Department

Joseph Orozco, KIDE FM Radio Manager

Norma McAdams, Hoopa Grants Specialist

Bob Kane, Chief, Hoopa Tribal Police

Dr. Mihail Soare, K`ima:w Medical Center

Maria Marshall, R.N., K`ima:w

Shelly Lever, R.N. P.H.N., K`ima:w Medical Center

Silis-chi-tawn Jackson – Museum Curator

Beverly Stevens, KTJUSD

Rhoby Cook, KTRCD

Original 2006 Plan Author

Pliny McCovey Jr. – TEPA, Water Quality Coordinator/Environmental Planner II

Original 2006 Plan Contributors

Jacque Hostler – Hoopa Roads & Aggregate Director,

Ted Oldenburg - Hoopa Tribal Forestry Geologist,

Mike DeBlasi - Hoopa Tribal Fisheries Hydrologist,

Dick Kersh – Hoopa Wildland Fire

Tonya Hescock – HVPUD Planner,

Curtis Miller – Hoopa TEPA Air Quality Coordinator,

Silis-chi-tawn Jackson – Museum Curator

Warren Tamerius – Hoopa Roads & Aggregate Administrative Assistant

Mike Hostler - Hoopa Tribal Planner,

Norma McAdams - Hoopa Tribal Grant Writer,

Robin Stevenson – Hoopa Emergency Services

Barbara Ferris – Director of HVPUD

Willie Hostler – Hoopa Valley Tribal Police, Chief of Police

Beverly Stevens – Klamath Trinity School District

Jimmy Campbell – Hoopa Tribal Forestry GIS Coordinator

Table of Contents

List of Tables .......................................................................................................................5

List of Maps .........................................................................................................................5

2009 Hoopa MHMP Resolution…………………………………………………………. .6

2011 Hoopa MHMP Resolution…………………………………………………………. .9

Hoopa MHMP Letter of Promulgation ..............................................................................11

Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................12

Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need ...........................................................................................16

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 15

Documentation of the Planning Process ....................................................................... 21

Coordination among Agencies ..................................................................................... 25

Program Integration ..................................................................................................... 31

Purpose and Need for the MHMP ................................................................................. 33

Chapter 2 – Description of the Hoopa Valley Tribe Community and Reservation ...........35

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 35

Land Resources ............................................................................................................. 35

Water Resources ........................................................................................................... 41

Air Quality .................................................................................................................... 47

Living Resources .......................................................................................................... 54

Cultural Resources ........................................................................................................ 67

Socioeconomic Conditions………………………………………………………

Attitudes and Expectations ........................................................................................... 71

Community Infrastructure............................................................................................. 71

Resource Use Patterns................................................................................................... 76

Chapter 3 – Natural and Human Caused Hazard Risk Assessment ...................................81

Introduction ................................................................................................................... 81

Hazard Identification and Vulnerability Assessment Methods .................................... 84

Dam Failure and Subsequent Flooding ......................................................................... 90

Drought ......................................................................................................................... 96

Earthquakes ................................................................................................................. 101

Floods .......................................................................................................................... 117

Landslides ................................................................................................................... 126

Severe Storm Events ................................................................................................... 130

Wildland Fires ............................................................................................................. 133

Chapter 4 – Mitigation Strategy.......................................................................................137

Hazard Mitigation Goals and Objectives .................................................................... 137

Tribal Capability Assessment ..................................................................................... 139

Mitigation Measures ................................................................................................... 151

Mitigation Priorities .................................................................................................... 173

Mitigation Funding Sources ........................................................................................ 182

Mitigation Action Plan................................................................................................ 185

Chapter 5 – Local Mitigation Planning and Coordination ...............................................191

Local Mitigation Planning Coordination .................................................................... 191

Local Funding and Technical Assistance ................................................................... 191

Local Plan Integration Process.................................................................................... 192

Local Assistance Prioritization ................................................................................... 193

Chapter 6 – Plan Maintenance Process ............................................................................195

Introduction ................................................................................................................. 195

Responsibility for Plan Maintenance .......................................................................... 195

Monitoring, Evaluating, and Updating the Plan ......................................................... 196

Monitoring Progress of Mitigation Actions ................................................................ 197

Chapter 7 – Hoopa MHMP Summary .............................................................................199

List of Acronyms .............................................................................................................203

References ........................................................................................................................204

List of Tables

Table 1 - Update Current Members of the LEPC and Associated Plan Responsibilities 23

Table 2 – Update Coordinating Agencies, Contacts, and Interests.................................. 25

Table 3 – Update List of LEPC and MHMP Meetings with Dates and Purposes ........... 26

Table 4 – Soil Grades and Acreage (based on 1975 UC Davis Soil Survey) .................. 38

Table 5 – Update Wildland Fire Instances on Hoopa Reservation from 1999 to 2011 ... 51

Table 6 – Update Air Quality Assessment Emergency Operations Plan ......................... 37

Table 7 – Update Threatened and Endangered Species .................................................. 39

Table 8 - Update Traditional Cultural Species Wildlife……………………………… 41

Table 9 - Hazard Risk & Extent Assessment for Hoopa Valley Reservation………….61

Table 10 - Hazard Risk Occurrence Assessment for Hoopa Valley Reservation……….62

Table 11 – Potential Dam Breach Flood Losses ............................................................... 65

Table 12 – Potential Drought Losses ................................................................................ 72

Table 13 – Types of Earthquakes in the Pacific Northwest .............................................. 77

Table 14 – Magnitude 5.0 or Greater Earthquakes, NW California, 1853-1997* ............ 79

Table 15 – Relationship between Moment Magnitude and Modified Mercalli Intensity.82

Table 16 – Modified Mercalli Intensity, PGA Equivalents, and Potential Effects* ......... 83

Table 17 – Vulnerability and Potential Losses to Structures from an Earthquake ........... 85

Table 18 – Trinity River Peak Flow Events from 1919-2004, at USGS Hoopa Gauge ... 86

Table 19 – Flood Stages, Hoopa Valley Reservation ....................................................... 87

Table 20 – Vulnerability and Potential Losses of Structures to a Severe Flood Event .... 91

Table 21 – Vulnerability and Potential Losses of Structures to a Major Flood Event ..... 91

Table 22 – Vulnerability and Potential Losses of Structures to a Minor Flood Event ..... 92

Table 23 – Vulnerability and Potential Losses of Structures to a Monitor Flood Event .. 92

Table 24 – Potential Landslide Losses.............................................................................. 95

Table 25 – Potential Severe Storm Losses ........................................................................ 96

Table 26 – Potential Wildfire Losses ................................................................................ 98

List of Maps

Map Location of the Hoopa Valley Tribe ......................................................................... 37

Map A - Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation Hazard Risk Assessment Areas ................... 59

Map B - Areas of Vulnerability, Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation................................. 63

Map C - Trinity River, Trinity and Lewiston Dam Breach Flow Simulation................... 66

Map D - Dam Breach Flood, Hoopa, CA 2011 Update ................................................... 67

Map D1 - Faults and Evacuation Routes 2011 Update………………………………… 68

Map E - The Cascadia Subduction Zone .......................................................................... 73

Map F - Faults in Humboldt County................................................................................. 74

Map G - Faults in Hoopa Valley ....................................................................................... 75

Map H - Earthquake Occurrence Humboldt County, CA 1853-2003 .............................. 79

Map I - Earthquakes M=>5.5 with in 50 km of the Hoopa Valley Reservation ............... 80

Map J - Peak Ground Acceleration, Humboldt County .................................................... 84

Map K - Flood Stages Hoopa Valley, CA 2011 Update .................................................. 88

Map L - Critical Facilities Map of Hoopa Valley ............................................................. 99

Hoopa MHMP Approval Resolution

Hoopa MHMP Letter of Promulgation

Executive Summary

The purpose of the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan (MHMP) is to

guide current and future efforts effectively and efficiently, to mitigate natural,

technological and human caused hazards on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation

(HVIR). HVIR, in coordination with other agencies and governments as appropriate,

mitigate and respond to hazards that may generate off the Reservation and cross over

Reservation boundaries. The overall goal is to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to life

and property from various hazards.

Natural hazards such as floods, wild land fires, earthquakes, and severe winter storms

pose a significant threat to the natural resources, political integrity, economic stability,

health and well-being of the community members on all levels of the HVIR. The lack of

planning and preparation for those hazards could potentially increase the frequency and

severity of those hazards if left unregulated. The Office of Emergency Services led the

development and the Hoopa Tribal Local Planning Committee (LEPC) effectively served

as the Mitigation Planning Team. Sophi Beym, independent contractor, served as final

editor and assisted with the submission of the final plan.

The Office of Emergency Services will lead the implementation of the MHMP, will

secure funding for future community planning and develop grants to sustain the

mitigation actions within the plan. The Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

was developed as a government and community based organizations to be the Tribal

Emergency Response Committee (TERC) and fulfill the requirements of an LEPC as

well.

The original version of the MHMP was meant to be a living document. Once the original

document was approved and implemented by the Hoopa Valley Tribe, pre October 2008

before 201.7. The original document is in accordance with §201.4 1(c)(6) through Tribal

Resolution #09-233. As such the Hoopa Valley Tribe would ensure accordance with 44

CFR §13.11(c) and 44 CFR §13.11(d) with respects to periods for which it receives grant

In October 2008, Section 201.4 was replaced with 201.7 Tribal Mitigation Plans.

funding through FEMA. Below is the prerequisite 44 CFR §201.4 2(c)(7), providing the

requirements for a Standard State-Level Mitigation Plan:

The Hoopa Valley Tribe will comply with all applicable Federal statutes and regulations:

and in addition, the tribe will amend this Plan to reflect new or revised Federal

regulations or statutes, or changes in Tribal Law, organization, policy, or tribal

government operations. Such amendments will be added to the Plan as they are

developed and deemed applicable.

The Hoopa Valley Tribe has endured many events that have tasked the abilities of tribal

resources to respond to, mitigate, and recover from incidents such as flooding, severe

damage from storms, wildfires, and public health threats. A severe winter storm at the

end of 2005 through the New Year of 2006 caused an estimated $1.5 million dollars in

damage. Flood stage warnings were in effect for several days despite peaking

approximately 3 feet under the flood stage level. In 1999 the tribe found itself immersed

in smoke from wildfires that started off the reservation and burned onto Hoopa, creating a

public health incident from the effects of the long-term exposure to the smoke. Similarly,

the Hoopa Tribe once again found itself inundated and immersed in smoke in 2008 from

wildfires outside the boundary of the reservation. In 2007 and 2008, the Hoopa Tribe

evoked the Hoopa Tribes, Emergency Operation Plan (EOP), and was successful in

setting in place an Incident Management Organization, which dealt with the response,

mitigation, and recovery efforts of the 2007 Severe Storm Event and 2008 Air

Quality/Public Health Threat affecting the health and welfare of the community of

Hoopa. The Hoopa Valley Indian Tribe defines public as the community of Hoopa,

visitors of Hoopa, human beings on Hoopa. With the continued development of the 2011

MHMP Update and long-term infrastructure training and development, the Hoopa Tribe

will systematically identify policies, actions, and tools for maintenance for any type of

emergency or disaster.

In October 2008, 201.4 was replaced with 201.7 Tribal Mitigation Plan.

Chapter 2 describes the existing hazard conditions of the Hoopa Valley Indian

Reservation, as well as the current infrastructure, resources, and use patterns, as well as

attitudes and expectations. The Reservation has faced, and continues to face the threat

from several natural hazards. Among these discussed in the Risk Assessment found in

Chapter 3 are; dam failure, earthquakes, droughts, floods, severe storms, and wildfires.

The Tribe also faces threats from hazards such as chemical spills, arson, and other human

caused disasters. Since we live in a valley surrounded by conifer forests, we are subject to

unique dynamics that control the options we have in dealing with certain hazards. As

such, we have had to extensively research not only historical events, but potential threats

associated with living downstream from an earthen dam. Knowledge about these hazards

is a necessary element to the development of effective hazard mitigation strategies to

limit and/or prevent the loss of life and damage to structures and infrastructure.

Our Mitigation Strategy is the most critical portion of this document, as the Hoopa Tribe

attempts to evaluate every possible scenario that could result from a natural disaster or

potential risks outlined in Chapter 3.

Chapter 4 discusses the pre and post-disaster hazard management policies, programs, and

mitigation capabilities of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, as well as other regional jurisdictions

that provide support services to the Hoopa Valley Tribe during disasters impacting Hoopa

Valley Reservation. This discussion includes an evaluation of Hoopa Valley Tribe laws,

regulations, policies, and programs that are related to hazard mitigation, pre-disaster and

post-disaster laws and policies are addressed along with addressing new development

activities in hazard-prone areas. Funding capabilities for hazard mitigation projects are

also discussed.

Chapter 5 discusses the local and Tribal capability assessments including general

descriptions and analyses of mitigation policies, programs, and capabilities of local

organizations on the Reservation. Finally, the MPT prioritized the mitigation actions

based on precedence and funding to determine an action plan.

The Plan Maintenance Process is outlined in Chapter 6, and describes how the MHMP

will be monitored, evaluated, and maintained as a living document. The newer federal

hazard mitigation planning regulations (44 CFR 201.7) require revision every five years.

The MPT will review the mitigation plan annually. Federal regulations require a plan

maintenance process that includes an established method and schedule for monitoring,

evaluating, and updating the plan; a system for monitoring implementation of mitigation

measures and project closeouts; and a system for reviewing progress on identifying

projects, creating structural and non-structural projects, achieving mitigation goals as

well as specific activities and projects identified in this mitigation plan. Chapter 6

describes this process in detail.

Chapter 1 – Purpose and Need

Introduction

This 2011 update to the 2006 Hoopa Valley Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan

(MHMP) has been prepared in accordance with 44 CFR 201.7 Tribal Mitigation Plans.

This plan is based on the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning Guidance of the Disaster

Mitigation Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-390), published by FEMA in 2004, revised in June

2007, November 2006 and June 2007 and the Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning

Guidance in March 2010. This MHMP documents the coordination of planning efforts,

who was involved, public outreach, what tasks and resources were made available and

descriptions of the Hoopa Tribe’s existing resources and infrastructure, risks and hazard

assessments, and a mitigation strategy to prioritize risks and associated action plans.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the principal federal agency

with jurisdiction over the proposed updated mitigation plan. The Applicant for the

proposed updated plan is the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council (HVTC). The purpose of this

updated MHMP is to satisfy the requirements of FEMA as well as to document the needs

of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in regards to hazard planning preparedness. Beginning in

Federal Fiscal Year 07, all federal preparedness funding became conditioned upon full

compliance with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). Homeland Security

Presidential Directive (HSPD-5) was issued in 2003 and required all federal agencies to

use it in their individual domestic incident management and emergency prevention,

preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation programs and activities. The NIMS was

issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 1, 2004, to provide a

comprehensive and consistent national approach to all-hazard incident management at all

jurisdictional levels and across functional disciplines. In a September 8, 2004, letter to the

nation’s governors, DHS outlined a phased approach to NIMS implementation, with full

compliance required by September 30, 2006.

The goals of the Hoopa MHMP are to:

1. Reduce the threats to public health and safety posed by natural hazards;

2. Reduce infrastructure damages caused by natural hazards;

3. Reduce the environmental impacts of natural hazards, mitigation actions, and

future development activities;

4. Reduce the long-term costs resulting from natural hazards and their mitigation.

5. Mitigate threats of terrorist activities and illegal marijuana grows on Tribal lands

that result in health and safety impacts to humans and the watershed, including

sensitive wildlife and salmon species.

The objectives of the Hoopa MHMP are to:

1. Prevent future development areas of high risk or create ways to minimize risk;

2. Protect or alter existing hazardous areas;

3. Choose most cost effective way to deal with hazards and protect our Tribal

resources, which is in line with existing Tribal ordinances;

4. Develop a Cost Benefit analysis for all hazards and mitigation measures;

5. Redesign existing projects to be in compliance with MHMP;

6. Manage floodplains, rivers, streams, erosion, and slides to minimize impacts to

structures and the community;

7. Improve coordination between the Hoopa Valley Tribe and other local, state, and

Federal jurisdictions;

8. Increase public awareness through education, community meetings, and the media

in preparation for future hazards;

9. Improve warning systems for potential hazards.

10. Obtain support and secure Homeland Security and other federal funding for a

coordinated response from law enforcement to reduce and eradicate illegal

marijuana grows and the associated health, safety and environmental impacts.

In order to effectively respond to all natural hazards the MPT identifies all potential

hazards and areas of concern within the Hoopa Valley by conducting a thorough hazard

identification and risk assessment. To meet the goals and objectives outlined above, the

Hoopa Tribe must be prepared for the worst-case scenario. This includes upgrades to

existing medical facilities, adoption of a comprehensive Incident Command System with

properly trained personnel, comprehensive studies on seismic activity an fault line

locations, adoption of stricter uniform building codes and environmental monitoring,

valley wide warning systems, east and west side response/stockpile centers,

implementation of best management practices under the Forest Management Plan (FMP)

and associated Fuels Management Plan (revised and approved in 2008) for fuels

reduction, evacuation plans, and most importantly public outreach. Without public

outreach, any disaster has the potential to reach pandemonium. Also the Hoopa Tribe

needs to pursue funding either through the State, guaranteed Government-to-Government

agreements, grants, or even introduction of legislation for a Tribal portion of Homeland

Security funds. These funds can be used to bring infrastructure up to code, increase

protection for new development, staff training, public outreach, and critical equipment

necessary to carry out the goals and objectives of the Hoopa Tribal MHMP.

The Office of Emergency Services will serve as the lead tribal agency and conduct bimonthly meetings on the MHMP to discuss current issues and to implement projects and

activities conveying these matters to the HVTC. For the public, the OES will educate the

community on emergency preparedness through various measures, such as, implementing

a Mass Notification Warning Sirens System with educational outreach and disaster

preparedness drills to educate and encourage the community to prepare for disasters by

stocking extra supplies and keeping emergency survival kits, knowing family emergency

contact information and evacuation plans, and generally becoming more aware of all

hazard types. Public input will always be welcome as most people are aware of issues in

the community but, more importantly,

The LEPC, serving as the Mitigation Planning Team (MPT), recommends the

following action plans based on the development of this MHMP:

1. Establish a permanent all hazards emergency planning team evolved from the

LEPC from pertinent agencies and tribal departments; elect a chairperson, and

immediately identify infrastructure needs. This would be an advisory board to the

Chairman and Council, as well as a liaison between emergency services

departments;

2. Pursue permanent funding for building codes, infrastructure upgrades and

planning team efforts;

3. Approve this MHMP as a guiding document and ensure it is in line with existing

Tribal Codes and Ordinances;

4. Coordinate with other Tribal, Local, State and Federal agencies with interoperable

communications, and MOA’s where applicable, planning and emergency funding;

5. Review the existing Emergency Operation Plan and Hazardous Materials Plan and

amend where necessary to align and support the 2011 MHMP Update;

6. Review and amend existing models, maps and GIS coverage to be up to date with

current census and resource information of the Hoopa Tribe;

7. Implement a strong Public Education campaign in order to make the community

aware of potential hazards and how to respond to different situations. Also

8. Provide and maintain a current list of emergency contacts with numbers, cell

phones and e-mail addresses of pertinent employees of the Tribe.

To improve preparation for future hazard events, the HVTC has developed an Emergency

Operations

Plan

(EOP)

for

the

Hoopa

Valley

Tribe

(http://www.hoopansn.

gov/documents/TribalEOP.pdf). In addition, the Hoopa Tribe has developed a Hazardous

Materials Response Plan to guide the response to spills of hazardous materials on and

adjacent to the Reservation. Other documents pertinent to the guidance of this document

are the Hoopa Tribe’s Forest Management Plan (FMP), the Hoopa Tribal Water Quality

Control Plan (WQCP), the Hoopa Tribe’s Land Use Plan and Development Standards

(LUPDS), 1998 Draft Only - Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP), and the

revised and approved 2008 Hoopa Tribe’s Fuels Management Plan (FMP.

This MHMP provides detailed recommendations and an action plan designed to meet

each objective and, ultimately, the goals of the plan. The Hoopa Valley Tribal Council,

the governing body of the Hoopa Valley Tribe, originally passed Resolution No. 09-233

on December 3rd, 2009 and Resolution No.11-47 on November 21, 2011 to formally

adopt this updated plan.

This Hoopa Tribal MHMP is divided into seven Chapters:

•

Chapter 1 is this introduction, planning process and the purpose and need of the

Hoopa Tribal MHMP;

•

Chapter 2 describes the land use, socioeconomic conditions, and physical

characteristics of the Hoopa Indian Reservation;

•

Chapter 3 presents an assessment of hazard risks on the Hoopa Valley Indian

Reservation as well as a potential loss analysis;

•

Chapter 4 presents the Hoopa Tribe’s Mitigation Strategy;

•

Chapter 5 describes local mitigation planning coordination;

•

Chapter 6 describes the Hoopa Tribe’s MHMP maintenance process;

•

Chapter 7 summarizes this report.

The references cited in this plan and the acronyms and abbreviations used in this plan

follow Chapter 7 as well as supporting Appendixes.

Documentation of the Planning Process - §201.7(c)(1)

A Historic Perspective on the original development of the 2006 Multi-Hazard

Mitigation Plan

The core team members were invited to participate in 1- 2 or more planning meetings per

month from May through November 2011. Each meeting was facilitated by OES staff

who led the group planning process in determining Risk Assessment, Mitigation

Strategies, Funding Streams and Plan Maintenance. The beginnings of the MHMP

formed following the December 2005/January 2006 storm event experienced throughout

Northern California. Declaration of a state of emergency was issued by Humboldt

County, the State of California, and finally by the President of the United States for the

regions affected by that severe winter storm.

When the HVTC began assessing damage on the reservation, tribal officials contacted

federal and state agencies to determine what options were available to assist the Tribe

with disaster repairs. FEMA helped the Tribe start the process for site damage

evaluations and began educating tribal staff on the requirements for receiving FEMA

assistance. Most of the FEMA eligibility requirements for permanent assistance could be

met with existing tribal records and resources. However, the hazard mitigation plan

proved to be the one time-limiting factor because it would have to be constructed from a

variety of sources and made into a single cohesive plan. The Tribe’s staff, having

experience in developing broad policies to deal with a wide range of contingencies, began

drafting the MHMP with FEMA’s guidance and technical assistance beginning in

February 2006.

Preparation of the Original MHMP

The Tribe, with more than forty department managers, began assessing storm damage as

soon as January 3, 2006. In addition to documenting storm related damages, the

discussion encompassed the nature of the damages, the types of preventative measures

that could have been taken to prevent those same types of damage in the future, and the

process for recovery. On February 2, 2006, the hazard mitigation process began with a

conference call between the Tribe, department managers, FEMA, and the California’s

Office of Emergency Services (OES) because this was the first emergency the Tribe has

expedited since passing of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. In addition to emergency

response and initial repairs, the Tribe is also required to begin a formalized mitigation

planning processes in order to be eligible for post disaster funding and repairs. While site

visits were being scheduled and damage assessments were being compiled, the Tribe sent

representatives to a FEMA applicants briefing in Eureka, CA on February 14, 2006 for

affected Humboldt and Del Norte entities. California OES and FEMA representatives

explained the recovery process and encouraged participation in all available recovery

programs. Indian tribes, as direct grantees, must submit an individual request for

assistance, which includes a FEMA-Tribal agreement and a mitigation plan.

On February 24, 2006, a hazard mitigation group was designated from the Tribe’s

emergency responders and essential services. The hazard mitigation group officially

formed under the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and set about gathering

examples of successful mitigation plans from other tribes and cities for use in developing

the Hoopa Tribe’s plan. The Tribe held its annual General Meeting of the tribal

membership on March 4, 2006, and the Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and

MHMP were topics for presentation and discussion. The LEPC incorporated comments

from the General Meeting into their planning process. In addition, previous occurrences

of certain types of hazards and disasters began to be verified and documented. The group

also began to chart the assets available to the Tribe in the event of a disaster through the

Office of Tribal Insurance. As the necessary information coalesced into usable

documents, each member of the group was delegated sections of the MHMP based on

technical expertise and logistical placement by department. The Tribe participated in

multi-agency collaboration at the Humboldt County OES on April 13, 2006, which

included US Bureau of Reclamation (USBOR), Central Valley Project (CVP), and

National Weather Service (NWS). The LEPC met with representatives from the KlamathTrinity Joint Unified School District (KTJUSD) and Hoopa’s downtown business

community. The group also met with cultural leaders on May 2, 2006.

Formation of the original Mitigation Planning Team (MPT) from the Local

Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC)

The MPT/LEPC members remain current with the exception of adding a few new

members to replace others who are no longer work for the Hoopa Valley Tribe or who

not directly involved with mitigation planning for their tribal department. Originally, the

core team of the MPT/LEPC solidified once responsibilities were assigned. The core

team met multiple times per month since March 2006 to gather the data necessary to

construct a hazard mitigation plan. The current LEPC member roster is shown in Table 1.

Table 1 - Current Members of the MPT/LEPC and Associated Plan Tasks

LEPC Member

Rod Mendes, Hoopa Office of Emergency

Services

Dr. Bryan Preppernau, Pacific Rim

Sciences

Barbara Ferris, Hoopa Public Utilities

District

Curtis Miller, Hoopa Tribal EPA

Gary Risling, Hoopa Fire Management

Officer, Hoopa Fire Department

Warren Tamerius, Hoopa Tribal Roads

Mary Lou Marshall, R.N.

Jimmy Campbell, Hoopa Forestry

Norma McAdams, Hoopa Grants

Specialist

Bob Kane, Chief, Hoopa Tribal Police

Dr. Mihail Soare, Kimaw Medical Center

Shelly Lev-er, P.H. N.

Beverly Stevens, KTJUSD

Plan Development

Lead Coordinator, Planning and

Emergency Services Collaboration

Technical Services, Review, Edits

Water Resources and Plan Maintenance,

Meeting Facilitation

Air Quality and Biological Opinion, Plan

Review & Edits

Wildland Fire and ICS protocols, Plan

Review, Comments & Edits

Transportation Planner, Mapping

Elder Liaison, Interviews

Map Designer, GIS Technician,

Geospatial Analysis

Research, Editor, Meeting Coordinator

Law Enforcement, Plan Reviews,

Comments and Edits

Emergency Medical Services, Plan

Reviews, Comments and Edits

Pandemic Liaison, Plan Reviews,

Comments and Edits

Klamath Trinity School District Liaison,

Plan Reviews, Comments and Edits

2007 and 2008 Updated MPT/LEPC - Emergency Operations Plan Incidents

The MPT/LEPC participated in (2) two Emergency Operations Center activations for

Storms in 2007 and 2008.

Hoopa Tribal Departments and community infrastructure continue to participate in HVT

MHMP goals, objectives and activities in actual all hazard incident disaster response and

threats in our local community and regional events. Hoopa department managers, other

than those listed as part of the core team, participated in the ongoing meetings, as their

respective expertise was needed. Those departments not called upon for their specific

expertise participated in the manager meetings called by the Tribal Chairman to discuss

mitigation planning progress. In addition, outside agencies (such as the KTJUSD) were

directly contacted to participate, including the Klamath Trinity Rural Community district

(KTRCD) to explore food sustainability. Efforts to reach the downtown business

community involved walking door to door. The core team made use of telephone, fax,

and email to reach interested parties. In addition, use of local media, KIDE 93.1FM radio

station and the Two Rivers Tribune Newspaper, helped spread information about the

ongoing mitigation planning efforts to the Hoopa community.

Coordination among Agencies - §201.4 3(b)

How Federal, State, and Tribal Agencies Participated

In early 2006, each tribal department was directed to make contact with all governmental

entities relevant to emergency preparedness, disaster planning, and recovery services.

Most tribal departments already have a gather data/generate report relationship with

outside funding agencies so outside participation frequently came through tribal

department channels. The Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (HVPUD) and K’ima:w

Medical Center (KMC) are both operated by the Tribe, and the Hoopa Volunteer Fire

Department act under the auspices of the Tribe.

In October 2008, 201.4 was replaced with 201.7 Tribal Mitigation Plan.

Table 2 – Coordinating Agencies, Contacts, and Interests

Agency

Tribal Contact

Area of Interest

Federal Emergency

Management Agency (FEMA)

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)

Federal Highways Admin.

County of Humboldt

Indian Health Services

Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA)

California Department of

Transportation

California Geological Survey

National Oceanic and

Atmospheric Agency / National

Weather Service (NOAA/

NWS)

State Dept. of Water Resources

United States Postal Service

American Red Cross

Humboldt County Public Health

California Emergency

Management Agency

CalFire

Humboldt County Sheriff

California Highway Patrol

OES

Disaster Assistance

OES, Forestry, Fire, Police

Tribal roads

OES, Tribal Police, Roads

K’ima:w Medical, OES

Tribal EPA, PUD, OES

Roads, IRR system

IRR System

Emergency Services, Roads

Health Care

Water Quality

Roads, OES, Tribal Police

Highway 96

Tribal Forestry, OES

OES, Tribal Fisheries, Forestry

Geology

Fisheries/ Water

OES, TEPA, Fisheries, Forestry

OES

OES, Kimaw Medical

OES

Water, Flooding,

Mail Delivery

Disaster Assistance

Public Health

Disaster Assistance

OES, Fire Dept, Police

OES, Tribal Police

Fire Operations, Mutual Aid

Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement, Traffic

Assistance

OES

Evacuation and Shelter

Assistance

Shelter Assistance

OES, TCCC

OES

Disaster Assistance, Personnel

Food Sustainability

Other Interested Groups

Klamath Trinity Joint School

District

Volunteer Organization Active

in a Disaster (VOAD)

California Conservation Corps

Klamath Trinity Rural

Community District

How Other Interested Parties Participated

The Tribal Council directed all tribal departments to make disaster information available

in each of the respective offices. Many departments distributed and received damage

reports from a wide range of community members. Besides the overarching mandate to

all departments to assist with disaster and relief efforts, the LEPC held meetings open to

the public multiple times per month. In addition, meetings were scheduled to target other

interested parties in order to solicit their input for the hazard mitigation plan. See Table 3.

Table 3 – List of MPT/LEPC and MHMP Meetings with Dates and Purposes

11/07

Local Emergency Planning Meeting

2/2009

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/ LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Training

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

OES/ MPT/LEPC

2/2009

MPT/LEPC

Community Preparedness Training

2/2009

MPT/LEPC

IHS Training in Arcata CA.

3/2009

OES/ MPT / LEPC

Regional Collaboration Training

4/2009

OES/ MPT/ LEPC

PIO/ JIC Training

6/2009

Local Emergency Planning Meeting

11/2009

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meeting

MPT/LEPC

5/2011

MPT/LEPC

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

6/2011

MPT/LEPC

Meetings

MPT/LEPC

Meetings

MPT/LEPC

Meetings

MPT/LEPC

Meetings

MPT/LEPC

Meetings

MPT/LEPC

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

MPT/LEPC

Meetings

MPT/LEPC

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

1/2008

3/2008

5/2008

7/2008

9/2008

11/2008

1/2009

2/2009

7/2009

7/2011

8/2011

9/2011

10/2011

11/2011

Local Emergency Planning Meeting

American Red Cross

Local Emergency Planning Meeting

Council Working Session

Local Emergency Planning Meeting

Public Hearing and comments on MHMP

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Community Outreach and Preparedness Surveys

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Public Hearing Comments - Community Outreach

Local Emergency Planning Committee Meeting

Meetings

11/2011

MPT/LEPC

HVT Council Meeting Approval 2011 MHMP Update

Resolution

2011 MHMP Update

Participation by OEM-MPT/LEPC Members was represented over a (7) seven month

period from May through November 2011, by HVT Managers and Directors. The Hoopa

Tribal Forestry Department performed Geographic Information Systems (GIS) mapping

edits and update edits, including specific sections from other contributors in the Living

Resources Section. The Hoopa Fire Management Department contributed various update

edits, including the 2010 – 2011 Wildland Fire Analysis in Table 5. The Cultural Section

participated in the update with comments from members of the Hoopa Cultural

Committee. The Museum Curator updated this section by referencing locations of dance

sites that are intrinsic to our beliefs and are of extreme importance in connecting to our

ancestors/descendants and connecting the spiritual to ourselves. One or more of these

cultural sites are particularly vulnerable to erosion and must be protected and maintained.

Some Hoopa Tribal Departments had no changes, such as Hoopa Tribal Fisheries

Department, Hoopa Tribal Police Department, Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department, Hoopa

Tribal Environmental Protection Agency Geologist stated since the research and writing

of the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) section of the Hoopa Valley

Tribe’s Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan five (5) years ago in 2006, no new significant

information regarding the natural hazards covered in that section has been produced

which would warrant a rewrite of the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment section.

A Community Disaster Preparedness Survey was distributed in August – October 2011 at

various community events and meetings, for the purposes of the community prioritizing

the greatest threat to least threat for all hazards preparedness and evaluating individual

and family disaster readiness. The Hoopa Community Emergency Preparedness Survey

provided a snap shot of our tribal community’s disaster preparedness knowledge and

readiness. There were 51 participants with, 32 females and 19 males who prioritized the

hazards to include:

•

#1 Wildfires – Highly Likely

•

#2 Dam Failure/Land Slides tied – Highly Likely

•

#3 Floods – Highly Likely

Approximately 50% of the survey participants were prepared for a disaster with resources

for survival and owned battery powered or solar radios for communication broadcasts.

Over 90% responded that they would be trained to help their neighbors and would

participate in a Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Over 90% of those

responding offered advice for mitigation projects that would make the community safer.

Meeting with Community Businesses

Due to a variety of personal and professional obligations, many of the Hoopa business

owners were unable to attend either of the two scheduled FEMA mitigation emergency

planning team meetings. So instead, members of the MPT/LEPC conducted door-to-door

visits with the businesses, distributing a brief survey at each site. They also took the

opportunity to discuss disaster preparedness with some of the local business owners and

their key staff. From the surveys and visit responses, the following summarized

documented information added to the MHMP.

•

Businesses in the Hoopa area both rent and own in roughly equal numbers. The

highest reported value of a business-owned building is $200,000, with some not

reporting a number. No one addressed the value of the property, but presumably

the building value includes the contents as well. The highest reported approximate

content value was $100,000 and the lowest reported was $8,000.

•

Each of the businesses believed that it is important to plan for emergencies. One

business indicated that it was present for the 1955 or 1964 floods. When asked

whether they were prepared for a flood or other disaster, two businesses answered

in the affirmative, but one identified transportation as being limited. One

responded “somewhat,” indicating a level of uncertainty. Two of the businesses

indicated that they had emergency plans and that their employees are aware of the

plan. One business did not have an emergency plan and did not have any

employees.

•

All of the businesses expressed an interest in meeting to discuss disaster planning,

but also indicated the schedule of the meeting would affect the ability to attend.

•

One business commented that a main concern should be alternative evacuation

and transportation routes out of the Hoopa Valley, especially in light of the

current conditions of our highways and roads.

The following businesses were contacted initially by telephone call and later received the

survey: Tent-man Sales, Burger Barn, Coast Central Credit Union, Laura’s Kitchen,

Thunderbird Intertribal, and Office FX.

Meeting with Community Elders

In August 2011 OES staff performed community outreach and education at the Hoopa

Valley Tribe’s 23rd Annual Sovereign’s Day Event using a Hoopa Community

Emergency Preparedness Survey targeting tribal elders and families. Distribution of

Household Disaster Preparedness Surveys, and the following handouts; Six Ways to Plan

Ahead for an Earthquake Event During Earthquake – Remember To STOP – COVER &

HOLD ON, What to Do During an Earthquake, and Disaster Preparedness For Seniors by

Seniors (American Red Cross/HSMI), Preparing Makes Sense for Older Americans –

Brochure targeting tribal elders made the event a success. Outreach and emergency

preparedness education was shared with tribal elders at the Senior Nutrition Center and at

various other community meetings from August – October 2011.

A meeting with Tribal Elders took place on May 26th, 2006 at the Senior Nutrition

Center in order to ascertain as much historical information as possible from these

valuable resources. Other informal interviews occurred between April and June usually in

passing, as sometimes the best place to visit an elder would be in a public place such as

the post office or grocery store. Interviews took place as well as questionnaires in order to

maintain anonymity for some of our elders do not wish to be recorded. Questions were

geared toward all disasters of memory however, there were only a few that most chose to

talk about.

The 1955 and 1964 floods were the most memorable for the interviewees who ranged in

age from 65 to 90 years old. The 1999 Megram fire was another disaster that many could

remember due to its recent occurrence as well as its devastating impact to the elderly in

particular. Other disasters of memory included other smaller floods, numerous power

outages, and food and drinking water shortages.

Many elders spoke of how they were taught to prepare for such emergencies by always

having extra blankets, candles, kerosene, water, and canned foods. Several individuals

spoke of how they would spend all summer canning fish and fresh fruits and vegetables,

so they would never be without during a harsh winter. Most said that if they ever ran out

of food that they could always borrow or trade for another who had surplus, but

community members learned to rely on each other in times of need.

We asked about evacuations and the only time they could really remember was in the

1999 Megram Fire where many were forced to leave their homes due to elevated smoke

levels that were very harmful to elders in particular.

In the 1955 and 1964 floods, nobody really left as they just had to wait it out until

supplies were dropped by helicopter. By the time the flood came through all the roads

were blocked off anyway, so there was no option of evacuation. Many who were washed

out of their homes were forced to stay at the school or with other family members or

relatives. The military dropped supplies such as sleeping bags, K Rations, flour, sugar,

powdered milk and other necessities. From speaking to many elders about these disasters,

there was a unifying theme which was that our community really knows how to come

together and help each other in times of need.

There were numerous stories of slides and power outages from severe storm events,

however they had a difficult time remembering exact years and dates for such disasters.

Not many remembered any great earthquakes in their lifetimes, but many have felt small

tremors here and there. There was a wealth of oral tradition in speaking with the elders.

Some told stories of great tsunami’s thousands of years ago that actually altered the flow

of the Trinity River, and of giant earthquakes that formed certain peaks and rock

formations in the Hoopa Valley.

Program Integration - §201.4 4(b)

Integration with Ongoing Tribal Planning Efforts

The Hoopa Tribal Council approves all projects and plans that the Tribe undertakes. The

volume of projects and plans create a wide range of timetables. In order to consolidate

information, dates, and public comments, tribal ordinance (the Legislative Procedures

Act) requires particular methods for distributing information to tribal departments and the

public. In addition, it specifies rules for public hearings and receiving public comments

prior to final enactment of legislation or major policy of the Tribe. In this regard,

planning efforts affecting the Hoopa Valley receive the widest possible distribution and

public input. Any final update draft of the MHMP will go through this process, as all

other major tribal policies do, to ensure that any interested party that has not already

commented has the opportunity to do so. Also, the MHMP will be the guiding document

for any new development, existing development or disaster response/recovery projects.

The mitigation planning is intended to complement existing tribal policies affecting the

public, including the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) under the federal NIMS

requirements, Forest Management Plan (FMP), Tribal Transportation Plan (2002-2007),

EPA Spill Prevention Plan, and a preliminary Land Use Plan. Besides these

comprehensive, multi-department policies listed, the Tribe has long established and

enforced ordinances aimed to protect people and property. The formation of a tribal

court, development of civil action laws and rules of court was part of Hoopa’s pioneering

efforts in California. From 1986 to the present, the Tribe has adopted more than 50 fully

sectioned out ordinances aimed at regulation of resources and conduct on the reservation.

Some, like the Land Assignment Ordinance to regulate responsible land use and safe

development out of harm’s way, the Conservation and Trespass Ordinance to protect

tribal forest resources, the Netting and Fishing Ordinance to protect fishing resources,

and the Riparian Protection Ordinance to protect gravel and surface mining resources,

have been in effect for more than 10 years and survived complex challenges in federal

and state courts. Others, like the Solid Waste Ordinance regulating solid waste disposal

In October 2008, 201.4 was replaced with 201.8 Tribal Mitigation Plan.

and the Traffic Code regulating driver conduct and fines on the reservation, have gone

through a more recent adoption and enforcement.

Integration with FEMA Mitigation Programs and Initiatives

The MHMP was developed utilizing FEMA 386 documentation to develop the 2006 plan

and for the 2011 update. A review of FEMA Mitigation Best Practices was the guideline

for acceptable mitigation practices. Using this review of FEMA approved mitigation

projects created a template for searching for solutions to hazards likely to occur on the

reservation.

The underlying goal is to become NIMS compliant by FY07. The Tribe met this goal in

2007, and most recently in again April 2009 as part of the annual NIMS compliance

review.

The Emergency Manager will take full responsibility to update the Tribal Council on

developments regarding mitigation. Currently, in the State of California, there are no

“open” disasters to fund Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). However, with the

return of Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM), Hoopa Emergency Manager will maintain the

connection with FEMA Region IX to potentially obtain funding for projects or a plan

upgrade. Under Flood Management Assistance, the Hoopa Emergency Manager will

develop outreach to the current Council and Administration in order to keep them aware

of funding streams for flood mitigation. The Emergency Manager is aware of the

differences between mitigation and NIMS compliance. Since the review of the mitigation

plan, the planner has been reassigned and replaced with a trained mitigation planner.

In being NIMS compliant, the Hoopa Tribe can;

•

Ensure common and proven incident management doctrine, practices, and

principles are used to plan for, protect against, respond to, and recover from

emergency incidents and pre-planned events;

•

Maintain a response operation capable of expanding to meet an escalating

situation and the ability to integrate resources and equipment from intrastate and

interstate mutual aid agreements, state-provided assistance, and federal

government response;

•

Order and track response assets using common resource typing and definitions,

and draw on mutual aid agreements for additional assistance;

•

Establish staging and allocation plans for the re-distribution of equipment,

supplies, and aid coming into the area from other localities, states, or the federal

government through mutual aid agreements;

•

Conduct situational assessments and establish the appropriate ICS organizational

structure to effectively manage the incident; and

•

Continue to maintain communication processes, procedures and protocols that

will ensure effective interoperable communications among emergency responders,

9-1-1 centers, and multiagency coordination systems (Emergency Operations

Centers).

Purpose and Need for the MHMP

Tribal and local authorities, not federal, have the primary responsibility for preventing,

responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters. The overwhelming

majority of emergency incidents are handled on a daily basis by a single jurisdiction at

the local level. Implementation of the NIMS in every tribal and local jurisdiction

establishes a baseline capability that once established nationwide, can be used as a

foundation upon which more advanced homeland security capabilities can be built. The

Office of Emergency Services values the information within the MHMP and regard it as

the foundation document for Emergency Management. Homeland Security Presidential

Directive 5 (HSPD- 5), Management of Domestic Incidents, requires all federal

departments and agencies to adopt and implement the NIMS, and requires state 1 and

local 2 jurisdictions to implement the NIMS to receive federal preparedness funding.

The Hoopa Tribe’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) is the focal point of all

emergency or disaster preparedness and management as well as public information

center. This department is responsible for maintaining and updating the MHMP, EOP,

Hazardous Materials Plan and any other personal health and safety document under the

Tribes archives. Our priority goal is to save lives, reduce risk & lessen property damage.

Furthermore, Hoopa OES maintains compliance with federal regulations including NIMS

compliance and maintaining a FEMA approved MHMP.

Through a systematic process, this MHMP analyzes the possible impacts of hazards on

vulnerable areas of the community infrastructure and focuses on the continued wellbeing of the Hoopa Valley Tribe. Preliminary conceptual hazard plans and models are

utilized for the basis of hazards analysis. Conceptual plans have been analyzed to

represent the maximum level of damage based in hazard type. The Disaster Mitigation

Act of 2000 requires that Tribes along with local governments have a disaster mitigation

plan that explains how you identify hazards, risks and vulnerabilities as well as how to

prioritize mitigation actions to deal with these hazards. The goal is to learn how to solicit

technical support when needed as well as develop a federally approved mitigation plan to

be eligible for future pre and post disaster funds through FEMA.

According to the 2010 Census there are 3,041 people living on the Hoopa Valley Indian

Reservation in 960 occupied homes. The Hoopa Tribe is a Self-Governance Tribe and

maintains a government-to-government compact; however the Tribe remains reliant on

Timber as its economic base. The Tribe has millions of dollars in assets and structures, as

we will address later in this plan. Natural disasters can occur frequently with the amount

of Tribal Assets and natural resources at risk. Protecting our community and member

wellbeing is very important, however protecting our way of life and cultural traditions is

of utmost importance.

Chapter 2 – Description of the Hoopa Valley Tribe Community and

Reservation

Introduction

The purpose of this section of the Hoopa Valley Tribe’s MHMP is to describe the

existing environment, land use patterns, and resources of the Hoopa Tribe and

Community. This chapter of the MHMP contains nine sections each of which may

include pertinent sub-subsections. The land uses, topography, climate, hydrology, soils,

watersheds, and surface water resources on the reservation affect the vulnerability of the

Reservation to natural hazards. This section briefly describes each of these elements.

Land Resources

Topography

The Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, California’s largest Indian Reservation, is located

in the northeastern portion of Humboldt County (See Location Map Below). The

Reservation is shaped geometrically similar to a square with sides approximately 12

miles in length. The valley itself lies near the center of the Reservation. Hoopa Valley is

located about 65 miles east of Eureka and 120 miles west of Redding. It is 12 miles north

of Willow Creek and 10 miles south of Weitchpec, where the Trinity River flows into the

Klamath River. The valley floor, an alluvial plain approximately 6 miles long by 1 mile

wide and considered the Urban Zone in Chapter 3, is bisected in a north-south direction

by the meandering Trinity River. The Hoopa Reservation is separated into 8 districts, or

fields, which represent traditional villages of the Hoopa People. The field names are

Norton, Soctish/Chenone, Mescat, Hostler, Agency, Bald Hills, Matilton and Campbell.

Except for the relatively flat Hoopa Valley, most of the Reservation is steep and heavily

forested.

The Bald Hills area is on the northwest side of Reservation and considered Upland

Residential according to the hazard assessment areas in Chapter 3. The east side of the

region slopes steeply into the Trinity River which defines the area’s eastern border. The

western side of the area is defined by the change in slope to Hoopa Mountain and French

Camp Ridge. The rest of this mostly forested area of the Reservation is considered

Upland Regions as listed later in Chapter 3.

Map Location of the Hoopa Valley Tribe

Soil Types & Characteristics

Past geologic conditions, the steep terrain and high amount of precipitation have all

contributed significantly to soils formation in the Hoopa Valley. These factors have

combined to produce erosion, which resulted in thicker soil mantle along the Trinity

River and thinner soil layers on the mountain valley slopes. The valley contains a series

of terraces; each composed generally of differing relationship of soils. The Agency and

Chenone soils lie at the lower terraces along the Trinity River. These are the most

recently formed and are coarse textured. They also lack profile development and have a

high base saturation. On the next terrace level are the Soctish soils, which are older than

the Agency and Chenone soils. They are finer textured, have a very weak profile

development, and a medium base saturation. Above the Soctish soils are the Norton soils,

which are the oldest. These soils are finer in texture, have a weak profile development

and have low base saturation. Matilton soils are also found at the higher terraces and, like

the Norton soils, support heavy forest vegetation. Above the higher terraces are the steep

upland areas of the valley, which support forest vegetation.

Soil types have been extensively mapped for the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation. A soil

survey conducted in 1975 by Agricultural Extension Service and the University of

California at Davis classifies agricultural soils on the valley floor as follows:

Table 4 – Soil Grades and Acreage (based on 1975 UC Davis Soil Survey)

Grade 1 soils are suitable for a wide range of crops with excellent yields. Grade 2 soils

are suitable for a myriad of crops with average yields. Grade 3 soils have a limited range

of crop suitability but specialized crops may give good results. Grade 4 soils are either

marginal in production, or have been developed for human use. Soil surveys conducted

on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation are classified as Order III, or reconnaissance

level surveys. Soil characteristics, qualities, and ratings of interest to land managers on

the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation were presented in a report entitled Soils of the

Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation, Humboldt County, California, Annette Parsons, 1985.

There are four main hydrologic soil groups, which indicate the soil’s potential for runoff.

Factors considered in determining the hydrologic soil group include structure and texture

of surface horizon, permeability of surface horizon, and the depth at which a reduction in

permeability begins. The groups are classified as follows:

Group A - very low runoff potential

Group B - low runoff potential

Group C - moderate runoff potential

Group D - high runoff potential

Geologic & Mineral Resources

The Hoopa Indian Reservation is in the Klamath Mountains geologic province. A

northerly trending, generally steep, thrust fault, the South Fork Mountain fault, separates

the Klamath Mountain from the Coast Range (Irwin, 1966). On the upper, or eastern,

plate are mildly metamorphosed shale, phyllite, thin-bedded chert, and altered volcanic

rocks assigned to the Galice Formation of the western Jurassic belt. Together with other

metamorphosed clastic sediments, chert, and volcanic rocks of the western plate are

metagraywacke, chert, and volcanic rocks of the Franciscan Formation that are more fully

described in the section on geology of the Coast Ranges. Just below the thrust these

underlying rocks are somewhat more metamorphosed than elsewhere and are referred to

as the South Fork Mountain schist (Irwin, 1966). Along the sole of the thrust is a sheet of

serpentinized peridotite of variable thickness that comprises a nearly continuous belt

extending northward into Oregon. Other thinner bands of serpentine, with northerly trend

found farther east, are believed to have been injected along steep faults. The east edge of

the Hoopa Valley Reservation cuts across a bulge on the western side of the extensive

granitic Ironside Mountain batholith. The rock here is chiefly quartz diorite or diorite and

has been radiometrically dated to the Jurassic period at 165-167 million years old.

Along Beaver Creek, about 4 miles north of Hoopa, are small patches of sandstone, shale,

conglomerate, and lignite that are poorly understood. They may be Oligocene equivalents

of the Weaverville Formation that contains coal near Hyampom and Hayfork, or they

may be a landward extension of the Miocene Wimer Formation of Maxson.

The sand and gravel deposits of the Hoopa Reservation have been mined for use nearby

in road or building construction by Hoopa Aggregates, a Tribal enterprise. The available

quantity is enormous, and no doubt this material will continue to be used wherever there

is sufficient local demand.

Seismic Conditions

The Hoopa Valley is not located within an Alquist-Priolo special study zone as classified

by the California Division of Mines and Geology (CDMG) thus indicating that no active

faults (movement occurring in the last 10,000 years) or potentially active faults

(movement occurring in the last 2.0 million years) are identified or significantly close to

the Reservation. Furthermore, review of the Preliminary Fault Activity Map of

California, CDMG Report 92-03, 1992 indicates that no known active faults are mapped

either in the reservation boundaries or on nearby land. There is however, an inactive fault

known as the Beaver Creek Fault located near Beaver Creek at the base of Pine Creek

Road.

Water Resources

Hydrology

The Reservation is bisected in a north-south direction by the Trinity River. The Klamath

River flows in an east-west direction through a small portion of the far-northeastern part

of the Reservation referred to as Saints Rest Bar. A number of smaller streams flow into

the Trinity and Klamath Rivers within the Reservation. The largest of these streams

include: Mill Creek, Hostler Creek, Tish-Tang Creek, Campbell Creek, Supply Creek,

and Soctish Creek. The valley floor consists of a sequence of prominent stream terrace

benches that step upward in elevation and age from the active channel of the Trinity

River. The terraces or benches represent ancient to modern flood plain levels. Across the

valley floor, the Trinity River has formed a series of broad meanders. The broad

meanders of the Trinity River naturally divide the alluvial valley into paired sets of

terraces, which the Tribe defines as “fields” of the Reservation.

Lewiston Dam and Trinity River Division

Prior to the completion of the Trinity and Lewiston Dams in 1963, flows in the Trinity

River were substantial year-round. Flows of the minor tributaries to the Trinity River

within the Hoopa Reservation are directly related to seasonal distribution of precipitation

in the area, and over 80 percent of the flows of these streams occur during the months of

November through March. Low summer flows in these tributaries have often been

inadequate to meet demands of water users for whom the tributary constitutes a sole

water source. The Hoopa Valley East and West water systems were interconnected by the

Trinity River Bridge connection and the pipeline through Blue Slide to form the Hoopa

Valley-Wide system. With these connections, the ability to move water between the east

and west of the Trinity River alleviated some of the water shortages. The Telescope

springs water system was incorporated into the Valley-Wide system when the Campbell

Creek water treatment plant was constructed.

When Congress authorized construction of the Trinity River Division (TRD) of the

Central Valley Project (CVP) in 1955, the expectation was that surplus water could be

exported to the Central Valley without harm to the fish and wildlife resources of the

Trinity River. The TRD began operations in 1963, diverting up to 90 percent of the

Trinity River’s average annual yield at Lewiston, California. Access to 109 river miles of

fish habitat and replenishment of coarse sediment from upstream river segments was

permanently eliminated by Lewiston and Trinity Dams. Within a decade of completing

the TRD, the adverse biological and geomorphic responses to TRD operations were

obvious. Riverine habitats below Lewiston Dam degraded and salmon and steelhead

populations noticeably declined.

In 1981, the Secretary of the Interior directed that a Trinity River Flow Evaluation

(TRFE) study be conducted to determine how to restore the fishery resources of the

Trinity River. The TRFE study provides recommendations to the Secretary to fulfill fish

and wildlife protection mandates of the 1955 Act of Congress that authorized the

construction of the Trinity River Division of the Central Valley Project. In June of 2000,

the TRFE was issued and the Secretary of Interior signed the Record of Decision (ROD)

in the fall of 2000 authorizing the release of additional water into the Trinity River,

equivalent to 48 percent of the river’s original natural flows.

Groundwater

The groundwater basin of the Hoopa Indian Reservation is confined to the terraces

adjacent to the river in the valley itself. The storage capacity of the Hoopa Valley has

been estimated by the Department of Water Resources, State of California, at

approximately 19,000 acre feet, has a maximum well yield of 300 gallons per minute, and

does provide a usable source of “small plot” agricultural water.

Hoopa Valley, in Humboldt County, is a 5 square-mile basin drained by the Trinity

River. Trinity River flow data has been collected by the USGS since the 1960’s. The

Hoopa Tribal Environmental Protection Agency has been collecting data on the Trinity

River and priority streams on the Reservation since 1989. Data from the lowest recorded

flows indicate that creek flows recorded in October can be less than half than the flows

recorded in June. Creek flow data from 1995 to present are recorded utilizing real-time

continuous data recorders.

The Hoopa Valley groundwater area is approximately 7 miles in length and 0.7 miles

wide with narrow, gorge-like canyons at both ends of the valley. Surface waters from the

Trinity River and springs along the edge of the valley provide the principal source of

water supply to the valley.

The terraces bordering the river on each side slope gently upward from the river to merge

with alluvial sands near the edge of the valley. The alluvial deposits are generally less

than 65 feet in depth along the center of the valley and consist mostly of terrace deposits

bordering each side of the river. (Winzler & Kelly, 1974)

The groundwater within the valley area occurs principally in unconsolidated alluvial

deposits. The water table appears highest at the edge of the valley near the tributary

streams and slopes away from them toward the Trinity River. Examples of this are the

wells supplying the Agency system adjacent to Supply Creek and to a lesser extent wells

that were constructed along Mill Creek which are of high yield but of low water quality.

The rate of groundwater movement, because alluvial deposits are highly permeable, is

quite rapid. The groundwater moves in relatively thin sheets above the underlying

bedrock, creating a very thin zone of saturation, resulting in notoriously low yields with

high draw-downs during late summer months.

One “valley-wide” community water system currently serves the Hoopa Valley east and

west of the Trinity River. According to the Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, there

were a total of 539 metered service connections, with about 280 connections on the east,

and 259 on the west in 2004. Approximately 2,100 people are served by the water

system. The water system has various surface and groundwater sources, with varying

manners of treatment.

The recharge of groundwater in the Hoopa Valley is dependent upon two factors: direct

infiltration of precipitation, which falls on the terrace deposits, and the infiltration of

runoff derived from the various perennial streams. Groundwater can be recharged very

rapidly because of the high permeability of the material that composes the alluvial

terraces. The high permeability of the alluvial terrace deposits also allows for the rapid

movement of groundwater to points of discharge; therefore groundwater is retained on

the alluvial terraces for only short periods of time.

Upland areas are characterized by thin layers of surface soils exiting over bedrock. Soil

depths in upland areas vary with topography but are generally less than sixty inches. The

relatively shallow depth to lithic contact in upland areas means that groundwater is

sporadically present in limited quantities. The low amount of available groundwater in

upland areas makes the use of wells as a source of domestic water problematic or

impossible. Like most of California, Hoopa Valley enjoys a Mediterranean type climate

with hot dry summers and cool moist winters. The mean annual temperature is 57°F.

Recorded extremes include a low of 7°F and high of 118°F. The mean annual

precipitation is 57 inches with 90 percent occurring between October and April. Snowfall

on the valley floor is rare, but elevations above 4,000 feet, in the adjoining mountainous

areas, receive substantial amounts.

Droughts and Floods

During the winter of 1992-93, the area experienced an end of California’s seven-year

drought. Precipitation for the period ending December 30, 1992 exceeded 47 inches. The

Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation and surrounding areas sometimes receive warm rains

during the winter months, which quickly melt existing snow-packs. When this happens,

rivers and streams overflow their banks and flooding occurs. Major floods occurred in

1955 and 1964. The flood of 1955 was declared the 100-year flood (has a one percent

chance of occurrence in any given year) and the 1964 flood was declared a 1000-year

flood. These flood zone areas have been mapped by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and

entered into the Tribe’s GIS database.

Local regulations controlling activities within flood plains are contained in the

reservation’s draft comprehensive plan, land-use volume. The flood plain zone is

intended to be applied in areas subject to inundation by the 100-year flood and areas

subject to high liquefaction potentials as delineated in the Tribe’s 100-year flood plain

map and/or the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s 100-year flood plain for the Trinity River.

Land use is regulated within these areas to protect lives and property from destruction

and damage due to liquefaction, floodwaters and the transportation by water of wreckage

and debris, to protect the community from the cost that may be incurred when unsuitable

or premature development occurs in such areas, and to allow uses which are appropriate

in such areas. Mapping of these types of floods and maximum inundations can be found

in the Appendices.

Wetlands

In 1999 the Tribal EPA and Humboldt State University cooperated on a wetland

identification project using a geographic information system (GIS) and infrared aerial

photo interpretation. Data layers from the GIS were queried for attributes indicative of

wetland occurrences (soil, vegetation, slope and hydrography). Air photo interpretation

was then used to further validate the GIS results. The study area included Mill, Supply

and Tish Tang watersheds (uplands) and the Valley floor. Fifty potential wetlands were

identified: 13 on the Valley floor & 37 in the uplands. Six Valley floor wetlands and 3

upland wetlands were field verified. Aerial extent of these wetlands was not determined

due to the site-specific nature of wetland boundaries. Delineation of wetlands will

normally be conducted when a proposed project is adjacent to it.

Due to the restriction of agricultural, residential and commercial development largely to

the valley floor, long-term loss of wetlands in upland areas has probably been minimal.

Some upland riparian wetlands undoubtedly have been lost to road construction or stream

course alterations. Past logging practices have contributed to down-cutting of drainages

and sediment deposition in some areas, altering or destroying riparian vegetation.

Changes in species composition have undoubtedly occurred due to logging near to or

within the riparian corridors. No attempt was made to quantify change in wetland quality

or loss of wetlands as a result of these factors.

In contrast, decline in amount or quality of wetlands on the valley floor has probably

been significant over the past 50-60 years. Black cottonwood/alder swamp and other

stagnant wetlands were probably historically widespread in the valley, associated with the

mouths of some drainages. BIA agents apparently encouraged modern techniques of

farming about the turn of the century. Flat, moist, and fertile land would have been

desirable, since most crops required irrigation. Additional wetlands were probably lost to

mill construction and related water diversions later in the first half of the century.

Finally, significant loss or decline in quality of wetlands in the valley may have occurred

as a result of the 1964 flood and subsequent stream re-channelization by the Army Corps

of Engineers. Those impacts may have contributed to the high occurrence of exotic

species in the valley. Subsequent construction of irrigation channels serving Campbell

Field and other areas of the valley probably caused additional losses. Inspection of 1962

aerial photographs indicated no significant change in non-riparian wetlands in the valley

from 1990 photos. Therefore, aside from flood-related impacts on riparian vegetation

after 1964, the major historical impacts to wetlands on the valley floor appear to have

occurred prior to 1962.

Air Quality

General Air Quality Concerns

The overall air quality of the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation and general vicinity is

excellent since topography and wind conditions usually limit the infiltration of outside

pollutants. When the right climatic conditions occur (a low inversion layer and a gentle

north or northeasterly wind); air pollution may be noticeable and possibly objectionable.

However wildland fires can cause serious impacts to air quality in Hoopa as documented

during the 1999 Megram fire where the first ever state of emergency was declared due to

poor air quality.

The major influence upon air quality in the area is from slash burning, cars and logging

trucks, with most of the vehicle generated pollutants occurring on the unpaved roads on

the Reservation. Major logging haul roads generate dust pollutants during the summer

months. Residential generators also have a minor influence, with most of the pollutants

created by fireplaces, woodstoves, and residential burning. With the proper atmospheric

conditions and sufficient densities, smoke may be noticeable and even objectionable at

certain times. However, even under these conditions, the Hoopa Valley Indian

Reservation remains “in attainment” of standards under the Clean Air Act.

Air Quality Monitoring

2008 Public Health Threat/Air Quality Alert Results in Historical Presidential

Declaration

The 2008 Fire Siege of Northern California caused from lightening strike fires turning

into a Public Health Threat/Air Quality Alert for the residents living on the Hoopa Valley

Indian Reservation and in Northern California. The Hoopa Tribe evoked their Emergency

Operation Plan (EOP) and Incident Command Center and dealt with the response,

mitigation, and recovery efforts of the 2008 Public Health Threat. Collaborative efforts

were coordinated with Humboldt County OES and CA State OES, USFS, FEMA,

Humboldt County Public Health, NCIDC, Red Cross, NWTEMA, IHS, UIHS, CDC,

County Law Enforcement, Calif. Hwy Patrol, CAL FIRE, and Air Quality Management

District. The Public Information and Communications Plan were put in place with PSA’s

and community meetings. As a result of the proactive efforts during the 2008 Public

Health Threat/Air Quality Alerts the Hoopa and Yurok Tribes were added to a

Presidential Declaration for this historical 2008 Public Health Threat/Air Quality Alert.

Air Quality Response

Effective March 16, 1998 the Clean Air Act (CAA) was amended to include section

301(d) Tribal Authority Rule TAR. In the TAR, the EPA set forth its interpretation that

the CAA is a delegation of Federal authority, to Tribes, approved by EPA to administer

CAA programs in the same manner as States over all air resources within the exterior

boundaries of the Reservation for such programs. However, unlike States, Tribes have

the flexibility to choose which parts of the CAA they wish to implement based on the

specific needs of the Tribe.

The Tribal Environmental Protection Agency (TEPA) monitors air quality continuously

throughout the year. TEPA utilizes mini-volume portable PM10 on-site samplers and a

Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) to monitor air quality on the

Reservation. When smoke from wildfires invades the valley and degrades air quality,

TEPA responds by tracking increases in particulate matter (PM10) in real time. Increases

in PM10 values are compared to numeric criteria representing the level of threat to public

health. These criteria are organized into an Air Quality Action Plan (AQAP). The AQAP

serves as an inference of public health threats relative to air quality conditions. It

identifies objective criteria on stage levels relative to public health threats and provides

recommendations for community actions to protect respiratory health and mitigate the

impacts from increasing smoke.

The Tribal Environmental Protection Agency (TEPA) monitors air quality when

inversion layer conditions exist, or when forest fires may create objectionable air quality

conditions. TEPA utilizes mini-volume portable PM10 on-site samplers and a Tapered

Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) to monitor air quality on the Hoopa Valley

Indian Reservation.

The 1990 amendments to federal Clean Air Act Section 176 required the EPA to

promulgate rules to ensure that federal actions conform to the appropriate State

Implementation Plan (SIP). These rules, known together as the General Conformity Rule

(40 CFR §§ 51.850-.860 and 40 CFR §§ 93.150-160), require any federal agency

responsible for an action in a non-attainment or maintenance area to determine that the

action is either exempt from the General Conformity Rule’s requirements or positively

determine that the action conforms to the applicable SIP. In addition to the roughly 30

presumptive exemptions established and available in the General Conformity Rule, an

agency may establish that forecast emission rates would be less than the specified

emission rate thresholds, known as de minimis limits. An action is exempt from a

conformity determination if an applicability analysis shows that the total direct and

indirect emissions from the project would be less than the applicable de minimis

thresholds and would not be regionally significant, which are defined as representing 10

percent or more of an area’s emissions inventory or budget.

Health Effects From Smoke

Wood smoke is a major air pollutant composed of a combination of fine carbon particles

and gases. Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless gas produced from burning wood

without enough air. CO reduces the ability of a person’s blood to supply oxygen to body

tissues. Even small amounts in the air can stress your heart and reduce your ability to

exercise. Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) is also emitted as a gas. It impairs proper function of

the respiratory system and reduces its’ ability to fight infection. Volatile Organic

Compounds (VOC’s), are evaporated carbon compounds which react with (NO2) in

sunlight to produce ozone smog. When exposed to water vapor this combination

produces acid rain. In a combustion process, VOCs change into irritating and cancer

causing substances such as benzene, formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic

hydrocarbons, which are very harmful to human health. Wood smoke also contains

Particulate Matter, (PM10), microscopic solid and liquid particles 10 microns or less.

Most wood smoke particles average less than one micron and can travel deep into the

lungs causing irritation and leading to chronic lung disease and cancer.

Wildland Fires

In 1991, the Hoopa Tribe through the self-governance process compacted the Wildland

Fire program from the BIA forming the Hoopa Fire Department. Since 1991 there are

nearly 300 fires on an average started each season to which that Wildland Fire responds.

Under Mutual Aid agreements the Fire Department is able to work with other agencies to

meet their objectives. The Hoopa Valley Volunteer Fire Department is one of these

mutual aid agencies that provide structural fire protection and suppression during a

Wildland fire event on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation.

Since coniferous forests surround the Hoopa Valley, the potential for outbreaks of

wildland fires is very high, especially during dry times of the year, where large fires have

been known to become unmanageable. The Hoopa Fire Department provides initial and

extended attack of fire suppression for Wildland fires on the Hoopa Reservation, however

there have been instances of large fires being very destructive and costly not only to the

Tribe but surrounding State and Federal agencies as well. Table 5 shows the number of

fires documented by Hoopa Fire Department over the past 11 years with the total acreage

burned on Reservation and the estimated costs to the Tribe.

Table 5 – Wildland Fire Instances on Hoopa Reservation from 1999 to 2009

Year

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Total

Incidents

149 (includes

Megram Fire)

190

201

230

186

170

187

294

314

257

233

143

174

Total Acres

Burned

5039.0

Wildland Incident Costs

$266,746

(Megram Fire Cost $37,747)

$195,977

$196,000

$4,087,866

$177,146

$135,077

$193,317

$862,460

$938,091

$3,743,278

$4,100,000 (initial estimate)

$301,806

$512,386

275.9

285.7

933.8

255.6

194.9

276.1

230.4

186.1

666.2

2,068.9

55.2

93.6

The 1999 Megram Fire

The Hoopa Valley air program is operated with the underlying premise that local

catastrophic wildfires could erupt in any given year. Local wildfires produce extreme

plumes of smoke that settle in the valley, often causing hazardous air quality conditions

and threatening the immediate health of people. Particulate matter PM10 has been

measured as high as 325-800 μg/M3 for several days to a week during major fires.

Therefore, preparedness is of primary concern in the Hoopa air quality program.

The winter of 1998/1999 affects of the La Nina ocean currents altered weather patterns in

Northern California, causing a particularly dry winter and spring. This led to an

extremely dry summer and an increased susceptibility to wildfires. A total of 93,702

wildfires covering 5,661,976 acres burned Nationwide in 1999 resulting mostly from

lightning strikes. In August 1999 heavy fuels, extreme high winds and dozens of

lightening strikes set off the Big Bar/Megram fire complex East of Hoopa. This fire

engulfed 140,947 acres and burned from August 23rd to November 3rd 1999. Intensified

by autumn season inversions, smoke from this fire filled local valleys like Hoopa and

increased air-born particulate matter (PM10) from a normal average of 22 μg/M3 to over

800 μg/M3 for up to 24 hours or more. This situation cannot be tolerated by the

community. Therefore, in response to this event, an air quality action plan was developed

to act as an objective guide for alerting the local Hoopa community of air quality

conditions

and

the

associated

response

for

action.

Air Quality Emergency Operations Plan

TABLE 6

August 7, 2010

The following table presents numeric criteria, which will is used as an indicator of potential impacts to public health from air pollution.

Air quality is measured continuously be Air Quality Professionals. PM10 and/or PM2.5 values are recorded hourly in metrics

of micrograms/per cubic meter (μg/M ). Hourly values are used to determine health protection action and stage of alert.

Air Quality

Condition

PM 10

PM 2.5

Good

0-49

Moderate

Poor--unhealthy

for sensitive people

Unhealthy

Very Unhealthy

Hazardous

Health Protection Action

0-36

None

50-149

37- 111

Initial signs of respiratory symptoms in

sensitive people: irritation of eyes, nose

throat and lungs

Sensitive groups - people with heart or lung

disease, Elders, pregnant women and children

should reduce prolonged or intense outdoor

activity.

10 - 5 mi

Stage 1

4-24

hours

150-249

112 186

Obvious aggravation of respiratory

symptoms in sensitive people Initial signs

of respiratory symptoms in the general

public irritation of eyes, nose throat and

lungs

Sensitive people should limit vigorous outdoor

activity to 4-6 hours a day. General public should

reduce intense outdoor activity if feeling sensitive

5 - 2.5 mi

Stage 2

8 hours

250-349

187 262

Increased aggravation of respiratory

symptoms in sensitive people; increased

respiratory symptoms in *general public

Sensitive people should seek clean-air shelter or

remain indoors as much as possible; general

public should reduce prolonged outdoor activities

to 4-6 hours

2.5 - 1.0 mi

Stage 3

8 hours

350-449

263 337

Breathing difficult for sensitive people;

Cumulative aggravation of respiratory

symptoms in the general public.

All sensitive groups should seek clean-air shelter

and remain indoors; General public should

remain indoors as much as possible and limit

prolonged outdoor activity

1.0 - 0.25

Stage 4

4 hours

338 or

Sensitive people at risk of serious

respiratory impairment; Respiratory

symptoms highly aggravated in General

public, making breathing difficult.

Everyone should avoid all physical activity

outdoors; clean-air shelter recommended for

general public; Clean-air shelter OR temporary

relocation recommended for pregnant women,

infants, small children, elders and those suffering

respiratory impairment

< 0.25 mile

Stage 5

4 hour

450 or >

Visibility

> 10 miles

Stage

Alert

Potential heath effects

None

Sensitive people/groups: People with chronic lung or heart disease, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, angina, congestive impairment; elderly, pregnant woman, infant and young children under 10 years

old. *General public: Generally, healthy people between the ages of 11-59 years that do not fit the above description. People can vary significantly in response and sensitivity to air pollutants

Living Resources

It is a policy of the Hoopa Valley Tribal Council through the Hoopa Forest Management

Plan (FMP) to actively protect and conserve non-market resources associated with the

commercial forestlands on the Reservation. The management plan goes beyond state and

federal listings of rare and endangered species by identifying and providing for culturally

significant plant and animal life.

Since the Tribe actively manages the forest resources of the Reservation, the Hoopa

Tribal Forestry Department has initiated a comprehensive wildlife management program.

This program includes over twelve years of biological surveys, a Spotted Owl Habitat

survey and wildlife assessments, which are performed prior to all projects. As a result,

wildlife data on the Reservation is comprehensive as well as creditable.

Threatened Wildlife Species

The Hoopa Tribe took over management of its forest resources in 1989 when it became

one of the first Self Governance Tribes in the nation. Following the federal listing of the

northern spotted owl as a threatened species in 1990, Tribal Forestry hired a wildlife

biologist in the spring of 1991. From that point forward the tribe has been developing a

wildlife program focused primarily on surveying and monitoring of federally threatened

or endangered (T&E) species but also attempting to develop comprehensive management

of the wildlife resource.

Currently there are 2 species of wildlife that are federally listed as threatened (marbled

murrelet and northern spotted owl) and 2 candidate species (fisher and yellow-billed

cuckoo). Yellow-billed cuckoos have not been confirmed on the reservation and it is

doubtful that they are present. Extensive surveys of the potential marbled murrelet

nesting habitat have been conducted from 1992-2006 but have not confirmed occupancy

of any reservation habitat. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS or Service) has

removed survey requirements within the eastern portion of the reservation falling within

marbled murrelet zone 2.

Tribal Forestry is currently working on a Programmatic

Biological Assessment for the recently completed 15 year Forest Management Plan

(FMP) (2011-2026) which will be submitted for Consultation with the FWS in the next

several months. Survey requirements for marbled murrelets are expected to be dropped

as a result of the tribe’s intensive survey efforts and the establishment of a small reserve

of forest stands in the only area where potential marbled murrelet detections were

recorded using radar surveys in 2005 and 2006. Loss of potential marbled murrelet

habitat will occur through implementation of the tribe’s FMP and those losses will be

reported to the Service annually.

The tribe has also conducted intensive surveys and demographic monitoring of the

northern spotted owl population within the reservation since 1991. With 20 years of

demographic data the tribe has been able to document the decline of the population.

However, the cause of that decline is uncertain. The objectives of the monitoring were to

determine the effects of the tribe’s FMP on the species.

For the first 15 years of

monitoring the reservation population was essentially stable. However, the population

began to decline rapidly during the last 5 years. Although the cause of the decline can

not be positively identified, tribal biologist suspect that it is the result of a rapidly

increasing barred owl population rather than the implementation of the tribe’s FMP.

Tribal forestry has also monitored and reported changes in spotted owl habitat along with

the demographic data to the Service and will continue to do so following completion of

the programmatic consultation of the revised FMP.

In addition, Tribal Forestry

implements seasonal restrictions on disturbance activities near active spotted owl nesting

pairs and provides environmental review of other tribal department projects.

The fisher is a medium sized forest carnivore that has been of concern to biologists for

several decades within their Pacific coast range.

The species also holds cultural

significance to the tribe as its hides are used for dance regalia. Fishers are closely

associated with dense forest cover throughout their range in California. Fisher

Official FWS list of threatened and endangered species expected to occur on the Hoopa

Valley Indian Reservation, October 18, 2011.

==============================================================

Listed/Proposed Threatened and Endangered Species for

the Hoopa Valley Tribe Reservation (HOOPA) Administrative

Unit (Candidates Included)

October 18, 2011

Table 7 - Threatened and Endangered Species

Document number: 765851286-112445

==============================================================

KEY:

(PE) Proposed Endangered Proposed in the Federal Register as being in danger of extinction

(PT) Proposed Threatened Proposed as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future

(E) Endangered Listed in the Federal Register as being in danger of extinction

(T) Threatened Listed as likely to become endangered within the foreseeable future

* Denotes a species Listed by the National Marine Fisheries Service

Type

Scientific Name

Common Name