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Hazard Mitigation Plan - Section 7 - Existing Policies, Programs and Procedures

FEMA requires the evaluation of the “pre-disaster” and “post-disaster” hazard management policies, programs and capabilities that exist and could be used to implement mitigation measures.  There are a number of CTUIR departments and programs that help reduce losses from hazardous events on the reservation.  This section identifies existing plans, programs and procedures employed by the CTUIR that help make the reservation more disaster resistant.  

 

1.  Pre-Disaster Policies, Programs and Procedures

 

A.  CTUIR Planning Program

 

All lands of within the UIR have assigned zoning which is implemented through the Tribal Planning Office Land Development Code and a permitting process.  The Umatilla Indian Reservation has a Tribal Planning Office that manages building development on the reservation.  The Tribe’s planning program can: (1) help direct future development away from certain hazard areas where a hazardous event could damage structures; or (2) require that certain standards be met to reduce or prevent damage from future hazards.  For example, the Tribe’s planning program directs development away from the floodplain or requires structures to be elevated above the base flood elevation.

 

The CTUIR has adopted a Comprehensive Plan and the “Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Land Development Code” (May 15, 2000). The map below is the Tribe’s Zoning Map:

 

 

 

The Mission Community Plan (1998) is the long-term land use functional plan which includes land use policies for agricultural, general rural, rural residential, community residential, commercial, industrial, open space, cultural, Tribal Government, water and sewer service area, fire protection and emergency services, police protection, solid waste management, roads and transportation, parks and recreation, environmentally sensitive areas and on land acquisition. The Community Plan also identifies existing and future zoning for Reservation lands.

 

 

B.  Building Code

 

The Tribal Planning Office also houses a building permit and inspection program implementing the International Building Codes; electrical, plumbing, structural, mechanical and fire. 

 

The CTUIR Board of Trustees recently increased the level of protection from hazards that can damage buildings.  On July 21, 2008 , the Board of Trustees replaced the previously enacted Uniform Building Code with the updated International Building Code (IBC).  In its resolution adopting the IBC, the CTUIR Board of Trustees amended the Land Development Code to require that:

 

All buildings and facilities constructed on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and on off reservation trust lands owned by the CTUIR shall comply with the latest edition of the following codes and standards, including any amendments thereto:

 

1. Building Codes:

a. International Building Code;

b. International Fire Code;

c. International Plumbing Code;

d. International Mechanical Code;

e. National Electric Code;

f. Oregon Manufactured Dwelling and Park Specialty Code;

g. Oregon Department of Energy Conservation Code;

h. NFPA National Fire Sprinkler Code;

i. National Fire and Safety Sprinkler Code;

j. International Fuel Gas Code.

 

2. Tribal Supplement to the International Building Code:

      a. Wind standard: 105 mph 3 second gust, wind speed 90 mph; exposure B or C

      b. Snow load standard: 25 pounds per square foot for roof

      c. Frost depth standard: 24 inches

      d. Earthquake design data shall be shown as indicated in Sec. 1603.1.5 IBC.

      e. Building envelopes, heating and cooling ducts shall meet the requirements of the Oregon

          Department of Energy Conservation Code.  The reservation land is in Climate Zone 2.

      f. Parking spaces shall be constructed to the Oregon Department of Transportation Disabled Parking

          Standards.

      g. Mobile homes shall be set up and installed to the requirements of the current Oregon

          Manufactured Dwelling Specialty Code.

 

Any amendments to the above referenced codes and standards shall also be effective on the Umatilla Indian Reservation. 

 

At the same meeting, the Board of Trustees also adopted the latest edition of the International Fire Code.

 

C.  Hazardous Material Transport

 

The CTUIR also requires that trucks carrying hazardous materials are prohibited from parking on the Wildhorse Casino and Resort property, which is the highest occupancy facility on the reservation.  These requirements are regulated by the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s rules for hazardous materials transport.  These requirements also maintain distances between various hazardous material shipments and the establish length of stay requirements. 

 

D.  Pandemic Flu Plan

 

Although only a draft at this time, the Tribe has a plan titled “Pandemic Influenza:  A Planning Guide for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.”  The Tribe realizes that their casino and resort is a destination resort that may need special strategies to protect its visitors and workforce if a pandemic were to occur.

 

 

 

2.  Post-Disaster Policies, Programs and Procedures

 

A.  Inclement Weather Policy

 

The CTUIR has policies in place directing Umatilla Indian Reservation operations during times of bad weather.  These policies save lives and reduce property damage by allowing people to delay traveling to work or excusing them from coming to work during inclement weather.

Fog, ice and snow storms are covered under the Tribe’s Inclement Weather Policy which is as follows:

 

CTUIR Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual, Section 4.15 (A)(4), CTUIR employees may be granted Administrative Leave by the Executive Director due to the "inability to travel to work safely because of unusually severe weather or natural disaster..."

 

B.  Emergency Response Leave and Administrative Leave Policies

The CTUIR Emergency Response Leave Policy encourages and supports those employees able to assist those in need during a disaster or hazardous event.  This policy is as follows:

4.16.1      EMERGENCY RESPONSE LEAVE

Tribal Employee Volunteers. In order to help accommodate the emergency response capabilities of the Tribe, any Tribal employee who is a volunteer member of the Tribal Fire Department, or any other Tribal emergency response group, may immediately and without question leave their duty station when called to respond to an emergency situation during their normal working hours. Such calls may be direct verbal communication or by electronic means, (i.e. beeper, radio, etc.). The employee will receive their normal compensation and benefits as if they were at their duty station during the time they are responding. In no event will a Tribal employee who is a volunteer member of the Tribal Fire Department receive compensation in excess of their normal working hours or be eligible for compensatory time for the time spent responding to the emergency, unless authorized by the Executive Director.

Tribal Employees. In the event of a Reservation declared emergency (fire, flood, etc.) the Incident Commander, with concurrence of the Executive Director, may direct a Tribal employee to assist in an emergency response based on their expertise and skills. This could include everything from basic tasks such as answering phones in an emergency operation center to more technical tasks such as engineering a flood levy. An emergency response situation will take precedent over the employee's normal day-to-day work. Also, the Incident Commander, with concurrence of the Executive Director, may direct a department to release the use of special equipment needed in emergency response situations. If authorized by the Executive Director or his designee, an employee may receive compensation in excess of their normal working hours or eligible for compensatory time for the time spent responding to the declared emergency.

The CTUIR Administrative Leave Policy (Section 4.15.4) allows CTUIR employees to avoid traveling during times of unusually severe weather or natural disasters when authorized by the CTUIR Executive Director. and supports those employees able to assist those in need during a disaster or hazardous event.  This policy is as follows:

 

C.  Tribal Repair Fund

The Tribe has a fund for maintenance and replacement of most houses owned by tribal members.  That fund has been used to fix roofs of people living on the reservation as few tribal members have insurance.  Funds from this program were used to patch roofs after the January 2008 wind storm.

D.  The Cultural Response to Disasters

 

Although not a formal policy, program of procedure, the members of the Confederated Tribe of the Umatilla Indian Reservation have cultural ties to one another that bring members of the reservation together to assist during times of need.  Caring for one another is a cultural ethic that needs to be recognized as a “post-disaster” response. 

 

3.  Other Programs, Plans and Studies Supporting Hazard Mitigation

 

Upper Umatilla River Flood Study: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and Corps of Engineers, U.S. Army

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). 2004. Administrative Rules And Standards To The Water Code, Section 4 Water Quality Standards, 404.2(3). Mission, Oregon

 

Report of Flood Fight Potential Sites in the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) (UMATILLA COUNTY, OREGON) Prepared By: Jerry R. Gardenhire CENWP-EC-DC 7/3/01 Rev. 1 10/31/03

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). 1998.

Mission Community Plan. Mission, Oregon .

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). 2004.

Administrative Rules And Standards To The Water Code, Section 4 Water

Quality Standards, 404.2(3). Mission, Oregon .

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. 2000. Emissions

Inventory.

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) Tribal

Planning Office, 2000. New Neighborhoods Analysis.

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). 1999,

Administrative Rules And Standards To The Water Code, Section 4 Water

Quality Standards, 404.2(3). Mission, Oregon .

 

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). 1999.

Environmental Health and Safety Code (Chapter 6.065). Mission, OR .