Policies

1. Policy LU-4.4 Natural topography in the Mountain region

   We require new development in the Mountain region to retain natural topography and minimize grading unless it is necessary to reduce exposure to natural hazards.

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Goals

1. Goal IU-3 Stormwater Drainage

   A regional stormwater drainage backbone and local stormwater facilities in unincorporated areas that reduce the risk of flooding

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Policies

1. Policy IU-3.1 Regional flood control

   We maintain a regional flood control system and regularly evaluate the need for and implement upgrades based on changing land coverage and hydrologic conditions in order to manage and reduce flood risk. We require any public and private projects proposed anywhere in the county to address and mitigate any adverse impacts on the carrying capacity and stormwater velocity of regional stormwater drainage systems.

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2. Policy IU-3.2 Local flood control

   We require new development to install and maintain stormwater management facilities that maintain predevelopment hydrology and hydraulic conditions.

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3. Policy IU-3.3 Recreational use

   We prefer that stormwater facilities be designed and maintained to allow for regional open space and safe recreation use without compromising the ability to provide flood risk reduction.

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4. Policy IU-3.4 Natural floodways

   We retain existing natural floodways and watercourses on County-controlled floodways, including natural channel bottoms, unless hardening and channelization is the only feasible way to manage flood risk. On floodways not controlled by the County, we encourage the retention of natural floodways and watercourses. Our priority is to reduce flood risk, but we also strive to protect wildlife corridors, prevent loss of critical habitat, and improve the amount and quality of surface water and groundwater resources.

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5. Policy IU-3.5 Fair share requirements

   We require new development to pay its fair share of capital costs to maintain adequate capacity of the County’s regional flood control systems.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps IU-4 Regional Flood Control Facilities (PDF | WEB)

Policies

1. Policy TM-1.4 Unpaved roadways

   The County does not accept new unpaved roads into the County Maintained Road System, and we require all-weather treatment for all new unpaved roads.

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Policies

1. Policy PP-4.1 Emergency management plans

   A reduced risk of and impact from injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption resulting from emergencies, natural disasters, and potential changes in climate.

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2. Policy PP-4.2 Critical and essential facility operation

   We ensure that critical and essential County facilities remain operational during emergencies.

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3. Policy PP-4.3 Automatic and mutual aid

   We participate in agreements for automatic and mutual aid with other local, state, federal, and nongovernmental emergency service providers to improve protection services and emergency response throughout the county.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps PP-2 Evacuation Routes (PDF | WEB)

Goals

1. Goal HZ-1 Natural Environmental Hazards

   Minimized risk of injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption caused by natural environmental hazards and adaptation to potential changes in climate.

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Policies

1. Policy HZ-1.1 New subdivisions in environmental hazard areas

   We require all lots and parcels created through new subdivisions to have sufficient buildable area outside of the following environmental hazard areas:

   • Flood: 100-year flood zone, dam/basin inundation area
   • Geologic: Alquist Priolo earthquake fault zone; County-identified fault zone; rockfall/debris-flow hazard area, existing and County-identified landslide area
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2. Policy HZ-1.2 New development in environmental hazard areas

   We require all new development to be located outside of the environmental hazard areas listed below. For any lot or parcel that does not have sufficient buildable area outside of such hazard areas, we require adequate mitigation, including designs that allow occupants to shelter in place and to have sufficient time to evacuate during times of extreme weather and natural disasters.

   • Flood: 100-year flood zone, dam/basin inundation area
   • Geologic: Alquist Priolo earthquake fault zone; County-identified fault zone; rockfall/debris-flow hazard area, medium or high liquefaction area (low to high and localized), existing and County-identified landslide area, moderate to high landslide susceptibility area)
   • Fire: high or very high fire hazard severity zone
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3. Policy HZ-1.3 Floodplain mapping

   We require any new lots or subdivisions partially in, and any new development partially or entirely in 100-year flood zones or 100-year flood awareness areas to provide detail floodplain mapping for 100- and 200-year storm events as part of the development approval process.

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4. Policy HZ-1.4 500-year flood zone

   We may collaborate with property owners in the Valley region to establish funding and financing mechanisms to mitigate flood hazards in identified 500-year flood zones.

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5. Policy HZ-1.5 Existing properties in environmental hazard areas

   We encourage owners of existing properties in hazard areas to add design features that allow occupants to shelter in place and to have sufficient time to evacuate during times of extreme weather and natural disasters.

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6. Policy HZ-1.6 Critical and essential facility location

   We require new critical and essential facilities to be located outside of hazard areas, whenever feasible.

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7. Policy HZ-1.9 Hazard areas maintained as open space

   We minimize risk associated with flood, geologic, and fire hazard zones or areas by encouraging such areas to be preserved and maintained as open space.

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Related Materials

1. Policy Maps HZ-3 Dam & Basin Hazards (PDF | WEB)
2. Policy Maps HZ-4 Flood Hazards (PDF | WEB)

1. FOCUS STATEMENT D - Improve Lucerne Valley’s water and sewer infrastructure with a focus on the community’s sustainability

   Action Statement D.3

   Coordinate with County Flood Control to improve flood mitigation measures throughout the community and advocate for a stormwater retention basin to effectively capture stormwater runoff or recharge basins.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT C - Ensure communities are protected from natural disasters

   Action Statement C.2

   Follow and promote flood control measures.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public safety; EMS, fire and sheriff.

   Action Statement B.3

   Establish primary and back-up emergency communication systems.

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1. FOCUS STATEMENT B - Improve public health and safety in Homestead Valley

   Action Statement B.1

   Prepare a community flash flood protection plan, identifying the areas that are most vulnerable to flash floods and developing strategies to make the community more resilient to these events.*

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