Putnam County to develop climate vulnerability assessment with Hudson Valley Regional Council

The Putnam County Legislature unanimously approved on Aug. 20 a proposal to develop a county vulnerability assessment and climate adaptation plan in partnership with the Hudson Valley Regional Council.
County planning staff described the council’s offer to provide grant-funded technical assistance at no cost to the county; the project will build on the county’s hazard mitigation plan and generate additional recommendations to increase climate resilience. Legislator Montgomery and planning staff said the timing is opportune because the county’s five-year hazard mitigation update is approaching and the assessment supports pursuing a Climate Smart Communities silver certification.
Why it matters: The plan will identify county vulnerabilities to climate hazards and recommend resilience measures that can guide future capital projects, hazard mitigation actions and potential grant applications.
Details and process: County planning staff said Hudson Valley Regional Council personnel will work with county planning staff to prepare the assessment; the council has funding to help municipalities create adaptation plans. The committee agreed to proceed; the motion to approve was seconded and passed by voice vote.
Next steps: Planning staff will coordinate with regional council personnel and county departments to draft the plan, align it with the hazard mitigation update and pursue Climate Smart certification steps.