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CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University is finalizing its Natural Hazard Mitigation plan, which summarizes the impact of natural hazards on OSU infrastructure. 

A meeting to solicit public comment will be held  from 3 to 4 p.m. April 23 at The LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26^th St. An electronic version of the draft plan is available at http://emergency.oregonstate.edu/nhmp.

The local planning process includes representatives from OSU, the city of Corvallis, and neighboring agencies representing emergency management, community development and OSU departments. The creation of the plan has been funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant program. The plan’s creation makes OSU eligible to apply for post-disaster mitigation project funding.

“The safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and faculty is always our top priority,” said OSU Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Bamberger. “As Oregon’s land grant institution, we want to ensure OSU is able to meet our commitment to provide a quality education to our future leaders, pre- and post-disaster. Through community partnerships, we can identify mitigation activities that reduce the impact of hazards and maintain OSU’s important role as a viable partner to the city of Corvallis and the state of Oregon.”

The plan will help OSU identify ways to reduce the potential loss of life and property by studying the impact of natural hazards. It will also identify ways to lessen the impact of disasters caused by earthquakes, floods and other hazards.  The planning process identifies vulnerabilities and risks associated with natural hazards and develops mitigation strategies to reduce the risk and reduce economic impact, recovery and construction cost post-disaster.

For more information, contact Mike Bamberger, OSU Emergency Preparedness, at [email protected] or 541-737-4713.