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** Paperback - 252 Pages - Full Color ** Introduction Mitigation planning provides a framework local governments can build on to lessen the impacts of natural disasters. By encouraging whole-community involvement, assessing risk and using a range of resources, local governments can reduce risk to people, economies and natural environments. This Local Mitigation Planning Handbook (Handbook) guides local governments, including special districts, as they develop or update a hazard mitigation plan. The Handbook will: Help local governments meet the requirements in the Local Mitigation Planning Policy Guide (the Guide) and Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for FEMA approval. An approved, adopted mitigation plan is a gateway to apply for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) and High Hazard Potential Dam (HHPD) grant programs. Provide useful ideas and approaches that aid communities in reducing vulnerabilities and long term risk from natural hazards and disasters through planning. The Handbook is a companion to the Guide. The Guide helps local governments understand the requirements in the CFR. It also assists state and federal officials who provide training and technical assistance to local governments during their review and approval of local plans. The Handbook, on the other hand, gives advice and approaches for developing these plans. Handbook Format and Organization The mitigation planning process is slightly different for each SLTT government. However, no matter the plan type, there are four core steps in completing a hazard mitigation plan or plan update. Within each step there are tasks which, taken together, help to build a hazard mitigation plan. This handbook is organized around the four steps and nine recommended tasks for developing a local hazard mitigation plan (Figure 1). Some tasks can be completed at the same time. Others depend on completing earlier tasks. Tasks 1 through 3 set up the process and