MARINETTE, Wis. — Marinette County emergency management, response, and planning personnel from the private and public sectors have been working together as a steering committee to update the county’s hazard mitigation plan.

A public informational meeting and open house regarding the draft plan will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the Marinette County Courthouse in the County Board Room 1st floor, 1926 Hall Ave., Marinette.

The plan was originally developed in 2007 under funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. This will be the third update to Marinette County’s plan.

Development of the plan update is being led by the County Emergency Management Department with the Bay-Lake Regional Planning Commission facilitating the process and writing the plan under the direction of the steering committee.

The steering committee is made up of personnel from county departments including County Public Health, Communication, Highway, Facilities and Parks, Land Information, Forestry, etc.

Hazard mitigation planning involves developing a set of actions designed to reduce or eliminate long-term risk to people and property from hazards and their effects.

The rising costs associated with hazard recovery activities has led a much greater emphasis being placed on dealing with hazards before they occur through mitigation planning.

Hazard mitigation planning is the only phase of emergency management planning specifically dedicated to breaking the cycle of damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage.

With this plan, the county can identify the actions steps it needs to take in order to minimize risk and damage to people and property from natural hazards. Additionally, the county maintains its qualification to apply for FEMA funding to undertake identified projects that will minimize future risks.

The draft plan can be reviewed at https://baylakerpc.org/about/surveys.