Palos Verdes Peninsula Cities Secure Federal Approval of Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan

The cities of Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates, Rolling Hills, and Palos Verdes Estates today announced their Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan earned approval by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, ensuring the Palos Verdes Peninsula remains eligible for state and federal funding to reduce long-term risk from natural hazards.

FEMA approved the Plan in June following a more than year-long effort that included robust public outreach, engagement with community stakeholders, and multi-agency coordination. The Plan addresses threats from potential natural hazards the Peninsula is vulnerable to-such as earthquakes, heat waves, landslides, strong wind events, and wildfires-and identifies possible strategies to reduce their impacts. The planning process was spearheaded by the City of Rolling Hills Estates and supported by consultant Black & Veatch. FEMA's approval of the Plan ensures funding eligibility for the next five years at a time when the City of Rancho Palos Verdes has several federal hazard mitigation grants pending.

This is the region's first hazard mitigation plan encompassing all four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, which work closely on emergency planning efforts. The Plan also includes the Abalone Cove Landslide Abatement District and Klondike Canyon Landslide Abatement District, which each perform landslide mitigation work within their boundaries in the City of Rancho Palos Verdes.

"Natural hazards know no jurisdictional boundaries," said Rancho Palos Verdes Mayor Paul Seo. "This unprecedented effort reflects our agencies' commitment to working together to plan for shared natural hazards so we can protect our communities for years to come."

"We were pleased to help bring the Peninsula cities together and secure grant funding that covered most of the cost of developing this important regional plan," stated Rolling Hills Estates Mayor Frank Zerunyan. "We are one Peninsula, and because major hazards do not stop at city limits, collaboration is critical. By working together, the four cities are better positioned to identify risks, coordinate our efforts, and protect our communities from the impacts of future natural disasters."

"The Peninsula's cities share many of the same natural hazards, and our residents are best served when we prepare for them together. This plan strengthens regional coordination while ensuring that each city has strategies tailored to the needs of its own community." said Rolling Hills Mayor Bea Dieringer

"Being prepared means planning ahead and working together before an emergency occurs," said Palos Verdes Estates Mayor Michael Kemps. "This collaborative effort strengthens preparedness across the entire Peninsula and gives each of our communities a clear framework for reducing risks and protecting residents from the natural hazards we share."

The Final Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan and more information about the planning effort are available on the Peninsula's emergency information website, PVPready.gov.