Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan
STPUD and LVFPD are now soliciting public comment on the draft Hazard Mitigation Plan before it is finalized and submitted to FEMA for review and approval. The public comment period is open from June 22, 2026 to July 13, 2026. Follow the link to provide feedback on the plan.
- DRAFT South Tahoe Public Utility District and Lake Valley Fire Protection District Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan
- DRAFT Lake Valley Protection District Annex
Why Your Voice Matters:
Community participation ensures the updated plan is:
- Informed by real experiences and local knowledge.
- Supported by STPUD customers and community members.
- Practical, effective, and ready to be implemented.
Background
The South Tahoe Public Utility District (STPUD) and Lake Valley Fire Protection District (LVFPD) are working together to update our Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This federally required plan identifies natural hazards, assesses risks, and outlines strategies to protect our community from disasters like wildfires, floods, and droughts. Updated every five years, the Hazard Mitigation Plan keeps participating jurisdictions like STPUD and LVFPD eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state grants, while serving as a blueprint for protecting lives, property, and the environment.
What is Hazard Mitigation?
Hazard mitigation refers to proactive actions taken to reduce or eliminate long-term risks from natural hazards. Rather than just rebuilding after a disaster, hazard mitigation aims to break the cycle of damage and costly recovery.
Examples include:
- Improving infrastructure to withstand wildfires or floods
- Updating building codes to reflect modern risks
- Preserving open space to reduce flood impacts
When local governments and agencies plan ahead, we create stronger, safer, and more resilient communities that can better weather future disasters.
Why this Matters?
Mitigation is an investment in a community’s future safety, sustainability, and resiliency. Studies show every $1 spent on mitigation saves $6 in disaster costs. By planning ahead, we reduce the impact when disasters strike, keeping our community safer and more resilient.
How does this benefit South Lake Tahoe?
Hazard mitigation planning allows residents, business owners, elected officials, special districts, and municipalities to think through how to plan, design, build, and establish partnerships for risk reduction. Hazard mitigation can also benefit a community or a special district by:
- Protect public safety and prevent injuries.
- Safeguard homes, businesses, and future development.
- Preserve our unique economy, culture, and natural environment.
- Speed recovery and minimize downtime after disasters.
- Lower disaster response and recovery costs.
- Support infrastructure upgrades and open space preservation
For STPUD and LVFPD specifically, the plan update will:
- Keep us eligible for critical FEMA mitigation funding.
- Increase public awareness about local risks and safety actions.
- Align policies and programs to reduce vulnerability to all hazards.
- Build strong partnerships with community groups and stakeholders.
- Expand strategies to include education, regulations, and innovative projects.
- Guide prioritization and implementation of effective mitigation actions.
For More Info:
Call South Tahoe Public Utility District at 530-544-6474 or email info@stpud.us; or Lake Valley Fire District at 530.545-2065 or goldberg@lakevalleyfire.org.