Montgomery County’s planning commission will discuss the most recent update to the New River Valley hazard mitigation plan when it meets Wednesday.
The commission will meet at 7 p.m. in the county government center, 755 Roanoke St., Christiansburg.
The New River Valley Regional Commission has organized efforts to create the new hazard mitigation plan, according to meeting documents. The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors is expected to review it and vote on adoption this month.
This is the third revision to the original plan approved in 2005. It was most recently updated in 2017. The plan covers Montgomery, Pulaski, Floyd and Giles counties, the 10 towns within them and the city of Radford.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will ultimately need to approve the plan for localities to remain eligible for four federal hazard mitigation assistance programs.
The draft plan is available for citizens to review and is divided into several major sections.
Flooding
There are 48 properties in the region that are defined as sites of repetitive flood damage. Of those, 30 properties do not carry flood insurance, the plan states. Eighteen properties are in Montgomery County, and two are in Christiansburg.
The plan notes that the region suffered severe damage from Hurricane Helene last September. One result was that the Montgomery County zoning ordinance was updated to require that new construction be at least one foot above base flood elevation and that county staff have floodplain management training.
Among the plan’s recommendations are to seek grants to develop new early warning systems; enhance swift water rescue capacity; increase two-way communication between the National Weather Service and emergency managers, along with increasing communication with residents who may be affected; pursue funding opportunities to elevate, water-proof or relocate flood-prone properties; make various improvements to flood pattern studies and mapping; limit future development in floodplains; improve drainage systems; pursue stream bed clearance; develop more stormwater detention facilities; implement more overall stormwater management measures; pursue mitigation measures such as conservation easements and redevelopment of brownfield sites; and improve coordination of risk assessments for local dams.
Winter weather
Recommendations include better coordination of road treatment ahead of storms, making sure storm response resources are available ahead of storms, improving coordination with the Virginia Department of Transportation on road treatment and clearing, and promoting installation of drift fences to maintain access during snowfalls.
Wildfire
Small wildfires are relatively frequent in the area, the plan notes. About 64% of the valley is forested.
Recommendations include increasing public awareness of wildfire danger, engaging with companies such as landscapers to reduce fire risks on private properties and boosting local and regional wildfire response training and coordination.
Drought
More than 70% of the region’s residents are on a public water system, the plan notes; the rest use private springs or wells.
The plan states that four years of study on water sources have explored the possibility of creating a regional water authority.
Radford’s treatment facility and other sources can provide public water not just to the city but to parts of Montgomery, Pulaski and Floyd counties. “These water systems are either totally unconnected or under-connected,” according to the plan.
Along with possible interconnection of water systems, recommendations include identifying backup water sources, increasing public water system storage capacity, doing more to prevent leaks and water losses, and gathering more data on the number and quality of wells.
Geologic hazards
These include landslides, rock falls and karst terrain, which involves underground limestone deposits through which groundwater flows.
Currently, development on steep or unstable slopes is largely unrestricted in the region, according to the plan.
Karst terrain, which creates sinkholes, occurs throughout the region except for Floyd County.
Recommendations include planning practices to reduce the impact of landslides and rock falls on new and existing developments, planning for detours and other actions following a rock fall, pre-demolition actions to control rock fall potential, accounting for changing precipitation patterns to improve the analysis of slope stability hazards and risks, creating a database of known karst features in high-risk areas and developing policies and programs to protect existing development and new development from karst impacts including sinkholes.
Subdivision
Also on the agenda is a vote to approve the plat for section one of phase three development of the Walnut Creek subdivision, located off Houchins Road on the eastern outskirts of Christiansburg.
Section one will include 26 single-family townhouse residential lots and more than one acre of dedicated open space. Christiansburg will provide water service, and the county Public Service Authority will provide sewer service.
You can find meeting documents here.
