In order to be eligible for pre- or post-disaster mitigation funding, the Federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires local governments to prepare a Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP), which identifies strategies to minimize the impact of these hazards. The Township’s HMP focuses on the risks posed to residential properties and public infrastructure by a myriad of natural and unnatural hazards. Hazards can include severe thunderstorms, wildfire, flooding, infrastructure failures, and civil disorder just to name a few.
In February 2016, Bloomfield Township was awarded grant funds from the Michigan State Police (MSP) to update the Township’s current 2011 HMP. The 2011 HMP was reviewed and updated with the participation of several Township Departments including Police, Fire, Engineering and Environmental Services, Ordinance, Building, Assessing, and DPW. The finalized 2017 HMP was adopted by the Township Board on August 14, 2017.
The 2017 HMP can be viewed below:
Hazard Mitigation Plan
FEMA Project Plan Map
In order to remain eligible for Federal Emergency Management Funding (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation funding, this HMP must be updated every five years. Bloomfield Township staff will review the plan on an annual basis to assure that there are no new hazards or mitigation strategies to be added in. Every five years, the plan will be updated as necessary if any new hazards are found, or as the prioritization of hazards changes. Updated plans will be posted on the Township website for public review and comment prior to any changes being finalized.
Please contact the Bloomfield Township Engineering and Environmental Services Department through Email or 248-594-2800 if you have questions or comments about the current 2017 HMP.Â
Franklin Branch Stream Bank Stabilization Project
In 2001, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) awarded the Township a 1.6 million dollar grant to mitigate flooding hazards along the Franklin Branch of the Rouge River. The Franklin Branch is a natural stream that had been severely impacted by erosion and flooding that lead to downstream sedimentation, streambed degradation and slope failure.
The Franklin Stream Bank Stabilization Project focused on four (4) areas of stream bank erosion along a one-mile stretch of the Franklin Branch. Each site was ranked a priority based on the threat to infrastructure (sewers, homes, roadways). The project focused on the use of innovative engineering alternatives that included brush mattresses, live staking, fascines, pools and riffles, and vegetated geocell retaining walls to correct severe erosion issues. The project also included an extensive reforestation phase. Among all four sites, a total of 911 new trees were planted including American Sycamore, Silver Maple, Red Maple, Sugar Maple, River Birch, and White Pine.
In order to continue to be eligible for FEMA projects like these, the Township is required to have an approved Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP).
Additional Information
Please contact the Bloomfield Township Engineering and Environmental Services Department through Email or 248-594-2800 if you have questions about the material presented here.
For more information regarding Hazard Mitigation Planning, please visit the following websites:
FEMA Multi-Hazard Mitigation
Michigan State Police- Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division
Oakland County Homeland Security Division
Updated July 2017