You have the opportunity to take part in the planning process to update Clinton County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan if you may be impacted by natural and man-made hazards discussed in the plan or if you represent a group of people in the county.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) does not have strict requirements on who can take part and focuses more on the process, according to a related document.

The update is required by FEMA every five years to remain eligible for funding for projects.

“Updating the Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years allows us to identify opportunities to lessen the potential impacts from disasters and also allows us to evaluate projects that have been completed during the past five-year cycle. All possible projects are identified by you, our community leaders.

“Once our plan has gone through the FEMA approval process and has been adopted locally, we can apply for grant funding that could potentially cover 75 percent of the costs associated with those projects,” said Clinton County EMA Director Thomas Breckel.

Community input is critical to this plan’s success (and the FEMA approval process). As such, the Clinton County EMA is asking for your participation in the planning process at two meetings — 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 24, and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 5.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the meetings will be offered in multiple formats that allow stakeholders and the public to follow social distancing guidelines. These meeting formats will include live virtual meetings, recorded presentations, and paper and digital surveys.

The meetings will use GoToMeeting. It’s recommended you download the application in advance to the meeting to have a better meeting experience. To join a meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone, access https://www.gotomeet.me/CC-EMA/ema-public-meeting

You can also dial in using your phone. United States: +1 (571) 317-3122. Access Code: 658-992-189.

Among the community stakeholders invited to participate are local agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities, agencies that have the authority to regulate development, businesses, academia, and other private and nonprofit interests, public schools, large employers, neighborhood groups, colleges, OSU Extension, and building code enforcement.

Also invited are emergency management, fire departments/districts, police departments, floodplain administrator, GIS department, Parks and Rec, public works, public information official, stormwater manager official, transportation department, regional planning agency, city council members, and special district representatives.