Quinault Hazard Mitigation Meetings

Press release:

People of the Quinault Indian Reservation are invited to participate in four public meetings to be held on February 8 in Taholah at noon, and during the evenings of February 9 in Queets, February 10 in Amanda Park, and February 11, in Taholah. The focus of these informative meetings is to share findings about natural hazard risk assessments for the Quinault Indian Reservation concerning risks by earthquakes, tsunami, flooding, landslides, severe weather, wildfire, and other risks. We will discuss potential mitigation measures designed to protect people, structures, infrastructure, the local economy, and way of life on the Quinault Indian Reservation.

A planning committee of Tribal Department Leaders, agency representatives from around the region, and environmental scientists have been working together since last summer to develop the risk profiles and estimate the exposure to risks. These meetings will share information with residents of the Quinault Indian Reservation, collect valuable data about the past occurrence of hazards and develop solutions to limiting the exposure to these risks.

Recently, global attention has been drawn to the tsunami that hit American Samoa in September 2009, and the disastrous earthquakes ravaging Haiti in January 2010. Closer to home, the January 2010 California landslides on hillsides that were burned by wildfires last summer, and the annual flooding throughout Western Washington have caused damages to the places where people live. Disasters are never planned, but mitigation efforts ahead of disasters can limit the deaths of thousands of people while protecting homes, infrastructure, and the economy of an area.

We have the chance to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of our children by planning a disaster resistant Reservation. This is a part of that planning process which will help us become prepared when a disaster hits close to home. There are things that can be done to limit exposure to natural events before the disaster happens. Join us to learn more about the findings of our efforts and to discuss how the Nation is preparing for natural disasters. We want your input!

Taholah: Monday, February 8, 12:00 noon at the Community Center

Queets: Tuesday, February 9, 6:00 PM at the Head Start Building

Amanda Park: Wednesday, February 10, 6:00 PM at the School Library

Taholah: Thursday, February 11, 6:00 PM at the Taholah School Cafeteria

Each meeting will be hosted with light snacks and refreshments. These meetings will include a one hour presentation with planning maps, information flyers, and forms to allows attendees to provide additional written information.

In addition to making the Quinault Indian Reservation less vulnerable to natural disasters, this effort will result in a Tribal Hazards Mitigation Plan that will meet Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements to qualify the Nation for pre-disaster mitigation grants and other benefits. If you have any questions, please contact Coni Wilson, Community Development Manager, 276-8215 Ext 239.