MINUTES

HAZARD MITIGATION

SPECIAL COMMITTEE MEETING – EARTHQUAKES, KARST PLAIN SINKHOLES AND LAND SUBSIDENCE OR LAND SLIDES

DECEMBER 17, 2004

The Hazard Mitigation Special Committee for earthquakes, karst plain sinkholes and land subsidence or land slides met Friday, December 17, 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 earthquakes, karst plain sinkholes, and land subsidence, 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.

NATURAL HAZARD DATA

Dr. Stuart Foster, State Climatologist, Western Kentucky University, introduced Dr. Nick Crawford, Director, Center for Cave and Karst Studies, Western Kentucky University. Dr. Crawford discussed ground water contamination, sinkhole collapses, sinkhole flooding, and earthquakes. Dr. Crawford presented maps of the BRADD area where the problems have occurred or can occur. Dr. Crawford reported we do live in an earthquake area, but are few and far between. When an earthquake does occur it will be very serious. He discussed how caves withstand some earthquakes.

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 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