1998 Year of the Ocean Mitigating the Impacts of Coastal Hazards 



(1) To substantially increase public awareness of natural hazard risk so that the public 

 demands safer communities in which to live and work 



(2) To significantly reduce the risk of loss of life, injuries, economic costs, and 

 destruction of natural and cultural resources that result from natural hazards 



The strategy involves strengthening public and private partnerships and creating 

 partnerships where none exist for building safer communities. The strategy sets forth a series of 

 objectives by which to measure the nation's success in achieving the hazard mitigation goals and 

 identifies the following five major focus areas: (1) hazard identification and risk assessment; (2) 

 applied research and technology transfer; (3) public awareness, training, and education; (4) 

 incentives and resources; and (5) leadership and coordination. 



To create a link between the concepts behind the National Mitigation Strategy and the 

 implementation of hazard mitigation initiatives at the local level, FEMA has initiated a program 

 called "Project Impact." This is intended to help communities protect their residents, 

 organizations, businesses, infrastructure, and the stability and growth of the local economy as 

 much as possible against the impacts of natural disasters before they happen. 



There are a number of additional initiatives and activities at the federal, state, and local 

 levels that support long term hazard mitigation. Many states have started state-wide campaigns to 

 encourage hazards loss reduction activities ranging from land use planning and regulations to 

 improved building codes and engineering standards. In addition, many coastal states participating 

 in NOAA's Coastal Zone Management Program incorporate hazard mitigation activities into 

 their state and local plarming processes. 



Strengthening The Built Environment 



One of the most cost effective measures for mitigating disaster damages is to design and 

 construct hazard resistant structures. Most coastal states have adopted statewide building codes 

 that incorporate some type of hazard resistant construction standards. A few coastal communities 

 have even adopted more stringent standards than the state codes to ensure that new construction 

 can withstand certain hazards. While it is impossible to construct facilities that will endure all 

 intensities and types of natural hazards, it is possible to cost-effectively mitigate against a 

 community's primary hazard threats. 



The adoption and enforcement of building codes that address high risk hazard threats can 

 ensure that structures are built to resist the impacts of natural disasters. Since most building 

 codes only apply to new or substantially improved structures, the public and private sector can 

 also encourage residents to retrofit existing structures for hazard resistance through other means. 

 For example, the use of financial incentives such as reduced taxes or insurance premiums, by the 

 public and private sectors can help to encourage hazard resistant retrofitting in existing 

 structures. 



H-8 



