Wildland Urban Interface Code - Item #40

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Alison Alter
Posts: 211
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 3:52 pm

Wildland Urban Interface Code - Item #40

Post by Alison Alter »

Dear Colleagues,

Austin is one of the nation’s top cities at risk of wildfire. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

I am happy that we are moving forward with the adoption of a Wildland-Urban Interface Code (WUI code) for Austin (item #40). This code represents years of effort on the part of the wildfire mitigation community, city staff, and stakeholders.

It is important to note that the version of the WUI code that I hope we will adopt tomorrow is a modified version that leaves out fuels mitigation and vegetation management. These are key aspects of wildfire prevention and mitigation that help ensure that when a wildfire occurs, the severity is reduced and the fire is more manageable.

My office is preparing a motion sheet to address next steps related to fuels mitigation and vegetation management. We have just submitted it to legal for review and I have pasted the draft language below.

Regards,
Alison Alter

Alter Direction for Item #40

The model international Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC) includes rules governing vegetation management and fuels mitigation not yet adopted into the Austin code. The City Manager is directed to create a process to incorporate and/or adapt these additional WUIC strategies into Austin’s wildfire prevention efforts.

This process should:
*Include extensive stakeholder management, including, but not limited to, wildfire mitigation experts, members of the environmental community, homeowners, and entities that manage tracts of wildland or wildland urban interface land;
*Build off the extensive work invested in adoption of Austin’s initial WUIC;
Address the roles and responsibilities of homeowners as well as land management entities;
*Identify a path forward, through voluntary and/or regulatory action, that advances fuels mitigation and vegetation management to mitigate wildfire risk in our community; and
*Explore the creation of community refuges as a related option for wildfire preparedness.

The City Manager is directed to return to City Council within three months with a comprehensive overview of the developed process and related timeline.
Council Member, District 10
Alison Alter
Posts: 211
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 3:52 pm

Re: Wildland Urban Interface Code - Item #40

Post by Alison Alter »

Note the direction should read "Include extensive stakeholder engagement".
Council Member, District 10
Alison Alter
Posts: 211
Joined: Fri Jan 13, 2017 3:52 pm

Re: Wildland Urban Interface Code - Item #40

Post by Alison Alter »

Thank you to the law department for a quick review.

Below please find slightly updated language for my WUIC Item #40 direction...

The model international Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC) includes rules governing vegetation management and fuels mitigation not yet adopted into the Austin code. The City Manager is directed to create a process to incorporate and/or adapt these additional WUIC strategies into Austin’s wildfire prevention efforts. 

This process should build off the extensive work invested in adoption of Austin’s initial WUIC and:

*Provide for extensive stakeholder engagement, including, but not limited to, wildfire mitigation experts, members of the environmental community, homeowners, and entities that manage tracts of wildland or wildland urban interface land;

*Address the roles and responsibilities of homeowners as well as land management entities;

*Identify a path forward, through voluntary and/or regulatory action, that advances fuels mitigation and vegetation management to mitigate wildfire risk in our community; and

*Explore the creation of community refuges as a related option for wildfire preparedness.  

The City Manager is directed to provide a report to City Council within three months with a comprehensive overview of the developed process and related timeline.
Council Member, District 10
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