The update of the County’s Hazard Mitigation Plan is a requirement by the State of Minnesota Department of Homeland Security & Emergency Management (HSEM) as well as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) every five years. Our plan is due for an update and our planning is currently underway. The plan addresses the natural hazards that face Cook County and will result in mitigation actions for implementation that will reduce or eliminate loss of life or damage to property as a result of natural hazard events. As being part of a County Department, City or Township, partner in response, affiliated agency or jurisdiction or additional key stakeholders, your input is valued. Your participation in this hazard mitigation plan is important for several reasons: 1. You will have input on projects we can implement at the county and local level that will help to eliminate or reduce the impacts of future natural disaster events. 2. Participating cities and the County will be eligible to apply for significant federal mitigation funding from FEMA to implement specific projects that meet eligibility requirements. 3. Mitigation planning is a fundamental element in emergency management and local planning that we all must address to keep our communities safe and resilient. 4. FEMA and the State of Minnesota require that local jurisdictions participate in the planning process. Your participation is important so that the County can ensure that we meet this requirement. During this two-hour meeting we will discuss & rank the hazards that face our county and discuss mitigation actions to include in the plan. The meeting will be facilitated by the University of Minnesota – Duluth Geospatial Analysis Center and Bonnie Hundrieser, an emergency management planning consultant working closely with us on this project. If you cannot attend, please seek to send someone in your stead to represent your county department/city jurisdiction/agency or other organization. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Thank you, Valerie Marasco Director – Office of Emergency Management & Public Information Cook County, Minnesota Office: 218-387-3059 Cell: 218-387-5366 Fax: 218-387-3032 [email protected]