MINUTES

HAZARD MITIGATION

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING – HEAT WAVES, DROUGHTS AND

WATER SHORTAGES AND WILDFIRES

DECEMBER 16, 2004

The Hazard Mitigation Special Committee for heat waves, droughts, water shortages and wildfires met Thursday, December 16, 2004 at the BRADD Conference Center. (See attendance record)

INTRODUCTION

Jack Eversole opened the meeting with introductions. Mr. Eversole reported for those not familiar with BRADD that Mayors and County Judges are the board. The Board oversees a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), which includes plans from various councils that are established for specific planning; Transportation, Water Management, Infrastructure Development, Aging, Job Training and the new one Regional Mitigation Planning, chaired by Gary Madison. Jack also introduced the other staff and interns that will be assisting. Mr. Eversole also reported that the Barren River Development Council, a non-profit corporation, will assist with the planning process.

Mr. Eversole also pointed out the importance of each member of this committee and the 4 other committees from each county, bring others from the community to help with the planning process.

PLANNING PROCESS – WEB SITE

Kyle Key, Safety Coordinator, gave an overview of the planning process as it relates to heat waves, droughts and water shortages, and the role played by the special committees. Kyle emphasized the risk assessment, the mitigation strategy and the plan maintenance process. (Report attached) Kyle also reviewed the materials that are located on the BRADD web site, which is www.BRADD.org/hazard. Kyle described all of the information that can be obtained off of the web site.

Mr. Steve Ramsey, Logan County, ask if there has been some profiling already done?

Kyle responded that there is a long history of recorded data.

NATURAL HAZARD DATA

Dr. Stuart Foster, State Climatologist, Western Kentucky University, reported on the different resources available on the BRADD web site regarding heat waves and drought, and Dr. Foster demonstrated how to access the information. Dr. Foster indicated for those who did not have internet accessibility, information could be copied on a CD. (Report attached)

Dr. Foster stated that drought is one of the most difficult because we do not know we are in a drought until after the fact. It has a very big impact on livestock, municipal, i.e. residential and business water customers.

Mr. Eversole ended the meeting reviewing with the committee the importance of developing an assessment of what the risk is, understand the problems and risk in each county, community and neighborhood, and determine the problem areas. Mr. Eversole reported Mr. Tony Keithley, Regional Disaster & Emergency Services Coordinator, will have a copy of the state plan compiled by the University of Louisville. Jack also stated that the Division of Water has a water supply plan for alternative supplies of water.

Mr. David Coverdale, Bowling Green, stated that a new study by the Corps of Engineers is being done for Bowling Green Municipal Utilities to raise the reservoir level to increase the supply capacity.

Jack suggested the committee plan to meet again in January.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m.

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Records Administrator