Agenda packet — Sutter Creek City Council, April 6, 2026 (part 2 of 6)

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Figure 4-68 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in Extremely High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas
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Table 4-84 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in Extremely High Hazard Dam Inundation Zones by Jurisdiction and Category
Jurisdiction / Category / Critical Facility Type
Dam Inundation Area
Bear River
Lower Bear River
Pardee
Pardee - Spillway
Salt Springs - Scenario 1
Salt Springs - Scenario 2
Sly Park
Unincorporated Amador County
Essential Services
Bridge 2 2 1 2 2 3 3
Public Water System 2 2 0 1 3 3 0
Essential Services Total 4 4 1 3 5 6 3
Unincorporated Amador County Total 4 4 1 3 5 6 3
Source: Cale OES/DSOD; Amador County GIS
High Hazard Dam Inundation Analysis
Dam failure present a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. The following analysis discusses critical facilities and infrastructure. A separate analysis was performed on the critical facility inventory in the Amador County Planning Area to determine critical facilities in high hazard dam inundation areas. Using GIS, the DSOD high hazard dam inundation areas were overlayed on the critical facility GIS layer. Figure 4-69 shows critical facilities, as well as the high hazard dam inundation areas. Table 4-85 details critical facilities by high hazard dam inundation areas by facility type and count for the Planning Area. Details of critical facility category, type, name and address by high hazard dam inundation areas are listed in Appendix F. As shown, all critical facilities that fall in the extremely high hazard dam inundation area are located in the City of Ione, the City of Jackson, or the unincorporated County. 283
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Figure 4-69 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas
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Table 4-85 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in High Hazard Dam Inundation Zones by Jurisdiction and Category
Jurisdiction / Critical Facility Category Facility Count City of Ione
Essential Services Facilities 1
At Risk Population Facilities 0
City of Ione Total 1
City of Jackson
Essential Services Facilities 5
At Risk Population Facilities 0
City of Jackson Total 5
Unincorporated Amador County
Essential Services Facilities 11
At Risk Population Facilities 0
Unincorporated Amador County Total 11
Source: Cale OES/DSOD; Amador County GIS
Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
A major dam failure event and associated flooding could have a devastating impact on the Amador County Planning Area. Large flood events can affect all natural, historic, and cultural resources that lie in the dam inundation areas. There are a number of ways floodwaters associated with a dam failure event can impact natural resources and the environment. Wildlife habitats can be destroyed by floodwaters. Contaminated floodwater can pollute rivers and habitats. Silt and sediment can destroy natural areas. Riverbanks and natural levées can be eliminated as rivers reach bankfull capacity. Rivers can be widened, and deposition can increase downstream. Trees can be uprooted by high-velocity water flow. Plants that survive the initial flood may die due to being inundated with water. Historic structures and cultural resources may also be significantly affected and even destroyed. Generally, the impacts are associated with damage to these structures within the inundated areas Other cultural resources such as those associated with Native Americans and old tribal areas can also be disturbed, damaged, and lost during extreme flood events.

FEMA NRI Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
Dam failure is not an NRI hazard and thus has no data to present.

Impacts from Dam Failure
Impacts to the Amador County Planning Area from dam failure flooding could be extensive and widespread and include loss of life and injury, flooding and damage to property and structures, damage to critical facilities and infrastructure, loss of natural resources, and all other flood related impacts. Additionally, mass evacuations and associated economic losses can also be significant. 285
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Other impacts associated with dam failure include landslides, bank erosion, and destruction of habitat. Dam failures can cause downstream flooding and can transport large volumes of sediment and debris and contaminants from the floodwaters. Other environmental impacts can include contamination from septic system failures and releases of contaminants from hazardous materials facilities, contamination of potable water supplies; changes in configurations of streams; loss of wildlife habitats; and degradation of wetlands.

A large dam failure event could have significant and catastrophic impacts.

Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the County may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
Future hazard conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future rain and storm conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County to dam failure.
➢ Population growth in Amador County is expected to slowly continue. Additional growth within the dam inundation areas of the County would place additional populations at risk to dam failure.

Additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the County. Vulnerable population groups could face disproportionate effects from a dam failure and should be planned for.

Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the County to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions.
➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. Locating new development, structures, and critical facilities and infrastructure within or near areas of dam failure risk may put additional development at risk. However, County building codes are in effect to partially reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future dam failure conditions. Thus, depending on the location of new development and adherence to protective building codes, changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard.

Future development considerations should be ongoing and proactive. Ensuring that comprehensive land use planning is conducted, regulatory requirements, such as building codes, are followed, and varying needs for different demographic groups with intersecting identities that reside within the County are considered can help to make for a more resilient community. Although new growth and development corridors would fall in the area flooded by a dam failure, given the limited potential of total dam failure and the large area that a dam failure would affect, development in the dam inundation area will continue to occur.

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4-71 show the locations of the future development areas overlayed on the extremely high and high hazard dam inundation areas, respectively. As shown, no future development areas are located in either the extremely high and high hazard dam inundation areas; as such, no tabular analysis is presented. 287
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Figure 4-70 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development Areas in Extremely High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas
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Figure 4-71 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development Areas in High Hazard Dam Inundation Areas
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4.3.10. Drought and Water Shortage (w/Tree Mortality)
Hazard Profile
This hazard profile contains multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect the Amador County Planning Area. These sections include a hazard/problem description; description of location and extent; past occurrences of this hazard; likelihood of future occurrences; and how climate change can affect or influence this hazard.

Hazard/Problem Description
Drought
Drought is a gradual phenomenon. Although droughts are sometimes characterized as emergencies, they differ from typical emergency events. Most natural disasters, such as floods or forest fires, occur relatively rapidly and afford little time for preparing for disaster response. Droughts occur slowly, over a multi-year period, and it is often not obvious or easy to quantify when a drought begins and ends.

Drought is a complex issue involving (see Figure 4-72) many factors—it occurs when a normal amount of precipitation and snow is not available to satisfy an area’s usual water-consuming activities. Drought can often be defined regionally based on its effects:
➢ Meteorological drought is usually defined by a period of below average water supply. ➢ Agricultural drought occurs when there is an inadequate water supply to meet the needs of the state’s crops and other agricultural operations such as livestock. ➢ Hydrological drought is defined as deficiencies in surface and subsurface water supplies. It is generally measured as streamflow, snowpack, and as lake, reservoir, and groundwater levels. ➢ Socioeconomic drought occurs when a drought impacts health, well-being, and quality of life, or when a drought starts to have an adverse economic impact on a region. 290
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Figure 4-72 Causes and Impacts of Drought
Source: National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC)
Location and Extent of Drought
Drought is a regional phenomenon that affects the entire Amador County Planning Area. Drought in the United States is monitored by the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS). A major component of this portal is the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor concept was developed jointly by the NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, the NDMC, and the USDA’s Joint Agricultural Weather Facility in the late 1990s as a process that synthesizes multiple indices, outlooks and local impacts, into an assessment that best represents current drought conditions. The final outcome of each Drought Monitor is a consensus of federal, state, and academic scientists who are intimately familiar with the conditions in their respective regions. A snapshot of the current (and 2024) drought conditions in California and the Amador County Planning Area can be found in Figure 4-73. Snapshots from 2014 to 2023 are shown in Figure 4-74 and Figure 4-75. As seen in these figures and related data, the Planning Area has been in and out of drought over the past ten years since the last drought started in 2014. 291
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Figure 4-73 Amador County Planning Area – Current (2025) and 2024 Drought Status Source: US Drought Monitor
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Figure 4-74 Previous Drought Status in Amador County (2018-2023) Source: US Drought Monitor
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Figure 4-75 Previous Drought Status in Amador County (2014-2017) Source: US Drought Monitor
Cal DWR says the following about drought:

One dry year does not normally constitute a drought in California. California’s extensive system of water supply infrastructure—its reservoirs, groundwater basins, and inter-regional conveyance facilities—mitigates the effect of short-term dry periods for most water users. Defining when a drought begins is a function of drought impacts to water users. Hydrologic conditions constituting a drought for water users in one location may not constitute a drought for water users elsewhere, or for water users having a different water supply. Individual water suppliers may use criteria such as rainfall/runoff, amount of water in storage, or expected supply from a water wholesaler to define their water supply conditions.

The drought issue in California is further compounded by water rights. Water is a commodity possessed under a variety of legal doctrines. The prioritization of water rights between domestic uses, farming and federally protected fish habitats in California further contributes to this issue. 294
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As shown on the previous figures, drought is tracked by the US Drought Monitor. The Drought Monitor includes a scale to measure drought intensity:
➢ None
➢ D0 (Abnormally Dry)
➢ D1 (Moderate Drought)
➢ D2 (Severe Drought)
➢ D3 (Extreme Drought)
➢ D4 (Exceptional Drought)
Drought has a slow onset and long duration. Drought is not initially recognized as a problem because it normally originates in what is considered good weather, which typically includes a dry late spring and summer in Mediterranean climates, such as in California. This is particularly true in Northern California where drought impacts are delayed for most of the population by the wealth of stored surface and ground water. The drought complications normally appear more than a year after a drought begins. The most direct and likely most difficult drought impact to quantify is to local economies, especially agricultural economies. Drought has the potential to affect the entire Amador County Planning Area.

Water Shortage
Northern Sacramento Valley counties, including Amador County, generally have sufficient groundwater and surface water supplies to mitigate even the severest droughts of the past century. Many other areas of the State, however, also place demands on these water resources during severe drought The 2016 Amador County General Plan Conservation Element noted that groundwater from individual wells represents a major water source in the unincorporated portions of the County. In most of Amador County, groundwater-bearing units and aquifers are poorly defined. The majority of available groundwater is transient and found in fractured rock. This fractured bedrock aquifer has not been adequately studied, and no information is available concerning the capacity of the aquifer. The Cosumnes Groundwater Subbasin underlies southwestern Amador County. The Cosumnes Subbasin is in overdraft; in other words, more water is leaving the groundwater basin than entering it.

According to the Amador Water Agency (AWA) 2024-2025 Annual Water Supply & Demand Assessment Shortage Report, the Agency has a significant surplus of water supply above current and projected demands.

The Amador Water System (AWS) water supply is a pre-1914 water right that has never been curtailed in the most severe single-year or a multiple-year drought. In addition, while the water supply associated with the Central Amador Water Project (CAWP) was temporarily curtailed during the 2021/2022 drought years, the significant storage volume in the Lower Bear Reservoir has allowed previous water supply demands to be met, and are expected to be met in the future, even in dry years. The total well capacity for the portion of both systems reliant on groundwater are larger than current and projected demands.

Location and Extent of Water Shortage
Since water shortage generally happens on a regional scale, the entirety of the Amador County Planning Area is at risk. There is no established scientific scale to measure water shortage. The speed of onset of water shortage tends to be lengthy. The duration of water shortage can vary, depending on the severity of 295
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the drought that accompanies it and the status of the water sources going into the drought. The extent of the drought considers several factors, including the nature, source, and reliability of water. While drought conditions persist, the Planning Area has generally sufficient water supply from water supplies, which lessens the extent of water shortage impacts in the Planning Area.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been 2 state and 1 federal disaster declarations for Amador County. These are shown on Table 4-86. More information on USDA disaster declarations from drought (24 events) can be found in Table 4-48 in the Past Occurrences in Section 4.3.6.

Table 4-86 Amador County – Federal and State Drought Disaster Declarations 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Drought 2 1976, 2015 1 1977
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
There have been 158 NCDC drought events in Amador County. This is shown on Table 4-87.

Table 4-87 NCDC Drought Events for Amador County 1993-7/31/2024* Event Type Number
of Events
Deaths Deaths
(indirect)
Injuries Injuries
(indirect)
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Drought 158 0 0 0 0 $0 $1,500,000,000
Source: NCDC
*Note: Losses reflect totals for all impacted areas, some of which fell outside of Amador County CA DWR Events (with Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Input) Historically, California has experienced multiple severe droughts. According to the DWR, droughts exceeding three years are relatively rare in Northern California, the source of much of the State’s developed water supply. Figure 4-76 depicts California’s Multi-Year Historical Dry Periods, 1850-2000. The 1929- 34 drought established the criteria commonly used in designing storage capacity and yield of large northern California reservoirs. Figure 4-77 compares the 1929-34 drought to the 1976-77, 1987-92, 2007-09, and 2012-2016 droughts.
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Figure 4-76 California’s Multi-Year Historical Dry Periods, 1850-2000 Source: Cal DWR
Notes: Dry periods prior to 1900 estimated from limited data; covers dry periods of statewide or major regional extent Figure 4-77 Average Annual Runoff and Precipitation for Historic Droughts Source: CA DWR – 2012-2016 California Drought: Historical Perspective (https://ca.water.usgs.gov/california-drought/californiadrought-comparisons.html) Figure 4-78 depicts runoff for the State from 1905 to 2021. This gives a historical context for the 2014- 2021 drought to compare against past droughts.
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Figure 4-78 Annual California Runoff –1905 to 2021
Source: Cal DWR
The 2018 and 2023 California State Hazard Mitigation Plan discussed the major droughts from 1900 to 2022. The discussion below appends to the tables and figures above.

The 1975-1977 Drought
From November 1975 through November 1977, California experienced one of its most severe droughts.

Although people in many areas of the state are accustomed to very little precipitation during the growing season (April to October), they expect it in the winter. In 1976 and 1977, the winters brought only one-half and one-third of normal precipitation, respectively. Most surface storage reservoirs were substantially drained in 1976, leading to widespread water shortages when 1977 turned out to be even drier.

The 1987-1992 Drought
From 1987 to 1992, California again experienced a serious drought due to low precipitation and run-off levels. The hardest-hit region was the Central Coast, roughly from San Jose to Ventura. In 1988, 45 California counties experienced water shortages that adversely affected about 30 percent of the state’s population, much of the dry-farmed agriculture, and over 40 percent of the irrigated agriculture. Fish and wildlife resources suffered, recreational use of lakes and rivers decreased, forestry losses and fires increased, and hydroelectric power production decreased. In February 1991, DWR and Cal OES surveyed drought conditions in all 58 California counties and found five main problems: extremely dry rangeland, 298
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irrigated agriculture with severe surface water shortages and falling groundwater levels, widespread rural areas where individual and community supplies were going dry, urban area water rationing at 25 to 50 percent of normal usage, and environmental impacts.

Storage in major reservoirs had dropped to 54 percent of average, the lowest since 1977. The shortages led to stringent water rationing and severe cutbacks in agricultural production, including threats to survival of permanent crops such as trees and vines. Fish and wildlife resources were in critical shape as well. Not since the 1928-1934 drought had there been such a prolonged dry period. In response to those conditions, the Governor established the Drought Action Team. This team almost immediately created an emergency drought water bank to develop a supply for four critical needs: municipal and industrial uses, agricultural uses, protection of fish and wildlife, and carryover storage for 1992. The large-scale transfer program, which involved over 800,000 acre-feet of water, was implemented in less than 100 days with the help and commitment of the entire water community and established important links between state agencies, local water interests, and local governments for future programs.

The 2007-2009 Drought
Water years 2007-2009 were collectively the 15th driest three-year period for DWR’s eight-station precipitation index, which is a rough indicator of potential water supply availability to the State Water Project (SWP) and Central Valley Project (CVP). Water year 2007 was the driest single year of that drought and fell within the top 20 percent of dry years based on computed statewide runoff. In June 2008, a state emergency proclamation was issued due to water shortage in selected Central Valley counties. In February 2009, for the first time in its history, the State of California proclaimed a statewide drought. The state placed unprecedented restrictions on CVP and SWP diversions from the Delta to protect listed fish species, a regulatory circumstance that exacerbated the impacts of the drought for water users.

The greatest impacts of the 2007–2009 drought were observed in the CVP service area on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley, where hydrologic conditions combined with reduced CVP exports resulted in substantially reduced water supplies (50 percent supplies in 2007, 40 percent in 2008, and 10 percent in 2009) for CVP south-of Delta agricultural contractors. Small communities on the west side highly dependent on agricultural employment were especially affected by land fallowing due to lack of irrigation supplies, as well as by factors associated with current economic recession. The coupling of the drought and economic recession necessitated emergency response actions related to social services, such as food banks and unemployment assistance.

The 2012-Current Drought (which is ongoing after a pause in 2017 and 2023) The statewide drought of 2012-2017, which is still ongoing, will be remembered as one of the most severe and costliest droughts of record in California. The drought that spanned water years 2012 through 2017 included the driest four-year statewide precipitation on record (2012-2015) and the smallest SierraCascades snowpack on record (2015, with 5 percent of average). It was marked by extraordinary heat:
2014, 2015, and 2016 were California’s first, second, and third warmest years in terms of statewide average temperatures. By the time the drought was declared officially over in April 2017, the state had expended $6.6 billion in drought response and mitigation programs and had been declared a federal disaster area. 299
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Amador County issues a local proclamation for drought on March 5, 2021. This coincides with many of the drought declarations from the USDA (discussed in more detail in Section 4.3.6 above). The HMPC reported that fire danger in 2013 and 2014 reached record levels as the drought produced dry, highly flammable fuel loads. The HMPC also noted that multiple tree mortality declarations were issued in 2020, 2021, 2023, and 2024 from the elevated risk to tree mortality from drought. The Caldor Fire resulted from this drought.

Water Shortage
Figure 4-79 illustrates several indicators commonly used to evaluate water conditions in California. The percent of average values are determined by measurements made in each of the ten major hydrologic regions. The chart describes water conditions in California between 2009 and 2021. The chart illustrates the cyclical nature of weather patterns in California.

Figure 4-79 Water Supply Conditions, 2009 to 2021
Source: 2023 State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Drought
Likely—Historical drought data for the Amador County Planning Area indicate there have been 5 significant droughts in the last 87 years. This equates to a drought every 16.4 years on average or a 6.1 percent chance of a drought in any given year. Based on this data and given the multi-year length of droughts and future climate change affects, the Amador County Planning Area determined that future drought occurrence continues to be likely.
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Water Shortage
Occasional — Recent historical data for water shortage indicates that Amador County may at some time be at risk to both short and prolonged periods of water shortage. Based on this it is possible that water shortages will affect the County in the future during extreme drought conditions. However, to date, Amador County has continued to have relatively consistent water supply.

It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts. More information on climate change and drought and water shortage can be found in the next section. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Climate Change and Drought and Water Shortage
Climate scientists studying California find that drought conditions are likely to become more frequent and persistent over the 21st century due to climate change. The experiences of California during recent years underscore the need to examine more closely the state’s water storage, distribution, management, conservation, and use policies. The 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS) stresses the need for public policy development addressing long term climate change impacts on water supplies. The CAS notes that climate change is likely to significantly diminish California’s future water supply, stating that: California must change its water management and uses because climate change will likely create greater competition for limited water supplies needed by the environment, agriculture, and cities.

A 2018 report from the Public Policy Institute of California noted that thousands of Californians – mostly in rural, small, disadvantaged communities – already face acute water scarcity, contaminated groundwater, or complete water loss. Climate change would make these effects worse.

Cal-Adapt has modeled future risk of drought. Recent research suggests that extended drought occurrence (“mega-drought”) could become more pervasive in future decades. This tool explores data for two 20-year drought scenarios (using the quad that contains the City of Jackson in Figure 4-80) derived from LOCA downscaled meteorological and hydrological simulations – one for the earlier part of the 21st century, and one for the latter part:
➢ The upper chart represents a mid-century dry spell from 2023-2042 identified from the HadGEM2-ES RCP 8.5 simulation. The extended drought scenario is based on the average annual precipitation over 20 years. This average value equates to 78% of historical median annual precipitation averaged over the North Coast and Sierra California Climate Tracker regions. ➢ The lower chart represents a late century dry spell from 2051–2070 identified from the HadGEM2-ES RCP 8.5 simulation. The extended drought scenario is based on the average annual precipitation over 20 years. This average value equates to 78% of historical median annual precipitation averaged over the North Coast and Sierra California Climate Tracker regions. 301
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Figure 4-80 Amador County Planning Area – Future Extended Drought Scenarios Source: Cal Adapt – Extended Drought Scenarios (retrieved 2/26/2025) 302
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Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability—High
Based on historical information, the occurrence of drought in California, including the Amador County Planning Area, is cyclical, driven by weather patterns. Drought has occurred in the past and will occur in the future. Periods of actual drought with adverse impacts can vary in duration, and the period between droughts can be extended. Although an area may be under an extended dry period, determining when it becomes a drought is based on impacts to individual water users. The vulnerability to drought may vary and include reduction in water supply, turf losses, impacts to natural resources, and an increase in dry fuels and tree dieback.

An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to this hazard begins with an understanding of local exposure to unincorporated Amador County. This is included in the Local Concerns section below. After that, vulnerability is discussed in multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect both the entire Amador County Planning Area as well as the unincorporated portions of Amador County. How the hazard affects the other participating jurisdictions can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update. These sections below include assets at risk, impacts, and how future development may affect the vulnerability of the County to this hazard.

Tree Mortality and Drought
One of the specific impacts of drought in the Amador County Planning Area is the increased risk to trees from beetle kill and other insects, pathogens and parasites, and other tree mortality and die back issues.

Drought weakens trees and makes them more susceptible to insect infestation and other pathogens. Insects, such as bark beetles and others, frequently attack trees weakened by drought, disease, injuries, or other factors that may stress the tree. These insects and other pathogens can contribute to the decline and eventual death of trees throughout the Planning Area, especially in those areas on the west where the elevations increase.

The tree mortality and dieback problem are a high priority because of the issue of hazardous trees and increased wildfire hazard in the wildland areas and the potential for worsening conditions and expansion into other forested sites in future years. Fuel loading and fire potential are greater in stands as compared to healthy stands due to the higher proportion of dead and dying material. Removal of dead and dying trees near structures, powerlines, and roadways is also a high priority because of the immediate falling hazard.

University of California, Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management (ESPM) was commissioned in 2021 to investigate the symptoms and possible causes of the dieback.

Preliminary results show that the dieback is driven mostly by environmental stressors, including but not limited to drought, predisposing trees to disease caused by opportunistic pathogens. The report includes best management practices to limit the spread of pathogens. It is important to continue investigating the causes of the tree mortality and dieback to help Planning Area jurisdictional staff track changes over time, recognize where other areas may potentially be susceptible to tree mortality, and apply appropriate best management practices.
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Under current drought conditions, competition for resources within forested areas will likely continue to intensify with greater stress increasing tree susceptibility to insect damage and disease, and ultimately increase mortality. In all vegetation types, drought extends the length of the fire season because of its effect on live and dead fuel moisture, with critical low fuel moisture levels occurring early in spring or summer and extending at least through the first significant rains that typically come in late fall.

According to the 2024 Strategic Fire Plan for the Amador-El Dorado Unit, in 2023, an estimated 28.8 million dead trees were counted across California. According to the 2023 USFS Aerial Detection Survey, the estimated number of dead trees by forested county within AEU was 2.2 million in El Dorado County, 930,000 in Alpine County, and 520,000 in Amador County. Unlike the previous wave of tree mortality across the state (2015-2016) that mostly impacted pine species, tree mortality in 2022 consisted of 77% true fir species (white fir and red fir), more true fir mortality than has ever been recorded.

The HMPC noted that noted several large trees which have fallen across the Amador Canal and Ione Canal causing damage to canal berms and embankments which were most likely aggravated by recent droughts in combination with recent high wind events. The HMPC noted that there have been multiple local emergency proclamations from tree mortality since 2020, including:
➢ 2021 (12 proclamations)
➢ 2022 (11 proclamations)
➢ 2023 (11 proclamations)
➢ 2024 (6 proclamations)
Following the record rain and snowfall of the 2022-2023 winter, tree mortality moderated over the summer of 2023; however, the quantity of standing and fallen dead trees from previous mortality waves remains high in forested areas and contributes to fuel loading and fire hazard in the forest.

Local Concerns (unincorporated Amador County)
The unincorporated County has specific concerns regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce risk and vulnerabilities to this hazard.

The drawdown of the groundwater table is one factor that has been recognized to occur during repeated dry years. Lowering of groundwater levels results in the need to deepen wells, which subsequently lead to increased pumping costs (which has happened in the recent past). These costs are a major consideration for residents relying on domestic wells and agricultural producers that irrigate with groundwater and/or use it for frost protection. Amador Water Agency (AWA) is the primary water company in the County. The primary concern they noted for the County is increased risk of wildfire due to extreme heat events and droughts which cause damage to AWA tanks, treatment plants, pump stations, homes, businesses, and other above or below ground infrastructure. In August 2021, Amador Water Agency received orders from the State Water Resources Control Board curtailing most pre- and post-1914 water rights, which stopped Amador Water Agency's ability to draw water from the Mokelumne River which is the single source of water for almost 90% of AWA water customers. These orders significantly impacted the County and AWA as AWA was then only authorized to use the limited stored water in the mountain reservoirs. This limited AWAs ability to produce potable water as there was no end date associated with the curtailment. Prolonged 304
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curtailment orders can risk AWA’s ability to produce potable water for AWA customers in Amador County, including at-risk populations, as well as provide fire suppression water to combat wildfires in critical areas.

This has since been lifted.

In addition, the Amador County Air Quality District noted that within the last five years, Amador County has experienced extreme droughts that have affected the health of the forest. The lack of rain lead to the Bark Beetle infestation, causing thousands upon thousands of trees to die. This has led to large areas of Amador County to be declared high fire hazardous zones as well. The combined effects of the drought, decline in the health of the forest, temperature changes, and wildfires in and around neighboring counties, much contributed to climate change, have also steered our way to poor air quality.

Local concerns for each of the jurisdictions can be found under the Local Concerns heading in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP Update.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from drought and water shortage include people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections for the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County.

Additionally, for each hazard in the FEMA National Risk Index in Amador County, the relevant portions of the hazard analysis done by FEMA is presented below. This includes the Hazard Risk Index Rating, Expected Annual Loss Values, Exposure Values, and the Historic Loss Ratio Rating. These are presented for the Amador County Planning Area as a whole.

People and Populations
The people and populations of the Amador County Planning Area are not directly affected by general drought conditions; although, their turfed areas, trees, and other water dependent resources can all be affected. In extreme drought conditions, however, residents and other populations within the Planning Area may be vulnerable to drought and water shortage issues. Drought and water shortage can lead to an increase in wildfires threatening Planning Area residents. Water shortages can have an effect on all of the population in the Planning Area, but often have a greater effect on the unhoused and other vulnerable populations that may be unable to access and afford clean drinking water during shortages. During periods of drought as the costs of water usage may increase, those who are economically disadvantaged may be unable to afford the increased costs of potable water.

Structures
Structures have a limited vulnerability to drought and water shortage. It is the secondary hazard of drought (wildfire) which causes risks to structures. Drought can also stress trees, causing die off. These trees may fall on structures adjacent to them.
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Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Most critical facilities and infrastructure have a limited vulnerability to drought and water shortage. Should drought conditions be severe enough to cause water shortage reliability issues, some facilities and infrastructure may be affected. Water and wastewater systems may be impacted during times of reduced water supply and need to employ contingencies to remain functional and fully operational. Other water dependent systems may also be adversely affected. Further, the secondary hazards of drought (increased tree mortality and potential for spread of urban fires and wildfire) can pose a significant risk to critical facilities and infrastructure. Drought can also stress trees, causing die off and lead to increased tree mortality. Dead and weakened trees may fall on critical infrastructure adjacent to them and impact power lines and other utilities. Fallen trees can also temporarily block roads and access which can impact first responders in an emergency.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Drought and water shortage can have a significant impact on natural resources. Water levels in reservoirs and lakes may be reduced and a loss of wetlands and marsh areas may occur. Severe drought conditions can contribute to an increase in erosion of soils and lead to poor soil quality. Further, all of the trees in the Planning Area are at risk to drought impacts and a reduction in water supply. These trees provide a wealth of social and environmental benefits to Planning Area residents and visitors, from shade and beauty to air quality, carbon reduction and stormwater management. Increased tree mortality during extended droughts can be substantial and widespread. Increased tree mortality in the Planning Area can also add to the available fuel which can exacerbate the spread of wildfires. Drought can devastate crops and dry out pastures, dry out forests and critical habitat areas, and reduce food and water available for wildlife and livestock. Additionally, drought conditions can also cause soil to compact and not absorb water well, potentially making an area more susceptible to flooding. It is unlikely that drought and water shortage would have a significant impact on historic and cultural resources in the Planning Area unless they are impacted by a drought precipitated wildfire type event.

FEMA NRI Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
The FEMA NRI was queried for additional specific data on Amador County’s vulnerability to drought.

The NRI contains data and analysis for 18 separate natural hazards, including drought. As shown in Table 4-88, drought could cause a total of $5,114,470 in expected annual losses, with a historic loss rating of relatively high. Drought has a relatively moderate rating for both social vulnerability and community resilience, with a risk index score of 98.7 out of 100. According to the NRI, there have been 1,260 drought events between the years 2000-2021 with an average of 53.4 events per year.

Table 4-88 Amador County Planning Area – Drought Vulnerability Ratings from FEMA NRI NRI Hazard Hazard Risk Index
Rating*
Expected Annual
Loss Values
(total)**
Exposure Value
(total)***
Historic Loss Ratio
Rating
Drought 98.7 $5,114,470 $26,500,133 Relatively High
Source: FEMA NRI Report, retrieved 4/1/2025.
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*Hazard Risk Index is calculated using data for only a single hazard type, and reflect a communities expected annual loss value, community risk factors, and the adjustment factor used to calculate the risk value. **Expected annual loss represents the average economic loss in dollars resulting from natural hazards each year. ***Exposure is a natural hazard consequence factor that is the representative value of buildings, populations, or agriculture potentially exposed to a natural hazard occurrence.

Additional information on the FEMA NRI can be found in Section 4.2 and Appendix G.

Impacts from Drought and Water Shortage
The vulnerability to drought is Countywide, but impacts may vary and include reduction in water supply and an increase in dry fuels. The potential for a reduction in water supply during drought conditions generally leads to both mandated and voluntary conservations measures during extended droughts. During these times, the costs of water can also increase. Also of concern, the increased dry fuels and fuel loads associated with drought conditions can result in an increased fire danger. In areas of extremely dry fuels, the intensity and speed of fires can be significant. Water supply and flows for fire suppression can also be an issue during extended droughts. Drought that occurs during periods of extreme heat and high winds is a contributing factor to PSPS events to be declared in the Planning Area. More information on PSPS can be found in Section 4.3.1.

Other qualitative impacts associated with drought in the Amador County Planning Area are those related to water intensive activities such as municipal usage, commerce, tourism, and recreation use. With more precipitation likely falling as rain instead of snow and warmer temperatures causing decreased snowfall to melt faster and earlier, water supply is likely to become more unreliable. In addition, drought and water shortage is predicted to become more common. This means less water available for use over the long run, and additional challenges for water supply reliability, especially during periods of extended drought.

Drought Impact Reporter
Drought impacts are wide-reaching and may be economic, environmental, and/or societal. Tracking drought impacts can be difficult. The Drought Impact Reporter from the NDMC is a useful reference tool that compiles reported drought impacts nationwide. Table 4-89 show drought impacts for County from 1850 to March 2025. The data represented is skewed, with the majority of these impacts from records within the past ten years.

Table 4-89 Amador County Drought Impacts 1850-3/1/2025
Category Amador County Number of Impacts
Agriculture 274
Business and Industry 79
Energy 41
Fire 104
Plants & Wildlife 137
Relief, Response, and Restrictions 366
Society and Public Health 237
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Category Amador County Number of Impacts
Tourism and Recreation 27
Water Supply and Quality 371
Total 1,636
Source: National Drought Mitigation Center. Retrieved 3/12/2025.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future drought conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County to drought and water shortage. ➢ Future population growth should be considered as having more or less people in a community affects the overall hazard vulnerability to the County. Population growth in Amador County is expected to slowly increase. Amador County has access to large quantities of water through its groundwater as well as surface water. However, any future population growth in the County will add additional pressure to water companies during periods of drought and water shortage. Water companies will need to continue to plan for and add infrastructure capacity for population growth. As the population grows, the nature and makeup of populations will shift and change along with it. Vulnerable and underserved populations, such as those with low incomes and the unhoused that might not always have access to affordable, clean water, will need to be considered as future development continues, since they may experience a disproportionate impact from drought and water shortage. Potential population growth will be a challenge not only with regard to Amador County’s water access for agricultural production, but state- and nation-wide with regard to food production. Should the County see a growth in population, it will increase the vulnerability and impacts to the County from this hazard. ➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. As the County continues to grow, more cropland will be taken out of production to provide housing to accommodate for population growth. As Amador’s agricultural lands are reduced, it seems likely that there would be less of a competing demand for water. However, more development will also require an increase in water supply and associated infrastructure. Changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard depending on where and how this future growth occurs.

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4.3.11. Earthquake
Hazard Profile
This hazard profile contains multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect the Amador County Planning Area. These sections include a hazard/problem description; description of location and extent; past occurrences of this hazard; and how climate change can affect or influence this hazard.

Hazard/Problem Description
An earthquake is caused by a sudden slip on a fault. Stresses in the earth’s outer layer push the sides of the fault together. Stress builds up, and the rocks slip suddenly, releasing energy in waves that travel through the earth’s crust and cause the shaking that is felt during an earthquake. Earthquakes can cause structural damage, injury, and loss of life, as well as damage to infrastructure networks, such as water, power, gas, communication, and transportation. Earthquakes may also cause collateral emergencies including dam and levee failures, seiches, hazmat incidents, fires, avalanches, and landslides. The degree of damage depends on many interrelated factors. Among these are: the magnitude, focal depth, distance from the causative fault, source mechanism, duration of shaking, high rock accelerations, type of surface deposits or bedrock, degree of consolidation of surface deposits, presence of high groundwater, topography, and the design, type, and quality of building construction. This section briefly discusses issues related to types of seismic hazards.

Ground Shaking
Ground shaking is motion that occurs as a result of energy released during faulting. The damage or collapse of buildings and other structures caused by ground shaking is among the most serious seismic hazards.

Damage to structures from this vibration, or ground shaking, is caused by the transmission of earthquake vibrations from the ground to the structure. The intensity of shaking and its potential impact on buildings is determined by the physical characteristics of the underlying soil and rock, building materials and workmanship, earthquake magnitude and location of epicenter, and the character and duration of ground motion.

Actual ground breakage generally affects only those buildings directly over or nearby the fault. Ground shaking generally has a much greater impact over a greater geographical area than ground breakage. The amount of breakage and shaking is a function of earthquake magnitude, type of bedrock, depth and type of soil, general topography, and groundwater. As with most communities in Northern California near active faults, much of Amador County would be susceptible to violent ground shaking.

Seismic Structural Safety
Older buildings constructed before building codes were established, and even newer buildings constructed before earthquake-resistance provisions were included in the codes, are the most likely to be damaged during an earthquake. Buildings one or two stories high of wood-frame construction are considered to be the most structurally resistant to earthquake damage. Older masonry buildings without seismic 309
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reinforcement (unreinforced masonry) and soft story buildings are the most susceptible to the type of structural failure that causes injury or death.

The susceptibility of a structure to damage from ground shaking is also related to the underlying foundation material. A foundation of rock or very firm material can intensify short-period motions which affect lowrise buildings more than tall, flexible ones. A deep layer of water-logged soft alluvium can cushion lowrise buildings, but it can also accentuate the motion in tall buildings. The amplified motion resulting from softer alluvial soils can also severely damage older masonry buildings.

Other potentially dangerous conditions include, but are not limited to: building architectural features that are not firmly anchored, such as parapets and cornices; roadways, including column and pile bents and abutments for bridges and overcrossings; and above-ground storage tanks and their mounting devices. Such features could be damaged or destroyed during strong or sustained ground shaking.

Liquefaction Potential
Liquefaction is a process whereby soil is temporarily transformed to a fluid formed during intense and prolonged ground shaking. Areas most prone to liquefaction are those that are water saturated (e.g., where the water table is less than 30 feet below the surface) and consist of relatively uniform sands that are loose to medium density. In addition to necessary soil conditions, the ground acceleration and duration of the earthquake must be of sufficient energy to induce liquefaction.

Liquefaction during major earthquakes can cause severe damage to structures on level ground as a result of settling, titling, or floating. Such damage occurred in San Francisco on bay-filled areas during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, even though the epicenter was several miles away. If liquefaction occurs in or under a sloping soil mass, the entire mass may flow toward a lower elevation. Also of particular concern in terms of developed and newly developing areas are fill areas that have been poorly compacted.

No known liquefaction areas exist in Amador County.

Landslide/Debris Flows
Landslides can occur as a result of horizontal seismic inertia induced in the slopes by the ground shaking.

The most common earthquake-induced landslides include shallow, disrupted landslides such as rock falls, rockslides, and soil slides. Debris flows are created when surface soil on steep slopes becomes totally saturated with water. Once the soil liquefies, it loses the ability to hold together and can flow downhill at very high speeds, taking vegetation and/or structures with it. Slide risks increase after an earthquake during a wet winter. This is discussed in the vulnerability section below, and as a stand-alone hazard in Section

4.3.14. Settlement
Settlement can occur in poorly consolidated soils during ground shaking. During settlement, the soil materials are physically rearranged by the shaking to result in a less stable alignment of the individual minerals. Settlement of sufficient magnitude to cause significant structural damage is normally associated with rapidly deposited alluvial soils or improperly founded or poorly compacted fill. These areas are known 310
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to undergo extensive settling with the addition of irrigation water, but evidence due to ground shaking is not available.

Fire Following Earthquake
Fire ignitions and spread in following a major earthquake can further compound the potentially catastrophic impacts of a large earthquake event. Fire following earthquake is a major hazard in earthquake-prone areas which are densely developed and have high inventories of wood frame buildings. The capability of fire departments to combat fires following an earthquake is impacted by the regional nature of an earthquake, damage to transportation and water supply systems, and the potential failure of telecommunications. A local fire department may suffer impacts to its personnel, buildings, equipment, and communications systems. Moreover, fewer resources are immediately available as mutual aid – due to the commitment of nearby fire departments responding to the earthquake withing their own jurisdictions. Transportation system damage may adversely impact the mobilization of off-duty personnel and fire and rescue mutual aid resources from unaffected areas. Maneuvering fire crews within the affected areas of the earthquake may be impeded by debris or damage to roads and bridges. Additionally, the municipal water supply system which ordinarily supports firefighting operations is likely to be impacted.

Fire following earthquake is an issue that could impact any California community that experiences an earthquake – both urban and rural. According to the FM Global Insurance company, “Fires after earthquakes commonly initiate from electrical or fuel related sources because their use is widespread. In the US, natural gas is a factor 15 to 50 percent of the time, and electrical ignitions account for 40 percent or more of post-earthquake wildfires. Ignitable liquid spills, chemical reactions, and the contact of combustibles with heat sources have also initiated or contributed to many fires after earthquakes.” Location and Extent
California is seismically active because it sits on the boundary between two of the earth’s tectonic plates.

Most of the state ‐ everything east of the San Andreas Fault (such as Amador) ‐ is on the North American Plate. The cities of Monterey, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and San Diego are on the Pacific Plate, which is constantly moving northwest past the North American Plate. The relative rate of movement is about two inches per year. The San Andreas Fault is considered the boundary between the two plates, although some of the motion is taken up on faults as far away as central Utah.

Faults
A fault is defined as “a fracture or fracture zone in the earth’s crust along which there has been displacement of the sides relative to one another.” For the purpose of planning there are two types of faults, active and inactive. Active faults have experienced displacement in historic time, suggesting that future displacement may be expected. Inactive faults show no evidence of movement in recent geologic time, suggesting that these faults are dormant. This does not mean, however, that faults having no evidence of surface displacement within the last 11,000 years are necessarily inactive. For example, the 1975 Oroville earthquake, the 1983 Coalinga earthquake, and the 1987 Whittier Narrows earthquake occurred on faults not previously recognized as active. Potentially active faults are those that have shown displacement within 311
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the last 1.6 million years (Quaternary). An inactive fault shows no evidence of movement in historic (last 200 years) or geologic time, suggesting that these faults are dormant.

Two types of fault movement represent possible hazards to structures in the immediate vicinity of the fault:
fault creep and sudden fault displacement. Fault creep, a slow movement of one side of a fault relative to the other, can cause cracking and buckling of sidewalks and foundations even without perceptible ground shaking. Sudden fault displacement occurs during an earthquake event and may result in the collapse of buildings or other structures that are found along the fault zone when fault displacement exceeds an inch or two. The only protection against damage caused directly by fault displacement is to prohibit construction in the fault zone.

Amador County is located in a relatively aseismic area with respect to other more seismically active areas in California. Amador County itself is traversed by the Foothills fault system, a complex series of northwest trending-faults that are related to the Sierra Nevada uplift, and whose activity is little understood, running from about Oroville in the north to east of Fresno in the south. This system contains the closest and most potentially significant faults in the area, and includes the potentially active or active Bear Mountains fault, Melones fault, and Cleveland Hills fault, among others.

The California Division of Mines and Geology Open File Report 84-52 (1994) reports that special seismic zoning is not recommended for the fault system as the individual faults of the system are either poorly defined at the surface or lack evidence of Holocene (recent) faulting. The closest known source of large earthquakes is the Sierra Frontal Fault System along the eastern margin of the Sierra Nevada, which includes the Carson Valley Fault. This fault is located within a few miles of the eastern border to the County and has been evaluated as being able to generate earthquakes that produce levels of damage up to VII on the Mercalli Scale.

Additionally, western Amador County may experience ground shaking from distant major to great earthquakes on faults to the west and east. For example, to the west, both the San Andreas fault (source of the 8.0 estimated Richter magnitude San Francisco earthquake that caused damage in Sacramento in 1906, including the State Capitol, the full extent of which was not discovered until the mid-1970s) and the closer Hayward fault have the potential for experiencing major to great events (i.e., >6.7). The US Geological Survey recently (February 2004) estimated that there is a 62 percent probability of at least one 6.7 or greater magnitude earthquake occurring that could cause widespread damage in the greater San Francisco Bay area before 2032.

Another potential source for earthquakes in Amador County is the faults associated with the western edge of the Central Valley, recently defined as the Coast Range Central Valley (CRCV) boundary thrust fault system. Various documents define portions of this little known system as the Midland Fault Zone or the Dunnigan Hills fault where, as noted above, the 1892 Vacaville-Winters earthquake occurred. A southern part of the CRCV system may have been the source of the very damaging 1983 Coalinga earthquake.

Figure 4-81 shows fault locations in and near Amador County. 312
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Figure 4-81 Faults in and near Amador County
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The amount of energy released during an earthquake is usually expressed as a magnitude and is measured directly from the earthquake as recorded on seismographs. An earthquake’s magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimals (e.g., 6.8). Seismologists have developed several magnitude scales. One of the first was the Richter Scale, developed in 1932 by the late Dr. Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology. The Richter Magnitude Scale is used to quantify the magnitude or strength of the seismic energy released by an earthquake. Another measure of earthquake severity is intensity. Intensity is an expression of the amount of shaking at any given location on the ground surface (see Table 4-90).

Seismic shaking is typically the greatest cause of losses to structures during earthquakes.

Table 4-90 Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) Scale
MMI Felt Intensity
I Not felt except by a very few people under special conditions. Detected mostly by instruments.

II Felt by a few people, especially those on upper floors of buildings. Suspended objects may swing.

III Felt noticeably indoors. Standing automobiles may rock slightly.

IV Felt by many people indoors; by a few outdoors. At night, some people are awakened. Dishes, windows, and doors rattle.

V Felt by nearly everyone. Many people are awakened. Some dishes and windows are broken. Unstable objects are overturned.

VI Felt by everyone. Many people become frightened and run outdoors. Some heavy furniture is moved. Some plaster falls.

VII Most people are alarmed and run outside. Damage is negligible in buildings of good construction, considerable in buildings of poor construction.

VIII Damage is slight in specially designed structures, considerable in ordinary buildings, and great in poorly built structures. Heavy furniture is overturned.

IX Damage is considerable in specially designed buildings. Buildings shift from their foundations and partly collapse. Underground pipes are broken.

X Some well-built wooden structures are destroyed. Most masonry structures are destroyed. The ground is badly cracked. Considerable landslides occur on steep slopes.

XI Few, if any, masonry structures remain standing. Rails are bent. Broad fissures appear in the ground.

XII Virtually total destruction. Waves are seen on the ground surface. Objects are thrown in the air.

Source: Multi-Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, FEMA 1997 Other Hazards
Earthquakes can also cause landslides and dam failures. Earthquakes may cause landslides (discussed in Section 4.3.14), particularly during the wet season, in areas of high water or saturated soils. Finally, earthquakes can cause dams to fail (see Section 4.3.7 Dam Failure). Earthquakes can also cause levees to fail (see Section 4.3.12 Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance in the levee failure section).

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been no disaster declarations in the County related to earthquakes, as shown on Table 4-4. 314
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NCDC Events
Earthquake events are not tracked by the NCDC database.

USGS Events
The USGS National Earthquake Information Center database contains data on earthquakes in the Amador County area. Table 4-91 shows the approximate distances earthquakes can be felt away from the epicenter.

According to the table, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake could be felt up to 90 miles away. The USGS database was searched for magnitude 5.0 or greater on the Richter Scale within 90 miles of the City of Jackson in Amador County. These 65 results are detailed in Table 4-92.

Table 4-91 Approximate Relationships between Earthquake Magnitude and Intensity Richter Scale Magnitude Maximum Expected Intensity (MM)* Distance Felt (miles)

2.0 - 2.9 I – II 0

3.0 - 3.9 II – III 10

4.0 - 4.9 IV – V 50

5.0 - 5.9 VI – VII 90

6.0 - 6.9 VII – VIII 135

7.0 - 7.9 IX – X 240

8.0 - 8.9 XI – XII 365
*Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale.

Source: USGS Earthquake Intensity Zonation and Quaternary Deposits, Miscellaneous Field Studies Map 9093, 1977.

Table 4-92 Magnitude 5.0 Earthquakes or greater within 90 Miles of Amador County* Date Richter Magnitude Location
10/25/2022 5.06 15km ESE of Alum Rock, CA
7/8/2021 5.03 32km SE of Markleeville, CA
7/8/2021 6 Antelope Valley, CA
8/24/2014 6.02 South Napa
4/26/2008 5.1 1km NW of Mogul, Nevada
10/31/2007 5.45 San Francisco Bay area, California
9/12/1994 5.1 Northern California
9/12/1994 5.7 11km SE of Gardnerville Ranchos, Nevada
10/24/1990 5.8 Central California
6/13/1988 5.3 San Francisco Bay area, California
3/31/1986 5.7 Northern California
4/24/1984 6.2 Northern California
11/28/1980 5.1 Northern California
1/27/1980 5.4 San Francisco Bay area, California
1/24/1980 5.1 San Francisco Bay area, California
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Date Richter Magnitude Location
1/24/1980 5.8 San Francisco Bay area, California
10/7/1979 5 Central California
8/2/1975 5.2 Northern California
8/2/1975 5.1 Northern California
8/1/1975 5.7 0km WSW of Palermo, California
9/12/1966 5.91 Northern California
4/13/1962 5.1 Central California
10/24/1955 5.4 San Francisco Bay area, California
9/5/1955 5.5 San Francisco Bay area, California
9/26/1953 5.3 Nevada
3/22/1953 5 Northern California
5/9/1952 5.1 Nevada
12/29/1948 6 Northern California
3/30/1943 5.3 Northern California
12/17/1942 5.1 Northern California
6/25/1933 6.1 Nevada
12/19/1919 5.2 Central California
4/5/1915 5 Central California
7/1/1911 6.6 San Francisco Bay area, California
6/23/1909 5.7 Northern California
3/3/1909 5 Northern California
8/3/1903 5.8 San Francisco Bay area, California
6/11/1903 5.8 San Francisco Bay area, California
5/19/1902 5.4 Northern California
6/7/1899 5.8 Northern California
3/31/1898 6.2 San Francisco Bay area, California
4/30/1892 5.5 Northern California
4/21/1892 6.2 Northern California
4/19/1892 6.4 Northern California
10/12/1891 5.5 Northern California
1/2/1891 5.5 San Francisco Bay area, California
7/31/1889 5.2 San Francisco Bay area, California
5/19/1889 6 San Francisco Bay area, California
6/3/1887 6.3 Nevada
4/10/1881 5.9 Northern California
7/10/1877 5 Nevada
4/2/1870 5.8 Near Berkeley, California
12/27/1869 6.2 Near Carson City, Nevada
12/27/1869 6.4 Northwest of Virginia City, Nevada
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Date Richter Magnitude Location
10/21/1868 6.8 The 1868 Hayward Fault Earthquake, California 9/17/1868 5.6 Near Markleeville, California
5/30/1868 6 Near Virginia City, Nevada
7/15/1866 6 Southwest of Stockton, California
5/21/1864 5.8 Alameda County, California
3/5/1864 6.1 Alameda County, California
2/26/1864 6.1 Santa Clara County, California
7/4/1861 5.8 San Francisco Bay area, California
11/26/1858 6.1 San Francisco Bay area, California
9/3/1857 6 California-Nevada Border east of Truckee
1/25/1855 5.5 Sierra County, California
Source: USGS, National Earthquake Information Center
*Search dates 1950 – January 31, 2025
Figure 4-82 shows major historical earthquakes in California from 1769 to 2017. Since 2017, California has experienced four additional 6.0 or greater earthquakes:
➢ 2022 - 6.4 Ferndal
➢ 2021 - 6.0 Antelope Valley
➢ 2019 - 6.4 and 7.1 Ridgecrest
None of these earthquakes (over 6.0) since 2017 have affected the Amador County Planning Area. 317
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Figure 4-82 Historic Earthquakes in California 1769 to 2017 Source: 2023 State of California Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan 318
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Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Events
The HMPC noted that during past regional earthquake events, Amador County has experienced groundshaking. In addition, in some instances, nearby earthquake events have caused cracking in the plaster on walls and in windowsills. This was the case on December 9, 2024. There was a 5.7 magnitude earthquake in Yerington, NV, that was felt in several areas of Amador County. No significant damages or injuries were reported.

Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Unlikely (major earthquake); Likely (minor earthquake) – No major earthquakes have been recorded within the County; although the County has felt ground shaking from earthquakes with epicenters located elsewhere. However, the possibility of an earthquake is an ever-present phenomenon in California and Amador County. The combination of plate tectonics and associated California coastal mountain range building geology essentially guarantees earthquake as a result of the periodic release of tectonic stresses.

It is likely that climate change will not affect the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts.

More information on climate change and earthquake can be found below the Mapping of Future Occurrences section. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Mapping of Future Occurrences
Mapping of future occurrences is presented in the following sections:
➢ CGS Analysis
➢ UCERF Analysis
CGS Analysis
Maps indicating the maximum expectable intensity of ground shaking for the County are available through several sources. Figure 4-83, prepared in 2016 by the California Division of Mines and Geology, shows the expected relative intensity of ground shaking and damage in California from anticipated future earthquakes. The shaking potential is calculated as the level of ground motion that has a 2% chance of being exceeded in 50 years, which is the same as the level of ground-shaking with about a 2,500-year average repeat time. Although the greatest hazard is in areas of highest intensity as shown on the map, no region is immune from potential earthquake damage.
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Figure 4-83 Maximum Expectable Earthquake Intensity – 2% Chance in 50 Years Source: California Division of Mines and Geology (2016) UCERF Analysis
In 2014, the USGS and the California Geological Survey (CGS) released the time‐dependent version of the Uniform California Earthquake Rupture Forecast (UCERF III) model. The UCERF III results have helped to reduce the uncertainty in estimated 30‐year probabilities of strong ground motions in California. The UCERF map is shown in Figure 4-84 and indicates that Amador County has a low to moderate risk of earthquake occurrence.
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Figure 4-84 Probability of Earthquake Magnitudes Occurring in 30 Year Time Frame Source: United States Geological Survey Open File Report 2015‐3009 Climate Change and Earthquake
Climate change is unlikely to increase earthquake frequency or strength.

Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability—Extremely High
Earthquake vulnerability is primarily based on population and the built environment. Urban areas in high seismic hazard zones are the most vulnerable, while more rural areas, such as Amador are less vulnerable.

The primary impacts of concern are life safety and property damage. Several faults are in and near the Amador County Planning Area, and seismic hazard mapping indicates that the Planning Area has low to moderate seismic hazard potential. Depending on the location and magnitude of an earthquake event, some degree of structural damage due to stronger seismic shaking could be expected. 321
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An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to this hazard begins with an understanding of local exposure to unincorporated Amador County. This is included in the Local Concerns section below. After that, vulnerability is discussed in multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect both the entire Amador County Planning Area as well as the unincorporated portions of Amador County. How the hazard affects the other participating jurisdictions can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update. These sections below include assets at risk, impacts, and how future development may affect the vulnerability of the County to this hazard.

Local Concerns (unincorporated Amador County)
The unincorporated County has certain specific concerns regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce the risk and vulnerability to this hazard.

Seismic events can have particularly negative effects on older buildings constructed of unreinforced masonry (URM), including materials such as brick, concrete and stone. The Uniform Building Code (UBC) identifies four seismic zones in the United States. The zones are numbered one through four, with Zone 4 representing the highest level of seismic hazard. The UBC establishes more stringent construction standards for areas within Zones 3 and 4. All of California lies within either Zone 3 or Zone 4. Amador County is within the less hazardous Zone 3. Amador County noted there are no URM or soft story buildings in the unincorporated County.

Amador County is home to a multitude of older and/or historic buildings with limited or no retrofitting, which can exacerbate risks. The HMPC noted that the California Building Code has appropriately addressed most local concerns. The Amador County Building Official noted that the chief concern would be foundation type concerns for habitable buildings. In the more developed western portion and the Kirkwood area located in the eastern portion of the County, which are generally the most vulnerable, new development is addressed appropriately by engineers and design professionals.

Amador County OES noted that Amador County has limited public transportation and the rural nature of the County means not everyone has an opportunity to use it. Further, and also due to the rural nature of Amador County, cellular coverage is lacking, or spotty in large swaths which can complicate emergency response efforts, and/or create situations where residents do not receive emergency notifications. This could cause issues during an earthquake emergency.

Finally, the County noted that given that they are in a fairly aseismic areas, one of the major concerns is if a big earthquake hits the Bay Area or other highly populated seismically active areas. There is concern that folks there will flee to Amador. This would cause housing and sheltering issues in the County.

Local concerns for each of the jurisdictions can be found under the Local Concerns heading in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP Update.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from earthquake include people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure and community lifelines; natural, historic, and cultural resources; and economic assets and 322
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community activities of value. These are discussed in the following sections for the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County.

People and Populations
All people and populations are at risk from earthquake shaking. Those at heightened risk include:
➢ The unsheltered
➢ Infants and children under age five and their caregivers ➢ Elderly (65 and older)
➢ Individuals with disabilities
➢ Individuals dependent on medical equipment
➢ Individuals with impaired mobility
The greatest risk to people and populations from earthquake is death and injury. More information on people and populations at risk to earthquake shaking events can be seen in the Hazus scenarios developed for this LHMP and described in the Hazus Analysis section below.

Structures
All structures in the Amador County Planning Area are vulnerable to earthquakes, depending on the severity and location of the shake. Older buildings, unreinforced masonry and soft story buildings are at a much greater risk to earthquakes. More information on structures at risk can be seen in the Hazus scenarios below.

Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Earthquakes present a tremendous threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. More information on structures at risk can be seen in the Hazus scenarios below.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
The 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that environmental problems from earthquakes can be numerous. Earthquakes can significantly damage surrounding habitats. It is also possible for earthquakes to reroute streams, which can change the water quality, possibly damaging habitat and feeding areas.

Streams fed by groundwater and/or springs may dry up because of changes in underlying geology. Another threat to the environment from earthquakes is the potential release of hazardous materials. Historical and cultural resources are at risk, often due to their age and construction types. The Hazus scenarios below are relatively silent on the vulnerability to natural, historic, and cultural resources, but impacts to these resources could be long lasting.

Hazus Analysis
Earthquake losses will vary across the Amador County Planning Area depending on the source and magnitude of the event. To further evaluate potential losses associated with earthquake activity in the 323
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Planning Area, three Hazus-MH earthquake scenarios were run for this 2025 LHMP Update as detailed below.

FEMA’s Hazus model, utilizing GIS technology, estimates potential losses from earthquakes by analyzing the built environment, including buildings, infrastructure, and population, along with hazard data and damage functions. The model incorporates inventory information about buildings, infrastructure (roads, utilities, etc.), and population to assess the potential impact of a hazard. It uses hazard-specific data, such as earthquake intensity and employs damage functions that relate the intensity of the hazard to the level of damage to buildings and infrastructure based on research and historical data. By combining the inventory, hazard, and damage function data, HAZUS estimates the potential losses in terms of direct physical damage, induced damage, and direct losses (e.g., building damage, debris generation, casualty rates, economic impacts). The results of HAZUS analysis can be used to identify vulnerable areas, prioritize mitigation actions, and develop disaster preparedness plans.

Hazus-MH 6.1 was utilized to model earthquake losses for the County. Level 1 analyses were run, meaning that only the default data was used and not supplemented with local building inventory or hazard data. This is a planning level analysis.

HAZUS Level 1 Runs
General Description of the Region: Amador County, California ➢ The geographical size of the region is 606.83 square miles and contains 10 census tracts. ➢ There are over 15 thousand households in the region which has a total population of 40,474 people. ➢ There are an estimated 17 thousand buildings in the region with a total building replacement value (excluding contents) of 8,125 (millions of dollars). Approximately 90.00 % of the buildings (and

69.00% of the building value) are associated with residential housing. ➢ The replacement value of the transportation and utility lifeline systems is estimated to be 2,267 and 2,439 (millions of dollars), respectively.

Hazus Scenarios
These events were chosen from data gathered from the Amador County General Plan Safety Element and the USGS’ seismic scenarios catalog. For deterministic Hazus scenarios, a single scenario event is selected based on a specific fault, the epicenter location, and the potential magnitude of the event.

Table 4-93 Hazus Scenario Data from the USGS Earthquake Hazards Program Catalog Hazus Fault Info Hazus Catalog Information
Earthquake Fault Carson Range
Epicenter 38.929600 , -119.846001
Scenario Carson Range7.2M
Ruptures Carson Range fault
Location Carson Range-Kings Canyon fault
Magnitude 7.23
MMI 8.69
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Hazus Fault Info Hazus Catalog Information
Event ID bssc20141285_1654_m7p23_se
Earthquake Fault Great Valley 3
Epicenter 38.673199 , -122.002998
Scenario Great Valley 03a Dunnigan Hills
Ruptures Great Valley 03a Dunnigan Hills
Location Great Valley 03a Dunnigan Hills
Magnitude 6.53
MMI 8.42
Event ID bssc2014greatvalley03adunnig_m6p53_se
URL
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/scenarios/eventpage/bssc2014greatvalley03adunnig_m6p53_se/ origin/detail
Earthquake Fault Hayward + Rodgers Creek
Epicenter 37.899399 , -122.274002
Scenario DETERM SH_NH_RC 7.58M EQ CT
Ruptures Hayward: RC+HN+HS+HE
Location Hayward: RC+HN+HS+HE
Magnitude 7.58
MMI 8.97
Event ID bssc2014haywardrchnhsheshaw0_m7p58_se
URL
https://earthquake.usgs.gov/scenarios/eventpage/bssc2014haywardrchnhsheshaw0_m7p58_s e/executive
These Hazus scenarios can be seen on Figure 4-85 and are captured in totality in Appendix H. 325
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Figure 4-85 Amador County Planning Area – Hazus Earthquake Faults and Epicenter Locations
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Carson Range Fault 7.23 Hazus Scenario
The Carson Range Fault deterministic scenario was developed utilizing data from the County General Plan and based on a seismic scenario obtained from the USGS seismic scenario catalog.

The results of the deterministic scenario are captured in Table 4-94. Key losses included the following:
➢ Total economic loss estimated for the earthquake was $59,140,000, which includes building losses and lifeline losses based on the Hazus-MH inventory.
➢ The total building-related losses were $5,870,000; 16 % of the estimated losses were related to the business interruption of the region. By far, the largest loss was sustained by the residential occupancies which made up over 53 % of the total loss.
➢ 27 buildings in the County were at least moderately damaged. No buildings were completely destroyed. ➢ Before the earthquake, the region had 52 hospital beds available for use. On the day of the earthquake, the model estimates that only 51 hospital beds (98.00%) are available for use by patients already in the hospital and those injured by the earthquake. After one week, 100.00% of the beds will be back in service.
➢ Regardless of the time of earthquake, none had casualties. ➢ No households experienced a loss of potable water the first day after the earthquake. ➢ No households experienced a loss of electricity the first day after the earthquake.

Table 4-94 Amador County Planning Area – Carson Range Fault 7.23 Magnitude Deterministic Scenario Results
Type of Impact Carson Range 7.23 Deterministic Scenario Total Buildings Damaged
(based on 17,747 buildings)
Slight: 231
Moderate: 26
Extensive: 1
Complete: 0
Building and Income Related Losses $5,870,000
Total Economic Losses
(Includes building, income and lifeline
losses)
$59,140,000
Casualties
(Based on 2 a.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 2 p.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 1
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 5 p.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Damage to Transportation Systems None with at least moderate damage Damage to Essential Facilities None with at least moderate damage 327
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Type of Impact Carson Range 7.23 Deterministic Scenario Damage to Utility Systems No facilities with at least moderate damage. 3 potable water line breaks, 2 wastewater line breaks, and 0 natural gas line breaks.

Households without Power/Water Service
(Based on 15,678 total households)
Power loss, Day 1: 0
Power loss, Day 3: 0
Power loss, Day 7: 0
Power loss, Day 30: 0
Power loss, Day 90: 0
Water loss, Day 1: 0
Water loss, Day 3: 0
Water loss, Day 7: 0
Water loss, Day 30: 0
Water loss, Day 90: 0
Displaced Households 0 displaced households
Shelter Requirements 0 persons
Debris Generation 0 tons
Source: Hazus 6.1
Fires often occur after an earthquake. Because of the number of fires and the lack of water to fight the fires, they can often burn out of control. Hazus uses a Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the number of ignitions and the amount of burnt area. For this scenario, the model estimates that there will be 0 ignitions that will burn about 0.00 sq. mi 0.00 % of the region’s total area.). The model also estimates that the fires will displace about 0 people and burn about 0 (millions of dollars) of building value.

Figure 4-86 shows the peak ground acceleration due to the Carson Range 7.23 earthquake. Figure 4-87 shows the total losses by census tract in Amador County due to the Carson Range 7.23 earthquake. 328
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Figure 4-86 Amador County Planning Area – Carson Range 7.23 Magnitude Peak Ground Accelerations
329
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Figure 4-87 Amador County Planning Area – Carson Range 7.23 Magnitude Hazus Total Loss 330
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Great Valley Fault 6.53 Hazus Scenario
The Great Valley Fault deterministic scenario was developed utilizing data from the County General Plan and based on a seismic scenario obtained from the USGS seismic scenario catalog.

The results of the deterministic scenario are captured in Table 4-95. Key losses included the following:
➢ Total economic loss estimated for the earthquake was $2,090,000, which includes building losses and lifeline losses based on the Hazus-MH inventory.
➢ The total building-related losses were $1,310,000; 23% of the estimated losses were related to the business interruption of the region. By far, the largest loss was sustained by the residential occupancies which made up over 53 % of the total loss.
➢ 6 buildings in the County were at least moderately damaged. No buildings were completely destroyed. ➢ Before the earthquake, the region had 52 hospital beds available for use. On the day of the earthquake, the model estimates that only 51 hospital beds (98.00%) are available for use by patients already in the hospital and those injured by the earthquake. After one week, 100.00% of the beds will be back in service.
➢ Regardless of the time of earthquake, none had casualties. ➢ No households experienced a loss of potable water the first day after the earthquake. ➢ No households experienced a loss of electricity the first day after the earthquake.

Table 4-95 Amador County Planning Area – Great Valley Fault 6.53 Magnitude Deterministic Scenario Results
Type of Impact Great Valley 6.53 Deterministic Scenario Total Buildings Damaged
(based on 17,747 buildings)
Slight: 51
Moderate: 6
Extensive: 0
Complete: 0
Building and Income Related Losses $2,090,000
Total Economic Losses
(Includes building, income and lifeline
losses)
$1,310,000
Casualties
(Based on 2 a.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 2 p.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 5 p.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Damage to Transportation Systems None with at least moderate damage Damage to Essential Facilities None with at least moderate damage 331
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Type of Impact Great Valley 6.53 Deterministic Scenario Damage to Utility Systems No facilities with at least moderate damage. 1 potable water line breaks, 0 wastewater line breaks, and 0 natural gas line breaks.

Figure 4-88 shows the peak ground acceleration due to the Great Valley 6.53 earthquake. Figure 4-89 shows the total losses by census tract in Amador County due to the Great Valley 6.53 earthquake. 332
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Figure 4-88 Amador County Planning Area – Great Valley 6.53 Magnitude Hazus Peak Ground Acceleration
333
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Figure 4-89 Amador County Planning Area – Great Valley 6.53 Magnitude Hazus Total Loss 334
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Hayward + Rogers Creek 7.58 Hazus Scenario
The Great Valley Fault deterministic scenario was developed utilizing data from the County General Plan and based on a seismic scenario obtained from the USGS seismic scenario catalog.

The results of the probabilistic scenario are captured in Table 4-96. Key losses included the following:
➢ Total economic loss estimated for the earthquake was $9,930,000, which includes building losses and lifeline losses based on the Hazus-MH inventory.
➢ The total building-related losses were $3,680,000; 19% of the estimated losses were related to the business interruption of the region. By far, the largest loss was sustained by the residential occupancies which made up over 53 % of the total loss.
➢ 27 buildings in the County were at least moderately damaged. No buildings were completely destroyed. ➢ Before the earthquake, the region had 52 hospital beds available for use. On the day of the earthquake, the model estimates that only 51 hospital beds (98.00%) are available for use by patients already in the hospital and those injured by the earthquake. After one week, 100.00% of the beds will be back in service.
➢ Regardless of the time of earthquake, none had casualties. ➢ No households experienced a loss of potable water the first day after the earthquake. ➢ No households experienced a loss of electricity the first day after the earthquake.

Table 4-96 Amador County Planning Area – Hayward + Rodgers Creek 7.58 Probabilistic Scenario Results
Type of Impact Hayward + Rogers Creek 7.58 Deterministic Scenario Total Buildings Damaged
(based on 17,747 buildings)
Slight: 127
Moderate: 16
Extensive: 1
Complete: 0
Building and Income Related Losses $5,870,000
Total Economic Losses
(Includes building, income and lifeline
losses)
$9,930,000
Casualties
(Based on 2 a.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 2 p.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 5 p.m. time of occurrence)
Without requiring hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Damage to Transportation Systems None with at least moderate damage Damage to Essential Facilities None with at least moderate damage 335
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Type of Impact Hayward + Rogers Creek 7.58 Deterministic Scenario Damage to Utility Systems No facilities with at least moderate damage. 3 potable water line breaks, 1 wastewater line breaks, and 0 natural gas line breaks.

Figure 4-86 shows the peak ground acceleration due to the Hayward + Rodgers Creek 7.58 earthquake.

Figure 4-91 shows the total losses by census tract in Amador County due to the Hayward + Rodgers Creek

7.58 earthquake.
336
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Figure 4-90 Amador County Planning Area – Hayward + Rogers Creek 7.58 Magnitude Hazus Peak Ground Acceleration
337
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Figure 4-91 Amador County Planning Area – Hayward + Rogers Creek 7.58 Magnitude Hazus Total Loss
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Hazus Scenario Comparisons
A comparison of the results of the three Hazus scenarios is shown on Table 4-97. Each of these reports are shown in their totality in Appendix H.

Table 4-97 Amador County – Comparison of Hazus Scenarios Type of Impact Carson Range 7.23
Deterministic Scenario
Great Valley 6.53
Deterministic Scenario
Hayward + Rogers Creek

7.58 Deterministic Scenario
Total Buildings
Damaged
(based on 17,747
buildings)
Slight: 231
Moderate: 26
Extensive: 1
Complete: 0
Slight: 51
Moderate: 6
Extensive: 0
Complete: 0
Slight: 127
Moderate: 16
Extensive: 1
Complete: 0
Building and Income
Related Losses
$5,870,000 $2,090,000 $5,870,000
Total Economic
Losses
(Includes building,
income and lifeline
losses)
$59,140,000 $1,310,000 $9,930,000
Casualties
(Based on 2 a.m. time
of occurrence)
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 2 p.m. time
of occurrence)
Without requiring
hospitalization: 1
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Casualties
(Based on 5 p.m. time
of occurrence)
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Without requiring
hospitalization: 0
Requiring hospitalization: 0
Life threatening: 0
Fatalities: 0
Damage to
Transportation
Systems
None with at least moderate
damage
None with at least moderate
damage
None with at least moderate
damage
Damage to Essential
Facilities
None with at least moderate
damage
None with at least moderate
damage
None with at least moderate
damage
Damage to Utility
Systems
No facilities with at least
moderate damage. 3 potable
water line breaks, 2
wastewater line breaks, and
0 natural gas line breaks.

No facilities with at least
moderate damage. 1 potable
water line breaks, 0 wastewater
line breaks, and 0 natural gas
line breaks.

No facilities with at least
moderate damage. 3 potable
water line breaks, 1 wastewater
line breaks, and 0 natural gas
line breaks.

Households without
Power/Water Service
(Based on 15,678
total households)
Power loss,
Day 1: 1,427
Power loss,
Day 3: 802
Water loss,
Day 1: 0
Water loss,
Day 3: 0
Power loss,
Day 1: 0
Power loss,
Day 3: 0
Water loss,
Day 1: 0
Water loss,
Day 3: 0
Power loss,
Day 1: 0
Power loss,
Day 3: 0
Water loss,
Day 1: 0
Water loss,
Day 3: 0
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Type of Impact Carson Range 7.23
Deterministic Scenario
Great Valley 6.53
Deterministic Scenario
Hayward + Rogers Creek

7.58 Deterministic Scenario
Power loss,
Day 7: 272
Power loss,
Day 30: 16
Power loss,
Day 90: 2
Water loss,
Day 7: 0
Water loss,
Day 30: 0
Water loss,
Day 90: 0
Power loss,
Day 7: 0
Power loss,
Day 30: 0
Power loss,
Day 90: 0
Water loss,
Day 7: 0
Water loss,
Day 30: 0
Water loss,
Day 90: 0
Power loss,
Day 7: 0
Power loss,
Day 30: 0
Power loss,
Day 90: 0
Water loss,
Day 7: 0
Water loss,
Day 30: 0
Water loss,
Day 90: 0
Displaced
Households
0 displaced households 0 displaced households 0 displaced households Shelter Requirements 0 persons 0 persons 0 persons
Debris Generation 0 tons 0 tons 0 tons
Source: Hazus 6.1
FEMA NRI Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
The FEMA NRI was queried for additional specific data on Amador County’s vulnerability to earthquakes.

The NRI contains data and analysis for 18 separate natural hazards, including earthquakes. As shown in Table 4-98, earthquakes could cause a total of $1,188,592 in expected annual losses, with a historic loss rating of relatively low. Earthquake has a relatively moderate rating for both social vulnerability and community resilience, with a risk index score of 82.4 out of 100. According to the NRI, there have been 0 earthquake events during the 2021 dataset with a 0.32% annual chance per year.

Table 4-98 Amador County Planning Area – Earthquake Vulnerability Ratings from FEMA NRI
NRI Hazard Hazard Risk Index
Rating*
Expected Annual
Loss Values
(total)**
Exposure Value
(total)***
Historic Loss Ratio
Rating
Earthquake 82.4 $1,188,592 $477,624,156,000 Relatively Low Source: FEMA NRI Report, retrieved 4/1/2025.
*Hazard Risk Index is calculated using data for only a single hazard type, and reflect a communities expected annual los value, community risk factors, and the adjustment factor used to calculate the risk value. **Expected annual loss represents the average economic loss in dollars resulting from natural hazards each year. ***Exposure is a natural hazard consequence factor that is the representative value of buildings, populations, or agriculture potentially exposed to a natural hazard occurrence.

Additional information on the FEMA NRI can be found in Section 4.2 and Appendix G.

Impacts from Earthquake
Earthquakes can strike without warning and cause dramatic changes to the landscape of an area that can have devastating impacts on the built environment. The greatest impact is to life safety of Amador County residents and visitors. Earthquakes can cause loss of life and injuries in affected areas. Other impacts to the Amador County Planning Area would include damages to infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and dams; damages and loss of services to utilities and critical infrastructure, including those related to gas, power, water, wastewater and communication systems; and damages to structures and other development. 340
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Earthquakes can also cause failure of dams, levees, and reservoirs. Facilities and land downslope from dams or water reservoirs or behind levees might be subject to flooding, if the dams, reservoirs, or levees fail as a result of an earthquake. The County has locations with significant flood risk that include facilities downslope from dams or reservoirs or behind levees.

Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Commercial and residential structural and property damage; ➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community; and ➢ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the County may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to have no effect on future earthquake conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County.
➢ Population growth in Amador County has recently slowed, but is expected to continue slowly going forward. Any additional growth in the County would place additional populations at risk to earthquake.

Additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the County. Vulnerable population groups could face disproportionate effects from an earthquake and should be planned for.

Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the County to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions.
➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. County building codes are in effect to reduce structure damage, including damage to critical facilities and infrastructure, and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future earthquake conditions. Depending on the location of new development and adherence to protective building codes, changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard.

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fall in the area affected by earthquake, given the small chance of major earthquake and the building codes in effect, development in the earthquake area will continue to occur.

4.3.12. Flood: 1%/0.2% Annual Chance (w/Levee Failure)
Hazard Profile
This hazard profile contains multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect the Amador County Planning Area. These sections include a hazard/problem description; description of location and extent; past occurrences of this hazard; likelihood of future occurrence, and how climate change can affect or influence this hazard.

Hazard/Problem Description
Flooding is the rising and overflowing of a body of water onto normally dry land. Floods are among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide. Floods can cause substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities and can cause life safety issues. Floods can be extremely dangerous. Six inches of moving water can knock over a person given a strong current. A car will float in less than two feet of moving water and can be swept downstream into deeper waters. Floods kill more people trapped in vehicles than anywhere else.

During a flood, people can also suffer heart attacks or electrocution due to electrical equipment short outs.

Floodwaters can transport large objects downstream which can damage or remove stationary structures, such as dam spillways. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can also break utility lines and interrupt services. Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, foundations, and electrical circuits.

Direct impacts, such as drowning, can be limited with adequate warning and public education about what to do during floods. Where flooding occurs in populated areas, warning and evacuation will be of critical importance to reduce life and safety impacts from any type of flooding.

There are three primary types of freshwater flood events in the Amador County Planning Area: riverine and lake, flash flooding, and urban stormwater. Regardless of the type of flood, the cause is often the result of severe weather and excessive rainfall, either in the flood area or upstream reaches. ➢ Riverine flooding – Riverine flooding, defined as when a watercourse exceeds its “bank-full” capacity, generally occurs as a result of prolonged rainfall, or rainfall that is combined with already saturated soils from previous rain events. This type of flood occurs in river systems whose tributaries may drain large geographic areas and include one or more independent river basins. The onset and duration of riverine floods may vary from a few hours to many days. Factors that directly affect the amount of flood runoff include precipitation amount, intensity and distribution, the amount of soil moisture, seasonal variation in vegetation, snow depth, and water-resistance of the surface due to urbanization.

In the Amador County Planning Area, riverine flooding is largely caused by heavy and continued rains, sometimes combined with snowmelt, and heavy flow from tributary streams. These intense storms can overwhelm the local waterways as well as the integrity of flood control structures. The warning time associated with slow rise floods assists in life and property protection. 342
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➢ The term “flash flood” describes localized floods of great volume and short duration. In contrast to riverine flooding, this type of flood usually results from heavy rainfall on a relatively small drainage area. Precipitation of this sort usually occurs in the winter and spring. Flash floods often require immediate evacuation within the hour.
➢ Stormwater/Urban flood events have increased as land has been converted from fields or woodlands to roads and parking lots and lost its ability to absorb rainfall. Urbanization increases runoff by two to six times that of natural terrain. This is discussed in the Section 4.3.13 below.

In addition to the three types of flood events, there are two other types of flooding in Amador County: levee failure flooding and dam failure flooding. Regardless of the type of flood, the cause is often the result of severe weather and excessive rainfall, either in the flood area or upstream reach. The potential for flooding can change and increase through various land use changes and changes to land surface, resulting in a change to the floodplain. Environmental changes can create localized flooding problems in and outside of natural floodplains by altering or confining natural drainage channels. These changes are most often created by human activity.

Levee Failure
Levee failure flooding – A type of riverine flooding in Amador County is levee failure flooding. Levees reinforce the banks and help prevent flooding by containing higher flow events to the main stream channel.

By confining the flow to a narrower steam channel, levees can also increase the speed of the water. Levees can be natural or man-made. A natural levee is formed when sediment settles on the stream bank, raising the level of the land around the stream. Levees provide strong flood protection, but they are not failsafe.

Levees are designed to protect against a specific flood level and could be overtopped during severe weather events or dam failure. Levees reduce, not eliminate, the risk to individuals and structures located behind them. In the 2016 Amador County Flood Insurance Study, FEMA determined that there are no certified levees (i.e., levees providing 1% annual chance level of protection) that exist within Amador County. The FIS did note that although flood protection levees were built by the USACE along Sutter Creek in the City of Ione, the levees were not certified as providing protection from the 1% percent annual chance flood. In addition, flood and erosion-control retaining walls are located along Sutter Creek near the intersection of Preston and Main Streets; however, these structures also do not provide protection from the 1-percent annual chance flood. More information can be found in Ione’s annex to this LHMP Update.

Dam Failure
The Amador County Planning Area is also at risk to flooding resulting from dams. Dam failure flooding is discussed separately in Section 4.3.9 of this document.

Location and Extent
Floodplains
The area adjacent to a channel is the floodplain (see Figure 4-92). Floodplains are illustrated on inundation maps, which show areas of potential flooding and water depths. In its common usage, the floodplain most often refers to that area that is inundated by the 1% annual chance (or 100-year) flood, the flood that has a one percent chance in any given year of being equaled or exceeded. The 1% annual chance flood is the 343
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national minimum standard to which communities regulate their floodplains through the National Flood Insurance Program. The 500-year flood is the flood that has a 0.2% chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The potential for flooding can change and increase through various land use changes and changes to land surface, which result in a change to the floodplain. A change in environment can create localized flooding problems inside and outside of natural floodplains by altering or confining natural drainage channels. These changes are most often created by human activity.

Figure 4-92 Floodplain Schematic
Source: FEMA
Hydrologic Regions
According to Cal DWR, California has 10 hydrologic regions. Amador County sits in the San Joaquin hydrologic region. This region encompasses the middle portion of the Central Valley bounded by the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Coast Range, the divide between the American and Cosumnes river watersheds, and the divide between the San Joaquin and Kings River watersheds. The region also includes portions of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Although predominantly agricultural, this region has experienced increased urbanization in recent years and is subject to flooding from winter storm events and snowmelt.

A map of California’s hydrological regions is provided in Figure 4-93. 344
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Figure 4-93 California Hydrologic Regions
Source: California Department of Water Resources
The Amador County Waterway System
Amador County encompasses multiple rivers, streams, creeks, and associated watersheds. Amador County crosses three watersheds. Figure 4-94 illustrates the primary watersheds of Amador County, as well as the primary waterways in the County. These include the following watersheds:
➢ Dry Creek Watershed
➢ Mokelumne Creek
➢ Cosumnes Watershed
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Figure 4-94 Primary Watersheds and Waterways of Amador County 346
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Dry Creek Watershed
The Dry Creek watershed, an integral part of the Bay Delta System, covers more than 300 square miles, including 128 miles of streams, between the Upper Mokelumne River watershed and the Upper Cosumnes River, primarily in Amador County. The Creek flows west/southwest through the western slope of the foothills, joining with its two major tributaries, Sutter Creek and Jackson Creek along the way. It then flows to the floor of the Central Valley, just east of the town of Thornton (west of the City of Galt) where it empties into the Mokelumne River, while the Cosumnes River, enters the Mokelumne River approximately six miles downstream. The Mokelumne River then enters the complex network of tidallyinfluenced rivers and sloughs of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. The delta waters eventually empty into the San Francisco Bay.

The majority of the Dry Creek Watershed is located in Amador County, but the lower elevation is split between Sacramento County on the north and San Joaquin County on the south. Incorporated cities within the watershed include Jackson, Sutter Creek, Amador City, and Ione in Amador County, and Galt in Sacramento County.

Streams in the Dry Creek Watershed are almost completely unregulated, except for several small dams and reservoirs on sub-watersheds. Lake Amador, located on the Jackson Creek south of the City of Ione, is the only significant dam and reservoir in the watershed with a capacity of 22,000 acre-feet. Lake Tabeaud (located on the South Fork of Jackson Creek), belongs to PG&E, and is the fore bay to the Electra Power House.

Most of the water served to Amador County’s five cities flows through PG&E’s Mokelumne River hydroelectric power facilities then passes through Lake Tabeaud and a piped conveyance and treatment system.

Another small dam and reservoir (50 acre-feet) New York Reservoir, is located on a tributary to Jackson Creek. It was part of the Amador Canal system.

Mokelumne Watershed
The Mokelumne River Watershed in Amador, Calaveras and Alpine Counties is a significant source of water for both consumption and energy production. The major land use in the upper watershed, owned both privately and publicly, is timber management. The cumulative effects of timber harvest on the beneficial downstream uses of water in this area have developed into an issue of growing importance. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) provides drinking water for 1.1 million customers in the San Francisco East Bay Area. The source of supply is the 585 square mile Mokelumne River watershed in the central Sierras. Runoff from the watershed is impounded in Pardee Reservoir, located in Amador and Calaveras counties, and is transported across the Central Valley by three aqueducts.

The Mokelumne River Basin is a relatively narrow and steep watershed. Elevations range from 570 feet at Pardee Dam to about 10,400 feet on the highest peaks within the basin. Annual precipitation and stream flow in the Mokelumne River Basin are extremely variable from month to month and from year to year.

Most precipitation normally falls between November and May and very little falls between late spring and late fall. Peak flows in the Mokelumne River normally occur during winter storms or during the spring snowmelt season from March through June. Flows taper off to a minimum in late summer or fall. Snowmelt 347
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from parts of Alpine, Amador, and Calaveras counties contribute to the Mokelumne River. The primary tributaries are the North, Middle and South Forks of the Mokelumne River, with the North Fork tributary draining over 80 percent of the Mokelumne watershed. Lesser tributaries include Summit Creek, Bear Creek, Cole Creek, Moore Creek, Blue Creek, Tiger Creek, Panther Creek, Forest Creek and Licking Fork.

The majority of the Mokelumne River watershed consists of open space and forest land with small concentrations of residential development and large tracts of designated wilderness. There are small agriculture areas, mainly orchards and vineyards, and several areas of recreational developments (including winter sports facilities). The watershed contains little area devoted to industrial or commercial use.

Historic impacts to the watershed include gold mining, deforestation, and livestock grazing. Current impacts include logging, grazing, deliberate and incidental toxic substance dumping, loss of wildlife habitat, low flow water quality, recreation, roadways, residential development, domestic wastes, and more. Efforts have been taken by the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority (UMRWA) to better manage the watershed, including improving overall water quality.

Cosumnes Watershed
The Cosumnes River Watershed includes Amador, El Dorado and Sacramento Counties and drains a total of 936 square miles. The Cosumnes River, at a length of 80 miles, is considered the last untamed, free flowing river system west of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The river has a natural flow regime, drying up in drought years and flooding in wet years. In the Upper Cosumnes River Watershed, beginning at approximately 7,600 feet msl in the Sierra Nevada Range, the river flows through bedrock formations, confining the river to basically a permanent channel. In the Lower Watershed, the river has meandered over time leaving behind deposits of fertile soil resulting in the creation of wetlands and streamside riparian habitat. The South Fork of the Cosumnes River runs through northern Amador County. The watershed empties into the Mokelumne River and is an integral part of the Sacramento Bay/Delta ecosystem.

In the early 1900’s, agriculturists began intensively farming and ranching the land throughout the lower watershed. Levees were established along the river to help contain the occasional high flow event, allowing the land to be farmed year-round. This pattern of land use remained relatively constant through the last decade; however, flooding has become a more significant issue with the increased cost and value of agricultural operations. In addition to agriculture, a significant number of homes, communities, business, roads, and other infrastructure exist within the watershed. Privately owned levees, originally built to control flooding, have over time become aged and less stable. A break in a levee along the Cosumnes today not only impacts agricultural lands but results in flooded homes and businesses as well as damage to public roads, utilities, transportation, and emergency services. Impacts to the Southern California water supply may also occur. The USACE conducted a Reconnaissance Study of the lower watershed in 1999 and identified several issues including levee failure and flooding; erosion and channel incision; excessive sediment transport and degradation of the riverbed; constriction of the floodplain; isolation of the floodplain from the river channel; reduction of flows in summer and fall; and loss of aquatic and riparian habitat.

River flows are almost entirely a result of rainfall. Only 16 percent of the watershed lies above 5,000 feet; therefore, snowmelt contributes very little to stream flows. The river flows year-round in the upper watershed; however, in the lower watershed, flows are intermittent during the summer. Flooding on the 348
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Cosumnes usually occurs November through April, generally as a result of heavy rains. According to the Cosumnes River Task Force Plan, peak flow years include: 1907, 1950 (27,600 cfs), 1955 (42,000 cfs), 1958 (29,300 cfs), 1963 (39,400 cfs), 1964 (37,500 cfs), 1980 (34,200), 1982 (37,000 cfs), 1986 (45,000 cfs), and 1997 (93,000 cfs). According to the 1999 study, the levees can hold a 5-year storm event of approximately 20,000 cfs. Flooding frequency is the greatest near the confluence with the Mokelumne; although most of the areas surrounding the river experience occasional or rare flooding frequency.

In 1997, the Cosumnes River Watershed experienced the largest flood event on record. Peak discharge was 93,000 cfs, 47,900 cfs more than the previously recorded high flow event of 1986. Approximately 34,000 acres of primarily farmland was inundated. Almost $7 million dollars in business losses occurred to orchards, vineyards, row and field crops and dairies. Agricultural losses to private property were estimated at $13 million. Most of the 1997 flood damage was associated with levee breaks. 82 homes or structures valued at $1.7 million were also damaged during the 1997 flood. Many bridges and roads were impassible and many incurred varying degrees of damage.

Amador County Flood Mapping
As part of the County’s ongoing efforts to identify and manage their flood prone areas, Amador County relies on a variety of different mapping and related efforts. What follows is a brief description of FEMA and DWR mapping efforts covering the Amador County Planning Area.

FEMA Floodplain Mapping
FEMA established standards for floodplain mapping studies as part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP makes flood insurance available to property owners in participating communities adopting FEMA-approved local floodplain studies, maps, and regulations. Floodplain studies that may be approved by FEMA include federally funded studies; studies developed by state, city, and regional public agencies; and technical studies generated by private interests as part of property annexation and land development efforts. Such studies may include entire stream reaches or limited stream sections depending on the nature and scope of a study. A general overview of floodplain mapping is provided in the following paragraphs. Details on the NFIP and mapping specific to the County is detailed in the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
The FIS develops flood-risk data for various areas of the community that will be used to establish flood insurance rates and to assist the community in its efforts to promote sound floodplain management. The current Amador County FIS is dated 1/20/2016. This study covers both the unincorporated and incorporated areas of the County.

Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
The FIRM is designed for flood insurance and floodplain management applications. For flood insurance, the FIRM designates flood insurance rate zones to assign premium rates for flood insurance policies. For floodplain management, the FIRM delineates 1% and 0.2% annual chancer floodplains, floodways, and the locations of selected cross sections used in the hydraulic analysis and local floodplain regulation. The 349
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County FIRMs have been replaced by digital flood insurance rate maps (DFIRMs) as part of FEMA’s Map Modernization program, which is discussed further below.

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and Map Amendment (LOMA)
LOMRs and LOMAs represent separate floodplain studies dealing with individual properties or limited stream segments that update the FIS and FIRM data between periodic FEMA publications of the FIS and FIRM.

Levee Considerations in Floodplain Mapping
Also, as part of FEMA’s Map Modernization program, FEMA is mapping levees within communities, with a primary focus on maps determined to provide a 1% annual chance level of flood protection.

In August of 2005, FEMA Headquarters’ issued Memo 34 Interim Guidance for Studies Including Levees.

This memo recognizes the risk and vulnerability of communities with levees. The memo mandates the inclusion of levee evaluations for those communities that are undergoing map changes such as the conversion to DFIRMs. No maps can become effective without an evaluation of all levees within a community against the criteria set forth in 44 CFR 65.10 Mapping of Areas Protected by Levee Systems.

Generally, these levee certification requirements include evaluations of freeboard, geotechnical stability and seepage, bank erosion potential due to currents and waves, closure structures, operations and maintenance, and wind wet and wave run-up. In short, these guidelines require certification of levees before crediting any levee with providing protection from the 1 percent annual event (e.g., the 100-year flood).

In Amador County, similar to other locations in California, levees and flood control facilities have been built and are maintained variously by public and private entities, including reclamation, irrigation and flood control districts, other state and local agencies, and private interests. Many of these facilities were constructed with flood control as secondary or incidental to their primary purpose, so are not considered as providing protection from the 1% annual chance or greater flood.

Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM)
As part of its Map Modernization program, FEMA is converting paper FIRMS to digital FIRMs, DFIRMS.

These digital maps:
➢ Incorporate the latest updates (LOMRs and LOMAs);
➢ Utilize community supplied data;
➢ Verify the currency of the floodplains and refit them to community supplied basemaps; ➢ Upgrade the FIRMs to a GIS database format to set the stage for future updates and to enable support for GIS analyses and other digital applications; and
➢ Solicit community participation.

DFIRMs for Amador County have been developed and most current Effective DFIRMs for Amador County are dated January 20, 2016, and are being used for the flood analysis for this LHMP Update. The DFIRM is shown in Figure 4-95, and DFIRM flood zones are shown on Table 4-99. 350
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Figure 4-95 Amador County - DFIRM
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Table 4-99 Amador County – FEMA DFIRM Flood Zones by Jurisdiction Flood Zone Description Present in
City of
Amador City
Present
in City
of Ione
Present
in City of
Jackson
Present in
City of
Plymouth
Present in
City of
Sutter Creek
Present in
Unincorporated
County
A 1% annual chance
flooding: No base
flood elevations
provided

X X X X X
AE 1% annual chance
flooding: Base flood
elevations provided

X X X X
AE
Regulatory
Floodway
1% annual chance
flood: Regulatory
floodway; Base flood
elevations provided
X X X
AH 1% annual chance
flood areas of
shallow flooding
between one to three
feet deep. Regulatory
floodway; Base flood
elevations provided
X X
Shaded X 0.2% annual chance
flooding: The areas
between the limits of
the 1% annual
chance flood and the

0.2-percent-annualchance (or 500-year)
flood

X X X X
X
(unshaded)
No flood hazard X X X X X X
Source: FEMA DFIRM 01/20/2016
California Floodplain Mapping
Also to be considered when evaluating the flood risks in Amador County are various floodplain maps developed by the California DWR for various areas throughout California, and in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Valley cities and counties. The FEMA regulatory maps provide just one perspective on flood risks in Amador County. Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), enacted in 2007, authorized Cal-DWR to develop the Best Available Maps (BAM) displaying 1% and 0.5% (200-year) annual chance floodplains for areas located within the Sacramento-San Joaquin (SAC-SJ) Valley watershed. This effort was completed by DWR in 2008. DWR has expanded the BAM to cover all counties in the State and to include 0.2% annual chance flood zones.

Different than the FEMA DFIRMs which have been prepared to support the NFIP and generally reflect only the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood risks, the BAMs are provided for informational purposes and are intended to reflect current 1%, 0.5% (200-year) as applicable, and 0.2% annual chance flood risks using the best available data. The 100-year floodplain limits on the BAM are a composite of multiple 1% annual 352
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chance floodplain mapping sources. It is intended to show all currently identified areas at risk for a 100- year flood event, including FEMA’s 1% annual chance flood zones. The BAM are comprised of different engineering studies performed by FEMA, Corps, and DWR for assessment of potential 1%, 0.5%, and 0.2% annual chance floodplain areas. These studies are used for different planning and/or regulatory applications, and for each flood frequency may use varied analytical and quality control criteria depending on the study type requirements.

The value in the BAMs is that they provide a bigger picture view of potential flood risk to the County than that provided in the FEMA DFIRMs. This provides the community and residents with an additional tool for understanding potential flood hazards not currently mapped as a regulated floodplain. Improved awareness of flood risk can reduce exposure to flooding for new structures and promote increased protection for existing development. Informed land use planning will also assist in identifying levee maintenance needs and levels of protection. By including the FEMA 1% annual chance flood zone, it also supports identification of the need and requirement for flood insurance. Figure 4-96 shows the BAM for the Amador County Planning Area.

Figure 4-96 Amador County– Flood Awareness (Best Available) Map Source: California DWR. Retrieved 3/5/2025
Legend explanation: Blue - FEMA 100-Year, Orange – Local 100-Year (developed from local agencies), Red – DWR 100-year (Awareness floodplains identify the 100-year flood hazard areas using approximate assessment procedures.), Pink – USACE 100- Year (2002 Sac and San Joaquin River Basins Comp Study), Yellow – USACE 200-Year (2002 Sac and San Joaquin River Basins Comp Study), Tan – FEMA 500-Year, Grey – Local 500-Year (developed from local agencies), Purple – USACE 500-Year (2002 Sac and San Joaquin River Basins Comp Study).

Flood extents are usually measured in depths of flooding and area flooded. Expected flood depths in the Amador County Planning Area vary. Flood durations in the County tend to be short to medium term, or until either the storm drainage system can catch up or flood waters move downstream. Geographical extents 353
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of DFIRM flood zones for the unincorporated Amador County are detailed in Table 4-100. Details on each jurisdiction’s DFIRM flood extents can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update.

Table 4-100 Amador County Planning Area –Geographical DFIRM Flood Zone Extents Jurisdiction /
Flood Zone
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Amador City
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Other Areas 198 0.05% 61 0.04% 137 0.06%
Amador City
Total
198 0.05% 61 0.04% 137 0.06%
Ione
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
251 0.06% 68 0.04% 183 0.08%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
108 0.03% 76 0.05% 32 0.01%
Other Areas 2,613 0.67% 546 0.32% 2,068 0.94%
Ione Total 2,973 0.77% 690 0.41% 2,283 1.04%
Jackson
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
104 0.03% 41 0.02% 63 0.03%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
4 0.001% 2 0.001% 2 0.001%
Other Areas 2,194 0.6% 740 0.4% 1,454 0.7%
Jackson Total 2,302 0.6% 782 0.5% 1,520 0.7%
Plymouth
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
30 0.01% 5 0.003% 25 0.01%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Other Areas 1,668 0.4% 595 0.4% 1,073 0.5%
Plymouth Total 1,698 0.4% 600 0.4% 1,098 0.5%
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Jurisdiction /
Flood Zone
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Sutter Creek
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
28 0.01% 15 0.01% 13 0.01%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
9 0.002% 5 0.003% 5 0.002%
Other Areas 1,671 0.4% 742 0.4% 929 0.4%
Sutter Creek
Total
1,709 0.4% 762 0.5% 947 0.4%
Unincorporated Amador County
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
16,510 4% 7,230 4% 9,280 4%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
95 0.02% 32 0.02% 64 0.03%
Other Areas 363,006 93% 157,994 94% 205,012 93%
Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
379,611 98% 165,256 98% 214,356 97%
Grand Total 388,490 100% 168,150 100% 220,340 100%
Source: FEMA DFIRM 01/2016
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
A list of federal and state disaster declarations for Amador County from flooding, (including heavy rains and storms) is shown on Table 4-101.

Table 4-101 Amador County – Federal and State Disaster Declaration from Flood 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (including heavy
rains and storms)
22 1950, 1955, 1958 (twice), 1959,
1963, 1964, 1969, 1980, 1982,
1986, 1995 (twice*), 1997, 2006
(twice*), 2017 (twice*), 2019*,
2021, 2023 (twice)
20 1950, 1955, 1958, 1962, 1963,
1964, 1969, 1986, 1995 (twice*),
1997, 1998, 2006 (twice*), 2017
(twice*), 2019*, 2023 (three*)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
*included a landslide component.
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NCDC Events
The NCDC tracks flooding events for the County. Events have been tracked for flooding since 1993. Table 4-102 shows events in Amador County since 1993.

Table 4-102 NCDC Flood Events in Amador County 1993 to 7/31/2024* Event Type Number
of Events
Deaths Deaths
(indirect)
Injuries Injuries
(indirect)
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Flash Flood 3 0 0 0 0 $0 $0
Flood 40 3 0 0 0 $4,450,000 $7,800,000
Total 43 3 0 0 0 $4,450,000 $7,800,000
Source: NCDC
*Note: Losses reflect totals for all impacted areas, much of which fell outside of Amador County FIS Events
The 2016 FIS noted that documented flooding from Sutter Creek occurred in January 1980 and January 1995.
1980 Event
An article in the Amador Dispatch indicated that during the 1980 flood event there was overflow of the channel near the Marlette Street mobile home park, approximately 0.5 mile upstream of the Five Mile Drive crossing of Sutter Creek. It was reported that the area was sandbagged, and that evacuation of the mobile home park was considered; however, the flow receded, and no major damage was reported. No flooding was documented in any of the restudy area upstream of the mobile home park. During this event, the maximum recorded peak discharge was 6,950 cubic feet per second (cfs), which is the maximum recorded peak discharge for the 40 years of record at the gage. Based on the hydrologic analyses, the peak discharge would be approximately 9,000 cfs at the study area.
1995 Event
The downstream portion of the restudy area was again subjected to shallow flooding on January 2, 1995.

Overtopping occurred at several locations between the new Five Mile Drive Bridge of Sutter Creek and the right-angle bend in the channel alignment located approximately 400 feet downstream of the intersection of Spring Creek Drive and Marlette Street. Flooding was experienced by several properties located between the south bank of the creek and Marlette Street. South of Marlette Street, shallow flooding was experienced by some properties immediately west of the channel bend located west of Spring Creek Drive.

Farther to the west, flooding was primarily contained in the streets south of Marlette Street. A portion of the overflow flowed west, down Marlette Street, and returned to Sutter Creek immediately upstream of the Five Mile Drive Bridge. Flow to the south also occurred over the undeveloped area immediately east of the most easterly treatment-plant pond.
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Street flooding, resulting from backwater from drainage outfall, was experienced at Spring Creek Drive at the bend approximately 1,000 feet north of Marlette Street and at the intersection with Marlette Street.

Ponding of flood waters was also experienced on the golf course located on the north side of the creek, approximately 500 feet upstream of Five Mile Drive.

The abandoned Five Mile Drive Bridge experienced erosion damage and has been permanently removed.

The new Five Mile Drive Bridge was not damaged. There are available estimates of discharges for the 1995 event. Based on the overtopping in the downstream area near the Marlette Street mobile home park, the discharge would probably have been equal to or greater than the 1980 event. There was no flooding in the upstream portion of the restudy area near the Preston Avenue (Highway 104) crossing of Sutter Creek.

The flow was contained by the existing channel and levees. The measured high-water mark was approximately 1.2 feet below the Highway 104 bridge soffit. There has been no documented flooding in the area immediately upstream and downstream of Highway 104.

Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Events
The following flood event summaries are taken verbatim from information on file with the County Archives and provided by the Amador County OES.
1849/50 – No specific data available. See references below. 1852 – The great flood of 1852. On March 4 or 5, unceasingly through March 8, torrents fell. By March 10, the Sacramento River was a half foot above its high water mark during the 1850 flood. Raging creeks and rivers roared down their channels and beds to sweep scores of bridges downstream to destruction. The Sacramento Daily Union carried clips from the Chronicle of March 13th which reported: “On the Mokelumne River the loss cannot fall short of $50,000. We hear of Palmer and Co.’s bridge (worth $10,000) at Oregon Bar was carried away. At Middle Bar, the massive bridge of McKinney and Co. (worth $12,000) was swept away with a large ferry boat worth $15,000. All the homes on the north bank of the river at this bar were torn from foundations and carried down the fierce torrent and smashed to pieces against the rocks.

All the stores and tents along the south bank to Big Bar were overloaded, leaving them miserable wrecks.

At least one minor drowned trying to cross the bridgeless torrent in a canoe. The Chronicle reported the Mokelumne had risen at least 18 feet during the flood, being 4 to 6 feet higher than the winter of 1849-50.

It may have gone even higher. The Middle Bar Bridge was 20 feet above normal water level and it still did not survive.
1862 – January 10 thru 12 - Worst storm in memory, almost a biblical deluge. On January 10th, the water in the river rose a foot an hour and water poured through every gulch like thunder. The Mokelumne River rose 44 feet above low water or 5 to 18 feet higher than in 1852. The tempest swept the river clean of flumes, dams, bridges, ferries, hovels, and homes. Roads were impassable. Travel and communication between the mountains and valley ceased. Provisions could not be restocked. Prices zoomed. For the first time in history all of Stockton was under water and for the second time Sacramento was totally flooded.

Big buildings in Jackson were lifted off foundations and floated into the rampaging middle fork; Ione valley was flooded.
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1878 – Sudden deluge. That Sunday morning dense banks of clouds were noticed southeast and northwest, gorged with water and collision bent. At 3 pm the towering banks of cloud cleaved, and spawned for an hour and a half, the greatest torrent of rain this area has ever witnessed. While probably raining elsewhere, the rain burst nonetheless seemed confined to Jackson and the watershed of the three forks of Jackson Creek which converge near downtown. Within an hour the north fork topped its banks and swept away or damaged most of the creekside dwellings down to the fork’s confluence with the other branches. Chinatown on the west side of Main and hugging the creek was struck worst. Most flimsy and frame Chinese stores floated off foundations and headed downstream, some with occupants inside or clinging to the remains. Despite the catastrophe that hit Chinatown the rest of the town was not apprehensive. It also had no time for fear about a half hour later when a wall of water appeared racing down the middle fork. It arrived later but proved more destructive for these reasons: The middle fork is much longer and has more tributaries and capacity than the north fork and the breaking of the New York Ranch reservoir released its storage into the middle forks surge. That water careened into New York gulch, struck the middle fork near French garden, severely damaging that vegetable basket, and merged madly with the high water coming from upstream.

About 4:30 pm into Jackson rushed the wave or wall of water. If it was not high enough then to leap the creek’s banks, it soon was. All the driftwood, flotsam, and debris it carried soon dammed up against the Broadway Bridge. Almost instantly the water engulfed the north bank and Water streets, flooding all yards on the south side of the street and wreaking much chaos. There was more long-lasting damage, particularly in Jackson Valley, where bodies, buildings, driftwood and all debarked including a plague of rattlesnakes from foothill pits.
1907 – The Great lone Flood: According to the March 22, 1907, Dispatch, a storm began that Monday early in the afternoon and beat down in copious sheets until dawn the next day. By 2:30 pm on Monday, Jackson creek was a raging torrent judged to be higher than any time in 25 years. The south fork washed the Zeile mine footbridge off and there was not a bridge left spanning the Mokelumne below Middle bar nor was there any bridge left between Lancha Plana and Lodi. The peak of the foothill runoff hit Stockton in the valley later on Tuesday and by midnight Stockton had its greatest flood since 1862.

From various sources (personal recollections, the FIS, the NCDC, and SHELDUS) the HMPC also provided information on the following flood events.

January 1980 – Lake Amador, located in the Jackson Valley Irrigation District (JVID), experienced a very large spill event, (i.e., 4-feet over spill). Damaged infrastructure included JVID Sacrificial road and structures. There was additional Levee and Jackson Creek damage to private parties. Request letters are on file asking assistance. Most letters do not specify dollar amount of damage. One estimated repair at $75,000. Assistance to these private parties was denied. An article in the Amador Dispatch indicated that during the 1980 flood event there was overflow of the channel near the Marlette Street mobile home park, approximately 0.5 mile upstream of the Five Mile Drive crossing of Sutter Creek. It was reported that the area was sandbagged, and that evacuation of the mobile home park was considered; however, the flow receded, and no major damage was reported. No flooding was documented in any of the restudy area upstream of the mobile home park. During this event, the maximum recorded peak discharge was 6,950 cubic feet per second, which is the maximum recorded peak discharge for the 40 years of record at the gage. 358
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1986 – Heavy rains caused Sutter Creek to swell and exceed its banks causing low-level flooding to adjacent structures located on Main Street (Highway 49), Eureka Street, Badger Street, and Spanish Street. Damage to property occurred; amounts are unknown.

January 1995, DR1044 – Three days of record-setting rainfall culminated in widespread flooding of small rivers. Flooding occurred on JVID Jiminez property. Damages included eroded embankment/levee and damage to distribution pipeline. Total damages estimated at $1,999; relief funding estimated at $1,514.

Heavy rains also caused Sutter Creek to swell and exceed its banks causing low-level flooding to adjacent structures located on Main Street (Highway 49), Eureka Street, Badger Street, and Spanish Street. Damage to property occurred; amounts are unknown.

March 1995, DR1046 – A rainstorm wreaked havoc from one end of the county to the other as gusty winds wiped out power lines, felled trees, and damaged property. Downed power lines left approximately 7,000 households without power. An uprooted cedar tree crashed into the roof of Amador High School and ripped up roof sheeting at Ione Elementary School. Highway 88 flooded with three feet of water at the Carson Spur west of Kirkwood. A tornado was spotted in western Amador County. There were no damages reported. Flooded basements and sewer backups were reported in Sutter Creek. Trees toppled throughout the county including one that crashed into a Pine Grove Home. Water went over the spillway at Pardee Reservoir for the first time since 1986. Damage estimates to roads and public buildings came in at approximately $240,140.00. According to the FIS:

Based on the overtopping in the downstream area near the Marlette Street mobile home park, the discharge would probably have been equal to or greater than the 1980 event. However, based on the hydraulic model developed for this restudy and the measured high-water mark, the estimated discharge would bring the order of 20 percent lower than indicated by the downstream overtopping. There was no flooding in the upstream portion of the restudy area near the Preston Avenue (Highway 104) crossing of Sutter Creek. The flow was contained by the existing channel and levees. The measured high-water mark was approximately

1.2 feet below the Highway 104 bridge soffit. There has been no documented flooding in the area immediately upstream and downstream of Highway 104.

January 1997, DR1155 –Amador County was seriously impacted by heavy rain, heavy snow, utility disruption and related storm damage that began on December 20, 1996. The County declared a local emergency on December 23, 1996. The storm caused flooding in the lower elevations and major damage due to 4-5 feet of heavy, wet snow in the higher elevations. Emergency fire and medical services could not be provided to the affected areas due to the magnitude of the storm, along with the hazardous conditions of downed power lines, power poles and trees. Power was out for over one week to many homes in the affected area and only medical evacuations were possible for much of that time. Emergency snow removal equipment and operators were brought in by both Amador County and PG&E in an attempt to restore emergency access for fire, law, and medical services as well as for PG&E to restore electrical service. In the City of Ione, Sutter Creek overflowed its banks causing evacuations in flooded areas. In Jackson, Jackson Creek flooded causing water to go over the Pit Street and Broadway Street bridges, propane tanks broke loose and floated down the creek, evacuations of homes and businesses along the creek were ordered.

The parking garage in downtown Jackson was under water. In the City of Sutter Creek, the heavy rains caused Sutter Creek to swell and exceed its banks causing low level flooding to adjacent structures located on Main Street (Highway 49), Eureka Street, Badger Street, and Spanish Street. Mandatory water 359
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conservation orders were issued upcountry due to turbidity issues at Tiger Creek Reservoir. In River Pines, the sewer and water treatment plant flooded. Evacuation centers were established throughout the county for county residents that were evacuated from their homes. In addition, evacuation centers were established for residents evacuated from neighboring Sacramento and El Dorado County. Damage estimates for private property exceeded $2 million dollars and damages to roadways and utilities exceeded $5.18 million dollars.

The FIS reported that:

Overtopping occurred at several locations between the new Five Mile Drive Bridge of Sutter Creek and the right angle bend in the channel alignment located approximately 400 feet downstream of the intersection of Spring Creek Drive and Marlette Street. Flooding was experienced by several properties located between the south bank of the creek and Marlette Street. South of Marlette Street, shallow flooding was experienced by some properties immediately west of the channel bend located west of Spring Creek Drive. Farther to the west, flooding was primarily contained in the streets south of Marlette Street. A portion of the overflow flowed west, down Marlette Street, and returned to Sutter Creek immediately upstream of the Five Mile Drive Bridge. Flow to the south also occurred over the undeveloped area immediately east of the most easterly treatment-plant pond. Street flooding, resulting from backwater from drainage outfall, was experienced at Spring Creek Drive at the bend approximately 1,000 feet north of Marlette Street and at the intersection with Marlette Street. Ponding of flood waters was also experienced on the golf course located on the north side of the creek, approximately 500 feet upstream of Five Mile Drive. The abandoned Five Mile Drive Bridge experienced erosion damage and has been permanently removed. The new Five Mile Drive Bridge was not damaged.

January 1998 - Heavy rains from a strong Pacific storm caused widespread but minor flooding across the Sacramento and Northern San Joaquin Valleys and nearby foothills. Localized flooding affected areas of Amador County. Hundreds of traffic accidents also occurred on the highways and city streets throughout the region.

February 1998, DR1203 – (El Nino year) Major flooding occurred below Dam on JVID property and on the JVID creek towards the western end of District. Damage to infrastructure included the following:

Oxidation Basin Levee - $7,274; Lake Amador Sacrificial road - $13,551; Jackson Creek Pumping Station Dam - $42,691; and Dry Creek repair - $13,156. Total damages and disaster relief funding to JVID estimated at $76,672. Heavy rains also caused Sutter Creek to swell and exceed its banks causing low-level flooding to adjacent structures located on Main Street (Highway 49), Eureka Street, Badger Street, and Spanish Street. Damage to property occurred; amounts are unknown. Damages were also reported throughout the county, in Amador city, the City of Ione, and to the Amador County Unified School District.

February 9, 1999 – Flash flooding affected areas of Amador County. The NCDC reported that Jackson Creek left its banks and flooded areas of downtown Jackson. The California Department of Forestry aided in sandbagging and saved downtown businesses from damage. Sutter Creek left its banks and flooded isolated areas of the City of Sutter Creek. Sandbagging was not necessary. An unnamed tributary off of Gopher Gulch in the town of Sutter Creek rose quickly and topped the Badger Street Bridge.

January 22, 2000 - Rainfall totaling 6.32 inches accumulated in just over 48 hours near Pine Grove. 360
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December 2005/January 2006, Winter Storms of 2005/2006, DR1628 – Amador County sustained extensive damages to the public road system due to severe storms, flooding, mudslides, and landslides from the period December 17, 2005 to January 3, 2006. Damages were estimated at approximately $1.5 million dollars. There were some minor damages to private property reported. In addition, the Amador Regional Sanitation Authority sustained some damages to their pipeline. The most severe problem associated with this storm was the high winds and downed trees and power lines. A tree fell on a house causing moderate damage and another tree fell on a vehicle causing major damage.

March 2006, Spring Storms of 2006, DR1646 – The spring of 2006 was an unusually wet spring. There were constant reports of mudslides throughout the county. On April 8, 2006, the Amador Water Agency sustained major damages to an earthen canal that transports water from Lake Tabeaud to the Tanner Water Treatment Facility in Sutter Creek. A 200-foot section of the canal slid down the hillside cutting off the water supply to the Tanner facility. This outage affected approximately 10,000 raw and treated water customers in Jackson, Sutter Creek, Amador City, Drytown and Ione. Estimates for emergency work and repairs exceed $1.5 million dollars. The county road system sustained major damages and estimates for repairs exceed $1 million dollars. The Amador Region Sanitation Authority, the cities of Plymouth, Ione and Jackson sustained minor damages. There was little damage to private property reported.

January and February 2017 DR-4308, DR-4301 – Flood occurred in the County. AWA almost lost water pump station in Ione. Sutter Creek was at flood stage. A pump station along the creek was damaged due to flooding and soil erosion. A disaster declaration was issued for this flood. In addition to damages to roads, landslides in Pioneer Creek Road occurred as a result. Repair costs were $375,961. Shake Ridge Road also suffered erosion and landslides that is being dealt with as of the writing of this Plan. Multiple locations had damages. This can be seen in Table 4-103.

Table 4-103 2017 Amador County Winter Storm Damages
Address City Problem Cause Damages
Freemont Mine Road Sutter Creek Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $9,000 Lower Jackson Valley
Road
Ione Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $6,437
Stony Creek Road Jackson Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $7,000 Buena Vista Road Ione Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $4,466 Defender Grade Pioneer Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $5,292 Lower Tonzi Road Plymouth Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $2,376 Sutter Creek Road Ione Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $5,755 Old Sacramento Road Plymouth Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $4,822 Silver Drive South Pioneer Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $1,026 Sugar Pine Drive Pioneer Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $2,250 Alpine Drive Pioneer Debris Removal/road clean-up Winter Storm $6,084 6500 Buena Vista
Road
Ione Emergency Pumping and Hauling
for line leachate pond
Winter Storm $85,800
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Address City Problem Cause Damages
New Chicago Road Sutter Creek Shoulder Danage/Gravel Road Damage
Winter Storm $31,000
Freemont Mine Road Sutter Creek Road construction Winter Storm $5,000 Defender Grade Pioneer Slope Failure Winter Storm $10,000 Lower Tonzi Road Plymouth Culvert Failure Winter Storm $8,000 Shake Ridge Road Pioneer Road Failure Winter Storm $3,000,000 Pioneer Creek Road Pioneer Culvert Failure/Riprap Damage Winter Storm $7,500 Source: Amador County
Figure 4-97 Amador County 2017 Flooding
Source: Jackson Valley Irrigation District
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Figure 4-98 Amador County 2017 Flooding
Source: Jackson Valley Irrigation District
2019 – Flooding occurred in the County. Sutter Creek was at flood stage. $20,000 in FEMA disaster money was received to repair debris locations.

December 2021 – After multiple atmospheric river storms starting in October of 2021 (which received a state emergency proclamation), an extreme winter storm (with rain in the lower elevations and snow in the upper elevations of the County) occurred. A local emergency proclamation (Resolution 22-048) was tendered. The Pioneer Park area saw heavy rains down multiple trees. Debris was generated, and the woody debris was removed by a local contractor.

December 2022 to March 2023 – Atmospheric river storm events affected the County multiple times in the winter of 2022/2023. Two state emergency proclamations were issued for these events. Amador County also issued an emergency proclamation (Resolution 23-001) for these events. In the lower elevations, heavy rains caused flooding. In the upper elevations, heavy snows were seen. 363
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Figure 4-99 Damages in Amador County from 2022/2023 Storms Source: Amador County
Likelihood of Future Occurrence
1% Annual Chance Flood
Occasional— The 1% annual chance flood (100-year) is the flood that has a 1 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. This, by definition, makes the likelihood of future occurrence occasional. However, the 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time.

0.2% Annual Chance Flood
Unlikely—The 0.2% annual chance flood (500-year) is the flood that has a 0.2 percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. This, by definition, makes the likelihood of future occurrence unlikely.

It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts. More information on climate change and flood can be found in the next section. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Climate Change and Flood
Climate change and its effect on flooding is discussed using three sources:
➢ 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS)
➢ Cal-Adapt
➢ National Center for Atmospheric Research
California Climate Adaptation Strategy
According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), climate change may affect flooding in California and the Planning Area. While average annual rainfall may increase or decrease slightly, the 364
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intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century. It is possible that average soil moisture and runoff could decline, however, due to increasing temperatures, evapotranspiration rates, and spacing between rainfall events. Reduced snowpack and increased number of intense rainfall events are likely to put additional pressure on water infrastructure which could increase the chance of flooding associated with breaches or failures of flood control structures such as levees and dams.

Cal Adapt
Cal Adapt future precipitation projections were shown in Figure 4-56 in the Severe Weather Heavy Rains and Storms in Section 4.3.4. These could affect flooding in the Amador County Planning Area.

National Center for Atmospheric Research
Also, according to the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, atmospheric rivers are likely to grow more intense in coming decades, as climate changes warms the atmosphere enabling it to hold more water.

Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability—High
Historically, the Amador County Planning Area has always been at risk to flooding during the rainy season from November through April. The Amador County FIS noted that floods result from prolonged heavy rainfall and are characterized by high peak flows of moderate duration and by a large volume of runoff.

Flooding is more severe when antecedent rainfall has resulted in saturated ground conditions. Several areas of the Planning Area are subject to flooding by the overtopping of rivers and creeks, levee failures, and the failure of urban drainage systems that cannot accommodate large volumes of water during severe rainstorms. In addition to the major rivers, there are many streams, channels, canals, and creeks that serve the drainage needs of the Planning Area and communities surrounding it. There is significant threat of flooding in areas of the Planning Area from several of these streams. These streams can be prone to rapid flooding with little notice.

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October 2025
The County noted that some areas of the County are susceptible to flooding during heavy rains or rapid snowmelt. The rural infrastructure is sometimes not adequately prepared to handle these events. In some areas, homeless encampments have been established in low-lying, flood-prone areas. Amador County Public Works noted that Sutter Creek-Volcano Road runs parallel to Sutter Creek. A portion of the road and the Creek are nearly at the same elevation. In those areas, small, localized flooding is sometimes experienced.

The 2016 FIS for Amador County noted that, for the unincorporated County, there are no significant floodprotection measures in the study area. Bridges and culverts have been provided at all road crossings, both public and private. The 2016 Amador County General Plan Safety Element noted that Flood flows generally follow defined stream channels, drainages, and watersheds. Floods causing severe damage or risk have historically occurred primarily in developed portions of the county. Flooding events generally occur in areas near waterways, and have caused significant damage in the western portion of the county near population centers, such as Jackson, Ione, and Sutter Creek.

Local concerns for each of the jurisdictions can be found under the Local Concerns heading in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP Update.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from 1% and 0.2% annual chance floods include people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections for the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County.

The Planning Area has mapped FEMA DFIRMs with flood hazard areas. GIS was used to determine the possible impacts of flooding within the Planning Area and how the risk varies across the Amador County Planning Area. The following methodology was utilized in determining assets at risk to the 1% annual chance flood event and 0.2% annual chance flood event.

Methodology (Parcel and Structures)
In order to analyze people and populations, structures, and critical facilities at risk in DFIRM flood zones, GIS was used to quantify those values. The 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data was provided by Amador County and was used as the basis for the inventory of assessed values for both improved and unimproved parcels within the Amador County Planning Area. Amador County has a FEMA effective DFIRM dated 1/20/2016, which was obtained from FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer to perform the flood analysis. The DFIRM flood zones, were then overlaid on the parcel layer. In some cases, there are parcels in multiple flood zones, such as Zone A, Zone X, or Shaded X. For the purposes of this analysis, if multiple DFIRM flood zones intersected any portion of a parcel polygon, the entire parcel was assigned the highest annual chance flood zone category. The parcels were segregated and analyzed in this fashion for the entire Planning Area.
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Once the DFIRM flood zones were intersected, land and improved (structure) values from the Assessor data were included for each parcel and estimated content replacement values were added to the analysis.

Improved parcels include those with improved structure values identified in the Amador County Assessor’s database.

Methodology (Loss Estimate)
The loss estimate for flood is based on the total of improved and contents value. Only improved parcels and the value of their structure improvements were included in the flood loss analysis. The value of land is not included in the loss estimates as generally the land is not at loss to floods, just the value of improvements and structure contents. The land value is represented in the detailed flood tables but is primarily present to show the value of the land associated with each flood zone.

Once the potential value of affected parcels was calculated, a damage factor was applied to obtain loss estimates by flood zone. When a flood occurs, seldom does the event cause total loss of an area or building.

Potential losses from flooding are related to a variety of factors including flood depth, flood velocity, building type, and construction. The percentage of damage is primarily related to the flood depth. FEMA’s flood benefit/cost module uses a simplified approach to model flood damage based on building type and flood depth. The values at risk in the flood analysis tables were refined by applying an average damage estimation of 20% of the total building value. The 20% damage estimate utilized FEMA’s Flood Building Loss Table based on an assumed average flood depth of 2 feet. The end result of this more refined flood hazard loss estimate analysis is an inventory of the numbers, types, and values of parcels subject to the flood hazard.

People and Populations
All people and populations located in the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains are at some risk to flooding. Certain vulnerable populations located within areas prone to flooding may be at increased risk to this hazard, especially during a large event with minimal advance notice. These vulnerable populations include: the unhoused, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area.

Amador County Planning Area residents that live in the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains are often the most vulnerable. Not only are the residents at risk, but their homes and contents are all at risk, compounding the impacts associated with significant hazard events. To further evaluate the impact to the Planning Area’s residential population residing within these hazard areas, the DFIRM flood zones were overlayed on the parcel layer and linked to the Assessor Data. Those residential parcels that were assigned the highest annual chance flood zones as detailed in the above methodology, were counted and multiplied by the 2020 Census Bureau average household factors for each jurisdiction. This is shown in Table 4-104. 367
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Table 4-104 Amador County Planning Area – Improved Residential Parcels and Populations in FEMA DFIRM Flood Zones by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
1% Annual Chance 0.2% Annual Chance
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population at
Risk
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population at
Risk
Amador City 0 0 0 0
Ione 322 737 155 355
Jackson 151 332 13 29
Plymouth 4 12 0 0
Sutter Creek 64 132 16 33
Unincorporated County 261 613 2 5
Source: FEMA DFIRM 1/20/2016, 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data, 2020 US Census Bureau Average Household Size – City of Amador City (2.07); City of Ione (2.29); City of Jackson (2.20); City of Plymouth (2.80); City of Sutter Creek (2.07):

Unincorporated Amador County (2.35).

Structures
Results are presented here first for the Amador County Planning Area and secondly for unincorporated Amador County.

Amador County Planning Area
Certain structures in the Amador County Planning Area are at risk of DFIRM flooding and primarily include those structures located within the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. GIS was used to determine the possible impacts of flooding on parcels and structures within the Planning Area. Table 4-105 shows parcel counts, land and improved values (i.e., those with a structure improvement on the parcel), estimated content replacement values, and total values in the Planning Area. This is shown for the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood zones, as well as for those properties that fall outside of the mapped FEMA DFIRM flood zones.

Table 4-105 Amador County Planning Area – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures in FEMA DFIRM 1% and 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Zones by Jurisdiction Jurisdiction /
Flood Zone
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
Amador City
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other Areas 180 111 $19,124,377 $21,078,306 $12,365,357 $52,568,040 368
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Jurisdiction /
Flood Zone
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
Amador City
Total
180 111 $19,124,377 $21,078,306 $12,365,357 $52,568,040 Ione
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
452 371 $40,923,840 $87,983,517 $51,122,765 $180,030,122

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
169 159 $15,370,985 $34,728,985 $20,000,009 $70,099,979 Other Areas 1,584 1,446 $167,447,004 $373,754,655 $186,962,206 $728,163,865 Ione Total 2,205 1,976 $223,741,829 $496,467,157 $258,084,980 $978,293,966 Jackson
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
291 207 $38,297,775 $145,588,113 $122,294,239 $306,180,127

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
29 24 $3,525,241 $10,794,147 $9,553,139 $23,872,527
Other Areas 1,804 1,525 $160,028,972 $411,492,479 $248,465,038 $819,986,489 Jackson Total 2,124 1,756 $201,851,988 $567,874,739 $380,312,415 $1,150,039,142 Plymouth
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
25 7 $8,477,615 $9,727,971 $9,582,027 $27,787,613

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other Areas 600 481 $76,665,748 $108,639,435 $59,680,115 $244,985,298 Plymouth Total 625 488 $85,143,363 $118,367,406 $69,262,141 $272,772,910 Sutter Creek
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
102 73 $9,234,981 $19,000,793 $11,174,927 $39,410,701

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
24 19 $2,546,520 $8,018,401 $5,844,780 $16,409,701
Other Areas 1,308 1,068 $121,893,704 $304,320,667 $180,599,958 $606,814,329 Sutter Creek
Total
1,434 1,160 $133,675,205 $331,339,861 $197,619,665 $662,634,731 369
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Jurisdiction /
Flood Zone
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
Unincorporated Amador County
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
956 534 $145,444,914 $225,859,512 $189,924,665 $561,229,091

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
3 2 $517,124 $951,800 $475,900 $1,944,824
Other Areas 16,869 11,898 $1,541,444,469 $2,799,942,229 $1,574,323,556 $5,915,710,254 Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
17,828 12,434 $1,687,406,507 $3,026,753,541 $1,764,724,121 $6,478,884,169 Grand Total 24,396 17,925 $2,350,943,269 $4,561,881,010 $2,682,368,677 $9,595,192,956 Source: FEMA DFIRM 1/20/2016 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data *With respect to improve parcels within the floodplain, the actual structures on the parcels may not be located within the actual floodplain, may be elevated and or otherwise outside of the identified flood zone **This parcel count only includes those parcels in the 0.2% annual chance flood zone, exclusive of the 1% annual chance flood zone.

The 0.2% annual chance flood, in actuality, also includes all parcels in the 1% annual chance flood zone.

Table 4-106 shows Planning Area loss estimates and improved values at risk by FEMA 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood zones. More detailed tables and discussions can be found in each jurisdiction’s respective annex to this Base Plan.

Table 4-106 Amador County Planning Area – FEMA DFIRM Flood Loss Estimates Flood
Zone
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value Loss
Estimate
Loss
Ratio
1%
Annual
Chance
Flood
Hazard
1,826 1,192 $242,379,125 $488,159,906 $384,098,622 $872,258,528 $174,451,706 2.52%

0.2%
Annual
Chance
Flood
Hazard
225 204 $21,959,870 $54,493,333 $35,873,827 $90,367,160 $18,073,432 0.26% Total 2,051 1,396 $264,338,995 $542,653,239 $419,972,449 $962,625,688 $192,525,138 2.78% Source: FEMA DFIRM 1/20/2016 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data *With respect to improve parcels within the floodplain, the actual structures on the parcels may not be located within the actual floodplain, may be elevated and or otherwise outside of the identified flood zone **This parcel count only includes those parcels in the 0.2% annual chance flood zone, exclusive of the 1% annual chance flood zone.

The 0.2% annual chance flood, in actuality, also includes all parcels in the 1% annual chance flood zone. 370
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According to the information in Table 4-105 and Table 4-106, the Amador County Planning Area has 1,826 improved parcels and roughly $872.3 million of structure and contents value in the 1% annual chance floodplain. There are an additional 225 improved parcels and roughly $18.1 million of structure and contents value in the 0.2% annual chance flood event. A loss ratio of 2.52% and 0.26% indicates that while the Amador County Planning Area does have structural assets at risk to flood, the County should be able to effectively recover from a major flood event.

Unincorporated Amador County
Numerous structures in unincorporated Amador County are at risk of DFIRM flooding and primarily include those structures located within the 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains. GIS was used to determine the possible impacts of flooding on parcels and structures within the unincorporated County.

Table 4-107 shows parcel counts, land and improved values (i.e., those with a structure improvement on the parcel), estimated content replacement values, and total values in the unincorporated County. This is shown for the detailed flood zones by the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood zones, as well as for those properties that fall outside of the mapped FEMA DFIRM flood zones.

Table 4-107 Unincorporated Amador County – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures in Detailed FEMA DFIRM 1% and 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Zones by Property Use
Flood Zone /
Property Use
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard
Zone A
Agricultural 292 214 $73,137,287 $42,882,073 $42,882,073 $158,901,433 Commercial 35 27 $6,005,532 $113,098,050 $113,098,050 $232,201,632 Industrial 9 8 $2,698,528 $2,066,396 $3,099,594 $7,864,518 Miscellaneous 158 5 $2,132,767 $5,626,324 $0 $7,759,091 Residential 355 218 $34,988,113 $46,836,792 $23,418,396 $105,243,301 Unknown 25 9 $17,692,072 $2,098,345 $0 $19,790,417
Zone A Total 874 481 $136,654,299 $212,607,980 $182,498,113 $531,760,392 Zone AE
Agricultural 3 2 $1,279,416 $628,269 $628,269 $2,535,954 Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 1 1 $873,843 $5,381 $0 $879,224
Residential 8 4 $573,244 $1,255,746 $627,873 $2,456,863 Unknown 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Zone AE Total 12 7 $2,726,503 $1,889,396 $1,256,142 $5,872,041 Zone AE: Regulatory Floodway
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Flood Zone /
Property Use
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
Agricultural 10 7 $759,370 $978,684 $978,684 $2,716,738 Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Residential 59 39 $5,304,742 $10,383,452 $5,191,726 $20,879,920 Unknown 1 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Zone AE:

Regulatory
Floodway Total
70 46 $6,064,112 $11,362,136 $6,170,410 $23,596,658
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard Total
956 534 $145,444,914 $225,859,512 $189,924,665 $561,229,091

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard
Zone X (shaded)
Agricultural 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Residential 3 2 $517,124 $951,800 $475,900 $1,944,824
Unknown 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Zone X
(shaded) Total
3 2 $517,124 $951,800 $475,900 $1,944,824

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard Total
3 2 $517,124 $951,800 $475,900 $1,944,824
Other Areas
Zone X (unshaded)
Agricultural 1,484 938 $207,847,367 $172,573,057 $172,573,057 $552,993,481 Commercial 401 277 $90,796,324 $177,463,456 $177,463,456 $445,723,236 Industrial 43 22 $32,334,460 $11,409,198 $17,113,797 $60,857,455 Miscellaneous 662 69 $17,957,156 $8,181,313 $0 $26,138,469 Residential 14,130 10,515 $1,172,411,560 $2,414,346,492 $1,207,173,246 $4,793,931,298 Unknown 149 77 $20,097,602 $15,968,713 $0 $36,066,315
Zone X
(unshaded)
Total
16,869 11,898 $1,541,444,469 $2,799,942,229 $1,574,323,556 $5,915,710,254 Other Areas
Total
16,869 11,898 $1,541,444,469 $2,799,942,229 $1,574,323,556 $5,915,710,254 372
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Flood Zone /
Property Use
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
17,828 12,434 $1,687,406,507 $3,026,753,541 $1,764,724,121 $6,478,884,169 Source: FEMA DFIRM 1/20/2016 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data *With respect to improve parcels within the floodplain, the actual structures on the parcels may not be located within the actual floodplain, may be elevated and or otherwise outside of the identified flood zone **This parcel count only includes those parcels in the 0.2% annual chance flood zone, exclusive of the 1% annual chance flood zone.

The 0.2% annual chance flood, in actuality, also includes all parcels in the 1% annual chance flood zone.

Table 4-108 shows unincorporated Amador County loss estimates and improved values at risk by FEMA 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood zones.

Table 4-108 Unincorporated Amador County – FEMA DFIRM Flood Loss Estimates Flood Zone Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value Loss
Estimate
Loss
Ratio
1% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
956 534 $145,444,914 $225,859,512 $189,924,665 $415,784,177 $83,156,835 1.20%

0.2% Annual
Chance Flood
Hazard
3 2 $517,124 $951,800 $475,900 $1,427,700 $285,540 0.004% Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
959 536 $145,962,038 $226,811,312 $190,400,565 $417,211,877 $83,442,375 1.204% Source: FEMA DFIRM 1/20/2016 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data *With respect to improve parcels within the floodplain, the actual structures on the parcels may not be located within the actual floodplain, may be elevated and or otherwise outside of the identified flood zone **This parcel count only includes those parcels in the 0.2% annual chance flood zone, exclusive of the 1% annual chance flood zone.

The 0.2% annual chance flood, in actuality, also includes all parcels in the 1% annual chance flood zone.

According to the information in Table 4-107 and Table 4-108, the unincorporated Amador County has 534 improved parcels and roughly $415.8 million of structure and contents value in the 1% annual chance floodplain. There are an additional 2 improved parcels and roughly $1.4 million of structure and contents value in the 0.2% annual chance flood event. A loss ratio of 1.204% and 0.004% indicates that while the County does have structural assets at risk to flood, the County should be able to effectively recover from a major flood event.

Insurance Coverage, Claims Paid, and Repetitive Losses
Standard property insurance does not include flood coverage because of the relatively high risk. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) provides flood insurance to residents in those communities that participate in the NFIP. Federal financial assistance requires the purchase of flood for structures located within a 1% annual chance floodplain – a requirement that affects nearly all mortgages financed through 373
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commercial lending institutions. Flood insurance is also recommended for all structures protected by levees, even if not mapped within a floodplain. However, there are no certified levees in the Planning Area.

Flood insurance promotion and outreach will be important moving forward to ensure vulnerable structures are adequately insured and protected.

Unincorporated Amador County joined as an Emergency Entry on 10/29/1980, and then as a Regular NFIP Entry on 9/24/1984. The County does not participate in the CRS program. NFIP insurance data indicates that as of December 2, 2024, there were 23 policies in force in the unincorporated County, resulting in $4,709,000 of insurance in force and $23,560 in annual premiums paid. Of these, 19 are for residential properties and 4 are nonresidential. 14 of these are in A zones; and 9 policies are for parcels in the B, C, & X zones.

There have been 17 closed paid losses totaling $365,920.56. 16 of these were for residential properties and 1 was for nonresidential. Of these 17 paid losses, 10 were parcels in A zones, 5 parcels were in B, C, & X zones, and 2 had no zone data attached to them. Of the 17 claims, 12 claims were associated with preFIRM structures and 3 with post-FIRM structures, and 2 had no data attached to them. There have been 2 substantial damage claims since 1978. There have been 0 Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) losses.

According to FEMA’s Community Information System data, there are 2 repetitive loss (RL) and 0 PostFIRM Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) buildings.

Based on the flood analysis, the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County have significant values at risk to the 1% and 0.2% annual chance and greater floods. In many instances, the impact to the community from those structures falling within the special flood hazard zone (i.e., the 1% annual chance flood zone) can be lessened by those individuals that maintain flood insurance. Within the Planning Area, of the 1,468 improved parcels within the 1% annual chance flood zone, only 110 (or 7.5 percent) of those parcels maintain flood insurance. For the unincorporated County, of the 534 parcels within the 1% annual chance flood zone, only 23 (or 4.3 percent) of these parcels maintain flood insurance. his can be seen on Table 4-109, along with insurance information from the incorporated communities in the County.

Table 4-109 Amador County Planning Area – Percentage of Policy Holders to Improved Parcels in the 1% Annual Chance Floodplain by Jurisdiction Jurisdiction Improved Parcels in
SFHA (1% Annual
Chance) Floodplain*
Insurance Policies
in the SFHA (1%
Annual Chance)
Floodplain
Percentage of 1%
Annual Chance
Floodplain Parcels
Currently Insured
Amador City 0 0 –
Ione 371 51 13.7%
Jackson 207 24 11.6%
Plymouth 7 0 0.0%
Sutter Creek 73 7 9.6%
Unincorporated Amador County 534 23 4.3%
Source: FEMA DFIRM 1/20/2016, FEMA CIS 2024, 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor’s Data 374
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FEMA also supplied data from their PIVOT database, which provides property use information specific to the RL and SRL properties. However, according to FEMA, there is a discrepancy between CIS and the PIVOT databased on numbers of RL and SRL properties based on how information is transferred between systems. According to the PIVOT database, there are 0 RL properties and 0 SRL properties in the unincorporated County. This can be seen for all communities on Table 4-110. FEMA’s CIS data does not include searchable information on property use for RL and SRL properties.

Table 4-110 Amador County Planning Area – RL and SRL Properties and their Status Jurisdiction RL Properties SRL Properties
City of Amador City 0 0
City of Ione 0 0
City of Jackson
Single-family dwelling 2 0
2-4 family dwelling 1 0
Non-residential building 1 0
Jackson Total 4 0
City of Plymouth 0 0
City of Sutter Creek
Single-family dwelling 1 0
Sutter Creek Total 1 0
Unincorporated Amador County 0 0
Source: FEMA, PIVOT, 3/24/2025
Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Flooding presents a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure, and community lifelines. Critical facilities and infrastructure plays an immensely important role in our communities. As previously noted, communities rely on roads, rail corridors, and related biking and pedestrian routes for transportation, and on critical infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater service, and draining streets of rainwater. Other utilities play an important role in providing critical services to area residents. Fire, police and other emergency response facilities and functions are also critical to the well being of the community and the ability to respond and recover from hazard events, such as floods. Damage to any one of these systems can threaten public safety, wreak havoc on daily life, impact properties far from flood zones, and result in economic impacts that cascade throughout California. The following GIS analysis identifies critical facilities and infrastructure at risk to 1% and 0.2% annual chance flooding, followed by a discussion on vulnerability of community lifelines.

A separate analysis was performed on the critical facility inventory in the Amador County Planning Area to determine critical facilities in the 1% and 0.2 annual chance flood zones. Using GIS, the DFIRM flood zones were overlayed on the critical facility GIS layer. Figure 4-100 shows critical facilities and the detailed DFIRM flood zones. Table 4-111 details critical facilities in detailed DFIRM flood zones by facility type 375
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and count for the Amador County Planning Area broken out by jurisdiction. Details of critical facilities by type, name, and address by flood zone are listed in Appendix F. 376
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Figure 4-100 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in DFIRM Flood Zones 377
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Table 4-111 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in Detailed DFIRM Flood Zones by Jurisdiction and Category
Jurisdiction / Critical Facility Category / Flood Zone Facility Count Amador City
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 3
Amador City Total 3
Ione
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 8

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 5
At Risk Population
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 2

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 1
Other Areas 2
Ione Total 18
Jackson
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 4

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 1
Other Areas 30
At Risk Population
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 13
Jackson Total 48
Plymouth
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 8
At Risk Population
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 1
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Jurisdiction / Critical Facility Category / Flood Zone Facility Count Plymouth Total 9
Sutter Creek
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 2

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 1
Other Areas 4
At Risk Population
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard
Other Areas 6
Sutter Creek Total 13
Unincorporated Amador County
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 28

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 110
At Risk Population
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 7
Unincorporated Amador County Total 145
Unincorporated Alpine County
Essential Services
1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0

0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard 0
Other Areas 1
Unincorporated Alpine County Total 1
Grand Total 237
Source: FEMA 1/20/2016 DFIRM, Amador County GIS
Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Large flood events can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources. There are a number of ways floodwaters can impact natural resources and the environment: Wildlife habitats can be destroyed by floodwaters. Contaminated floodwater can pollute rivers and habitats. Silt and sediment can destroy natural areas. Riverbanks and natural levees can be eliminated as rivers reach bankfull capacity. Rivers can be widened, and deposition can increase downstream. Trees can be uprooted by high-velocity water flow.

Plants that survive the initial flood may die due to being inundated with water. Historic and cultural 379
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resources may also be affected. Generally, the impacts are associated with damage to structures within the flooded areas, but other cultural resources such as those associated with Native Americans and old tribal areas can also be disturbed, damaged and lost during extreme flood events. Any of these resources that fall in the flood zones would be vulnerable.

FEMA NRI Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
The FEMA NRI was queried for additional specific data on Amador County’s vulnerability to Flood:
1%/0.2% annual chance and Flood: Localized Flooding. The NRI contains data and analysis for 18 separate natural hazards. The NRI hazard related to Amador County’s Flood: 1%/0.2% annual chance and Flood:

Localized Flooding is riverine flooding. As shown in Table 4-112, riverine flooding could cause a total of $535,814 in expected annual losses, with a historic loss rating of relatively low. Riverine flooding has a relatively low rating for both social vulnerability and community resilience, with a risk index score of 54.1 out of 100. According to the NRI, there have been 16 riverine flooding events between the years 1996- 2019 with an average of 0.7 events per year.

Table 4-112 Amador County Planning Area – Riverine Flooding Vulnerability Ratings from

FEMA NRI
NRI Hazard Hazard Risk Index
Rating*
Expected Annual
Loss Values
(total)**
Exposure Value
(total)***
Historic Loss Ratio
Rating
Riverine Flooding 54.1 $535,814 $14,920,746,533 Relatively Low Source: FEMA NRI Report, retrieved 4/1/2025.
*Hazard Risk Index is calculated using data for only a single hazard type, and reflect a communities expected annual loss value, community risk factors, and the adjustment factor used to calculate the risk value. **Expected annual loss represents the average economic loss in dollars resulting from natural hazards each year. ***Exposure is a natural hazard consequence factor that is the representative value of buildings, populations, or agriculture potentially exposed to a natural hazard occurrence.

Additional information on the FEMA NRI can be found in Section 4.2 and Appendix G.

Impacts from Flood: 1% and 0.2% Annual Chance Flood
Floods are among the costliest natural disasters in terms of human hardship and economic loss nationwide.

Large flood events, including those associated with 1% and 0.2% annual chance floods, can cause substantial damage to structures, landscapes, and utilities as well as life safety issues. People may be swept away in floodwaters, causing injuries or deaths. Floods can be extremely dangerous, and even six inches of moving water can knock over a person given a strong current. During a flood, people can also suffer heart attacks or electrocution due to electrical equipment short outs. Direct impacts, such as drowning, can be limited with adequate warning and public education about what to do during floods.

Floodwaters can transport large objects downstream which can damage or remove stationary structures.

Structures can be damaged directly from floodwaters and can also be damaged from trees falling as a result of water-saturated soils. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can also break utility lines and interrupt services causing power outages. The interruption of power causes major problems and can result in the closure of governmental offices and community businesses. Public schools may also be required to 380
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close or be placed on a delayed start schedule. Roads can be damaged and closed, causing safety and evacuation issues.

Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, foundations, and electrical circuits. Other problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, loss of environmental resources, and economic impacts.

Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Commercial and residential structural and property damage; ➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community; and ➢ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values Health Hazards from Flooding
Certain health hazards are also common to flood events. While such problems are often not reported, three general types of health hazards accompany floods. The first comes from the water itself. Floodwaters carry anything that was on the ground that the upstream runoff picked up, including dirt, oil, animal waste, and lawn, farm and industrial chemicals. Pastures and areas where cattle and hogs are kept or their wastes are stored can contribute polluted waters to the receiving streams.

Floodwaters also saturate the ground, which leads to infiltration into sanitary sewer lines. When wastewater treatment plants are flooded, there is nowhere for the sewage to flow. Infiltration and lack of treatment can lead to overloaded sewer lines that can back up into low-lying areas and homes. Even when it is diluted by flood waters, raw sewage can be a breeding ground for bacteria such as e. coli and other disease-causing agents.

The second type of health problems arise after most of the water has gone. Stagnant pools can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and wet areas of a building that have not been properly cleaned breed mold and mildew. A building that is not thoroughly cleaned becomes a health hazard, especially for small children and the elderly.

Another health hazard occurs when heating ducts in a forced air system are not properly cleaned after inundation. When the furnace or air conditioner is turned on, the sediments left in the ducts are circulated throughout the building and breathed in by the occupants. If a city or county water system loses pressure, a boil order may be issued to protect people and animals from contaminated water.

The third problem is the long-term psychological impact of having been through a flood and seeing one’s home damaged and irreplaceable keepsakes destroyed. The cost and labor needed to repair a flood-damaged home puts a severe strain on people, especially the unprepared and uninsured. There is also a long-term problem for those who know that their homes can be flooded again. The resulting stress on floodplain residents takes its toll in the form of aggravated physical and mental health problems. 381
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Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the County may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Future Conditions/Future Development
This section provides a discussion of how future conditions will influence or affect the hazard over time and also discusses future development relative to each hazard.

Future Conditions
Future hazard conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future flood conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County to 1% and 0.2% annual chance flooding.
➢ Population growth in Amador County is expected to slowly continue. Additional growth within the DFIRM flood zones in the County would place additional populations at risk to flooding. Additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the County. Vulnerable population groups could face disproportionate effects from a flood and should be planned for. Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the County to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions. ➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. Locating new development, structures and critical facilities and infrastructure within or near areas of flood risk may put additional development at risk. However, County building codes and the County’s floodplain ordinance are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future flood conditions. Depending on the location of new development and adherence to protective building codes and the floodplain ordinance, changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard.

Future Development
This section provides an analysis of the flood hazard and proposed future development within the County based on FEMA floodplains and also discusses considerations in evaluating future flooding conditions.

Future Development: General Considerations
Communities that participate in the NFIP adopt regulations and codes that govern development in special flood hazard areas (SFHAs) and enforce those requirements through their local floodplain management 382
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ordinances through the issuance of permits. Amador County’s floodplain management ordinance provides standards for development, subdivision of land, construction of buildings, and improvements and repairs to buildings that generally meet the minimum requirements of the NFIP.

The International Residential Code (IRC) and International Building Code (IBC), by reference to ASCE 24, include requirements that govern the design and construction of buildings and structures in flood hazard areas. FEMA has determined that the flood provisions of the I-Codes are consistent with the requirements of the NFIP (the I-Code requirements shown either meet or exceed NFIP requirements). ASCE 24, a design standard developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers, expands on the minimum NFIP requirements with more specificity, additional requirements, and some limitations.

With the adoption of the International Codes, communities will be moving towards a more stringent approach to regulatory floodplain management, beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP. The adoption and enforcement of disaster-resistant building codes is a core community action to promote effective mitigation. When communities ensure that new buildings and infrastructure are designed and constructed in accordance with national building codes and construction standards, they significantly increase local resilience now and in the future. With continued advancements in building codes, local ordinances should be reviewed and updated to meet and exceed standards as practicable to protect new development from future flood events and to further promote disaster resiliency.

One of the most effective ways to reduce vulnerability to potential flood damage is through careful land use planning that fully considers applicable flood management information and practices. Master planning will also be necessary to assure that open channel flood flow conveyances serving the smaller internal streams and drainage areas are adequately prepared to accommodate the flows. Preservation and maintenance of natural and riparian areas should also be an ongoing priority to realize the flood control benefits of the natural and beneficial functions of these areas.

Future development in the County may be built in the floodplain, in conformance to the standards of the floodplain ordinance. The County enforces the floodplain ordinance on new development in unincorporated Amador County. Future development areas and their vulnerability to DFIRM flooding is discussed further in the below GIS analysis.

Future Development: GIS Analysis
Amador County provided five future development areas which were used as the basis for the inventory of future development for the unincorporated County. These were mapped in GIS. Where multiple parcels are listed, the parcels are merged to form one polygon, and the hazards are assigned to the highest annual chance flood zone category. Figure 4-101 show the locations of the future development areas and FEMA DFIRM flood zones. As shown, all of these areas fall outside of the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood zones; as such, no tabular analysis is presented.
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Figure 4-101 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development in FEMA DFIRM Flood Zones
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4.3.13. Flood: Localized Flooding
Hazard Profile
This hazard profile contains multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect the Amador County Planning Area. These sections include a hazard/problem description; description of location and extent; past occurrences of this hazard; likelihood of future occurrence; and how climate change can affect or influence this hazard.

Hazard/Problem Description
Flooding occurs in areas other than the FEMA mapped floodplains. Flooding may be from drainages not studied by FEMA, lack of or inadequate drainage infrastructure, or inadequate maintenance. Localized, stormwater flooding occurs throughout the Amador County Planning Area during the rainy season from November through April. Prolonged heavy rainfall contributes to a large volume of runoff resulting in high peak flows of moderate duration. Flooding is more severe when previous rainfall has created saturated ground conditions. Urban storm drainpipes and pump stations have a finite capacity. When rainfall exceeds this capacity, or the system is clogged, water accumulates in the street until it reaches a level of overland release. This type of flooding may occur when intense storms occur over areas of development.

Location and Extent
There is no established scientific scale or measurement system for localized flooding. Localized flooding is generally measured by depth of flooding and the area affected. Localized flooding often happens quickly and has a short speed of onset. In the County this happens more often during the winter months, as was shown on Figure 4-47 above. Localized flooding often has a short duration. Specific locations in the County can be seen in the Local Concerns section below in Table 4-113.

Past Occurrences
Disaster Declarations
There are no identified state or federal disaster declarations for localized flooding, as shown in Table 4-4.

However, localized flooding was likely an issue during previous declarations for severe storms, heavy rains and floods.

NCDC Events
The past occurrences of localized flooding are included in the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood hazard profile in Section 4.3.12.

Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Events
The HMPC noted the following events:
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2017 – Heavy rains in 2017 caused flooding in many areas. Localized flooding occurred throughout the County. This was brought on by atmospheric rivers bringing heavy rains to large portions of the County.

In addition to flooding, damage to these areas included pavement deterioration, washouts, and areas of erosion, The following areas have had localized flooding: Old Sacramento Road, Tonzi Road, Carbondale Road, Paine Road, Sutter Ione Road, Climax Road and others.

Figure 4-102 Old Sacramento Road
Source: Amador County
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Figure 4-103 Tonzi Road
Source: Amador County
Figure 4-104 Carbondale Road
Source: Amador County
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Figure 4-105 Paine Road
Source: Amador County
Figure 4-106 Sutter Ione Road #1
Source: Amador County
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Figure 4-107 Sutter Ione Road #2
Source: Amador County
Figure 4-108 Climax Road
Source: Amador County
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In 2023, Amador County Public Works noted that localized flooding occurred. It was contained to just a few low-lying areas, such as the Sutter Creek-Volcano Road and the creek crossing on Amador Road and Turner Road.

Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Highly Likely—Natural drainage systems located throughout the Amador County Planning Area have a finite capacity to convey water. Likewise, storm drainage systems have a finite capacity generally based on the design criteria. When rainfall exceeds the capacity of natural and storm drainage systems or systems clog, water accumulates until it reaches a level of overland release. Due to aging and often undersized infrastructure, this type of flooding will continue to occur annually during heavy rains.

It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts. More information on climate change and localized flood can be found in the next section. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Climate Change and Localized Flood
Even if average annual rainfall may decrease slightly, the intensity of individual rainfall events is likely to increase during the 21st century, increasing the likelihood of overwhelming stormwater systems built to historical rainfall averages. This makes localized flooding more likely.

Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability—Medium
Flood vulnerability and their impacts vary by location and severity of any given flood event and will likely only affect certain areas of the Amador County Planning Area during specific times. Based on the risk assessment, it is evident that floods will continue to have potentially significant economic impacts to certain areas of the Amador Planning Area. However, while flooding can cause significant impacts depending on the duration and volume of precipitation and the drainage in any given area, many of the floods in the Planning Area are minor, localized flood events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster.

Many areas of the Planning Area are at some measure of vulnerability to localized flooding. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to this hazard begins with an understanding of local exposure to unincorporated Amador County. This is included in the Local Concerns section below. After that, vulnerability is discussed in multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect both the entire Amador County Planning Area as well as the unincorporated portions of Amador County. How the hazard affects the other participating jurisdictions can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update. These sections below include assets at risk, impacts, and how future development may affect the vulnerability of the County to this hazard.
390
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Local Concerns (unincorporated Amador County)
The unincorporated County has specific concerns regarding this hazard. These concerns form a portion of the basis for the mitigation strategy and mitigation actions that seek to reduce vulnerabilities to this hazard.

According to Amador County, numerous parcels and roads throughout the County not included in the FEMA 1% and 0.2% annual chance floodplains are subject to flooding in heavy rains. In addition to flooding, damage to these areas during heavy storms includes pavement deterioration, washouts, mudslides, debris areas, and downed trees. The frequency and type of damage or flooding that occurs varies from year to year, depending on the quantity of runoff.

The primary areas of localized flooding and the types of damage are shown on Figure 4-109 and presented in Table 4-113.
391
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Figure 4-109 Amador County – Localized Flooding Areas
392
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Table 4-113 Amador County Localized Flooding Areas
No. Road Name Flooding
Pavement
Deterioration Washouts
High
Water/
Creek
Crossing
Landslides/
Mudslides Debris
Downed
Trees
1 Labtrobe Rd X X
2 Old Sacramento
Rd
X X X
3 Greilich Rd X X X X X
4 Carbondale Rd X X X
5 Forest Home Rd X X
6 Maxwell Rd X X
7 Michigan Bar Rd X
8 Irish Hill Rd X X X
9 Dutschke Rd X
10 Five Mile Dr X
11 Huot Rd X X
12 Willow Creek Rd X
13 Waterman Rd X X X
14 Sutter Ione Rd X X X X
15 Paine Rd X X X X X
16 Tonzi Rd X X X X X
17 Vaira Ranch Rd X X X X X
18 Old Hwy 49 X
19 Amador Rd X
20 Turner Rd X X
21 Amador Creek Rd X X X X X
22 New Chicago Rd X X
23 Quartz Mountain
Rd N
X X X
24 Quartz Mountain
Rd E
X X X
25 Fiddletown Rd X X X X
26 Ostrom Rd X X
27 Lawrence Rd X
28 Tyler Rd X X X
29 Shakeridge Rd X X X X X
30 Sutter Creek Rd X X X X X X
31 Rams Horn Grade X X
32 Pioneer Volcano
Rd

X X X X X X X
393
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No. Road Name Flooding
Pavement
Deterioration Washouts
High
Water/
Creek
Crossing
Landslides/
Mudslides Debris
Downed
Trees
33 Ridge Rd X X
34 Climax Rd X X X
35 Buena Vista Rd X X X X
36 Jackson Valley Rd X X X
37 Martin Ln X X X
38 Dave Brubeck Rd X X X
39 Camanche Rd X X X X
40 Curran Rd X X X
41 Camanche Parkway
N
X X
42 Reservation Rd X
43 Coal Mine Rd X X X X
44 Stony Creek Rd X X X X X X
45 Middle Bar Rd X X X X
46 Electra Rd X X X X X X X
Source: Amador County
Local concerns for each of the participating jurisdictions can be found under the Local Concerns heading in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP Update.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from localized flood include people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections for the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County.

People and Populations
People and populations are traditionally not highly vulnerable to localized flooding, but their structures and contents can be at risk. Localized flooding may also cause transportation issues as roads and lanes are impacted or closed and affect the ability for people to travel throughout the Planning Area.

Structures
Structures in areas with localized flooding can be affected if floodwaters intrude into the structure.

Structures in low lying areas, or those with basements can be at greater risk. Buildings with older 394
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foundations that are prone to water intrusion are also at greater risk. Once water finds its way into a structure, it tends to continue to do so until the path that brings water into a structure is mitigated. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage to structures. Trees can also be compromised and uprooted falling on structures causing damage.

Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Localized flooding, while often more of a nuisance, can cause damage to critical facilities and infrastructure during a heavy rain and storm event. Any facility that experiences localized flooding can be impacted.

Utilities and other critical infrastructure can all be affected, causing interruptions in service until repairs can be made. For example, water and wastewater systems can be vulnerable to heavy rains and flood events. Rainfall creates a high water table, surging streams and creeks, and saturates soil. Infiltration of stormwater into water and wastewater systems may occur and presents a threat to public health and safety, when the infrastructure is no longer able to meet operational needs and local demands.

Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural resource assets may have some vulnerabilities to localized flood during major storm events, but can benefit from floodwaters, often by design. Many parks and green spaces are designed to take overflow water and release it into the underlying soils and natural areas. Wetlands areas in the Planning Area actually help reduce the risk of flooding, as they can absorb excess rainfall that would have to be drained away from impervious surfaces. Flooding can provide many benefits to the natural environment, including recharging wetlands and groundwater, increasing fish production, creating wildlife habitat, and rejuvenating soil fertility. These smaller localized flooding events often provide more benefits to the environment in comparison to negative impacts associated with large flood events. Historic and cultural resources may be at some measure of vulnerability if they are located in areas subject to repeated localized flooding.

Impacts from Localized Flood
Primary concerns associated with stormwater flooding include impacts to infrastructure that provides a means of ingress and egress throughout the community. Ground saturation can result in instability, collapse, or other damage to trees, structures, roadways and other critical infrastructure. Objects can also be buried or destroyed through sediment deposition. Floodwaters can break utility lines and interrupt services. Standing water can cause damage to crops, roads, and foundations. Other problems connected with flooding and stormwater runoff include erosion, sedimentation, degradation of water quality, losses of environmental resources, and certain health hazards.

Life safety issues from localized flooding would be more limited. The amount and type of damage or flooding that occurs varies from year to year and from storm to storm, depending on the quantity of precipitation and runoff.

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Future Conditions/Future Development
Future hazard conditions may be affected by climate change, changes in population patterns (migration, density, or the makeup of socially vulnerable populations), and changes in land use and development.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future heavy rain conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County to localized flood.
➢ Future population growth should be considered, as having more or less people in a community affects the overall hazard vulnerability to the County. Population growth in Amador County is expected to continue (though slowly). Additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the County. Vulnerable population groups such as low-income individuals and households living in floodprone areas could face disproportionate effects from localized flood and should be planned for.

Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the County to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions.
➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. While limited, much of the growth in Amador County is occurring through expansion of the more urbanized areas, causing an increase in peak flow and stormwater runoff. Such growth will consume previously undeveloped acres, and the impacts may overwhelm existing drainage and flood control facilities. Locating new development, structures and critical facilities and infrastructure within or near areas of localized flooding risk may put additional development at risk. County building codes are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future localized flood conditions.

Depending on the location of new development and adherence to protective building codes, changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard.

The potential for flooding may increase as stormwater is channeled due to land development. Such changes can create localized flooding problems inside and outside of natural floodplains by altering or confining natural drainage channels. Mitigating the root causes of the localized stormwater flooding or choosing not to develop in areas that often are subject to localized flooding will reduce future risks of losses due to stormwater/localized flooding. Floodplain modeling and master planning should be based on built out property conditions to ensure that all new development remains safe from future flooding.

4.3.14. Landslides, Mudslides, and Debris Flows
Hazard Profile
This hazard profile contains multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect the Amador County Planning Area. These sections include a hazard/problem description; description of location and extent; 396
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past occurrences of this hazard; the likelihood of future occurrence; and how climate change can affect or influence this hazard.

Hazard/Problem Description
Like its earthquake‐generating faults, California’s mountainous terrain is a consequence of dynamic geologic processes in operation as the North American Plate grinds past the Pacific Plate. According to the CGS, a landslide is a general term for a variety of mass-movement processes that generate a down-slope movement of mud, soil, rock, and/or vegetation. Landslides are classified into many different types based on form and type of movement. They range from slow‐moving rotational slumps and earth flows, which can slowly distress structures but are less threatening to personal safety, to fast‐moving rock avalanches and debris flows that are a serious threat to structures and have been responsible for most fatalities during landslide events. For the purposes of this LHMP Update, the term landslide includes mudslides, debris flows, and rockfalls that tend to occur suddenly; as well as hillside erosion, which is a similar process that tends to occur on smaller scales and more gradually but can exacerbate landslide events.

Landslides, debris flows and mudslides are closely related to flooding, as both processes are related to precipitation, runoff, and the saturation of ground by water. In addition, landslides, mud flows, and debris flows can occur on small, steep stream channels and are often mistaken for floods. However, landslide events may be much more destructive than floods because of their higher densities, high debris loads, and high velocities.

Soil erosion is another common form of soil instability. Erosion is a function of soil type, slope, rainfall intensity, and groundcover. It accounts for a loss in many dollars of valuable soil, is aesthetically displeasing, and often induces even greater rates of erosion and sedimentation. Sedimentation is simply the accumulation of soil as a result of erosion. Construction activities often contribute greatly to erosion and sedimentation. Besides being a pollutant in its own right, sediment acts as a transport medium for other pollutants, especially nutrients, pesticides, and heavy metals, which adhere to the eroded soil particles. As the sediment drains into watercourses, the combination of these pollutants adversely affects water quality and can eventually impact stream flows and contribute to flooding potential. Conditions that contribute to landslide, mudslides, debris flows, hillside and streambank erosion include the following:
➢ Degree of slope
➢ Water (heavy rain, river flows, or wave action)
➢ Unconsolidated soil or soft rock and sediments
➢ Lack of vegetation (no stabilizing root structure)
➢ Previous wildfires and other forest disturbances (discussed in Section 4.3.15) ➢ Road building, excavation, and grading
➢ Earthquake
The 2023 State of California Hazard Mitigation Plan noted that more than one third of California is mountainous terrain that generally trends parallel to the coast, forming a barrier that captures moisture from offshore storms originating in the Gulf of Alaska and Mexico. Steep topography, weak rocks, heavy winter rains, and occasional earthquakes all lead to slope failures more frequently than would otherwise occur 397
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under gravity alone. This is true in the mountainous, sloped areas within the Planning Area where the topography is characterized by rolling hills elevation changes.

Location and Extent
Landslides can be expected in areas with steep slopes and weak soils. It can also occur in areas where erosion has previously occurred. Both winter storms (precipitation-induced) and earthquake triggered landslides tend to occur in or near places that have experienced previous landslides. However, landslides may also occur in other locations over time.

Figure 4-110 shows the CGS areas at susceptible to deep seated landslides. The legend on Figure 4-110 shows the susceptibility scale (from 0-X with 0 being the least and X being the most susceptible) that the CGS uses to show the susceptibility of landslides. It is a primarily a combination of slope class and rock strength. Geographic extents of these classes for the unincorporated Amador County are shown on Table 4-114. Details on each participating jurisdiction’s CGS deep-seated landslide extents can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update.

According to the 2023 State Hazard Mitigation Plan, the susceptibility classes were further categorized into Very High (susceptibility class X) and High (susceptibility classes VII, VIII, & IX) for exposure analysis.

The rest of the classes were not categorized. CGS mapping indicates that the eastern portions of the County Planning Area and surrounding area have areas at high to very high susceptibility areas for landslides. The western portion of the County, while much more limited, also includes some areas at high to very high landslide susceptibility. This can be seen in the darker orange and red colors. The speed of onset of landslide is often short, especially in post-wildfire burn scar areas, but it can also take years for a slope to fail. Landslide duration is usually short, though digging out and repairing landslide areas can take some time. In Amador County, landslides generally occur where there is very little population or infrastructure. 398
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Figure 4-110 Amador County Planning Area – Susceptibility to Deep Seated Landslides 399
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Table 4-114 Amador County Planning Area – Geographical Deep Seated Landslide Classes Extent
Jurisdiction /
Susceptibility
to Deep-Seated
Landslide Class
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Amador City
0 34 0.009% 13 0.008% 21 0.009%
III 57 0.01% 21 0.01% 36 0.02%
V 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
VI 59 0.02% 16 0.009% 43 0.02%
VII 43 0.01% 9 0.005% 34 0.02%
VIII 5 0.001% 2 0.001% 3 0.001%
IX 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
X 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Amador City
Total
198 0.05% 61 0.04% 137 0.06%
Ione
0 2,023 0.52% 507 0.30% 1,516 0.69%
III 134 0.03% 0 0.00002% 134 0.06%
V 570 0.15% 126 0.07% 444 0.20%
VI 60 0.02% 0 0.0% 60 0.03%
VII 102 0.03% 35 0.02% 68 0.03%
VIII 59 0.02% 16 0.009% 44 0.02%
IX 25 0.006% 6 0.004% 18 0.008%
X 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Ione Total 2,973 0.77% 690 0.41% 2,283 1.04%
Jackson
0 1,569 0.40% 561 0.33% 1,009 0.46%
III 419 0.11% 132 0.08% 287 0.13%
V 61 0.02% 30 0.02% 31 0.01%
VI 145 0.04% 38 0.02% 107 0.05%
VII 70 0.02% 12 0.01% 57 0.03%
VIII 33 0.01% 8 0.00% 25 0.01%
IX 3 0.001% 1 0.0005% 3 0.00%
X 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Jackson Total 2,302 0.59% 782 0.47% 1,520 0.69%
Plymouth
0 1,271 0.33% 572 0.34% 698 0.32%
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Jurisdiction /
Susceptibility
to Deep-Seated
Landslide Class
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
III 267 0.07% 26 0.02% 240 0.11%
V 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
VI 124 0.03% 1 0.001% 124 0.06%
VII 34 0.009% 0 0.0% 34 0.02%
VIII 1 0.0004% 0 0.0% 1 0.001%
IX 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
X 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Plymouth Total 1,698 0.44% 600 0.36% 1,098 0.50%
Sutter Creek
0 1,164 0.30% 546 0.33% 618 0.28%
III 315 0.08% 134 0.08% 181 0.08%
V 33 0.008% 9 0.006% 23 0.01%
VI 137 0.04% 57 0.03% 80 0.04%
VII 48 0.01% 14 0.008% 34 0.02%
VIII 10 0.00% 2 0.001% 8 0.004%
IX 2 0.0005% 0 0.0001% 2 0.001%
X 0 0.0% 0 0.0% 0 0.0%
Sutter Creek
Total
1,709 0.44% 762 0.45% 947 0.43%
Unincorporated Amador County
0 140,569 36% 77,398 46% 63,170 29%
III 54,223 14% 25,575 15% 28,647 13%
V 35,424 9% 14,510 9% 20,914 10%
VI 42,155 11% 17,541 10% 24,614 11%
VII 47,138 12% 15,997 10% 31,141 14%
VIII 36,230 9% 8,611 5% 27,619 13%
IX 23,505 6% 5,578 3% 17,927 8%
X 137 0.04% 21 0.01% 116 0.1%
Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
379,381 98% 165,231 98% 214,150 97%
Grand Total 388,260 100% 168,125 100% 220,134 100%
Source: Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides map – CSG Map Sheet 58 (05/2011) 401
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Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
There have been no disaster declarations associated with solely landslides in Amador County; however, as shown in Table 4-115, there have been 9 state and 10 federal disaster declarations for flood which included landslides as a component.

Table 4-115 Amador County – Federal and State Disaster Declarations Summary 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Flood (events that
included landslide)
9 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (twice)
10 1995 (twice), 2006 (twice), 2017
(twice), 2019, 2023 (three)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA. Retrieved March 2025.

NCDC Events
The NCDC contains no records for landslides in Amador County. There has, however, been a damaging debris flow recorded in the County. This can be seen in Table 4-116.

Table 4-116 NCDC Landslide and Debris Flow Events for Amador County 1950-7/31/2024* Event Type Number
of Events
Deaths Deaths
(indirect)
Injuries Injuries
(indirect)
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Debris Flows 1 0 0 0 0 $100,000 $0
Source: NCDC
Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Events
There are certain areas within the County that are susceptible to slope failure resulting in localized landslides, mudslides, and debris flows. These areas are detailed in the Local Concern section below. Past occurrences of this hazard include the following:

In 2005 - a landslide on the north side of Shake Ridge Road near Sutter Creek occurred. The hillside failed which, in turn, damaged 300 feet of water supply ditch. This ditch fed 6 cities/towns. The Amador Water Agency installed a pipeline to remove the risk of future issues in this area. 2023 - Amador County Public Works noted that there were small localized incidents that occurred in 2023 in some of the landslide areas Local Concerns section below. No damages were reported from these events. 402
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Figure 4-111 Amador County Planning Area – Slip in Hillside from 2022/2023 Storm Events Source: Amador County OES
It was also noted that Tiger Creek Road and Tiger Creek Afterbay Dam Road see ongoing issues due to severe winter weather and other issues. Erosion and slumping can occur in these areas.

Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Likely—Based on data provided by the HMPC, landslides are naturally occurring events that will inevitably happen as long as gravity itself is a controlling factor upon the landscape. Since Amador County’s mountainous terrain in the eastern portion of the County challenges gravity as it rapidly rises to upper elevations, much of the high-relief topography in the County can be identified as land with the potential for 403
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landslides. Much of that land though is in remote and undeveloped locales, which reduces the risk and vulnerability of this natural hazard. Given the nature of localized problems identified within the County, landslides will likely continue to impact the area when heavy precipitation occurs (especially in post wildfire burn areas) as they have in the past.

It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts. More information on climate change and landslide and debris flow can be found in the next section. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Climate Change and Landslide and Debris Flows
According to the 2021 CAS (as well as the 2024 Draft CAS), climate change may result in precipitation extremes (i.e., wetter wet periods and drier dry periods). More information on precipitation increases can be found in Section 4.3.3. While total average annual rainfall may decrease only slightly, rainfall is predicted to occur in fewer, more intense precipitation events. The combination of a generally drier climate in the future, which will increase the chance of drought and wildfires, and the occasional extreme downpour is likely to cause more mudslides, landslides, and debris flows.

Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability—Medium
According to historical hazard data and landslide hazard mapping, landslides can occur in the Amador County Planning Area. An assessment of a community’s vulnerability to this hazard begins with an understanding of local exposure to unincorporated Amador County. This is included in the Local Concerns section below. After that, vulnerability is discussed in multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect both the entire Amador County Planning Area as well as the unincorporated portions of Amador County. How the hazard affects the other participating jurisdictions can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update. These sections below include assets at risk, impacts, and how future development may affect the vulnerability of the County to this hazard.

The 2016 Amador County General Plan Safety Element noted that although landslides are primarily associated with slopes greater than 15 percent, they can also occur in relatively flat areas and as cut-andfill failures, river bluff failures, lateral spreading landslides, collapse of wine-waste piles, failures associated with quarries, and open-pit mines. Landslides in the County may be triggered by both natural- and humancaused activity.

The County noted that many areas in eastern Amador County are also rated high or very high in their susceptibility to landslide due to erosive soils, and from hydrophobic soils from past wildfire burn scars.

There is very little population or improved parcels in this area. 404
Section 7, Item B.

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Areas identified by the County with historic problems include those listed below. ➢ Landslides/Mudslides
✓ Camanche Parkway No.
✓ Carson Pass area
✓ Charleston Road
✓ Climax Road
✓ Deer Trail
✓ Electra Road
✓ Fiddletown Road
✓ Latrobe Road
✓ Michigan Bar Road
✓ Middle Bar Road
✓ Old Highway 49
✓ Pioneer – Volcano Road
✓ Pioneer Creek Road
✓ Rams Horn Grade
✓ Shakeridge Road
✓ Stony Creek Road (see Figure 4-112)
✓ Sutter Creek Road
✓ Trans Sierra Highway
✓ Volcano Road
➢ Debris Flows
✓ Comanche Road Bridge
✓ Kit Carson Road
✓ Little Bear Road (see Figure 4-113)
✓ Old Sacramento Road
✓ Sutter Creek Road
✓ Pine Grove/Volcano Road
405
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Figure 4-112 Stony Creek Road
Source: Amador County
406
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Figure 4-113 Little Bear Road
Source: Amador County
Local concerns for each of the other participating jurisdictions can be found under the Local Concerns heading in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP Update.

Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from landslide include people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections for the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County.

Methodology (Parcels and Structures)
In order to analyze people and populations, structures, and critical facilities at risk in DFIRM flood zones, GIS was used to quantify those values. The 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data was provided by Amador County and was used as the basis for the inventory of assessed values for both improved and unimproved parcels within the Amador County Planning Area. The 2011 California Geologic Survey Deep 407
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Seated Landslide Susceptibility data was obtained for the Amador County Planning Area. The landslide hazard layer was then overlaid on the parcel layer. In some cases, there are parcels in multiple deep seated landslide classes. For the purposes of this analysis, if the deep seated landslide classes intersected any portion of a parcel polygon, the entire parcel was considered to be in the highest risk class. The parcels were segregated and analyzed in this fashion for the entire Planning Area.

Once the deep-seated landslide susceptibility classes were intersected, land and improved (structure) values from the Assessor data were included for each parcel and estimated content replacement values were added to the analysis. Improved parcels include those with improved structure values identified in the Amador County Assessor’s database.

People and Populations
All populations located within areas of landslide susceptibility, especially in the High to Very High hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are at some vulnerability to landslide. This includes those people residing in these landslide potential areas as well as those that might reside or work within the landslide run out areas.

People residing in these areas may also be cut off from transportation routes if roads and streets providing a means of ingress and egress are impacted. Certain vulnerable populations may be at greater risk due to the often sudden onset of a landslide event and include: the unsheltered, those with limited mobility, and those that lack the resources to leave the area.

Amador County Planning Area residents that live in the High and Very High landslide susceptibility areas are often the most vulnerable, but those who live in in the landslide run out areas (which are not mapped) are also vulnerable. Not only are the residents at risk, but their homes and contents are all at risk, compounding the impacts associated with significant hazard events. To further evaluate the impact to Planning Area’s residential population residing within these hazard areas, an analysis was conducted of those who physically reside in the mapped landslide susceptibility areas. The CGS Susceptibility to Deep Seated Landslide maps were overlayed on the parcel layer and linked to the assessor data. Those residential parcel centroids that intersect the High or Very High risk areas (Class VII or higher) were counted and multiplied by the 2020 Census Bureau average household factors each jurisdiction in the Planning Area.

Analysis results are shown in Table 4-117.

Table 4-117 Amador County Planning Area – Improved Residential Parcels and Population in Susceptibility to Deep Seated Landslides (Classes VII, VIII, IX, and X) by Jurisdiction
Deep Seated Landslide
Class/Jurisdiction
Improved Residential Parcels Population
VII
Amador City 26 54
Ione 101 232
Jackson 49 108
Plymouth 0 0
Sutter Creek 62 128
408
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Deep Seated Landslide
Class/Jurisdiction
Improved Residential Parcels Population
Unincorporated County 2,313 5,436
Total 2,551 5,958
VIII
Amador City 4 8
Ione 72 165
Jackson 50 110
Plymouth 0 0
Sutter Creek 0 0
Unincorporated County 1,760 4,136
Total 1,886 4,419
IX
Amador City 0 0
Ione 32 73
Jackson 17 37
Plymouth 0 0
Sutter Creek 1 2
Unincorporated County 1,412 3,318
Total 1,463 3,431
X
Amador City 0 0
Ione 0 0
Jackson 0 0
Plymouth 0 0
Sutter Creek 0 0
Unincorporated County 4 9
Total 4 9
Source: Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides map – CSG Map Sheet 58 (05/2011), 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data, 2020 US Census Bureau Average Household Size – City of Amador City (2.07); City of Ione (2.29); City of Jackson (2.20); City of Plymouth (2.80); City of Sutter Creek (2.07): Unincorporated Amador County (2.35).

Structures
Landslides can affect the built environment of the Amador County Planning Area and those structures located within the high to very high hazard areas (i.e., Classes VII to X) are especially vulnerable, as are the structures located within the landslide run out areas. The CGS Deep Seated Landslide Susceptibility layer was overlaid with the County parcel (structure) layer in GIS and linked to the assessor data. The mapped landslide areas are shown on Figure 4-110. Table 4-118 summarizes parcel counts, land and improved values (i.e., those with a structure improvement on the parcel), other values, estimated content replacement values, and total values in the Planning Area for deep seated landslide classes. Table 4-119 409
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summarizes parcel counts, land and improved values (i.e., those with a structure improvement on the parcel), estimated content replacement values, and total values by property use for the unincorporated County for deep seated landslide classes. As shown, a limited number of improved parcels fall in Classes VII to X in the cities, while there are many improved parcels in Classes VII to X in the unincorporated County.

Table 4-118 Amador County Planning Area – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures Susceptible to Deep Seated Landslide by Class and Jurisdiction Jurisdiction /
Susceptibility
to Deep-Seated
Landslide Class
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
Amador City
0 17 11 $1,295,333 $1,857,930 $1,001,341 $4,154,604
III 37 25 $4,135,446 $4,500,610 $2,669,721 $11,305,777
VI 58 41 $6,930,312 $8,059,107 $4,806,698 $19,796,117
VII 52 29 $5,069,410 $6,045,394 $3,577,490 $14,692,294
VIII 16 5 $1,693,876 $615,265 $310,108 $2,619,249
Amador City
Total
180 111 $19,124,377 $21,078,306 $12,365,357 $52,568,040 Ione
0 1,317 1,230 $132,482,672 $318,679,739 $168,808,142 $619,970,553 V 585 531 $59,332,843 $125,847,002 $63,640,389 $248,820,234 VII 118 103 $11,085,532 $25,739,054 $13,201,312 $50,025,898 VIII 97 72 $8,803,927 $15,328,781 $7,664,391 $31,797,099 IX 88 40 $12,036,855 $10,872,581 $4,770,746 $27,680,182 Ione Total 2,205 1,976 $223,741,829 $496,467,157 $258,084,980 $978,293,966 Jackson
0 1,037 922 $81,153,812 $205,409,492 $126,515,881 $413,079,185 III 540 440 $48,822,598 $138,243,500 $85,274,597 $272,340,695 V 115 100 $9,973,704 $30,412,696 $15,125,519 $55,511,919 VI 224 161 $27,645,839 $135,031,474 $110,107,041 $272,784,354 VII 99 59 $20,349,425 $32,993,251 $26,423,486 $79,766,162 VIII 79 57 $11,053,270 $20,588,206 $14,267,832 $45,909,308 IX 30 17 $2,853,340 $5,196,120 $2,598,060 $10,647,520
Jackson Total 2,124 1,756 $201,851,988 $567,874,739 $380,312,415 $1,150,039,142 Plymouth
0 536 435 $69,207,310 $106,934,063 $62,161,134 $238,302,507 III 53 39 $9,668,168 $9,332,941 $6,048,755 $25,049,864
VI 22 14 $2,685,659 $2,100,402 $1,052,253 $5,838,314
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Jurisdiction /
Susceptibility
to Deep-Seated
Landslide Class
Total Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Total Value
VII 12 0 $3,582,226 $0 $0 $3,582,226
Plymouth Total 625 488 $85,143,363 $118,367,406 $69,262,141 $272,772,910 Sutter Creek
0 744 634 $72,757,839 $184,632,211 $120,864,415 $378,254,465 III 367 303 $29,373,095 $77,110,330 $39,376,477 $145,859,902 V 3 2 $575,072 $736,206 $700,166 $2,011,444
VI 199 155 $17,159,592 $47,724,542 $26,224,294 $91,108,428 VII 100 62 $10,397,559 $20,672,537 $10,336,269 $41,406,365 VIII 11 2 $1,262,463 $48,045 $48,045 $1,358,553
IX 10 2 $2,149,585 $415,990 $70,000 $2,635,575
Sutter Creek
Total
1,434 1,160 $133,675,205 $331,339,861 $197,619,665 $662,634,731 Unincorporated Amador County
0 2,052 1,575 $182,544,780 $386,612,887 $258,799,971 $827,957,638 III 1,723 1,333 $139,945,708 $306,413,278 $174,086,893 $620,445,879 V 2,267 1,537 $165,359,918 $338,599,501 $181,301,318 $685,260,737 VI 1,803 1,401 $159,986,869 $313,805,753 $171,368,366 $645,160,988 VII 3,702 2,659 $353,651,150 $677,494,509 $370,628,602 $1,401,774,261 VIII 3,486 2,175 $349,745,652 $481,480,648 $263,311,585 $1,094,537,885 IX 2,747 1,730 $296,033,771 $517,545,500 $341,495,575 $1,155,074,846 X 48 24 $40,138,659 $4,801,465 $3,731,813 $48,671,937
Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
17,828 12,434 $1,687,406,507 $3,026,753,541 $1,764,724,121 $6,478,884,169 Grand Total 24,396 17,925 $2,350,943,269 $4,561,881,010 $2,682,368,677 $9,595,192,956 Source: Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides map – CSG Map Sheet 58 (05/2011), 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data Table 4-119 Unincorporated Amador County – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures Susceptible to Deep Seated Landslide by Class and Property use Susceptibility to DeepSeated Landslide
Class/Property Use
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
0 Agricultural 59 52 $9,331,710 $24,744,106 $24,744,106 $58,819,922 Commercial 206 141 $47,970,217 $107,004,646 $107,004,646 $261,979,509 Industrial 12 4 $1,128,162 $1,204,716 $1,807,074 $4,139,952 411
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Susceptibility to DeepSeated Landslide
Class/Property Use
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Miscellaneous 89 8 $248,387 $612,121 $0 $860,508
Residential 1,671 1,360 $122,067,732 $250,488,289 $125,244,145 $497,800,166 Unknown 15 10 $1,798,572 $2,559,009 $0 $4,357,581
0 Total 2,052 1,575 $182,544,780 $386,612,887 $258,799,971 $827,957,638 III
Agricultural 86 71 $9,525,739 $14,368,403 $14,368,403 $38,262,545 Commercial 51 37 $12,567,965 $24,663,155 $24,663,155 $61,894,275 Industrial 9 7 $3,101,167 $2,352,216 $3,528,324 $8,981,707 Miscellaneous 54 4 $390,002 $259,732 $0 $649,734
Residential 1,506 1,204 $113,520,998 $263,054,021 $131,527,011 $508,102,030 Unknown 17 10 $839,837 $1,715,751 $0 $2,555,588
III Total 1,723 1,333 $139,945,708 $306,413,278 $174,086,893 $620,445,879 V
Agricultural 24 19 $3,391,498 $2,834,644 $2,834,644 $9,060,786 Commercial 43 32 $7,720,871 $15,343,765 $15,343,765 $38,408,401 Industrial 6 4 $2,252,733 $4,457,151 $6,685,727 $13,395,611 Miscellaneous 52 8 $575,342 $784,414 $0 $1,359,756
Residential 2,126 1,465 $150,366,452 $312,874,365 $156,437,183 $619,678,000 Unknown 16 9 $1,053,022 $2,305,162 $0 $3,358,184
V Total 2,267 1,537 $165,359,918 $338,599,501 $181,301,318 $685,260,737 VI
Agricultural 121 96 $22,354,969 $14,485,416 $14,485,416 $51,325,801 Commercial 34 27 $11,986,585 $13,120,970 $13,120,970 $38,228,525 Industrial 6 5 $2,688,982 $1,499,248 $2,248,872 $6,437,102 Miscellaneous 46 9 $861,989 $423,103 $0 $1,285,092
Residential 1,585 1,260 $121,289,580 $283,026,215 $141,513,108 $545,828,903 Unknown 11 4 $804,764 $1,250,801 $0 $2,055,565
VI Total 1,803 1,401 $159,986,869 $313,805,753 $171,368,366 $645,160,988 VII
Agricultural 397 285 $55,690,415 $59,178,152 $59,178,152 $174,046,719 Commercial 32 18 $4,692,847 $8,271,178 $8,271,178 $21,235,203 Industrial 2 2 $298,760 $2,302,323 $3,453,485 $6,054,568 Miscellaneous 110 16 $1,693,168 $2,507,382 $0 $4,200,550 Residential 3,114 2,313 $284,275,299 $599,451,575 $299,725,788 $1,183,452,662 Unknown 47 25 $7,000,661 $5,783,899 $0 $12,784,560
VII Total 3,702 2,659 $353,651,150 $677,494,509 $370,628,602 $1,401,774,261 412
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Susceptibility to DeepSeated Landslide
Class/Property Use
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
Estimated
Contents
Value
VIII
Agricultural 598 356 $76,852,461 $46,501,816 $46,501,816 $169,856,093 Commercial 35 25 $4,344,234 $5,448,103 $5,448,103 $15,240,440 Industrial 7 3 $8,192,873 $345,125 $517,688 $9,055,686
Miscellaneous 241 11 $9,043,358 $4,350,738 $0 $13,394,096 Residential 2,562 1,760 $238,461,268 $421,687,957 $210,843,979 $870,993,204 Unknown 43 20 $12,851,458 $3,146,909 $0 $15,998,367
VIII Total 3,486 2,175 $349,745,652 $481,480,648 $263,311,585 $1,094,537,885 IX
Agricultural 479 267 $75,607,422 $51,633,728 $51,633,728 $178,874,878 Commercial 34 23 $7,453,210 $116,691,220 $116,691,220 $240,835,650 Industrial 9 4 $17,010,083 $1,311,958 $1,967,937 $20,289,978 Miscellaneous 220 18 $7,277,677 $4,870,147 $0 $12,147,824 Residential 1,986 1,412 $183,030,550 $342,405,379 $171,202,690 $696,638,619 Unknown 19 6 $5,654,829 $633,068 $0 $6,287,897
IX Total 2,747 1,730 $296,033,771 $517,545,500 $341,495,575 $1,155,074,846 Unincorporated Amador
County Total
17,828 12,434 $1,687,406,507 $3,026,753,541 $1,764,724,121 $6,478,884,169 Source: Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides map – CSG Map Sheet 58 (05/2011), 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Landslides present a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. The following analysis discusses critical facilities and infrastructure. A separate analysis was performed on the critical facility inventory in the Amador County Planning Area to determine critical facilities by deep-seated landslide class. Using GIS, the landslide classes were overlayed on the critical facility GIS layer. Figure 4-114 shows critical facilities, as well as the deep-seated landslide classes. Table 4-120 details critical facilities by deep seated landslide class by facility type and count for the Planning Area. Details of critical facility category, type, name and address by deep-seated landslide classes are listed in Appendix F. As shown, 13 critical facilities fall in Classes VII to X all of which are in the unincorporated County. 413
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Figure 4-114 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in Deep-Seated Landslide Class
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Table 4-120 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in Deep-Seated Landslide Class by Jurisdiction and Category
Jurisdiction / Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Class / Critical Facility Category Facility Count Amador City
0 Essential Services 2
At Risk Population 0
0 Total 2
III
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
III Total 1
Amador City Total 3
Ione
0 Essential Services 11
At Risk Population 5
0 Total 16
V
Essential Services 2
At Risk Population 0
V Total 2
Ione Total 18
Jackson
0 Essential Services 30
At Risk Population 9
0 Total 39
III
Essential Services 3
At Risk Population 2
III Total 5
VI
Essential Services 2
At Risk Population 1
VI Total 3
VII
Essential Services 0
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Jurisdiction / Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Class / Critical Facility Category Facility Count At Risk Population 1
VII Total 1
Jackson Total 48
Plymouth
0 Essential Services 8
At Risk Population 1
0 Total 9
Plymouth Total 9
Sutter Creek
0 Essential Services 6
At Risk Population 6
0 Total 12
III
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
III Total 1
Sutter Creek Total 13
Unincorporated Amador County
0 Essential Services 91
At Risk Population 5
0 Total 96
III
Essential Services 8
At Risk Population 1
III Total 9
V
Essential Services 19
At Risk Population 1
V Total 20
VI
Essential Services 7
At Risk Population 0
VI Total 7
VII
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Jurisdiction / Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Class / Critical Facility Category Facility Count Essential Services 3
At Risk Population 0
VII Total 3
VIII
Essential Services 7
At Risk Population 0
VIII Total 7
IX
Essential Services 3
At Risk Population 0
IX Total 3
Unincorporated Amador County Total 145
Unincorporated Alpine County
VII
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
VIII Total 7
Unincorporated Amador County Total 8
Grand Total 237
Source: Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslides map – CSG Map Sheet 58 (05/2011), Amador County GIS Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Landslides can affect natural, historic, and cultural resources that lie in the landslide area, or the landslide run out area. Landslides can destroy large tracts of forest and open space areas, destroy wildlife habitat, and remove productive soils and vegetation from slopes. It can also fill in waterways, impact water quality, and potentially affect flooding potential. Natural resources that fall in the High or Very High susceptibility classes shown on Figure 4-110 would be most vulnerable, as well as those in the run out areas. As shown on the map, this would include a relatively small area of the developed area, since most of the higher risk areas occur in the undeveloped areas of the Planning Area.

FEMA NRI Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
The FEMA NRI was queried for additional specific data on Amador County’s vulnerability to Landslides, Mudslides, and Debris Flow. The NRI contains data and analysis for 18 separate natural hazards. The NRI hazard related to Amador County’s Landslides, Mudslides, and Debris Flow is only landslide. As shown in Table 4-121, landslides could cause a total of $21,900 in expected annual losses, with a historic loss rating of very low. Landslide has a relatively moderate rating for both social vulnerability and community resilience, with a risk index score of 44 out of 100. According to the NRI, there have been 0 landslide events between the years 2010-2021 with an average of 0 events per year. 417
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Table 4-121 Amador County Planning Area – Landslide Vulnerability Ratings from FEMA NRI
NRI Hazard Hazard Risk Index
Rating*
Expected Annual
Loss Values
(total)**
Exposure Value
(total)***
Historic Loss Ratio
Rating
Landslide 44 $21,900 $181,116,409,942 Very Low
Source: FEMA NRI Report, retrieved 4/1/2025.
*Hazard Risk Index is calculated using data for only a single hazard type, and reflect a communities expected annual loss value, community risk factors, and the adjustment factor used to calculate the risk value. **Expected annual loss represents the average economic loss in dollars resulting from natural hazards each year. ***Exposure is a natural hazard consequence factor that is the representative value of buildings, populations, or agriculture potentially exposed to a natural hazard occurrence.

Additional information on the FEMA NRI can be found in Section 4.2 and Appendix G.

Impacts from Landslide
Any type of landslide may result in damages or complete destruction of buildings in their path, as well as deaths and injuries. Landslides can cause road blockages by depositing debris on road surfaces or road damage if the road surface itself slides downhill. Utility lines and pipes are also prone to breakage in slide areas.

Landslides can collapse into water bodies, causing tsunamis or seiches. In 1958, a magnitude 8 earthquake collapsed a hillside into Lituya Bay, Alaska, causing a water splash wave that reached 1,720 feet up a mountain slope, stripping all vegetation. A massive landslide into the Vaoint Reservoir in Italy in 1963 caused a water splash wave that swept 800 feet over the top of a dam, causing a major flood that killed an estimated 2,600 people below. Landslides can relocate river channels, as occurred during the Oso mudslide in Washington State in March 2014. This occurred in an area not considered landslide prone on local maps.

Landslides and debris flows can relocate river channels, impact water quality and the storage capacity of surface water reservoirs used to store potable water.

Landslides, debris flows, and mud flows impacts vary by location and severity of any given event and will likely only affect certain areas of the Planning Area susceptible to landslide. Based on the risk assessment, there is limited potential for significant landslides to occur in the Planning Area in the more developed areas. Most, but not all, of the historic landslides in the Amador County Planning Area have been minor, localized events that are more of a nuisance than a disaster. Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Commercial and residential structural and property damage; ➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community; and ➢ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values 418
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Impacts to identified assets at risk to this hazard and the overall vulnerability of the County may be affected in the future by climate change (which was discussed in the hazard profile section above), changes in population patterns, and changes in land use and development. The influencing effects of these factors on this hazard are discussed further in the Future Conditions/Future Development discussion below.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future landslide conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County to landslides. This is especially true in burn scar areas that are at greater risk to landslides.
➢ Future population growth should be considered, as having more or less people in a community affects the overall hazard vulnerability to the County. Population growth in Amador County is expected to continue slowly. Additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the County.

Vulnerable population groups could face disproportionate effects from a landslide, though it would be unlikely for these or any populations to build in the landslide risk areas. Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the County to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions. ➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. Locating new development, structures and critical facilities and infrastructure within or near areas of landslide risk may put additional development at risk. However, County building codes are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future landslide conditions. It should be noted that most of the growth in the County is occurring in areas outside the landslide risk areas. Thus, depending on the location of new development and adherence to protective building codes, changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard.

Future development considerations should be ongoing and proactive. Ensuring that comprehensive land use planning is conducted, regulatory requirements are followed, and varying needs for different demographic groups with intersecting identities that reside within the County are considered can help to make for a more resilient community. Although new growth and development corridors would fall in the area affected by moderate risk of landslide, given the small chance of a major landslide and the building codes and erosion ordinance in effect, development in the landslide areas will continue to occur.

GIS Analysis
Amador County provided five future development areas which were used as the basis for the inventory of future development for the unincorporated County. These were mapped in GIS. Figure 4-115 show the locations of the future development areas and deep-seated landslide classes. Table 4-122 shows the details of the future development areas that are located in each deep-seated landslide class. 419
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Figure 4-115 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development in Deep-Seated Landslide Classes
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Table 4-122 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development in Deep-Seated Landslide Classes with Parcel Counts and Acreages
Susceptibility to Deep-Seated Landslide Class
/Site/Map ID - Future Development
Unimproved Parcel Count Total Unimproved Acres
VI
D - Thunder Mountain 2 2.5
E - Timber Creek Townhomes 2 2
VI Total 4 4.5
VIII
A - Plymouth Casino 1 130
VIII Total 1 130
IX
B - SGI Quarry Expansion 1 50
C - Palisades Unit 6 1 13
IX Total 2 63
Grand Total 7 197.5
Source: CGS Maps Sheet 58, Amador County GIS

4.3.15. Wildfire (w/Smoke and Air Quality)
Hazard Profile
This hazard profile contains multiple sections that detail how this hazard can affect the Amador County Planning Area. These sections include a hazard/problem description; description of location and extent; past occurrences of this hazard; likelihood of future occurrence; and how climate change can affect or influence this hazard.

Hazard/Problem Description
California is recognized as one of the most fire‐prone and consequently fire‐adapted landscapes in the world. The combination of complex terrain, Mediterranean climate, and productive natural plant communities, along with ample natural and aboriginal ignition sources, has created conditions for extensive wildfires. Wildland fire is an ongoing concern for the Amador County Planning Area. Historically, the fire season extends from early spring through late fall of each year during the hotter, dryer months.

However, in recent years, wildfire season is more of a year around event. Fire conditions arise from a combination of high temperatures, low moisture content in the air and fuel, an accumulation of vegetation, and high winds.

Potential losses from wildfire include human life, structures and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, quality and quantity of water supplies, cropland, timber, and recreational opportunities.

Economic losses could also result. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. 421
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In addition, catastrophic wildfire can create favorable conditions for other hazards such as flooding, landslides and mudflows, and erosion during the rainy season. Additional losses could occur if PG&E initiates a power shutdown during extreme fire weather conditions. This is discussed in greater detail at the beginning of Section 4.3.

Wildfire Smoke and Air Quality
Smoke from wildfires is made up of gas and particulate matter, which can be easily observed in the air. Air quality standards have been established to protect human health with the pollutant referred to as PM2.5 which consists of particles 2.5 microns or less in diameter. These smaller sizes of particles are responsible for adverse health effects because of their ability to reach the lower regions of the respiratory tract.

Wildfire smoke can have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in nearby northern California communities since the 2020 LHMP Update have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. County residents have been affected by wildfire smoke and poor air quality, from fires both within the Planning Area and from those much further away. The County has seen air quality impacts from smoke from wildfires since the 2020 LHMP. During these times, air sensors in the County showed periods of very poor air quality in Amador County. This was especially a concern during Covid. A document titled Smoke Impacts CA: 2020 Lessons – 2021 Actions that was published by the US Forest Service noted that wildfire smoke exposure could result in greater susceptibility to COVID-19 and other viruses/bacteria (decrease in local and systemic immune function).

The Amador Resource Conservation District noted that there is not much information pertaining to smoke and air quality concerns specific to Amador County but given information from various sources (CDC, EPA, and various clinical studies) it is known that prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have effects ranging from minor to extreme, especially for high-risk individuals (people with preexisting lung problems, elderly), leading to heart failure and premature death in the worst case scenario. An EPA database of Air Quality Index was queried for the last 5 years for AQI in Amador County. Results are shown in Table 4-123.

Table 4-123 Amador County Planning Area – Air Quality Index 2020-2025 Source: Amador County Air Quality District
AQI from 0-50 is considered good and anything below 100 is Moderate.

According to FirstStreet.org, a climate risk data organization, elderly individuals are at an adversely high risk of experiencing negative health impacts from poor air quality, like worsening of heart disease and stroke, reduced lung capacity, and increase in lung disease.

Year
# Days
with AQI Good Moderate
Unhealthy for
Sensitive Groups Unhealthy Very Unhealthy Hazardous
AQI
Maximum
AQI 90th
Percentile AQI Median
2020 359 327 29 2 1 . . 156 50 37
2021 365 307 54 4 . . . 133 67 37
2022 364 333 30 1 . . . 112 50 36
2023 360 341 19 . . . . 80 48 36
2024 329 251 72 6 . . . 143 74 41
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The paper “Wildland fire management and air quality in the southern Sierra Nevada: Using the Lion Fire as a case study with a multi-year perspective on PM2.5 impacts and fire policy” by D. Schweizer and R.

Cisneros explores the impacts of smoke from high-intensity, stand replacing fires versus lower intensity fires in the Sierra Nevada and explains that while smoke and fire mitigation is important with any fire, the extreme effects of smoke from large wildfires can be prevented by managing forests and allowing low intensity fires to burn.

Location and Extent
This section is broken down into two parts: a discussion on the wildland urban interface in Amador, and the Amador County wildfire setting.

Wildland Urban Interface
Throughout California, communities are increasingly concerned about wildfire safety as increased development in the foothills and mountain areas and subsequent fire control practices have affected the natural cycle of the ecosystem. While wildfire risk is predominantly associated with wildland urban interface (WUI) areas, significant wildfires can also occur in heavily populated areas. The wildland urban interface is a general term that applies to development adjacent to landscapes that support wildland fire.

The WUI defines the community development into the foothills and mountainous areas of California. The WUI describes those communities that are mixed in with grass, brush and timbered covered lands (wildland). These are areas where wildland fire once burned only vegetation but now burns homes as well.

The WUI for Amador County consists of communities at risk (shown in the Local Concerns section below) as well as the area around the communities that pose a fire threat.

There are two types of WUI environments. The first is the true urban interface where development abruptly meets wildland. The second WUI environment is referred to as the wildland urban intermix. Wildland urban intermix communities are rural, low density communities where homes are intermixed in wildland areas. Wildland urban intermix communities are difficult to defend because they are sprawling communities over a large geographical area with wild fuels throughout. This profile makes access, structure protection, and fire control difficult as fire can freely run through the community.

WUI fires are often the most damaging. WUI fires occur where the natural forested landscape and urbanbuilt environment meet or intersect. Even relatively small acreage fires may result in disastrous damages.

WUI fires occur where the natural forested landscape and urban‐built environment meet or intermix. The damages are primarily reported as damage to infrastructure, built environment, loss of socio‐economic values and injuries to people.

Figure 4-116 shows these WUI areas in red with Amador County in the center of the frame. This intermingling of wildland and manmade fuel has made the control of wildland fires more difficult and costly. It has also dramatically increased the danger and potential destruction caused by wildfire. 423
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Figure 4-116 Amador County – WUI Areas
Source: Amador County Fire Hazard Protection Plan Addendum, 2010 424
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Amador County Wildfire Setting
As previously stated, there are areas in the County that are prone to wildfire. Wildland fires affect grass, forest, and brushlands, as well as any structures located within them. Where there is human access to wildland areas, the risk of fire increases due to a greater chance for human carelessness and historical fire management practices. Generally, there are four major factors that contribute to and sustain wildfires and allow for predictions of a given area’s potential to burn. These factors include fuel, topography, weather, and human actions.
➢ Fuel – Fuel is the material that feeds a fire and is a key factor in wildfire behavior. Fuel is generally classified by type and by volume. Fuel sources are diverse and include everything from dead tree needles and leaves, twigs, and branches to dead standing trees, live trees, brush, and cured grasses.

Also to be considered as a fuel source, are man-made structures and other associated combustibles. The type of prevalent fuel directly influences the behavior of wildfire. Light fuels such as grasses burn quickly and serve as a catalyst for fire spread. The volume of available fuel is described in terms of Fuel Loading. Fuels are generally Sierra Mixed Conifer which is made up of heavy timber and significant loads of accumulated dead fuels. Certain areas in and surrounding Amador County are extremely vulnerable to fires as a result of overgrown fuels combined with a growing number of structures being built near and within rural lands. Fuel is the only factor that is under human control. ➢ Topography – An area’s terrain and land slopes affect its susceptibility to wildfire spread. Fire intensities and rates of spread increase as slope increases due to the tendency of heat from a fire to rise via convection. The natural arrangement of vegetation throughout a hillside can also contribute to increased fire activity on slopes. Topography in Amador County is flat near the valley bottom and increasingly steep as the County reaches higher elevations. More importantly is the relationship of vegetation change with that of topography. Fuel loads tend to increase significantly as the topography becomes more rugged. The area near the Central Valley, which is characterized by rolling hills and flat valley bottoms, is generally dominated by grass lands or savannah. The fire behavior is generally wind driven short duration fires, typically lasting no more than one burning period. (A burn period comprises 10:00 a.m. of Day 1 to 10:00 a.m. of Day 2, a full 24-hour period). As the terrain approaches the upper foothills the vegetation changes dramatically to brush and tree dominated fuel types. These areas are generally steeper and longer sloped which will tend to cause more fuel and topography dominated fire behavior. Heavier fuels over steeper slopes cause marked increases in fire intensity and fire size; this combination makes firefighting efforts increasingly more difficult. This is primarily due to the demands that heavier fuels on steeper terrain can have on resources during active suppression and mop up operations. Higher elevation areas of the County are typically steeper than that of the upper foothill region. Fire spread is typically fuel and slope driven but winds can cause long range spotting. A major topographic feature that can lead to increased fire spread and intensity is the canyon alignment of the major river systems within the County. All of the major river systems are generally aligned in an east/west direction which coincides with the general prevailing westerly wind patterns over the County.

This alignment can have the effect of “channeling” which can increase the wind speed and turbulence along these river systems. This alignment can often cause fire to spread farther and with greater intensity.
➢ Weather – Weather components such as temperature, relative humidity, wind, and lightning also affect the potential for wildfire. High temperatures and low relative humidity dry out the fuels that feed the wildfire creating a situation where fuel will more readily ignite and burn more intensely. Wind is the most treacherous weather factor. The greater a wind, the faster a fire will spread, and the more intense 425
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it will be. Winds can be significant at times in Amador County. The western portion of the County often experiences surface winds blowing from the north and west. The dryer north winds combined with light flashy fuels create conditions for large grass fires, which while menacing generally do little long-term damage. The resulting west winds are brisk and push fires in a west to east direction. The major canyons in Amador County are also orientated west to east, which tends to channel wind into canyons in a way that increases its upslope velocity. In addition to high winds, wind shifts can occur suddenly due to temperature changes or the interaction of wind with topographical features such as slopes or steep hillsides. Burn patterns of almost all historic large wildfires indicate they occurred during a relatively rare weather event called a foehn wind (discussed in the wind profile in Section

4.3.5). An example of a fire in Amador County affected by a foehn wind event was the Power Fire in 2004. This fire was started during the normal summer weather pattern and was declared contained two days later. Four days after the Power Fire started, a foehn wind event developed producing downslope winds in excess of 30 mile per hour, which spread the fire much more rapidly. Lightning also ignites wildfires, often in difficult-to reach terrain for firefighters. Related to weather is the issue of recent drought conditions contributing to concerns about wildfire vulnerability. During periods of drought, the threat of wildfire increases.
➢ Human Actions – Most wildfires are ignited by human action, the result of direct acts of arson, carelessness, or accidents. Many fires originate in populated areas along roads and around homes, and are often the result of arson or careless acts such as the disposal of cigarettes, use of equipment or debris burning. Recreation areas that are located in high fire hazard areas also result in increased human activity that can increase the potential for wildfires to occur.

Fires can have a quick speed of onset, especially during periods of drought. Fires can burn for a short period of time, or may have durations lasting for a week or more. Wildfire can affect any area of the Planning Area; however, CAL FIRE has mapped areas in California that are at risk to wildfire.

Methodologies for this analysis and maps showing the various Fire Hazard Severity Zones, which range from Urban-Unzoned to Very High, can be found in the Vulnerability Assessment below. Cal Fire Fire Hazard Severity Zones have been developed based on Fire Responsibility Areas located in the County which details the responsible fire agency for each area of the County; specifically, federal, state, and local areas. Figure 4-117 shows the Fire Responsibility Area mapping for Amador County. Geographic extents of wildfire in the State Responsibility Area (SRA) and Federal Responsibility Area (FRA) for the unincorporated Amador County be seen on Figure 4-118 and is detailed in Table 4-124. Geographic extents of wildfire in the Local Responsibility Area (LRA) for the unincorporated Amador County be seen on Figure 4-119 and is detailed in Table 4-125. Details on each jurisdiction’s Fire Hazard Severity Zone extents (for both SRA/FRA and LRA) can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update. 426
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Figure 4-117 Amador County Planning Area – Fire Responsibility Areas 427
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Figure 4-118 Amador County Planning Area – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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Table 4-124 Amador County Planning Area – CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Geographical Extents
Jurisdiction /
Fire
Responsibility/
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Amador City
FRA
High 0.0003 0.0000001% 0.0003 0.0000002% – –
Moderate 0.002 0.000001% 0.002 0.000001% – –
FRA Total 0.003 0.000001% 0.003 0.000002% – –
SRA
Very High 0.8 0.0002% 0.419 0.0003% 0.4 0.0002%
SRA Total 0.8 0.0002% 0.419 0.0003% 0.4 0.0002%
Amador City
Total

0.8 0.0002% 0.422 0.0003% 0.4 0.0002%
Ione
SRA
Very High 0.8 0.0002% 0.003 0.000002% 0.8 0.0004%
High 2.8 0.001% 0.08 0.0001% 2.7 0.001%
Moderate 0.9 0.0002% 0.6 0.0004% 0.3 0.0001%
SRA Total 4.5 0.001% 0.7 0.0004% 3.8 0.002%
Ione Total 4.5 0.001% 0.7 0.0004% 3.8 0.002%
Jackson
SRA
Very High 0.6 0.0002% 0.1 0.0001% 0.5 0.0002%
High 12.2 0.003% 3.1 0.0019% 9.1 0.004%
SRA Total 12.8 0.003% 3.2 0.0020% 9.6 0.004%
Jackson Total 12.8 0.003% 3.2 0.0020% 9.6 0.004%
Plymouth
SRA
Very High 0.3 0.0001% 0.02 0.00001% 0.3 0.0001%
High 8.8 0.002% 1.7 0.0010% 7.1 0.003%
SRA Total 9.1 0.002% 1.7 0.0010% 7.4 0.003%
Plymouth Total 9.1 0.002% 1.7 0.0010% 7.4 0.003%
Sutter Creek
SRA
Very High 5.3 0.001% 1.8 0.0011% 3.5 0.002%
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Jurisdiction /
Fire
Responsibility/
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
High 2.5 0.001% 0.6 0.0004% 1.9 0.001%
Moderate 0.4 0.0001% 0.3 0.0002% 0.1 0.0001%
SRA Total 8.2 0.002% 2.7 0.0017% 5.5 0.003%
Sutter Creek
Total

8.2 0.002% 2.7 0.0017% 5.5 0.003%
Unincorporated Amador County
FRA
Very High 48,472 13% 60 0.04% 48,412 23%
High 5,010 1% 4 0.003% 5,006 2%
Moderate 32,604 9% 141 0.09% 32,463 15%
NonWildland/NonUrban5,003 1% 4 0.002% 4,999 2%
FRA Total 91,089 24% 210 0.13% 90,879 42%
SRA
Very High 168,213 44% 86,479 52% 81,735 38%
High 103,688 27% 71,036 43% 32,653 15%
Moderate 16,337 4% 7,487 5% 8,851 4%
SRA Total 288,239 76% 165,001 100% 123,238 58%
Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
379,328 100% 165,211 100% 214,117 100%
Grand Total 379,363 100% 165,219 100% 214,144 100%
Source: CAL FIRE (FHSZ SRA 2024, FHSZ FRA 2007)
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Figure 4-119 Amador County Planning Area – CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones 431
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Table 4-125 Amador County Planning Area– CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones Geographical Extents
Jurisdiction /
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
Amador City
Very High 197 0.1% 60 0.04% 137 0.1%
Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area

0.4 0.0001% 0.1 0.0001% 0.2 0.0001%
Amador City
Total
198 0.1% 61 0.0% 137 0.1%
Ione
Very High 1,114 0.3% 3 0.002% 1,111 0.5%
High 918 0.2% 198 0.1% 720 0.3%
Moderate 398 0.1% 218 0.1% 181 0.1%
Non-Wildland 526 0.1% 271 0.2% 255 0.1%
Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area
17 0.004% 1 0.0005% 16 0.01%
Ione Total 2,973 0.8% 690 0.4% 2,283 1.0%
Jackson
Very High 253 0.1% 65 0.04% 188 0.1%
High 1,810 0.5% 590 0.4% 1,220 0.6%
Moderate 126 0.03% 73 0.04% 52 0.02%
Non-Wildland 109 0.03% 53 0.03% 56 0.03%
Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area
6 0.001% 2 0.001% 3 0.002%
Jackson Total 2,302 0.6% 782 0.5% 1,520 0.7%
Plymouth
Very High 105 0.03% 8 0.005% 98 0.04%
High 1,519 0.4% 558 0.3% 961 0.4%
Moderate 46 0.01% 24 0.01% 22 0.01%
Non-Wildland 22 0.01% 9 0.01% 13 0.01%
Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area
6 0.001% 1 0.001% 5 0.002%
Plymouth Total 1,698 0.4% 600 0.4% 1,098 0.5%
Sutter Creek
Very High 780 0.2% 357 0.2% 423 0.2%
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Jurisdiction /
Fire Hazard
Severity Zones
Total Acres % of Total
Acres
Improved
Acres
% of Total
Improved
Acres
Unimproved
Acres
% of Total
Unimproved
Acres
High 857 0.2% 368 0.2% 489 0.2%
Moderate 34 0.01% 15 0.01% 19 0.01%
Non-Wildland 34 0.01% 21 0.01% 13 0.01%
Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area
4 0.001% 1 0.001% 3 0.001%
Sutter Creek
Total
1,709 0.4% 762 0.5% 947 0.4%
Unincorporated Amador County
Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area
378,848 97.7% 165,178 98.3% 213,670 97.3%
Unincorporated
Amador
County Total
378,848 97.7% 165,178 98.3% 213,670 97.3%
Grand Total 387,727 100.0% 168,072 100.0% 219,654 100.0% Source: CAL FIRE (LRA 2025)
Post-Wildfire Landslides and Debris Flows
Post-wildfire landslides and debris flows are a concern in Amador County, though the fires and associated post fire landslides often occur in areas that are less populated. Fires that burn in hilly areas, which comprise the eastern portion of Amador County, remove vegetation that holds hillsides together during rainstorms.

Once that vegetation is removed, the hillside may be compromised, resulting in landslides and debris flows.

Mapping of these areas has been ongoing on a case-by-case basis since 2012. A search of the USGS Emergency Assessment of Post-Fire Debris Flow Hazards showed only one event in Amador County – the 2021 Caldor Fire. This can be seen on Figure 4-120. The orange, red, and dark red colors on the map indicate areas where risk is greater.
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Figure 4-120 Amador County – Post-Wildfire Debris Flow Areas Source: USGS. Retrieved 3/20/2025
Past Occurrences
Disaster Declaration History
A search of FEMA and Cal OES disaster declarations shows three state and two federal disaster declarations. These are shown in Table 4-126.
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Table 4-126 Amador County – Federal and State Disaster Declaration from Wildfire 1950-2025 Disaster Type State Declarations Federal Declarations
Count Years Count Years
Fire 3 1961 (Rancheria Creek Fire),
2015 (Summer 2015 Fires), 2021
(Caldor Fire)
2 2016 (Butte Fire), 2021 (Caldor
Fire)
Source: Cal OES, FEMA
NCDC Events
The NCDC has tracked wildfire events in the County dating back to 1993. The 50 events in Amador County in the database are shown in Table 4-127.

Table 4-127 NCDC Wildfire Events in Amador County 1993 to 7/31/2024* Event Type Number
of Events
Deaths Deaths
(indirect)
Injuries Injuries
(indirect)
Property
Damage
Crop
Damage
Dense Smoke 2 0 0 0 0 $0 $0
Wildfire 48 5 0 32 32 $1,225,000 $0
Total 50 5 0 32 32 $1,225,000 $ 0
Source: NCDC
*Deaths, injuries, and damages are for the entire event, and may not be exclusive to the County.

CAL FIRE Events
CAL FIRE, USDA Forest Service Region 5, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the National Park Service (NPS), Contract Counties and other agencies jointly maintain a comprehensive fire perimeter GIS layer for public and private lands throughout the state. The data covers fires back to 1878 (though the first recorded incident for the County was in 1917). For the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and US Forest Service, fires of 10 acres and greater are reported. For CAL FIRE, timber fires greater than 10 acres, brush fires greater than 50 acres, grass fires greater than 300 acres, and fires that destroy three or more residential dwellings or commercial structures are reported. CAL FIRE recognizes the various federal, state, and local agencies that have contributed to this dataset, including USDA Forest Service Region 5, BLM, National Park Service, and numerous local agencies.

Fires may be missing altogether or have missing or incorrect attribute data. Some fires may be missing because historical records were lost or damaged, fires were too small for the minimum cutoffs, documentation was inadequate, or fire perimeters have not yet been incorporated into the database. Also, agencies are at different stages of participation. For these reasons, the data should not be used for statistical or analytical purposes.

The data provides a reasonable view of the spatial distribution of past large fires in California. Using GIS, fire perimeters that intersect Amador County were extracted and are listed in Table 4-128. There are 111 fires recorded in this database for Amador County. Each of them was tracked by CAL FIRE. Many more small fires likely have occurred, but were not included in the analysis. 435
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Figure 4-121 shows fire history for the Amador County Planning Area, colored by the size of the acreage burned. This map contains fires from 1950 to 2024, while the detailed tables of wildfire shown in Table 4-128 contain fires from 1910 to 2024, with the first recorded wildfire in this database in Amador County is from 1917.
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Figure 4-121 Amador County Wildfire History – CAL FIRE 1910 to 2024 437
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Table 4-128 Amador County – CAL FIRE Wildfire History Summary 1910-2024 by Acres Burned
Wildfire Name Year Date Cause Description Total Wildfire Acres
Wildfire
Acres Within
County
RANCHERIA 1961 9/2/1961 Unknown/Unidentified 34,104 34,103 POWER 2004 10/6/2004 Equipment Use 16,983 16,981

PI PI-INDIAN

DIGGING
1924 8/18/1924 Miscellaneous 8,948 8,886
(blank) Unknown/Unidentified 10,058 7,152
BUTTE 2015 9/10/2015 Unknown/Unidentified 70,847 3,559
QUARRY 1976 6/23/1976 Unknown/Unidentified 20,870 2,620 ELECTRA 2022 7/4/2022 Unknown/Unidentified 4,466 2,577
VAN VLECK 1968 6/22/1968 Unknown/Unidentified 2,665 2,520

MOKELUMNE
RIVER
1924 8/1/1924 Miscellaneous 2,449 2,244
(blank) 1917 (blank) Lightning 2,051 2,051

BEAR RIVER
FIRE
1918 6/12/1918 Lightning 1,748 1,747
JACKSON 2001 6/13/2001 Equipment Use 1,671 1,671
(blank) 1959 (blank) Unknown/Unidentified 1,378 1,377
P.G. & E.CO

MOKELUME
1927 4/30/1927 Miscellaneous 1,131 1,131
MEISS 1981 6/14/1981 Miscellaneous 14,126 1,130
CALDOR 2021 8/15/2021 Unknown/Unidentified 221,786 1,115 (blank) 1919 (blank) Unknown/Unidentified 1,107 1,107
SUTTER CREEK 1961 9/2/1961 Unknown/Unidentified 966 966 P.G. & E. #3 1965 9/17/1965 Unknown/Unidentified 1,570 916 PACIFIC MINE 1951 7/18/1951 Unknown/Unidentified 902 902 IRISH 2018 7/6/2018 Equipment Use 825 825
HIGHWAY 88
SERIES
1980 10/5/1980 Unknown/Unidentified 1,080 744
IRISH HILL 1961 10/8/1961 Unknown/Unidentified 732 732

DUFRENE
ESCAPE
1954 7/29/1954 Unknown/Unidentified 726 726

BUTTE PG&E
#24
1990 6/11/1990 Unknown/Unidentified 692 692
MICHIGAN BAR 1980 7/29/1980 Unknown/Unidentified 848 691

WEST SHERMAN
CK
1919 9/15/1919 Unknown/Unidentified 681 681
JOSES SERIES 1964 7/5/1964 Unknown/Unidentified 680 680 438
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Wildfire Name Year Date Cause Description Total Wildfire Acres
Wildfire
Acres Within
County
CLINTON TRAIL 1957 8/15/1957 Unknown/Unidentified 666 662 PONY 2002 6/12/2002 Powerline 702 644
AMADOR 1985 7/9/1985 Equipment Use 588 588
HIGHWAY-16 2001 7/6/2001 Equipment Use 547 547
COLD CK FIRE 1917 8/24/1917 Lightning 992 468

ARROYO SECO
NO. 6
1958 7/29/1958 Unknown/Unidentified 436 436
SCULLY ROAD 1950 7/3/1950 Unknown/Unidentified 416 416
DAFFODIL HILL 1959 8/11/1959 Unknown/Unidentified 408 408 GOLD BUG 1923 3/22/1923 Unknown/Unidentified 510 386
SAND 2014 7/26/2014 Vehicle 4,239 386

DELL ORTO
ESCAPE
1954 8/17/1954 Unknown/Unidentified 380 373
MOKE 2004 6/17/2004 Campfire 354 354
RANCHO 2016 6/28/2016 Vehicle 372 353
SALT 2011 12/1/2011 Miscellaneous 343 343
HIGHWAY 88
NO.1
1961 7/22/1961 Unknown/Unidentified 336 336
AMADOR 1988 7/18/1988 Arson 329 329
KLOTZ 1962 9/27/1962 Unknown/Unidentified 326 326
PETERSON 1951 8/19/1951 Unknown/Unidentified 312 312
(blank) Unknown/Unidentified 308 308
(blank) 1922 (blank) Miscellaneous 274 274
ELECTRA 2008 6/13/2008 Powerline 251 251
SUNNYBROOK 1994 6/26/1994 Unknown/Unidentified 230 230
SALT 2003 7/18/2003 Campfire 216 216
CAMANCHE 2016 6/17/2016 Unknown/Unidentified 210 210

DEADMAN'S
FLAT
1925 7/18/1925 Lightning 189 189
(blank) 1956 (blank) Unknown/Unidentified 160 160
(blank) 1991 4/19/1991 Lightning 154 154
(blank) 1978 3/27/1978 Debris 130 130
ROAD 1993 5/10/1993 Debris 127 127
ELLIS 2 2002 11/15/2002 Debris 113 113
POWERHOUSE 2004 9/5/2004 Powerline 113 113
JACKSON 2006 7/20/2006 Unknown/Unidentified 104 104
TONZI 2003 8/18/2003 Vehicle 99 99
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Wildfire Name Year Date Cause Description Total Wildfire Acres
Wildfire
Acres Within
County
CABLE #2 1924 5/19/1924 Miscellaneous 89 89
BUSI 1961 1/14/1961 Unknown/Unidentified 84 84
CAMANCHE 2006 7/10/2006 Structure 79 79
SALT 2016 10/3/2016 Lightning 78 78
LIBERTY 2023 7/11/2023 Unknown/Unidentified 71 71
STONY 2002 7/3/2002 Equipment Use 68 68
GOOSE 2021 6/13/2021 Equipment Use 66 66
CARBON 2023 7/11/2023 Miscellaneous 59 59
SALT 1992 2/3/1992 Miscellaneous 53 53
BULL CK 1918 6/12/1918 Lightning 51 51
BEAR 2 2002 11/24/2002 Debris 49 49
COPPER FIRE 2020 9/30/2020 Smoking 47 47
BELL 2016 (blank) Unknown/Unidentified 46 46
LAWRENCE 2021 9/5/2021 Unknown/Unidentified 46 46
UPPER 1996 8/12/1996 Miscellaneous 40 40

DOAK'S RIDGE
FIRE
1937 5/16/1937 Miscellaneous 38 38
(blank) 1918 (blank) Unknown/Unidentified 37 37
JACKSON 2023 7/1/2023 Equipment Use 28 28
HOYA 2016 8/15/2016 Equipment Use 23 23
(blank) 1927 (blank) Miscellaneous 23 23
LAMBERT FIRE 2020 10/4/2020 Miscellaneous 22 22
TONZI 2017 6/17/2017 Unknown/Unidentified 22 22
BUENA 2002 8/15/2002 Unknown/Unidentified 21 21
JACKSON 2005 7/26/2005 Vehicle 21 21
CEDAR 1994 1/2/1994 Miscellaneous 20 20
DAVIS 1925 5/3/1925 Lightning 20 20
BELL 2021 5/20/2021 Equipment Use 19 19
MUD SPRINGS 1929 5/21/1929 Unknown/Unidentified 19 19
(blank) 1994 1/1/1994 Debris 19 19
VOLCANO 1993 8/16/1993 Powerline 18 18
WILLOW 2016 8/30/2016 Vehicle 18 18
(blank) 1989 11/20/1989 Debris 18 18
COAL 2022 8/7/2022 Arson 17 17
TIGER 2013 8/18/2013 Lightning 16 16
HIGHWAY-88 2001 8/24/2001 Arson 15 15
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Wildfire Name Year Date Cause Description Total Wildfire Acres
Wildfire
Acres Within
County
STONY 2016 7/2/2016 Miscellaneous 15 15
MIDDLE 2016 7/11/2016 Unknown/Unidentified 13 13
(blank) 1931 (blank) Unknown/Unidentified 261 13
PLYMOUTH 2023 11/2/2023 Debris 11 11
STONY 2017 6/24/2017 Powerline 11 11
(blank) 1938 (blank) Lightning 11 11
(blank) 1934 (blank) Lightning 11 11
ELECTRA 2019 9/25/2019 Arson 10 10
SALT 1969 9/9/1969 Lightning 10 10
(blank) 1937 (blank) Miscellaneous 10 10
(blank) 9/3/1989 Smoking 8 8
DRESSLER 1952 8/8/1952 Unknown/Unidentified 1,555 4
STEVENS 1950 8/27/1950 Unknown/Unidentified 313 2
WINTON 2017 8/28/2017 Arson 0 0
(blank) (blank) (blank) (blank) - -
Source: CAL FIRE (May 2024)
Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee Events
It is important to note that in addition to the Amador County fire history detailed above, there are numerous smaller fires that occur in the area year after year. These smaller fires have the ability to quickly get out of hand and become significant fires. Also, depending on the area, small fires in acreage can result in large losses. The HMPC provided the following details on fire history in Amador County. 1855 – City of Jackson: Although not considered a wildland fire, a fire destroyed a portion of the town. 1862 – City of Jackson: A fire (i.e., also not a wildland fire) destroyed most of Jackson, which was later rebuilt.
1920 – The Amador County Fire Safe Council indicated a fire known as the Indian Diggings fire affected the County.

August 5, 1926 – A fire which started between Ione and Buena Vista burned an area of between 30–40,000 acres. The fire was stopped short of entering the City of Jackson. 1961 – Rancheria Creek Fire: This was the worst fire in the County in over 50 years. In September of 1961, a fire started a mile and half west of Sutter Creek. Twenty-five minutes later, a second fire broke out on Dry Creek north of the Old Rancheria store. Whipped by a fierce wind, the latter fire moved past Plymouth, swept through the New Chicago and Fremont Mine country, moved to Bunker Hill, and by dusk, Amador City was surrounded by flames. The fire left one house remaining in historic “Stringbean Alley” and in Sutter Creek destroyed the Amador High School gym. Overall, the fire burned over 30,000 acres, 441
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destroyed over 30 buildings, and did about $1,243,400 worth of damage. (See Figure 4-122 and Figure 4-123)
Figure 4-122 Rancheria Creek Fire Damages
Source: Amador County Archives
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Figure 4-123 Rancheria Creek Fire Damages
Source: Amador County Archives
1964 – City of Sutter Creek: Wildland fire with structures involved occurred during the summer in the northwestern area of Sutter Creek from the City limits up to Amador High School area. 1992 – Farnum Ridge Fire burned over 800 acres near River Pines. It was caused by faulty equipment.

Summer 2003 – A forest fire near Panther Creek burned 250 acres of land.

July 2003 – A wildfire between Ione and Martell closed a section of Highway 88 for about five hours. The fire began as five smaller roadside fires that merged into three larger fires. Approximately 45 acres were scorched in the blaze.

October 2004 – The Power Fire: The Power Fire burned a total of just under 17,000 acres near the Salt Springs and Bear River reservoir areas. 13,611 acres were on USFS land within the Amador District of the Eldorado National Forest and about 3,000 acres were on private land. The exact cause is unknown; although it is confirmed to be human caused. Foehn wind gusts of up to 50 mph caused the fire to escape original containment. No structures were lost, and no injuries or fatalities were reported. Firefighting costs were 443
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estimated at $6.8 million. Known damages include over $80,000 to repair fences and $33,707,115 in potential damages to crops, if not harvested. Other impacts included loss of grazing, hunting, and fishing lands.
2013 Roadrunner Fire – A fire broke out near Roadrunner Drive south of Ione in Amador County. The fire was started on June 12 and was extinguished the same day. 96 acres were burned. 2014 Sand Fire – The Sand Fire broke out east of Highway 49 5 miles north of Plymouth in Amador County. The fire broke out on the afternoon of July 25th. 4,240 acres were consumed by the fire. The fire was extinguished on August 2nd. Officials reported the fire had burned ten homes, seven outbuildings, and threatened 515 homes.
2015 Butte Fire – The Butte Fire broke out to the east of Jackson in Amador County on September 9 in the early afternoon. The fire burned 70,868 acres in total. The fire was not extinguished until October 15th. 44 structures were damaged, and 877 were destroyed. One injury was sustained, and two fatalities occurred due to the fire. On June 22, 2017, Sacramento Judge Allen Sumner ruled that because "...the Butte Fire was caused by a public improvement as deliberately designed and constructed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company," the company is liable for all property damages caused by the fire. On December 7, 2019, PG&E proposed to settle all the claims for a total of $13.5 billion, which would cover liability for its responsibility originating from the Camp Fire, Tubbs Fire, Butte Fire and Ghost Ship warehouse fire, combined. The offer was tendered as a method of avoiding bankruptcy.
2018 Irish Fire – A fire broke out off Irish Ridge Road and Carbondale road south of Plymouth in Amador County. The fire broke out on the afternoon of July 6. The fire consumed 825 acres and was extinguished on January 4 of 2019.

In 2020, The Copper Fire was a vegetation fire that started September 30th and burned 48 acres at Copper Hill Rd. off Hwy 16, east of Rancho Murieta. Impacts include evacuations and road closures; no deaths and no property destroyed
Also in 2020, the Lambert Fire, started October 4th, was a 21-acre vegetation fire at Lambert Road and Carbondale Road, North of Carbondale. Impacts include evacuations and road closures; no death nor properties destroyed.

In 2021, the Goose Fire began on June 13th and burned 67 acres near Red Valley Road and Jackson Valley Road; this fire resulted in evacuations and road closures though no property was destroyed, and no injuries were reported.

Also in 2021, the Caldor Fire began on August 14th and burned 221,835 acres, primarily in El Dorado County, though parts of the fire dropped into upcountry Amador County. This fire was absolutely devasting, destroying 1,005 structures, damaging 81 others, and injuring a total of 21 people, though luckily no deaths are reported.

The final larger wildfire of 2021 was the Lawrence Fire began on September 5th and burned 46 acres just North of Fiddletown; It threatened homes and a school and resulted in evacuations and road closures but was extinguished before any buildings were destroyed.
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In 2022, the Electra Fire broke out on July 4th and burned 4,470 acres in the scar of the Butte Fire (2015), northeast of Mokelumne Hill in Amador and Calaveras counties. An emergency declaration was proclaimed (Resolution 22-179). It did not become a state or federal proclamation. This fire threatened the lives of people celebrating the holiday at the river as well as the lives and homes of those nearby, this fire resulted in evacuation and shelter in place orders, road closures, and the injury of 1 firefighter.

In 2023, the Liberty Fire started on July 11th, near Lake Camanche, on the boarder of San Joaquin and Amador counties and burned 71 acres. No structures were destroyed and no injuries or fatalities.

Also in 2023, the Carbon Fire started on July 11th off Carbondale Road near Ione burned 58 acres. No loss of life or destruction of structures resulted.

In 2024, the Wicklow Fire ignited September 9th and burned 63 acres in Martell. No loss of life or destruction of structures was reported.

Later in 2024, the Tiger Fire began on September 30th and burned 4 acres near Pioneer. This fire resulted in evacuation orders but there are no reports of destroyed structures or deaths/injuries. The EOC was stood up during this event for approximately 6 hours. It was noted in and After Action Report that the early and well-coordinated evacuation efforts resulted in zero casualties. Transportation assistance for those without the means to evacuate was made available. The human shelter was fully operational within about an hour and provided essential services to evacuees and their pets. Animal rescue groups were quick to respond and set up shelters.

The last large fire in 2024 was the Michigan Fire. It ignited on November 21st near Ione and burned 24 acres, no reports of destruction of structures or death/injuries. 445
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Figure 4-124 Michigan Fire Burn Area
Source: Amador County
For those wildfire events from 2020 to 2023, air quality data for smoke was reviewed and presented. This coincides with some of the wildfire events above. This can be seen in Figure 4-125. 446
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Figure 4-125 Amador County Planning Area – Daily Air Quality from 2020-2023 Likelihood of Future Occurrence
Highly Likely —Amador County faces a serious wildland fire threat every year. While generally limited to the sparsely populated, forested areas in the western portion of the County, fires will continue to occur on an annual basis throughout the Amador County Planning Area. The threat of wildfire and potential losses are constantly increasing as human development and population increase and the wildland urban interface areas expand. Due to its high fuel load and long, dry summers, portions of Amador County continue to be at risk from wildfire.

It is likely that climate change will increase the chance of future occurrence as well as future impacts. More information on climate change and wildfire can be found in the next section. More information on future impacts can be found in the Future Conditions/Future Development section of the Vulnerability Assessment below.

Climate Change and Wildfire
Warmer temperatures can exacerbate drought conditions. Drought often kills plants and trees, which serve as fuel for wildfires. Warmer temperatures could increase the number of wildfires and pest outbreaks, such as the western pine beetle. Cal-Adapt’s wildfire tool predicts the potential increase in the amount of burned areas for the year 2090-2099, as compared to recent (2010) conditions. This is shown in Figure 4-126.

Based on this model, Cal-Adapt predicts that wildfire risk in Amador County will increase moderately by the end of the century. However, wildfire models can vary depending on the parameters used. Cal-Adapt does not take landscape and fuel sources into account in their model. In all likelihood, in the Amador 447
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County Planning Area, precipitation patterns, high levels of heat, topography, and fuel load will determine the frequency and intensity of future wildfire.

Figure 4-126 Amador County Planning Area – Projected Increase in Wildfire Burn Areas Source: Cal-Adapt. Retrieved 2/6/2025.

Wildfire scenario projections were done by Cal-Adapt, based on statistical modeling from historical data of climate, vegetation, population density, and fire history. The fire modeling ran simulations on five variables on a monthly time step - Large fire presence/absence, Number of fires given presence, Area burned in a grid cell given a fire, High severity burned area given a fire and emissions. These are shown on Figure 4-127. The upper chart shows modeled annual averages of area burned for the Planning Area under the RCP 4.5 scenario, while the lower chart shows modeled annual averages of area burned for the Planning Area under the RCP 8.5 scenario.
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Figure 4-127 Amador County Planning area – Future Annual Averages of Acres Burned under RCP 4.5 and 8.5 Scenarios
Source: Cal-Adapt. Retrieved 2/6/2025.
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Vulnerability Assessment
Vulnerability—Extremely High
Risk and vulnerability to the County from wildfire is of significant concern. Wildfires that occur in the County occur from a variety of both natural and manmade causes. The County can be affected both by fires that start on or near County lands as well as those that start elsewhere and move into the County. In addition to burning large areas of land, air quality can be affected in the County by fires occurring inside the County as well as those from many miles away. As growth continues and populations increase in the County, the potential for catastrophic wildfires will also increase.

County Concerns
The County noted that increasingly frequent and severe wildfires throughout California pose a major threat.

Limited road networks and dispersed rural communities mean that the vulnerable populations mentioned below may struggle to evacuate quickly and safely. Wildland fires that burn in natural settings with little or no development are part of a natural ecological cycle and may actually be beneficial to the landscape.

Century old policies of fire exclusion and aggressive suppression have given way to better understanding of the importance fire plays in the natural cycle of certain forest types.

Communities at Risk
The National Fire Plan is a cooperative, long-term effort between various government agency partners with the intent of actively responding to severe wildland fires and their impacts to communities while ensuring sufficient firefighting capacity for the future. For purposes of the National Fire Plan, CAL FIRE generated a list of California communities at risk for wildfire. The intent of this assessment was to evaluate the risk to a given area from fire escaping off federal lands. Thus, there may be many more communities that are considered at risk to wildfire within the Amador County Planning Area, but might not meet these specific requirements for determining communities at risk from wildfire escaping off federal lands. Three main factors were used to determine the wildfire threat in the wildland-urban interface areas of California: fuel hazards, probability of fire, and areas of suitable housing density that could create wildland urban interface fire protection strategy situations. The preliminary criteria and methodology for evaluating wildfire risk to 450
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communities is published in the Federal Register, January 4, 2001. The National Fire Plan identifies 10 “Communities at Risk” in Amador County.
➢ Amador City
➢ Fiddletown
➢ Ione
➢ Jackson
➢ Pine Grove
➢ Pioneer
➢ Plymouth
➢ River Pines
➢ Sutter Creek
➢ Volcano
Concerns from CAL FIRE
CAL FIRE noted that wildfires pose several significant public health concerns. Here are some of the chief local concerns:
➢ Respiratory Issues: Wildfire smoke contains fine particulate matter (PM2.5) that can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream, exacerbating conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
➢ Cardiovascular Problems: Exposure to wildfire smoke can increase the risk of heart attacks, arrhythmias, and other cardiovascular issues.
➢ Vulnerable Populations: Certain groups, such as children, the unhoused, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with pre-existing health conditions, are more susceptible to the health impacts of wildfire smoke.
➢ Mental Health: The stress and trauma from experiencing wildfires and displacement can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). ➢ Long-term Health Effects: Prolonged exposure to wildfire smoke can have lasting health impacts, including increased rates of respiratory infections and other chronic conditions. ➢ Emergency Room Visits and Hospitalizations: Increased air pollution from wildfires can lead to a rise in emergency room visits and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular issues which could overcome our small rural hospital’s ability to care for patients.

Wildfire risk in Amador County varies by location. Factors contributing to the wildfire risk in Amador County include:
➢ Overstocked forests, severely overgrown vegetation, and lack of defensible space around structures; ➢ Large percentage of high hazard fuels;
➢ Conditions such as drought and overstocked forests contribute to increased beetle kill in weakened and stressed trees. In Amador County beetle kill is most established in the true firs within the upper elevations of the Eldorado National Forest (i.e., in the 5,000 to 7,000 elevation range). While the infestation is not exceptionally heavy, the mortality is noticeable along the Highway 88 corridor and is more prevalent in the heavily stocked stands of the Foster Meadow to Mormon Emigrant Trail area; ➢ The County contains steep rugged river canyons that limit accessibility except on foot; ➢ Increasing population density and increasing development within the WUI areas; and 451
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➢ The area east of Highway 49 which contains the largest population also contains the most hazardous fuels and most difficult terrain.

Land Ownership Concerns
Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI) currently owns approximately 26,000 acres in Amador County. This land is defined as industrial timberland and is zoned as Timber Production Zone. Much of this land lies between the forest/urban interface within the Eldorado National Forest, and is critical to effective fire management activities. SPI and predecessor companies have been aggressive in planning and implementing fire control strategies on the property including the development of shaded fuel breaks. Wildfires in the Timber Production Zones would negatively affect SPI, its subsidiaries, and its employees.

Insurance Concerns
The HMPC noted that in the WUI areas, there has been increased difficulty in obtaining home insurance and the cost of insurance premiums. Some residents have experienced cancellations of their policies due to catastrophic and recent wildfires occurring throughout California which has reduced the risk tolerance of many insurance companies. This increases costs to those who live in the WUI, and in some circumstances limits where people choose to live.

Amador County Resource Conservation District Concerns
In addition to the above, the Amador County Resource Conservation District noted the following:
➢ Nearly 30% of the population in Amador County is elderly (ages 65+) [census info], they may have difficulty evacuating or need assistance to evacuate
➢ Wildfires pose a threat to life and property
➢ Road capabilities during evacuation to handle evacuees leaving and emergency response entering (Ingress/Egress)
➢ Ability of fire response teams to effectively fight wildfire ➢ Dense vegetation that serves as ladder fuels and leads to higher intensity fires that are harder to contain ➢ Need for establishment and maintenance of strategic fuel breaks to project infrastructure and communities.
➢ Insurance cost, Amador County residents live in the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI). The growth of rural communities increases the risk to life, property, and infrastructure during a wildlife. Many homeowners are unable to afford the cost of home hardening and land management that would reduce the risk to their homes. Insurance costs have skyrocketed in recent years and many people are left with the CA fair plan as their only option.
➢ Watershed impacts, high intensity wildlife pose a significant risk to upper watershed resources that much of the state depends on and provide ecological value. Amador Counties upcountry landscape is the headwaters of the Mokelumne and Cosumnes rivers. A wildfire threat to either of these rivers could have critical water resource and ecological impacts beyond Amador County, such as the downstream farming communities, CA delta, and East Bay MUD.

Local concerns for each of the participating jurisdictions can be found under the Local Concerns heading in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP Update. 452
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Assets at Risk
Assets at risk from wildfire include people and populations; structures; critical facilities and infrastructure; and natural, historic, and cultural resources. These are discussed in the following sections for the Amador County Planning Area and unincorporated Amador County.

Methodology (Parcels and Structures)
As part of the Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP), the State Fire Marshall was mandated to map areas of significant fire hazards based on fuels, terrain, weather, and other relevant factors, including areas where winds have been identified as a major cause of wildfire spread. These zones, referred to as Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZs), include non-wildland/non-urban, moderate, high, and very high FHSZs. The FHSZ map evaluates hazard, not risk. Hazard is based on the physical conditions that create a likelihood and expected fire behavior over a 30-50 year period without considering mitigation measures such as home hardening, recent wildfire, or fuel reduction efforts. Risk is the potential damage a fire can do to an area under existing conditions, accounting for any modification such as fuel reduction projects, defensible space, and ignition resistant building construction.

Effective April 1, 2024, CAL FIRE updated its Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) maps for the State Responsibility Area (SRA) to provide updated map zones based on new science in local climate data and improved fire assessment modeling. The FHSZ model for wildland fire has two key elements: probability of an area burning and expected fire behavior under extreme fuel and weather conditions. The factors considered in determining fire hazard within wildland areas are fire history, flame length, terrain, local weather, and the potential fuel over a 50-year period. Outside of wildlands, the model considers factors that might lead to buildings being threatened, including terrain, weather, urban vegetation cover, blowing embers, proximity to wildland, fire history and fire hazard in nearby wildlands. FHSZs are not a structure loss model, as key information regarding structure ignition (such as roof type, etc.) is not included.

The new FHSZ mapping will create more accurate zone designations that can direct the implementation of mitigation strategies in areas where hazards warrant these investments. The FHSZ mapping program is still ongoing with new mapping in the LRA completed in March of 2025. Note: the FHSZ data for the Federal Responsibility Area has not been updated since 2007.

For the Amador County Planning Area, two separate analyses were performed: one for the combined SRA/FRA datasets and one for the LRA dataset. Specifically, the following datasets were utilized for the SRA/FRA analysis and contained all FHSZ hazard classes from Very High to non-wildland/non-urban:

CAL FIRE State Responsibility Area (FHSZSRA_23_3) April 2024 and CAL FIRE Federal/ Areas:
(Adopted SRA FHSZ 11/2007 - fhszs06_3_6). The following LRA dataset was used for the LRA FHSZ analysis: CAL FIRE Local Responsibility Area (FHSZLRA25_Phase3_v1) released in March 2025. 453
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Since it is possible for any given parcel to intersect with multiple categories for purposes of this analysis, the parcel centroid was used to determine which FHSZ to assign to each parcel. In some cases, there are parcels in multiple fire hazard severity zones. For the purposes of this analysis, if multiple fire hazard zone intersected any portion of a parcel polygon, the entire parcel was considered to be in the highest fire risk category. The parcels were segregated and analyzed in this fashion for the entire Planning Area.

Once the CAL FIRE fire hazard severity zones were intersected, land and improved (structure) values from the Assessor data were included for each parcel and estimated content replacement values were added to the analysis. Improved parcels include those with improved structure values identified in the Amador County Assessor’s database.

This methodology is used below for the FHSZ analysis of people and populations, structures, and critical facilities at risk as well as with respect to future development areas.

People and Populations
All populations are at some vulnerability to wildfire. Certain vulnerable populations are at greater risk to the effects of wildfire as well as smoke and air quality issues that wildfires bring. Vulnerable populations include:
➢ Unhoused
➢ Infants and children under age five and their caregivers ➢ Elderly (65 and older)
➢ Individuals with disabilities
➢ Individuals’ dependent on medical equipment
➢ Individuals who exercise or recreate outdoors
➢ Individuals who work outdoors
➢ Individuals with impaired mobility
Amador County Planning Area residents that live in CAL FIRE FHSZs are often the most vulnerable. Not only are the residents at risk, but their homes and contents are all at risk, compounding the impacts associated with significant hazard events. To further evaluate the impact to the residential population within the Planning Area, CAL FIRE’s wildfire hazard layers were overlayed on the parcel layer and linked to the Assessor data. Those residential parcel centroids that intersect the mapped FRA and SRA layers were counted and multiplied by the 2020 Census Bureau average household factors for each jurisdiction. These are shown by jurisdiction in Table 4-129. Those residential parcel centroids that intersect the mapped LRA layers were counted and multiplied by the 2020 Census Bureau average household factors for each jurisdiction. These are shown by jurisdiction in Table 4-130. 454
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Table 4-129 Amador County Planning Area – Improved Residential Parcels and Population by CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone by Jurisdiction Jurisdiction
Very High High Moderate
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population
at Risk
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population
at Risk
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population
at Risk
Amador City 1 2 0 0 0 0
Ione 0 0 0 0 0 0
Jackson 0 0 0 0 0 0
Plymouth 0 0 0 0 0 0
Sutter Creek 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unincorporated County 8,462 19,886 2,080 4,888 242 569
Source: CAL FIRE, 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor’s Data, 2020 US Census Bureau Average Household Size – City of Amador City (2.07); City of Ione (2.29); City of Jackson (2.20); City of Plymouth (2.80); City of Sutter Creek (2.07): Unincorporated Amador County (2.35).

Table 4-130 Amador County Planning Area – Improved Residential Parcels and Population by CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone by Jurisdiction Jurisdiction
Very High High Moderate
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population
at Risk
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population
at Risk
Improved
Residential
Parcels
Population
at Risk
Amador City 95 197 0 0 0 0
Ione 1 2 560 1,282 242 554
Jackson 144 317 1,054 2,319 177 389
Plymouth 40 112 331 927 47 132
Sutter Creek 773 1,600 263 544 6 12
Unincorporated County 0 0 0 0 0 0
Source: CAL FIRE, 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor’s Data, 2020 US Census Bureau Average Household Size – City of Amador City (2.07); City of Ione (2.29); City of Jackson (2.20); City of Plymouth (2.80); City of Sutter Creek (2.07): Unincorporated Amador County (2.35).

Structures
This section is presented in two sections: SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Analysis and LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Analysis.

For the following analysis, the SRA/FRA and LRA fire responsibility area layers were overlaid with the parcel data as described above and further broken out by property use and included information on both land and improved values. It should be noted that fire does not just affect structural values, fire can also affect land values. As such the Assessor’s land values and all parcels were accounted for in this analysis to represent total County values at risk. However, it is highly unlikely the whole County will ever be on fire at once.
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SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Analysis
All structures in the Amador County Planning Area have some risk to wildfire. The Amador County Planning Area parcel inventory and associated values by FRA and SRA are provided in Table 4-131. This is broken down further for the unincorporated County in Table 4-131. Table 4-131 shows FRA and SRA parcel counts, land and improved values (i.e., those with a structure improvement on the parcel), estimated content replacement values, and total values in the unincorporated County. Note: while most SRA/FRA mapped areas fall within the unincorporated County areas, due to differing boundaries in mapped datasets, a few SRA/FRA mapped areas are found in the incorporated communities as shown below. Details on each jurisdiction’s SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones and property use types can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update.

Table 4-131 Amador County Planning Area – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures by CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones by Jurisdiction Jurisdiction /
Fire
Responsibility
Area/ Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
Amador City
SRA
Very High 1 1 $39,032 $116,158 $58,079 $213,269
SRA Total 1 1 $39,032 $116,158 $58,079 $213,269
Amador City
Total
1 1 $39,032 $116,158 $58,079 $213,269
Jackson
SRA
High 3 0 $8,575 $0 $0 $8,575
SRA Total 3 0 $8,575 $0 $0 $8,575
Jackson Total 3 0 $8,575 $0 $0 $8,575
Plymouth
SRA
High 2 0 $106,120 $0 $0 $106,120
SRA Total 2 0 $106,120 $0 $0 $106,120
Plymouth Total 2 0 $106,120 $0 $0 $106,120
Unincorporated Amador County
FRA
Very High 133 45 $3,484,714 $4,218,497 $2,109,249 $9,812,460 High 17 13 $295,716 $1,006,722 $359,999 $1,662,437
Moderate 142 102 $8,120,599 $10,442,127 $5,250,207 $23,812,933 456
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Jurisdiction /
Fire
Responsibility
Area/ Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
NonWildland/NonUrban4 3 $296,137 $492,306 $246,153 $1,034,596 FRA Total 296 163 $12,197,166 $16,159,652 $7,965,608 $36,322,426 SRA
Very High 13,034 9,427 $1,125,553,747 $2,227,048,958 $1,247,474,536 $4,600,077,241 High 4,023 2,659 $505,375,316 $708,274,763 $450,070,234 $1,663,720,313 Moderate 472 184 $43,888,598 $74,645,928 $58,901,625 $177,436,151 SRA Total 17,529 12,270 $1,674,817,661 $3,009,969,649 $1,756,446,394 $6,441,233,704 Unincorporated
Amador County
Total
17,825 12,433 $1,687,014,827 $3,026,129,301 $1,764,412,001 $6,477,556,129 Grand Total 17,831 12,434 $1,687,168,554 $3,026,245,459 $1,764,470,080 $6,477,884,093 Source: CAL FIRE (FHSZ SRA 2024, FRA 2007), 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor’s Data Table 4-132 Unincorporated Amador County – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures by CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones by Property Use Fire
Responsibility
Area / Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone/Property
Use
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
FRA
Very High
Agricultural 6 0 $2,036,833 $0 $0 $2,036,833
Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 81 0 $313,570 $0 $0 $313,570
Residential 46 45 $1,134,311 $4,218,497 $2,109,249 $7,462,057 Unknown 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Very High Total 133 45 $3,484,714 $4,218,497 $2,109,249 $9,812,460 High
Agricultural 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
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Fire
Responsibility
Area / Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone/Property
Use
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
Miscellaneous 3 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Residential 11 11 $241,620 $719,998 $359,999 $1,321,617 Unknown 3 2 $54,096 $286,724 $340,820
High Total 17 13 $295,716 $1,006,722 $359,999 $1,662,437 Moderate
Agricultural 1 0 $162,302 $0 $0 $162,302
Commercial 1 1 $176,804 $58,287 $58,287 $293,378
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 35 0 $1,472,540 $0 $0 $1,472,540
Residential 105 101 $6,308,953 $10,383,840 $5,191,920 $21,884,713 Unknown 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Moderate Total 142 102 $8,120,599 $10,442,127 $5,250,207 $23,812,933 Non-Wildland/Non-Urban
Agricultural 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Commercial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 1 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Residential 3 3 $296,137 $492,306 $246,153 $1,034,596
Unknown 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
NonWildland/NonUrban Total4 3 $296,137 $492,306 $246,153 $1,034,596 FRA Total 296 163 $12,197,166 $16,159,652 $7,965,608 $36,322,426 SRA
Very High
Agricultural 1,188 704 $161,097,114 $109,583,478 $109,583,478 $380,264,070 Commercial 209 161 $31,646,275 $165,117,421 $165,117,421 $361,881,117 Industrial 25 18 $10,243,882 $6,289,273 $9,433,910 $25,967,065 Miscellaneous 522 67 $6,181,688 $8,184,549 $0 $14,366,237 Residential 10,965 8,417 $883,454,372 $1,926,679,454 $963,339,727 $3,773,473,553 Unknown 125 60 $32,930,416 $11,194,783 $0 $44,125,199
Very High Total 13,034 9,427 $1,125,553,747 $2,227,048,958 $1,247,474,536 $4,600,077,241 High
Agricultural 564 437 $115,304,332 $101,734,096 $101,734,096 $318,772,524 458
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Fire
Responsibility
Area / Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone/Property
Use
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
Commercial 187 110 $52,084,232 $87,536,850 $87,536,850 $227,157,932 Industrial 27 12 $24,789,106 $7,186,321 $10,779,482 $42,754,909 Miscellaneous 158 8 $12,570,152 $5,628,469 $0 $18,198,621 Residential 3,043 2,069 $295,958,186 $500,039,612 $250,019,806 $1,046,017,604 Unknown 44 23 $4,669,308 $6,149,415 $0 $10,818,723
High Total 4,023 2,659 $505,375,316 $708,274,763 $450,070,234 $1,663,720,313 Moderate
Agricultural 30 20 $4,422,859 $5,744,509 $5,744,509 $15,911,877 Commercial 39 32 $12,894,545 $37,848,948 $37,848,948 $88,592,441 Industrial 0 0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Miscellaneous 20 0 $425,816 $0 $0 $425,816
Residential 380 131 $26,009,524 $30,616,335 $15,308,168 $71,934,027 Unknown 3 1 $135,854 $436,136 $0 $571,990
Moderate Total 472 184 $43,888,598 $74,645,928 $58,901,625 $177,436,151 SRA Total 17,529 12,270 $1,674,817,661 $3,009,969,649 $1,756,446,394 $6,441,233,704 Unincorporated
Amador County
Total
17,825 12,433 $1,687,014,827 $3,026,129,301 $1,764,412,001 $6,477,556,129 Source: CAL FIRE (FHSZ SRA 2024, FRA 2007), 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor’s Data LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone Analysis
All structures in the Amador County Planning Area have some risk to wildfire. The Amador County Planning Area parcel inventory and associated values by LRA are provided in Table 4-133. As shown, there are no LRA areas for the unincorporated County. As such, no tabular analysis of property use is presented for unincorporated Amador County. Details on each jurisdiction’s LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones and property use types can be found in their respective annexes to this LHMP Update.

Table 4-133 Amador County Planning Area – Count and Value of Parcels and Structures by CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zone by Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction/Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
Amador City
Very High 180 111 $19,124,377 $21,078,306 $12,365,357 $52,568,040 459
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Jurisdiction/Fire
Hazard Severity
Zone
Total
Parcel
Count
Improved
Parcel
Count
Total Land
Value
Improved
Structure
Value
Estimated
Contents
Values
Total Value
Amador City
Total
180 111 $19,124,377 $21,078,306 $12,365,357 $52,568,040 Ione
Very High 23 3 $4,044,274 $205,961 $93,636 $4,343,871
High 705 587 $73,730,102 $144,835,562 $74,739,206 $293,304,870 Moderate 294 267 $28,946,094 $71,387,728 $40,987,786 $141,321,608 Non-Wildland 1,183 1,119 $117,021,359 $280,037,906 $142,264,353 $539,323,618 Ione Total 2,205 1,976 $223,741,829 $496,467,157 $258,084,980 $978,293,966 Jackson
Very High 213 168 $23,192,037 $54,995,054 $33,185,946 $111,373,037 High 1,421 1,164 $139,012,347 $416,400,057 $280,110,623 $835,523,027 Moderate 276 243 $25,221,616 $63,857,922 $47,288,279 $136,367,817 Non-Wildland 213 181 $14,353,404 $32,621,706 $19,727,567 $66,702,677 Outside of LRA
Responsibility
Area
1 0 $72,584 $0 $0 $72,584
Jackson Total 2,124 1,756 $201,851,988 $567,874,739 $380,312,415 $1,150,039,142 Plymouth
Very High 46 40 $5,939,568 $6,628,450 $3,314,225 $15,882,243 High 482 372 $73,102,242 $102,067,788 $59,725,032 $234,895,062 Moderate 77 58 $4,502,157 $6,969,088 $4,632,529 $16,103,774 Non-Wildland 20 18 $1,599,396 $2,702,080 $1,590,355 $5,891,831 Plymouth Total 625 488 $85,143,363 $118,367,406 $69,262,141 $272,772,910 Sutter Creek
Very High 991 815 $83,708,244 $216,257,857 $114,172,572 $414,138,673 High 414 331 $45,809,571 $106,185,022 $74,684,120 $226,678,713 Moderate 24 14 $3,607,044 $8,896,982 $8,762,973 $21,266,999 Non-Wildland 5 0 $550,346 $0 $0 $550,346
Sutter Creek
Total
1,434 1,160 $133,675,205 $331,339,861 $197,619,665 $662,634,731 Grand Total 6,568 5,491 $663,536,762 $1,535,127,469 $917,644,556 $3,116,308,787 Source: CAL FIRE (FHSZ LRA 2025), 2024 Amador County Parcel/Assessor Data Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
Wildfire present a threat to critical facilities and infrastructure. The following analysis discusses critical facilities and infrastructure. A separate analysis was performed on the critical facility inventory in the 460
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Amador County Planning Area to determine critical facilities in fire hazard severity zones. This was done for both SRA/FRA and LRA fire hazard severity zones. Using GIS, the SRA/FRA and LRA fire hazard severity zones were overlayed on the critical facility GIS layer. Figure 4-128 shows critical facilities, as well as the SRA/FRA fire hazard severity zones. Table 4-134 details critical facilities by SRA/FRA fire hazard severity zone by facility type and count for the Planning Area. Figure 4-129 shows critical facilities, as well as the LRA fire hazard severity zones. Table 4-135 details critical facilities by LRA fire hazard severity zone by facility type and count for the Planning Area. Details of critical facility category, type, name and address by SRA/FRA and LRA fire hazard severity zones are listed in Appendix F. 461
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Figure 4-128 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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Table 4-134 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones by Jurisdiction and Category
Jurisdiction/Fire Hazard Severity Zones/Critical Facility Category
Facility Count
Plymouth
High
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
High Total 1
Plymouth Total 1
Unincorporated Amador County
Very High
Essential Services 79
At Risk Population 4
Very High Total 83
High
Essential Services 36
At Risk Population 2
High Total 38
Moderate
Essential Services 23
At Risk Population 1
Moderate Total 24
Unincorporated Amador County Total 145
Unincorporated Alpine County
High
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
High Total 1
Unincorporated Alpine County Total 1
Grand Total 147
Source: CAL FIRE, Amador County GIS
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Figure 4-129 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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Table 4-135 Amador County Planning Area – Critical Facilities in LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones by Jurisdiction, Category, and Type
Jurisdiction/Fire Hazard Severity Zone/Critical Facility Category Facility Count Amador City
Very High
Essential Services 3
At Risk Population 0
Very High Total 3
Amador City Total 3
Ione
Very High
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
Very High Total 1
High
Essential Services 4
At Risk Population 1
High Total 5
Moderate
Essential Services 3
At Risk Population 2
Moderate Total 5
Non-Wildland
Essential Services 5
At Risk Population 2
Non-Wildland Total 7
Ione Total 18
Jackson
Very High
Essential Services 1
At Risk Population 0
Very High Total 1
High
Essential Services 17
At Risk Population 8
High Total 25
Moderate
Essential Services 8
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Jurisdiction/Fire Hazard Severity Zone/Critical Facility Category Facility Count At Risk Population 3
Moderate Total 11
Non-Wildland
Essential Services 8
At Risk Population 2
Non-Wildland Total 10
Jackson Total 47
Plymouth
High
Essential Services 2
At Risk Population 0
High Total 2
Moderate
Essential Services 2
At Risk Population 1
Moderate Total 3
Non-Wildland
Essential Services 4
At Risk Population 0
Non-Wildland Total 4
Plymouth Total 9
Sutter Creek
Very High
Essential Services 2
At Risk Population 3
Very High Total 5
High
Essential Services 5
At Risk Population 3
High Total 8
Sutter Creek Total 13
Grand Total 90
Source: CAL FIRE, Amador County GIS
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Natural, Historic, and Cultural Resources
Natural, historic, and cultural resources located within areas at risk to wildfire would be vulnerable. Should a wildfire occur in the Planning Area, the impacts to natural, historic, and cultural resources could be extensive and include air pollution, contamination from water runoff containing toxic products, and other environmental discharges or releases from burned materials affecting soils, habitat areas, wildlife, and aquatic resources. Historic and cultural resources can be affected and are often more vulnerable due to their older age, construction type, and lack of fire prevention infrastructure such as sprinklers.

FEMA NRI Hazard Vulnerability Assessment
The FEMA NRI was queried for additional specific data on Amador County’s vulnerability to Wildfire.

The NRI contains data and analysis for 18 separate natural hazards, including wildfire. As shown in Table 4-136, wildfires could cause a total of $7,534,156 in expected annual losses, with a historic loss rating of relatively moderate. Wildfire has a relatively moderate rating for both social vulnerability and community resilience, with a risk index score of 97.4 out of 100. According to the NRI, there have been 0 wildfire events during the 2021 data set with 0.59% annual chance per year.

Table 4-136 Amador County Planning Area – Wildfire Vulnerability Ratings from FEMA NRI NRI Hazard Hazard Risk Index
Rating*
Expected Annual
Loss Values
(total)**
Exposure Value
(total)***
Historic Loss Ratio
Rating
Wildfire 97.4 $7,534,156 $209,068,882,831 Relatively Moderate Source: FEMA NRI Report, retrieved 4/1/2025.
*Hazard Risk Index is calculated using data for only a single hazard type, and reflect a communities expected annual loss value, community risk factors, and the adjustment factor used to calculate the risk value. **Expected annual loss represents the average economic loss in dollars resulting from natural hazards each year. ***Exposure is a natural hazard consequence factor that is the representative value of buildings, populations, or agriculture potentially exposed to a natural hazard occurrence.

Additional information on the FEMA NRI can be found in Section 4.2 and Appendix G.

Impacts from Wildfire
Potential impacts from wildfire include loss of life and injuries; damage to structures (commercial, industrial, and residential) and other improvements, natural and cultural resources, croplands, and timber; and loss of recreational opportunities. Wildfires can cause short-term and long-term disruption to the Amador County Planning Area. Fires can have devastating effects on watersheds through loss of vegetation and soil erosion, which may impact the Planning Area by changing runoff patterns, increasing sedimentation, reducing natural and reservoir water storage capacity, and degrading water quality. Fires can also affect air quality in the Planning Area; smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Smoke impacts may come from wildfires outside the Planning Area, as well as from within.

Although the physical damages and casualties arising from wildland-urban interface fires may be severe, it is important to recognize that they also cause significant economic impacts by resulting in a loss of function of buildings and infrastructure. Economic impacts of loss of transportation and utility services may include 467
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traffic delays/detours from road and bridge closures and loss of electric power, potable water, and wastewater services. Schools and businesses can be forced to close for extended periods of time. Recently, the threat of wildfire, combined with the potential for high winds, heat, and low humidity, has caused PG&E to initiate a PSPS which can also significantly impact a community through loss of services, business closures, and other impacts associated with loss of power for an extended period. In addition, catastrophic wildfire can create favorable conditions for other hazards such as flooding, landslides, and erosion during the rainy season.

The impacts of a fire are felt long after the fire is extinguished. In addition to the loss of property in fires, the loss in vegetation and changes in surface soils alters the environment. When supporting vegetation is burned, hillsides become destabilized and prone to erosion. The burnt surface soils are harder and absorb less water. When winter rains come, this leads to increased runoff, erosion, and landslides in hilly areas.

Impacts that are not quantified, but can be anticipated in large future events, include:
➢ Injury and loss of life;
➢ Commercial and residential structural and property damage; ➢ Disruption of and damage to public infrastructure, utilities, and services; ➢ Damage to roads/bridges resulting in loss of mobility; ➢ Significant economic impact (jobs, sales, tax revenue) to the community; and ➢ Negative impact on commercial and residential property values Wildfire smoke can also have negative effects to those who live in or near a fire burn area. Smoke and air pollution from wildfires can be a severe health hazard. Significant wildfires occurring in nearby northern California communities since the previous LHMP Update have created significant air pollution affecting area residents. Planning Area residents have been affected by wildfire smoke and poor air quality, from fires both within the County and from those much further away.

The Amador County Air District noted that wildfire smoke impacts populations for days and weeks at a time. The County has no control on what wildfires burn or for how long. Poor air quality poses a health risk to all individuals. However, children, adolescents, pregnant women, the elderly, the immunocompromised and those with pre-existing chronic diseases and lung conditions are especially vulnerable to the compounding detrimental health impacts of poor air quality events. Wildfire smoke creates and often exacerbates poor air quality situations. Of the many harmful components that exist in wildfire smoke, one of the most dangerous is particulate matter (PM), specifically fine PM (PM2.5). The microscopic particles of PM2.5 are so fine that they are inhaled deep into the lungs and cross the blood-air barrier to enter the bloodstream. Short-term exposure over hours or days can lead to increased asthma attacks, acute bronchitis, increased susceptibility to respiratory infections and can lead to an increased risk of heart attack for individuals with lung disease.

Ground-level ozone is another air pollutant of concern because it is a strong irritant that can cause constriction of the airways, forcing the respiratory system to work harder to provide oxygen. It can also cause other health problems including aggravated respiratory disease such as emphysema, bronchitis and asthma, lung damage, wheezing, chest pain, dry throat, headache, nausea, reduced resistance to infection, increased fatigue and weakened athletic performance. While ozone is typically seen at its highest levels 468
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during the summer, wildfire plumes can increase ozone formation. With an increased number of prolonged wildfire smoke events impacting populations near and far from fire epicenters, it has become imperative to understand the health impact from acute and extended exposure to wildfire smoke.

Findings on this for Amador County include the following:
➢ Climate change is likely to exacerbate future wildfire conditions and associated impacts and vulnerability of the County to wildfire.
➢ Future population growth should be considered, as having more or less people in a community affects the overall hazard vulnerability to the County. Population growth in Amador County is expected to slowly continue. Additional growth within the WUI and other high fire hazard severity areas of the County would place additional populations at risk to wildfire. Additional population growth would likely bring continued diversity to the County. Vulnerable population groups could face disproportionate effects from wildfire and should be planned for. Changes in population and population patterns may or may not increase the impacts and vulnerability of the County to this hazard depending on the location and nature of growth and continued planning for future hazard conditions. ➢ Land use planning should be proactive to address future hazard conditions. Locating new development, structures and critical facilities and infrastructure within or near areas of wildfire risk may put additional development at risk. However, County building codes are in effect to reduce this risk and should be updated as necessary to continue to address future wildfire conditions. It should be noted that most of the growth in the County is occurring in areas outside the moderate or higher fire hazard severity zones.

Thus, depending on the location of new development and adherence to protective building codes, changes in land use and development may or may not increase the impacts and associated vulnerabilities of the County to this hazard.

GIS Analysis
Amador County provided five future development areas which were used as the basis for the inventory of future development for the unincorporated County. These were mapped in GIS. Figure 4-130 show the locations of the future development areas and SRA/FRA FHSZs. Table 4-137 shows the details of the future development areas that are located in each SRA/FRA FHSZ. Figure 4-131 shows the locations of 469
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the future development areas in the LRA FHSZ. As shown, all of these future development areas fall outside the LRA FHSZs, so no tabular analysis of LRA FHSZs is presented. 470
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Figure 4-130 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development in CAL FIRE SRA/FRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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Table 4-137 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development in SRA/FRA FHSZs with Parcel Counts and Acreages
Fire Hazard Severity Zone / Site/Map ID - Future
Development
Unimproved Parcel Count Total Unimproved Acres
High
B - SGI Quarry Expansion 1 50
C - Palisades Unit 6 1 13
D - Thunder Mountain 2 2.5
E - Timber Creek Townhomes 2 2
High Total 6 67.5
Moderate
A - Plymouth Casino 1 130
Moderate Total 1 130
Grand Total 7 197.5
Source: CAL FIRE, Amador County GIS
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Figure 4-131 Unincorporated Amador County – Future Development in CAL FIRE LRA Fire Hazard Severity Zones
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4.4 Capability Assessment
Thus far, the planning process has identified the natural hazards posing a threat to the Amador County Planning Area and described, in general, the vulnerability of the County to these risks. The next step is to assess what loss prevention mechanisms are already in place. This part of the planning process is the capability assessment. Combining the risk assessment with the capability assessment provides an overview of the County’s net vulnerability to disasters, and more accurately focuses the goals, objectives, and proposed actions of this Plan.

A two-step approach is used to conduct the Capability Assessment for each participating jurisdiction to this LHMP Update. First, an inventory of common mitigation activities was made through the use of matrixes.

The purpose of this effort was to identify policies and programs that were either in place, needed improvement, or could be undertaken if deemed appropriate. Second, an inventory and review of existing policies, regulations, plans, and programs was conducted to determine if they contributed to reducing hazard-related losses or if they inadvertently contributed to increasing such losses.

This section presents the County’s mitigation capabilities that are applicable to the unincorporated County.

These are in addition to, and supplement, the many plans, reports, and technical information reviewed and used for this LHMP Update as identified in Chapter 3 and in Chapter 4.

This assessment is divided into four sections: regulatory mitigation capabilities are discussed in Section

4.4.1; administrative and technical mitigation capabilities are discussed in Section 4.4.2; fiscal mitigation capabilities are discussed in Section 4.4.3; and mitigation education, outreach, and partnerships are discussed in Section 4.4.4.

4.4.1. Amador County’s Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities Table 4-138 lists planning and land management tools typically used by local jurisdictions to implement hazard mitigation activities and indicates those that are in place in unincorporated Amador County.

Excerpts from applicable policies, regulations, and plans and program descriptions follow to provide more detail on existing mitigation capabilities.

Table 4-138 Amador County Regulatory Mitigation Capabilities Plans
In Place
Y/N
Does the plan address hazards? Can the plan be used to
carry out mitigation actions? When was it last updated?? Capital Improvements Plan Y Plan is not hazard specific. 2011 Climate Change Adaptation Plan N
Community Wildfire Protection Plan Y Multiple plans exist for portions of the County. These are held by the Amador Fire Safe Council and updated when needed.

Comprehensive/Master Plan Y Plan addresses hazards and mitigation. Plan can be used to implement mitigation plans. 2016
Continuity of Operations Plan N
Economic Development Plan Y
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Land Use Plan Included within the County’s General Plan Local Emergency Operations Plan Y The County just updated it’s EOP, which was finalized in 2024 Stormwater Management Plan Y
Transportation Plan Y 2019
Other
Land Use Planning and Ordinances Y/N
Is the ordinance an effective way to reduce hazard
impacts?
Is the ordinance adequately administered and enforced?
Acquisition of land for open space and
public recreation use
Y
Building code Y Codes are enforced
Flood insurance rate maps Y Ordinance is effective and enforced.

Floodplain ordinance Y No. Needs update to reflect current standards Natural hazard-specific ordinance
(stormwater, steep slope, wildfire)
Y Fire and other ordinances are effective and enforced.

Subdivision ordinance Y Ordinance is effective and enforced.

Zoning ordinance Y Ordinance is effective and enforced.

Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? The Floodplain Ordinance still needs to be updated, but the changes are minimal in that new construction is required to be a foot above the 100-year floodplain. We require the extra foot of building elevation as a matter of practice, but it should be noted that we issue permits for structures in the floodplain once every two or three years.

As indicated in the tables above, Amador County has several plans and programs that guide the County’s mitigation of development of hazard-prone areas. Starting with the Amador County General Plan, which is the most comprehensive of the County’s plans when it comes to mitigation, some of these are described in more detail below.

Amador County General Plan (2016)
A general plan is a legal document, required by state law, that serves as a community's "constitution" for land use and development. The plan must be a comprehensive, long-term document, detailing proposals for the "physical development of the county or city, and of any land outside its boundaries which in the planning agency's judgment bears relation to its planning" (Government Code §65300 et seq.). Time horizons vary, but the typical general plan looks 10 to 20 years into the future. The law specifically requires that the general plan address seven topics or "elements." These are land use, circulation (transportation), housing, conservation, open space, noise, and safety. The plan must analyze issues of importance to the community, set forth policies in text and diagrams for conservation and development, and outline specific programs for implementing these policies.

Goals and policies related to mitigation from the General Plan include the following:
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Land Use Element
Goal LU-3 Ensure the provision of effective law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and animal control throughout the county.

Policy LU-3.2 Coordinate with fire districts to maintain and improve fire service levels in the county.

Policy LU-3.3 Increase community awareness regarding public safety, fire, and emergency response issues.

Goal LU-4 Ensure adequate wastewater treatment, storage, and disposal capacity exists to serve the county’s current and future demand.

Policy LU-4.2: Consider infrastructure availability and expansion in the evaluation of individual projects.

Policy LU-4.3 Support efforts by water purveyors to educate the public on how to reduce water use, and utilize reclaimed water.

Policy LU-4.4 Encourage countywide regional coordination and organizational structures to fully implement maximum recycled water reuse opportunities throughout the county Policy LU-4.5: Encourage and promote water conservation and reuse to reduce new effluent disposal needs.

Goal LU-6 Ensure that adequate water supply, wastewater disposal, and public services are available prior to development.

Policy LU-6.1 Ensure that new development is able to meet water supply, wastewater disposal, and public service standards.

Goal LU-12 Reduce fire risks to existing and future structures.

Policy LU-12.1 Ensure that appropriate levels of emergency services, including fire protection, can be demonstrated for new development.

Policy LU-12.2 Ensure that new roadways meet County standards for firefighting access. These standards include minimum width, surface, grade, radius, turnaround, turnout, and bridge standards, as well as limitations on one-way roads, dead-end roads, driveways, and gate entrances.

Policy LU-12.3 Continue to ensure that the County’s development code addresses evacuation and emergency vehicle access, water supplies and fire flow, fuel modification for defensible space, and home addressing and signing.

Policy LU-12.4 Ensure that new development or redevelopment in the Wildland-Urban Interface meets building and development standards to ensure adequate defensible space.

Conservation Element
Goal C-1 Ensure that all future development permitted in the county can be provided adequate amounts of water.

Policy C-1.1 Coordinate with the county’s water suppliers to ensure that water is available to serve both current and planned future residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural needs. Include upland areas in future water management plans.

Policy C-1.2 Guide future development to areas of the county where adequate water supplies can be ensured. 476
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Goal C-1 Ensure that all future development permitted in the county can be provided adequate amounts of water.

Policy C-1.3 Limit reliance on groundwater wells as sources for community water systems. Where possible, encourage connection of developments to existing water supply systems.

Policy C-1.4 Encourage new development, renovation, landscape, and agricultural projects to include water conservation measures, including use of graywater, reclaimed, or recycled water for irrigation, waterGoal C-2 Maintain and improve water supply planning and infrastructure.

Policy C-2.1: Encourage integrated management of surface water and groundwater resources, wastewater, stormwater treatment and use, and the development of reclaimed water.

Policy C-2.2: Encourage conjunctive use of groundwater and surface water by water agencies to improve water supply reliability.

Policy C-2.3 Support the county’s water suppliers, including public agencies and private entities within Amador County, in their efforts to protect water rights and water supply contracts.

Policy C-2.4 Pursue management strategies that develop upstream/ downstream interregional conjunctive use/water transfer programs to meet future water needs in Amador County.

Policy C-2.5 Support efforts by water and wastewater agencies to respond to state mandates addressing the future challenges posed by climate change.

Policy C-2.6 Reduce erosion and sediment loads which might limit the lifespan of existing water storage facilities.

Policy C-2.7 Promote development patterns and practices which permit the continued use and future development of water storage and power generation facilities on the county’s streams and rivers.

Policy C-2.8 Federal, state, and/or local designations of surface waters in or adjacent to the County (e.g., Federal Wild and Scenic River, National Recreation Area) are considered incompatible with the long-term water needs of Amador County.

Goal C-10 Reduce GHG emissions associated with automobile travel, electrical power generation and energy use.

Policy C-10.1 Evaluate the potential effects of climate change on the county’s human and natural systems and prepare strategies that allow the County to appropriately respond and adapt.

Policy C-10.2 Develop and adopt a comprehensive strategy to reduce GHGs within Amador County by at least 15 percent from current levels by 2020.

Policy C-10.3 Guide new development to areas where pedestrian and bicycle/NEV access to existing activity centers is possible, in order to reduce the need for automobile travel and VMT.

Policy C-10.4 Work with service providers to ensure that transit offerings in the county are stable or expanding, and that transit is tailored to meet residents’ needs.

Policy C-10.5 Require new development projects to incorporate building placement and design features to increase energy efficiency in new structures.

Policy C-10.6 Support green building through incentives for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification of new commercial, industrial, public, and multi-family residential buildings.

Promote incentives for compliance with this standard as a way to increase the energy efficiency of new structures. Promote increased energy efficiency and green building practices through the County’s use of these practices.

Policy C-10.7 Support parcel-scale energy generation, including addition of solar panels for residential structures and cogeneration for larger commercial or industrial uses. 477
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Goal C-10 Reduce GHG emissions associated with automobile travel, electrical power generation and energy use.

Policy C-10.8 Expand recycling and waste minimization efforts, including recycling of construction and demolition materials.

Safety Element
Goal S-1 Prevent loss of life or property from flooding.

Policy S-1.1 Direct future development (as defined in “Floodplain Management Regulations” set forth in the Amador County Code) to areas outside the floodway portion of the 100-year floodplain.

Policy S-1.2 Limit development in other areas prone to flooding, including the floodway fringe, other portions of floodplains and inundation areas. Require structures in these areas to incorporate floodproofing measures, including elevation above the 100-year floodplain profile.

Policy S-1.3 Reduce urban runoff and maintain the carrying capacity of floodplains or flood channels. Require provision of on-site retention and detention basins in new development applications as needed to reduce downstream flooding hazards.

Policy S-1.4 Designate agriculture, passive parks, open space, and other low intensity uses within floodplain areas.

Policy S-1.5 Provide for construction of dams and water retention facilities on agricultural lands to support agricultural land uses, consistent with state and federal law.

Goal S-2 Reduce fire risks to current and future structures.

Policy S-2.1 Consistent with state regulations and local code requirements, require new buildings to be constructed to provide fire-defensible spaces, separated from property lines and other buildings on the same or adjacent properties by adequate building setbacks clear of brush and fuel. Require new buildings in areas of moderate to high fire risk to be constructed using building materials and designs that increase fire resistance.

Policy S-2.2 Guide new development to areas where adequate fire protection, roads, and water service are available to support fire response.

Policy S-2.3 Incorporate fire safety site planning techniques within new development applications in high- or very-high fire risk areas. Encourage building envelope or cluster development techniques to increase defensible areas.

Policy S-2.4 Work with fire districts or other agencies and property owners to coordinate efforts to prevent wildfires and grassfires including consolidation of fuel buildup abatement efforts, firefighting equipment access, and water service provision.

Policy S-2.5 Work with fire districts and other agencies to educate the public regarding fire risks and periods of elevated or extreme risk due to drought or other factors.

Goal S-3 Maintain or improve fire response times.

Policy S-3.1 Support efforts by fire districts to obtain adequate funding to provide fire protection at desired levels. Implement impact fees if needed to provide adequate fire service.

Policy S-3.2 Encourage cooperation and regional agreements among fire districts and state and federal fire agencies
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Goal S-4 Protect people and property from seismic hazards.

Policy S-4.1 Enforce site-specific seismic design category requirements per the California Building Code (CBC) to minimize earthquake damage.

Policy S-4.2 Require minimum setbacks for habitable construction along streams between the stream bank and structure, based upon the susceptibility of the bank to seismic shaking-induced lurching.

Policy S-4.3 Discourage new construction of structures or improvements in or near a seismic risk area or geologic hazard area unless these projects meet design standards to minimize or eliminate seismic risk.

Goal S-5 Protect people and property from landslides, mudslides, and avalanches.

Policy S-5.1 Use the development review process to lessen the potential for erosion and landslides. Restrict site grading which steepens unstable slopes.

Policy S-5.2 Limit development in areas with high landslide, mudslide, or avalanche susceptibility.

Goal S-7 Respond appropriately and efficiently to natural or human-caused emergencies.

Policy S-7.1 Maintain a disaster response plan to coordinate response actions.

Policy S-7.2 Continue to coordinate with other local public safety and law enforcement agencies to ensure effective emergency response.

Policy S-7.3 Work with other agencies to designate evacuation routes for various natural or human-caused emergencies.

Policy S-7.4 Maintain the operational integrity of essential public Other Amador County Plans/Studies/Programs
Amador County Emergency Operations Plan (2024)
The Amador County Office of Emergency Services coordinates planning, preparedness, response, and recovery efforts for disasters in unincorporated Amador County. The Amador County Emergency Operations Plan addresses the County’s planned response to extraordinary emergency situations associated with natural disasters, technological incidents, and national security emergencies in or affecting Amador County.

Amador County Evacuation Procedures/Plan
The Amador County Sheriff's Office of Emergency Services would like the public to be prepared for evacuations and to be familiar with the evacuation terminology used by our Office. There is also a form that is designed to be distributed when time allows in an area to be evacuated. The front of the form will tell you what type of an emergency or disaster is occurring and what level of evacuation order is being issued. The back of the form gives instructions on evacuation and sheltering in place. 479
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An Emergency Evacuation means that citizens MUST leave the area IMMEDIATELY; their life is in danger. An Emergency Evacuation notice is issued when a hazard is moving towards an area and there is an immediate threat to life and property.

A Voluntary Evacuation means that the area is likely going to be impacted and it is encouraged that those residents willing and able to leave the area do so. The medically fragile or those with livestock or large pets may want to begin making transportation arrangements. Under this evacuation order citizens do not have to leave the area. It is, however, recommended that citizens begin making arrangements to leave.

Sheltering in your home or place of business means that citizens should NOT leave the safety of the building they are currently in to leave the area. In a number of instances residents are safer staying indoors, closing the windows, shutting off the heating and air systems and staying inside the building than they would be traveling through the disaster area.

Auxiliary Communications Service Plan
The County of Amador created this Auxiliary Communication Service plan as an emergency communications unit, designed to support emergency tactical, administrative, and logistical communications. Created in 2007, the program serves many functions such as skilled personnel, resources essential to public safety communications, and doesn’t require the declaration of an emergency to be utilized.

Amador County Warming and Cooling Centers Operations Guide (2024) The purpose of the Operations Guide is to identify actions to be taken during extreme weather events in Amador County by the Amador County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES) and the Amador County Department of Social Services. Through pre-planning and resource sharing, the goal is to mitigate and minimize extreme weather health impacts within the county. This guide should also be considered during prolonged utility outages that may result during extreme weather emergencies and the potential health-related issues that may arise. This guide is maintained by the Amador County Sheriff's OES.

In addition to the use of the Centers addressed in this guide, the County may consider opening local buildings and public facilities or extending hours of operation, such as community centers, senior centers, and libraries, to provide refuge from the weather. This guide does not address the operation of these sites, nor would they be operated by Social Services staff.

Sutter Amador Hospital Plans
Though not owned or operated by Amador County, due to its importance during hazard events, capabilities of the Sutter Amador Hospital are discussed here. The Sutter Amador Hospital has the following plans, policies, and capabilities for hazard preparedness and response:
➢ Code Orange Hazardous Response
➢ Code Red Fire Response
➢ Earthquake Response Plan
➢ Emergency Management Communication Plan
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➢ Emergency Operations Plan
➢ Flooding Plan
➢ Hazard Communication Program
➢ Hazardous Materials Resource Team
➢ Hospital Surge Response Policy
➢ Mass Notification Policy
➢ Multi-Mass Casualty Incident Plan
➢ Pandemic Influenzas Response Plan
Amador County Long Term Care Facility Evacuation Plan (2008) This plan is intended for all Long-Term Care Facilities in Amador County, including facilities which are licensed by the State of California and operating under Title 22 CCR. The objective of this plan is to ensure the orderly and timely movement of patients/residents from single or multiple facilities which need to be evacuated to a safe location.

Amador County Hazardous Materials Area Plan (2014)
Amador County is home to many businesses that manufacture, store, sell, use, and dispose of hazardous materials. Additionally, large volumes of hazardous materials are transported through the county on various transportation corridors such as highways and railway. It is essential that a response plan be developed and maintained to protect the public, environment and property from an accidental release involving chemicals.

This plan is known as the Amador County Hazardous Materials Area Plan, also referred to as the Area Plan.

It is an Annex to the County’s Emergency Operations Plan.

This Area Plan fulfills the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA) regulatory program requirements per Health and Safety Code 25503(c). Copies of the Area Plan are on file in the Emergency Operations Center (Cal EOC). The Area Plan can be used as a resource document in conjunction with the Amador County Emergency Operations Plan, and other local and state plans.

The Area Plan describes the County’s pre-incident planning and preparedness for hazardous materials releases. It clarifies the roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local agencies during a hazardous materials incident. It describes the County’s hazardous materials incident response program, training, communications, and post-incident recovery procedures.

Amador County & Calaveras County Regional Watershed Plan (2007) In 2006, in partnership with local governments and organizations in Amador County and Calaveras County, the LGC received additional funding to conduct this watershed planning project with communities in the two counties. The goal of the watershed planning process has been to support integration of local planning, stormwater management, watershed planning efforts. The process has also guided development of this regional watershed plan, which provides regionally appropriate solutions to challenges at the nexus of water and land use planning.
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Strategic Fire Plan Amador-El Dorado Unit (2024)
The goal of the Amador – El Dorado Unit of CAL FIRE is to reduce the loss of life, property, watershed values, and other assets at risk from wildfire through a focused pre-fire management program and increased initial attack success. The roadmap to accomplish this involves collaboration between stakeholders and communities who have different complexities as it relates to project implementation and priorities regarding the threat of a wildland fire. The purpose of this Strategic Fire Plan is to provide adequate direction to departmental staff and communities within the Administrative Unit to direct resources and personnel commitments towards the implementation of this Strategic Fire Plan. The Amador - El Dorado Unit PreFire Management Plan has been prepared with the following objectives in priority order. ➢ Support project work and planning efforts that encourage the development of safe ingress and egress routes for emergency incidents.
➢ Continue to provide operational training that will support safe and successful suppression operations. ➢ Utilize CAL FIRE and community resources to mitigate large and damaging wildfires with defensible fuel zone/fuels reduction projects at critical operational locations. ➢ Continue to support the implementation of fire safe clearance around structures. ➢ Support implementation of the 2008 WUI Building standards through cooperation with local government planning departments.
➢ Conduct incident analysis to evaluate Unit success in achieving the 95% threshold of keeping fires less than 10 acres in size.
➢ Educate the community on their role in the wildlands and support Fire Safe Council activities. ➢ Utilize prevention operations to reduce ignitions within the Unit. ➢ Nurture and build relationships with local public and private industries to develop cooperative project plans.
➢ Continually reassess local mitigation projects and update this Fire Plan Amador County Climate Change and Health Profile Report (2017) The Climate Change and Health Profile Report seeks to provide a county-level summary of information on current and projected risks from climate change and potential health impacts. This report represents a synthesis of information on climate change and health for California communities based on recently published reports of state agencies and other public data.

The content of this report was guided by a cooperative agreement between CDPH and the CDC ClimateReady States and Cities Initiative’s program Building Resilience Against Climate Effects. The goals of BRACE are to assist state health departments to build capacity for climate and health adaptation planning.

This includes using the best available climate science to project likely climate impacts, identifying climaterelated health risks and populations vulnerable to these impacts, assessing the added burden of disease and injury that climate change may cause, identifying appropriate interventions, planning more resilient communities, and evaluating to improve the planning effort. Communities with economic, environmental, and social disadvantages are likely to bear disproportionate health impacts of climate change.

This Climate Change and Health Profile Report is intended to inform, empower, and nurture collaboration that seeks to protect and enhance the health and well-being of all California residents. This report is part of a suite of tools that is being developed by the California Department of Public Health to support local, 482
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regional, and statewide efforts of the public health sector to build healthy, equitable, resilient, and adaptive communities ready to meet the challenges of climate change. Along with a county-level climate change and health vulnerability assessment and state guidance documents, such as Preparing California for Extreme Heat: Guidance and Recommendations, the profile provides a knowledge base for taking informed action to address climate change.

Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras (Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (2018) In November 2006, the Mokelumne/Amador/Calaveras (MAC) regional partners completed the MAC Integrated Regional Water Management Plan (IRWMP or Plan). The 2006 version of the MAC IRWMP (MAC Plan) was based on guidelines and standards included in Proposition 50 as interpreted by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). In September 2008, Governor Schwarzenegger signed SB X2 1, which contains appropriations for the IRWM program from Propositions 84 and 1E (Prop 84/1E) along with criteria that DWR must apply in updating statewide standards for IRWMPs. These revised State standards for IRWMPs were released in August of 2010 and provided the guidelines by which the MAC Plan Update will be prepared. The MAC Plan Update was developed to comply with the 2012 Guidelines that were finalized by DWR in December 2012.

The 2008 MAC IRWMP update began with a reconstituted stakeholder committee (called the Regional Participants Committee or RPC), the development of Governing Procedures to guide the RPC’s work, and the preparation of a Community Outreach Plan. The 2008 Update was conducted under a governance structure different than that developed for the original plan development. Specifically, the Upper Mokelumne River Watershed Authority (UMRWA), a regional water management group as defined by the California Water Code (CWC), assumed lead agency responsibility for the preparation and adoption of the updated IRWMP and established two subcommittees to oversee the document update. A Regional Participants Committee (or RPC) was formed to directly oversee the Plan update. The Board Advisory Committee was also established (replacing the earlier Steering Committee) with Board representatives from three UMRWA member agencies. This committee was charged with reconciling conflicts that may occur at the RPC, providing guidance to the Executive Officer and consultants, and ultimately recommending the updated plan for adoption by the UMRWA governing board. In addition to the updating of selected Plan sections in 2008, UMRWA also completed the Region Acceptance Process (RAP), as required by DWR, in order to become an approved IRWM region. Furthermore, because IRWM Plans are not required to follow the exact outline of the IRWM Plan Standards, the 2013 Plan Update applied a revised organization that provides a more logical progression of topics and information, hopefully making the Plan a more useful tool for the region’s water managers.

This 2018 MAC Plan Update was initiated to capture updated regional information since the 2013 MAC Plan was developed and respond to updated state requirements. All required Plan elements as identified in the 2016 IRWM Plan Standards are met by this MAC Plan 2018 Update, as summarized in the following table.
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Amador and Calaveras Counties Needs Assessment for Extreme Weather and Natural Disaster Prevention and Response Strategies (2022)
ACTC has developed an Extreme Weather and Natural Disaster Prevention and Response Strategies Needs Assessment Program with funding provided by Caltrans's Adaptation Planning Grant program. The Assessment Program is developing response strategies to mitigate potential natural disaster risks (primarily wildfire) within Amador and Calaveras counties.

Landforms, land cover types, and an uncertain but changing future climate put large portions of the Planning Area at risk of catastrophic wildfire and localized flooding damage. Results from predictive modeling completed by CAL FIRE's Fire and Resource Assessment Program (FRAP) show that expansive regions within Amador and Calaveras counties are located within high and very high Fire Hazard Severity Zones (FHSZ). Utility transmission corridors located within foothill elevations also contribute to elevated wildfire risk. Hundreds of miles of Amador County and Calaveras County roads are located within high and very high FHSZs.

A Community Vulnerability Model has been developed by ACTC to identify the relative risks to Amador County communities in preparation for and response to wildfire. This report evaluates important evacuation routes serving several high-risk communities and identifies potential ingress/egress impairments that may impact use of these routes during emergencies. These impairments include unmaintained defensible space, narrow roadway widths, and poor pavement condition This report also identifies additional information needed to further characterize and assess the potential performance of evacuation routes. These include locating, describing, and quantifying unmaintained defensible space (including encroaching vegetation) along roadsides, documenting roadway and shoulder widths and roadway turnouts, identifying and describing roadside drainage ditches, and locating and describing drainage under-crossings (culverts, bridges). Of these, the most critical need is the maintenance of defensible space along roadway evacuation routes.

Amador County Regional Transportation Plan (2024)
State law requires that the RTP be updated and submitted to the California Transportation Commission (CTC) every five years. Though updates are required every 5 years, in 2018, the ACTC elected to adopt a 4-year schedule to better coordinate with the 8-year Housing Element cycle required of local jurisdictions.

The purpose of the RTP is to identify the Region’s short-term and long-range transportation needs and to establish policies, programs, and projects designed to meet those needs. Regional transportation improvement projects that are included in the RTP and are prioritized for funding through the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (RTIP) are then submitted to the CTC for programming every two years as part of the State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Projects that are proposed for funding through other sources, such as state or federal competitive grant programs are submitted according to the requirements of individual programs. In either case, improvement projects proposed for funding must typically be identified through either a local or regional transportation planning process, such as the RTP. 484
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Community Wildfire Protection Plans
Many Community Wildfire Protection Plans have been put forward for various areas of the County. These are tracked and housed by the Amador Fire Safe Council. Existing CWPPs include:
➢ Amador County 2004 CWPP
➢ Pioneer/Volcano 2013 CWPP
➢ Greater Pine Grove 2013 CWPP
➢ High Country 2016 CWPP
Amador County Ordinances
The Amador County General Plan provides policy direction for land use, development, open space protection, and environmental quality; however, this policy direction must be carried out through numerous ordinances, programs, and agreements. The following ordinances are among the most important tools for implementing the General Plan and/or are critical to the mitigation of hazards identified in this plan.

Disaster Council (Amador County Code Title 2, Chapter 2.64) Chapter 2.64 of the Amador County Code provides for the preparation and execution of plans for the protection of persons and property within Amador County in the event of an emergency; to ensure the continuity of local government; to guarantee the direction of the emergency management organization; and to coordinate the emergency functions of this county with all other public agencies, corporations and affected private persons. The Sheriff is designated as the Director of Emergency Services.

Chapter 2.64 further creates the Disaster Council consisting of the following: The Sheriff/Director of Emergency Services or their designee who shall be Chairman; the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors or their designee who shall be Vice-Chairman; one representative from each city appointed by City Councils; one Fire representative appointed by the Fire Chief's Association; one Law representative appointed by the Chief of Police; one representative from the School District; one representative of each of the Special Districts/Tribes; Director/Agency heads of county departments having disaster responsibility or their designee; such representative of other organizations, either civic, business, labor, veterans, professional or other organizations having an official organization having disaster responsibility; and, the Emergency Services Coordinator. The Disaster Council is empowered to develop and recommend for adoption by the Board of Supervisors emergency operations plans or practices and such policies, ordinances, or resolutions necessary to implement such plans and practices. The Disaster Council meets on a quarterly basis.

Mitigations for New Development Projects in the Rock Creek Drainage Basin (Amador County Code Title 7, Chapter 7.88)
Whenever a development project within the Rock Creek drainage basin is approved by any agency, the public works agency shall impose on said development project mitigation measures sufficient to mitigate the development project's potential to flood Amador Plaza in the event of a one-hundred-year flood event. (Ord. 1567(part), 2003).
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Burning Permit and Regulations (Amador County Code Title 7, Chapter 7.32) It is unlawful for any person to set fire to or burn any brush, logs, stumps, fallen timber, fallows, slash or grass, brush, or forest covered land or any other inflammable material; and it is unlawful for any person to burn inflammable material in any incinerator, barbeque pit or outdoor cooking stove or other such device within any portion of the unincorporated area of the county between May 1st and the date the director of the department of forestry declares, by proclamation, that the hazardous fire conditions have abated for that year, or at any other time during any year when the director of the department of forestry has declared, by proclamation, that unusual fire hazard conditions exist in the area, unless such person first obtains a written permit to do so from the constituted fire control authority within the area wherein the fire is to be set, which permit shall be issued in writing and shall state the times at which and the terms and conditions subject to which said fire shall be permitted or said burning shall be done. (Ord. 1049 §2, 1985).

Every person owning, leasing, controlling or operating any cabin, house, hotel, apiary, or other building or structure in the county, and every person leasing or controlling any such land shall at all times do all the following: maintain upon said land, around or adjacent to said cabin, house, hotel, apiary or other building or structure for a distance of not less than fifteen feet from the exterior walls or surfaces thereof; or to his or its property line, whichever is the lesser distance; provided, however, that this section shall not apply to trees, except where dead, or where the foliage of said trees shall be within ten feet of a chimney, nor shall it apply to evergreen vegetation where growing and preserved for decorative effect. (Ord. 1049 §5, 1984).

Weeds and Shrubs (Amador County Code Title 7, Chapter 7.28) It is unlawful for any person or persons owning or possessing land in the county to permit the Scotch or Canada thistle to mature and disseminate its seed on land so owned or possessed by such person. The agricultural commissioner of Amador County, whenever he deems it necessary, may enter upon and make an inspection of any area of land located in the unincorporated territory of the county for the purpose of detecting the presence thereon of broom, and if any of said broom is found to be growing upon said area or any part of the same, he may notify in writing the record owner or person in charge or in possession of said premises of the presence and approximate location of such broom and require such person to eradicate and destroy the same, to the satisfaction of said agricultural commissioner, within a period of thirty days after such notice, or within the further extension thereof in writing signed by said commissioner, or within said period of time or such extension thereof to give his consent in writing to said agricultural commissioner authorizing said commissioner or his duly authorized representative to enter upon said premises for the purpose of removing or treating such broom at public expense.

Well Drilling Permits and Standards (Chapter 14.06)
Where the well is a water supply to serve a new single-family dwelling, no storage shall be required if and when rated well yield, based on a minimum thirty-minute air lift test, is five gallons per minute or greater.

If the rated yield is from one-half to less than five gallons per minute, a minimum of two thousand gallons storage shall be provided in addition to any storage required by applicable fire regulation requirements. If the rated yield is less than one-half gallon per minute, the well shall not be considered adequate to support a single-family dwelling unless a proposal by a licensed well drilling contractor, licensed pump contractor or registered professional engineer has been submitted for review and approved by the department 486
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proposing storage or other design features that must be implemented as a condition of well permit final approval.

Where the well is a water supply to serve two, three or four dwellings, the minimum required yield shall be ten, fifteen or twenty gpm, respectively. If the rated yield does not meet this standard, a proposal by a registered professional engineer shall be submitted for review and approval by the department proposing storage or other design features that must be implemented as a condition of well permit final approval.

Where the well is a water supply to serve nonresidential or mixed uses, the applicant shall retain a registered professional engineer to submit a proposal for review and approval by the department describing water demand and proposing storage or other design features that must be implemented as a condition of well permit final approval.

This section shall not apply to wells intended solely for nondomestic use. (Ord. 1730 §2(part), 2013).

BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION - (Amador County Code Title 15)

15.04 Adoption of Uniform Building and Related Codes.

Except as hereinafter provided, the following building codes are adopted by reference as the rules and regulations governing the construction, alteration, moving, demolition, repair, use, change of use and occupancy of any building or structure within the county (except work located primarily in a public way, public utility towers and poles, mechanical equipment not specifically regulated in said codes, and hydraulic flood control structures):
➢ California Administrative Code, 2019 Edition, as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 1, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Building Standards Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council and amended by the California Building Standards Commission, the State Department of Housing and Community Development, the Division of State Architect, the Office of the State Fire Marshal, the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, the California Energy Commission, and the Building Standards Commission, Title 24, Part 2, Volumes 1 and 2, of the California Code of Regulations, together with the following appendices: Appendix A (Employee Qualifications), Appendix B (Board of Appeals), Appendix C (Group U-Agricultural Buildings), Appendix D (Fire Districts), Appendix F (Rodent Proofing), Appendix G (Flood-Resistant Construction), Appendix H (Signs), Appendix I (Patio Covers), Appendix J (Grading), Appendix K (Group R-3 and R3.1 Occupancies Protected by the Facilities of the Central Valley Flood Protection Program), and Appendix L (Earthquake Recording Instrumentation).
➢ California Residential Code, 2019 Edition, as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in the California Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 2.5, of the California Code of Regulations together with the following appendices: Appendix A (Sizing and Capacities of Gas Piping), Appendix B (Sizing of Venting Systems Serving Appliances Equipped with Draft Hoods, Category I Appliances, and Appliances Listed for use with Type B Vents), Appendix C (Exit Terminals of Mechanical Draft and Direct-Vent Venting Systems), Appendix D (Recommended Procedure for Safety Inspection of an Existing Appliance Installation), Appendix E (Manufactured Housing Used as Dwellings), Appendix F (Passive Radon Gas Controls), Appendix G (Piping Standards for Various Applications), Appendix H (Patio Covers), Appendix J (Existing Buildings and Structures), Appendix 487
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K (Sound Transmission), Appendix M (Home Day Care R-3 Occupancy), Appendix N (Venting Methods), Appendix O (Automatic Vehicular Gates), Appendix P (Sizing of Water Piping Systems, Appendix R (Light Straw-Clay Construction), Appendix S (Straw Bale Construction), Appendix T (Recommended Procedure for Worst-Case Testing of Atmospheric Venting Systems Under N1102.4 or N1105 Conditions ≤ 5ACH50, Appendix U (Solar-Ready Provisions--Detached One- and TwoFamily Dwellings, Multiple Single-Family Dwellings (Townhouses)), Appendix V (Swimming Pool Safety Act), Appendix W (Areas Protected by the Facilities of the Central Valley Flood Protection Plan).
➢ California Electrical Code, 2019 Edition, based on the 2017 Edition National Electric Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 3, of the California Code of Regulations. ➢ California Mechanical Code, 2019 Edition, based on the 2018 Uniform Mechanical Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 4, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Plumbing Code, 2019 Edition, based on the 2018 Uniform Plumbing Code as published by the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 5, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Energy Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 6, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Historical Building Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 8, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Fire Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 9, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Existing Building Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 10, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Green Building Standards Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 11, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ California Referenced Standards Code, 2019 Edition, as published by the International Code Council (ICC) and as adopted and amended by the California Building Standards Commission in Title 24, Part 12, of the California Code of Regulations.
➢ International Property Maintenance Code, 2018 Edition (2018 is the most current edition), as published by the International Code Council (ICC). (Ord. 1791 §2(part), 2019).

Floodplain Management Regulations (Amador County Title 15, Chapter 15.16)

15.16.030 Statement of purpose.

It is the purpose of this chapter to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions in specific areas by provisions designed to:
➢ Protect human life and health;
➢ Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood-control projects; 488
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➢ Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public;
➢ Minimize prolonged business interruptions;
➢ Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard; ➢ Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard so as to minimize future blighted areas caused by flood damage; ➢ Ensure that potential buyers are notified that property is in an area of special flood hazard; and ➢ Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions. (Ord. 1503(part), 2000).

15.16.040 Methods of reducing flood losses.

In order to accomplish its purposes, this chapter includes methods and provisions for:
➢ Restricting or prohibiting uses which are dangerous to health, safety, and property due to water or erosion hazards, or which result in damaging increases in erosion or flood heights or velocities; ➢ Requiring that uses vulnerable to floods, including facilities which serve such uses, be protected against flood damage at the time of initial construction;
➢ Controlling the alteration of natural floodplains, stream channels, and natural protective barriers, which help accommodate or channel floodwaters;
➢ Controlling filling, grading, dredging and other development which may increase flood damage; and ➢ Preventing or regulating the construction of flood barriers which will unnaturally divert floodwaters or which may increase flood hazards in other areas. (Ord. 1503(part), 2000).

Fire and Life Safety Regulations (Amador County Title 15, Chapter 15.30)

15.30.440Fire management plans.

A fire management plan may be required for any project if the project will have a significant effect on the provisions of fire protection services or when such a plan is necessary to achieve the same practical effect as the requirements of this chapter.

A fire management plan shall address the following:
➢ Impact on the pertinent fire protection agency’s ability to provide service; ➢ Availability of fire protection water to the site;
➢ Ingress/egress and circulation, ability for vehicles to access two-lane roadways; ➢ Fire hazards existing within the project, including a fuel modification plan prepared by a registered professional forester when deemed necessary by the director; ➢ Requirements of this chapter that cannot be met due to project design or other constraints; ➢ Fire protection measures that are consistent with the provisions of this chapter or recognized fire protection standards; and
➢ Provisions for annual maintenance, which shall be included in development plans and road maintenance agreements, or as a condition of the permit of map approval. (Ord. 1778 §2 (part), 2018). 489
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15.30.400 Setback of structures for defensible space.

All parcels one acre and larger shall provide a minimum thirty-foot setback for buildings and accessory buildings from all property lines and/or the center of a road. In order to demonstrate the same overall practical effect, a request for deviation must be accompanied by an easement or similar documentation of an irrevocable right to access the adjoining property to maintain a firebreak by removing and clearing away all flammable vegetation and other combustible growth within thirty feet of the building.

For parcels less than one acre, provide for the same practical effect. (Ord. 1799 §5, 2020; Ord. 1778 §2 (part), 2018).

15.30.430 Maintenance of defensible space.

The intent of this regulation is to provide guidance for implementation of Public Resources Code Section 4291(a) and (b), and minimize the spread of fire within a one-hundred-foot zone around a building or structure.
➢ A person that owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining any mountainous area, forest-covered lands, brush-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or any land that is covered with flammable material, and is within state responsibility area, shall do the following:
✓ Within thirty feet from each building or structure, maintain a firebreak by removing and clearing away all flammable vegetation and other combustible growth pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 4291(a). Single specimens of trees or other vegetation may be retained, provided they are well spaced, well pruned, and create a condition that avoids spread of fire to other vegetation or to a building or structure.
✓ Within the thirty-foot to one-hundred-foot zone (reduced fuel zone) from each building or structure (or to the property line, whichever is nearer to the structure), provide a fuel break by disrupting the vertical and/or horizontal continuity of flammable and combustible vegetation with the goal of reducing fire intensity, inhibiting fire in the crowns of trees, reducing the rate of fire spread, and providing a safer environment for fire fighters to suppress wildfire pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 4291(b).
➢ Any vegetative fuels identified as a fire hazard by the fire inspection official of the authority having jurisdiction shall be removed or modified, provided it is required by subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section.
➢ Within the intent of the regulations, the fire inspection official of the authority having jurisdiction may approve alternative practices which provide for the same practical effects as the stated guidelines. ➢ Guidance for implementation of this regulation is contained in the publication "General Guidelines for Creating Defensible Space" as published by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection by resolution adopted on February 8, 2006.
➢ Fuel modification shall be required to a width of ten feet on each side of a road by reducing ground fuels to less than eighteen inches in height and by maintaining tree and shrub separations necessary to reduce fuel loading. (Ord. 1778 §2 (part), 2018).

Erosion Control Ordinance (Amador County Code Title 15, Chapter 15.40) This chapter sets forth rules and regulations by which excavation, grading, and earthwork construction, including fills and cuts, embankments, and impoundment structures (collectively "excavation") are to be 490
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reviewed and permitted by the county. It establishes an administrative procedure for the issuance of required permits involving excavation, the approval of plans and inspection of all permitted excavation, and the establishment of measures to control erosion and other adverse impacts of excavation ("erosion control measures"). (Ord. 1619 §2(part), 2020).

All permits issued by the county causing land disturbance shall include erosion control measures except for permits and reclamation plans which are separately reviewed and permitted. Those permits covered by this chapter include but are not limited to conditional use permits, on-site septic system permits, county road encroachment permits, well permits and grading permits. All building permits shall include erosion control measures as part of the building permit. (Ord. 1619 §2(part), 2020).

Amador County Board of Supervisors Resolution No. 99-273 This resolution adopts the policy pursuant to Division 12, Part 5 of the California Health and Safety Code that vacant parcels in subdivisions, that are ten acres or smaller, will be declared a public nuisance and owner will be noticed to destroy weeds if the CAL FIRE or other authorized fire official verifies that the weeds constitute a fire hazard.

Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance (Amador County Code Title 19) The Amador County Zoning Code has been adopted by the County and is used:
➢ To assist in providing a definite plan of development for the county, and to guide, control and regulate the future growth of the county, in accordance with said plan; ➢ To protect the character and the social and economic stability of agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, and other areas within the county and to assure the orderly and beneficial development of such areas;
➢ To obviate the menace of the public safety resulting from the location of buildings and the uses thereof, and of land adjacent to highways which are a part of the streets and highways plan of the county, or which are important thoroughfares, in such manner as to cause interference with existing or prospective traffic movements on said highways.
➢ To encourage the most appropriate use of land; to conserve, protect and stabilize the value of property; to provide adequate open space for light and air; to prevent undue concentration of population; to lessen congestion on the streets; to facilitate adequate provisions for community utilities such as transportation, water, sewer, schools, parks and other publicly owned facilities; and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare.

No building or structure shall be erected, reconstructed or structurally altered in any manner, nor shall any building or land be used for any purpose, other than as permitted by and in conformance with this title and all ordinances, laws and maps referred to in this Chapter.

Subdivision Ordinance (Amador County Code Title 17)
Amador County’s subdivision ordinance regulates the design and improvement of land divisions and the dedication of public improvements needed in connection with land divisions. It is the purpose of this title to encourage new concepts and innovations in the arrangement of building sites within subdivisions. 491
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Deviations from the traditional mechanical approach to the subdivision of land are encouraged in order to facilitate the ultimate development of the land in a manner that will be commensurate with contemporary living patterns and technological progress.

4.4.2. Amador County’s Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities
Table 4-139 identifies the County personnel responsible for activities related to mitigation and loss prevention in the County.

Table 4-139 Amador County Administrative/Technical Mitigation Capabilities Administration
In
Place
Y/N
Describe capability
Is coordination effective?
Staff
Is staffing adequate to enforce regulations?
Is staff trained on hazards and mitigation?
Is coordination between agencies and staff effective?
Chief Building Official Y Staffing is adequate and staff is trained on hazards and mitigation. There is sufficient coordination between agencies and staff.

Civil Engineer, including dam and levee
safety
Y Staffing is adequate and staff is trained on hazards and mitigation. There is sufficient coordination between agencies and staff.

Community Planner Y Staffing is adequate and staff is trained on hazards and mitigation. There is sufficient coordination between agencies and staff.

Emergency Manager Y Staffing is adequate and staff is trained on hazards and mitigation. There is sufficient coordination between agencies and staff.

Floodplain Administrator Y Staffing is adequate and staff is trained on hazards and mitigation. There is sufficient coordination between agencies and staff.

GIS Coordinator N
Planning Commission Y Staffing is adequate and staff is trained on hazards and mitigation. There is sufficient coordination between agencies and staff.

Other
Technical Y/N
Has capability been used to assess/mitigate risk in the past?
Grant writing Y Yes – grant writers have helped write hazard mitigation grants for Cal OES and FEMA grants.
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Hazard data and information Y The impact fees collected for new development (traffic, fire, parks, school, and county facilities) aren't direct funding resources for hazard prevention or mitigation, although fees collected by the fire districts might be indirectly used toward fire prevention. The County could establish a capital improvement plan for hazard mitigation, but the actual source and amount of funding are uncertain.

GIS analysis Y
Mutual aid agreements Y Amador Transit
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? GIS files of hazard layers could be used by staff to better identify various risks and development constraints when preparing project CEQA analyses. A GIS coordinator may need to be hired.

4.4.3. Amador County’s Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities
Table 4-140 identifies financial tools or resources that the County could potentially use to help fund mitigation activities.

Table 4-140 Amador County Fiscal Mitigation Capabilities Funding Resource
In Place
Y/N
Has the funding resource been used in past
and for what type of activities?
Could the resource be used to fund future
mitigation actions?
Capital improvements project funding Y
Community Development Block Grant Y Mostly used for AWA infrastructure improvements.

Federal funding programs (non-FEMA) N
Fees for water, sewer, gas, or electric services N
Impact fees for new development Y Current fees –no; future fees - yes State funding programs Y Cal OES, Cal EPA, CA DWR grants.

Stormwater utility fee N
Other
How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Impact fees for new development are being implemented slowly. Board approval is needed for many of these items.

Budgets and avenues for generating revenue are always being considered.

4.4.4. Amador County Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Table 4-141 identifies education and outreach programs and methods already in place that could be/or are used to implement mitigation activities and communicate hazard-related information. 493
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Table 4-141 Amador County Mitigation Education, Outreach, and Partnerships Program/Organization
In Place
Y/N
How widespread are each of these in your
community?
Community newsletters Y Limited to only some Districts and Communities
Hazard awareness campaigns (such as Firewise,
Storm Ready, Severe Weather Awareness Week,
school programs, public events)
Y Amador Fire Safe Council
Local news Y Amador Ledger Newspaper, KVGC Radio
Organizations that interact with underserved and
vulnerable communities
Y Operation Care (Domestic Violence victims),
Sheriff’s Office HART (Homeless Amador
React Team), Amador County Homeless Task
Force/Outreach (I’m not familiar w/them),
Victory Village (for Veterans)
Social media Y Sheriff’s Office mobile app and Facebook How can these capabilities be expanded and improved to reduce risk? Amador County can expand its current outreach by adding quarterly emergency alert recruitment pushes, reminding residents to sign up and stay connected. Social media efforts can be broadened to Instagram, Nextdoor, and X, reaching more demographics. Firewise Community expansion will increase neighborhood-level wildfire resilience. A local Preparedness Guide, available in print and online, will provide consistent, accessible information for all hazards.

Seasonal severe weather campaigns will deliver timely preparedness messages through schools, organizations, and media. Together, these actions will strengthen public engagement, broaden partnerships, and reduce overall disaster risk

4.4.5. Other Mitigation Efforts
In addition to the tables above, the County noted the following mitigation efforts.

Amador County Public Health has put together a Public Health Preparedness App. It is dedicated to coordinating efforts to limit the health impact of emergencies within Amador County. The program facilitates partnerships with public health departments, local governments, educational institutions, community organizations, and healthcare providers. By working together, it strengthen the ability to coordinate emergency preparedness activities and respond swiftly to emerging threats.

Amador County Public Works has multiple projects currently underway related to mitigation. This includes:
➢ Carbondale Bridge over Willow Creek at Forest Home: Beginning in June 2024, Amador County Transportation and Public Works began replacing the Carbondale Road bridge over Willow Creek near Forest Home Road. The project includes the removal of the existing bridge structure and replacing it with a new bridge structure with a wider deck and improved railings. The roadway alignment will remain unchanged; however, the new roadway profile will be raised approximately four feet. ➢ Bridge Replacement Projects - 3 Bridges:
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✓ Fiddletown Road Bridge: The Fiddletown Road Bridge, constructed in 1923, is a 32.8-foot long, 2-lane concrete arch bridge that spans over North Fork Dry Creek. The project is to remove the existing structure and reconstruct with a bridge to provide pedestrian and vehicle access. Currently, the County is completing right-of-way and permitting.
✓ Old Amador Road Bridge: The Old Amador Road Bridge, constructed in 1925, is a 65-foot long, 2-span bridge that spans over Rancheria Creek. The project is to remove the existing structure and reconstruct with a bridge to provide pedestrian and vehicle access. Currently, the County is completing the environmental review and design.
✓ Bell Road Bridge: The project will replace the existing structurally deficient bridge, constructed in 1925. The roadway at the bridge will conform to the existing roadway at approximately 400-feet from each side of the bridge. The new bridge would accommodate one 12-foot wide travel lane and two 2-foot wide shoulders. Currently, the County is completing environmental review and design.
➢ Upper Ridge Road Improvements Project: Amador County has secured funds in the amount of $2,300,000 for repairs and safety improvements along Upper Ridge Road, a 3.04-mile section of road from Climax Road to Highway 88 in Pine Grove. This funding is through the Priority Legislative Budget Project administered by the California Department of Transportation. Engineering design has been completed with construction of the improvements to occur in Fall 2025.

Wildfire guidance and resources are provided through County website. This includes:
➢ Fuel breaks implemented by ARCD/AFSC
➢ I/E assistance provided by AFSC
➢ CWPP by AFSC from 2016 High Country Community Wildfire Protection Plan - Amador Fire Safe Council

4.5 Natural Hazards Summary
As detailed in the hazard identification section, those hazards identified as a high or medium significance in Table 4-142 are considered priority hazards for mitigation planning. Those hazards that occur infrequently or have little or no impact in the Amador County Planning Area were determined to be of low significance and not considered a priority hazard. Significance was determined based on the hazard profile, focusing on key criteria such as frequency, extent, and resulting damage, including deaths/injuries and property, natural and cultural resources, and economic damage. The ability of a jurisdiction to reduce losses through implementation of existing and new mitigation measures was also considered as to the significance of a hazard. This assessment was used to prioritize those hazards of greatest significance in the Amador County Planning Area, enabling the County and participating jurisdictions to focus resources where they are most needed.

Table 4-142 Hazard Identification and Initial Determination of Priority Hazards Hazard Likelihood of Future
Occurrence
Vulnerability Priority
Hazard
Agricultural Hazards (severe
weather/pests/invasive species)
Highly Likely High Y
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Hazard Likelihood of Future
Occurrence
Vulnerability Priority
Hazard
Avalanche Likely Medium N
Climate Change Likely Medium Y
Dam Failure Unlikely High Y
Drought & Water shortage (w/tree mortality) Likely High Y Earthquake (w/subhazards) Unlikely Extremely High Y
Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee
failure)
Occasional/Unlikely High Y
Floods: Localized Stormwater Highly Likely Medium Y
Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow Likely Medium Y
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and
Snow
Highly Likely Medium Y
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Highly Likely Medium Y
Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms (Hail,
Lightning)
Highly Likely Medium Y
Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes Highly Likely Medium Y Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) Highly Likely Extremely High Y 496
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Chapter 5 Mitigation Strategy
44 CFR §201.6(c)(3) and §201.7(c)(3): [The plan shall include] a mitigation strategy that provides the jurisdiction’s blueprint for reducing the potential losses identified in the risk assessment, based on existing authorities, policies, programs and resources, and its ability to expand on and improve these existing tools.

This section describes the mitigation strategy process and mitigation action plan for this 2025 Amador County LHMP Update. It describes how all the participating jurisdictions met the following requirements from the 10-step planning process:
➢ Planning Step 6: Set Goals
➢ Planning Step 7: Review Possible Activities
➢ Planning Step 8: Draft an Action Plan

5.1 Mitigation Strategy: Overview
The results of the planning process, the risk assessment, the goal setting, the identification of mitigation actions, and the hard work of the HMPC led to the mitigation strategy and mitigation action plan for this LHMP Update. As part of the LHMP Update process, a comprehensive review and update of the mitigation strategy portion of the 2020 Amador County LHMP was conducted. Some of the initial goals and objectives from the previous LHMP were refined and reaffirmed, some goals were deleted, and others were added.

The end result was a new set of goals, to reflect the completion of, or progress towards the 2020 mitigation actions, the updated risk assessment, and the new priorities of participating jurisdictions and this 2025 LHMP Update.

To support the updated mitigation strategy including updated goals, the mitigation actions from the 2020 LHMP were reviewed and assessed for their value in reducing risk and vulnerability to the Amador County Planning Area from identified hazards and further evaluated for their inclusion in this LHMP Update (See Chapter 2 What’s New). Section 5.2 below identifies the new goals and objectives of this 2025 LHMP Update and Section 5.4 details the new mitigation action plan.

Taking all of the above into consideration, the participating jurisdictions and HMPC developed the following umbrella mitigation strategy for this LHMP Update:
➢ Communicate the hazard information collected and analyzed through this planning process as well as mitigation success stories so that the community better understands what can happen where and what they themselves can do to be better prepared.
➢ Implement the mitigation action plan recommendations of this Plan. ➢ Use existing rules, regulations, policies, and procedures already in place. ➢ Monitor multi-objective management opportunities so that funding opportunities may be shared and packaged, and broader constituent support may be garnered. 497
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5.1.1. Continued Compliance with NFIP
Given the nature and extent of the flood hazard in the Amador County Planning Area, an emphasis will be placed on continued compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by all communities.

This Chapter 5 of the Base Plan for the County and the jurisdictional annexes for the five cities, as the six eligible NFIP communities, provides an overview of their flood management programs and continued compliance with the NFIP. Although the participating districts to this LHMP Update are not eligible NFIP communities, many of their mitigation actions and projects contain measures to promote effective floodplain management throughout the Amador County Planning Area.

To participate in the NFIP a community must adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations that meet or exceed the minimum requirements of the Program. These requirements are intended to prevent loss of life and property and to reduce taxpayer’s costs for disaster relief as well as minimize economic and social hardships that result from flooding. Participation in the NFIP provides a community with access to flood insurance.

Detailed below is a description of the County’s flood management program to ensure continued compliance with the NFIP. Also to be considered are the flood mitigation actions contained in this LHMP that support the ongoing efforts by the County to minimize the risk and vulnerability of the community to the flood hazard and to enhance their overall floodplain management program.

Amador County’s Flood Management Program
Amador County has participated in the Regular Phase of the NFIP since September 24, 1984. Since then, the County has administered floodplain management regulations that meet the minimum requirements of the NFIP. Under that arrangement, residents and businesses paid the same flood insurance premium rates as most other communities in the country.

The Community Rating System (CRS), a voluntary program under the NFIP, was created in 1990. It is designed to recognize floodplain management activities that go above and beyond the NFIP’s minimum requirements. If a community implements public information, mapping, regulatory, loss reduction and/or flood preparedness activities and submits the appropriate documentation to FEMA, then its residents can qualify for a flood insurance premium rate reduction. The County does not currently participate in the CRS program.

Presently, the County manages its floodplains in compliance with NFIP requirements and implements a floodplain management program designed to protect the people and property of the County. Floodplain regulations are a critical element in local floodplain management and are a primary component in the County’s participation in the NFIP.

The County will continue to manage their floodplains in continued compliance with the NFIP. An overview of the County’s NFIP status and floodplain management program is discussed on Table 5-1. 498
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Table 5-1 Amador County NFIP Status
NFIP Topic Comments
Staff Resources
Who is responsible for floodplain management in your
community? Provide Department/Title. Do they serve any
roles other than Community Floodplain Administrator
(FPA)?
Planning Director. They serve in other roles as well.

Is the Community FPA or NFIP Coordinator a Certified
Floodplain Manager?
No
Is floodplain management an auxiliary function? Auxiliary Provide an explanation of NFIP administration services
(e.g., permit review, GIS, education or outreach, inspections, engineering capability)
Permit review, GIS, Inspections, and (minimal)
education. (No outreach, No engineering)
What are the barriers to running an effective NFIP program in the community, if any?
Staffing & associated expenses.

Insurance Summary
How many NFIP policies are in the community? What is the total premium and coverage?
23 policies
$23,560 in annual premiums
$4,709,000 of insurance in force
How many claims have been paid in the community? What
is the total amount of paid claims? How many of the claims were for substantial damage?
17 paid losses
$365,920.56in paid claims.
2 substantial damage claims
How many structures (residential and non-residential) are exposed to flood risk within the community?
534 in 1% annual chance flood zone
2 in 0.2% annual chance flood zone
Are there Repetitive Loss (RL) and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties (SRL) structures in the community?
2 RL
0 SRL
Describe any areas of flood risk with limited NFIP policy coverage
No known places of limited coverage
How does the community teach property owners or other
stakeholders about the importance of flood insurance?
N/A. Banks will determine if homes are in the
floodplain, then require flood insurance. (Rely on
external sources).

What digital sources (like the FEMA Map Service Center, National Flood Hazard Layer) or non-regulatory tools does the community use?
FEMA Map Service Center, National Flood Hazard
Layer.

Compliance History
Is the community in good standing with the NFIP? Y
Are there any outstanding compliance issues (i.e., current violations)?
N
Who is responsible (Department, Title) for making
substantial damage/improvement determinations? How does the community identify substantially damaged/improved
structures? What is the process to make sure these
structures are brought into compliance?
Planning Director Chuck Beatty and Chief Building
Official, Todd Barr. In the past, they've used an
estimate for repair from a Contractor, then compared
that number to the assessed value. What process:

Building Codes, Permits, Inspections, and an Elevation
Survey.

When was the most recent Community Assistance Visit
(CAV) or Community Assistance Contact (CAC)?
9/22/2017 CAV
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NFIP Topic Comments
Is a CAV or CAC scheduled or needed? No
Regulation
When did the community enter the NFIP? 9/24/1984
Are the FIRMs digital or paper? Digital
Has the community adopted the NFIP minimum floodplain
management criteria via local regulation? Date of current local regulation?
No, the current Floodplain Development Ordinance
was adopted in 2000. However, the County applies the
required 2-foot clearance above floodplain elevation for new construction.

Has the community adopted the latest effective FIRM? Date adopted?
Yes, the latest FIRMs have an effective date of May 20, 2010.

How does the community enforce local floodplain
regulations and monitor compliance?
Projects are evaluated during the building permit plancheck review process. If a floodplain permit is needed, an Elevation Certificate is required for lowest floor
level.

Do floodplain development regulations meet or exceed
FEMA or State minimum requirements? If so, in what ways? Meet minimum requirements.

How are Letters of Map Change (LOMCs) tracked and
compiled?
New DFIRMs are downloaded regularly which include
the latest LOMCs, LOMRs, and CLOMRs
Provide an explanation of the permitting process. Site plans are reviewed to ensure projects are outside SFHAs or Elevation Certificates are provided for
projects within SFHAs
Community Rating System
Does the community participate in CRS? If so, what is the community's CRS Class Ranking?
No
What categories and activities provide CRS points and how can the class be improved?
N/A
Does the plan include CRS planning requirements? N/A
Source: FEMA CIS, FEMA PIVOT, Amador County
*FEMA CIS and PIVOT databases record this data differently; thus results utilized differ depending on the source.

5.1.2. Integration of Mitigation with Post Disaster Recovery and Mitigation Strategy Funding Opportunities
Hazard mitigation actions are essential to weaving long-term resiliency into all community recovery efforts so that at-risk infrastructure, development, and other community assets are stronger and more resilient for the next severe storm or hazard event. Mitigation measures to reduce the risk and vulnerability of a community to future disaster losses can be implemented in advance of a disaster event and also as part of post-disaster recovery efforts.

Mitigation applied to recovery helps communities become more resilient and sustainable. It is often most efficient to fund eligible infrastructure mitigation through FEMA’s Public Assistance mitigation program if the asset was damaged in a storm event. Mitigation work can be added to project worksheets if they can be proven to be cost-beneficial.
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Integration of mitigation into post disaster recovery efforts should be considered by all communities as part of their post disaster redevelopment and mitigation policies and procedures. Post-disaster redevelopment and mitigation policies and procedures are evaluated and updated as part of the Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) updates and other emergency management plans for each community.

These EOP’s and other emergency management documents, through its policies and procedures, seek to mitigate the effects of hazards, prepare for measures to be taken which will preserve life and minimize damage, enhance response during emergencies and provide necessary assistance, and establish a recovery system in order to return the community to their normal state of affairs. Mitigation is emphasized as a major component of recovery efforts.

Mitigation Strategy Funding Opportunities
An understanding of the various funding streams and opportunities enable the communities to match identified mitigation projects with the grant programs that are most likely to fund them. Additionally, some of the funding opportunities can be utilized together. Mitigation grant funding opportunities available preand post- disaster include the following.

FEMA HMA Grants
Cal OES administers four main types of HMA grants: (1) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, (2) PreDisaster Mitigation Program, (3) Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, and (4) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. Eligible applicants for the HMA include state and local governments, certain private non-profits, and federally recognized Indian tribal governments. While private citizens cannot apply directly for the grant programs, they can benefit from the programs if they are included in an application sponsored by an eligible applicant.

FEMA Public Assistance Section 406 Mitigation
The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act provides FEMA the authority to fund the restoration of eligible facilities that have sustained damage due to a presidentially declared disaster. The regulations contain a provision for the consideration of funding additional measures that will enhance a facility’s ability to resist similar damage in future events.

Community Development Block Grants
The California Department of Housing and Community Development administers the State’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program with funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The program is available to all non-entitlement communities that meet applicable threshold requirements. All projects must meet one of the national objectives of the program – projects must benefit 51 percent low- and moderate-income people, aid in the prevention or clearance of slum and blight, or meet an urgent need. Grant funds can generally be used in federally declared disaster areas for CDBG eligible activities including the replacement or repair of infrastructure and housing damaged during, or as a result of, the declared disaster.
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Small Business Loans
SBA offers low-interest, fixed-rate loans to disaster victims, enabling them to repair or replace property damaged or destroyed in declared disasters. It also offers such loans to affected small businesses to help them recover from economic injury caused by such disasters. Loans may also be increased up to 20 percent of the total amount of disaster damage to real estate and/or leasehold improvements to make improvements that lessen the risk of property damage by possible future disasters of the same kind.

Increased Cost of Compliance
Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage is one of several resources for flood insurance policyholders who need additional help rebuilding after a flood. It provides up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of mitigation measures that will reduce flood risk. ICC coverage is a part of most standard flood insurance policies available under NFIP.

5.2 Goals and Objectives
44 CFR §201.6(c)(3)(i) and §201.7(c)(3)(i): [The hazard mitigation strategy shall include a] description of mitigation goals to reduce or avoid long-term vulnerabilities to the identified hazards.

Up to this point in the planning process, the participating jurisdictions, along with the HMPC, have organized resources, assessed hazards and risks, and documented mitigation capabilities. The resulting goals, objectives, and mitigation actions were developed based on these tasks. The HMPC held a series of meetings and exercises designed to achieve a collaborative mitigation strategy as described further throughout this section. Appendix C documents the information covered in these mitigation strategy meetings, including information on the goals development and the identification and prioritization of mitigation alternatives by the HMPC and participating jurisdictions.

During the initial goal-setting meeting, the HMPC reviewed the results of the hazard identification, vulnerability assessment, and capability assessment. This analysis of the risk assessment identified areas where improvements could be made and provided the framework for the HMPC to formulate planning goals and objectives and to develop the mitigation strategy for the Amador County Planning Area.

Goals were defined for the purpose of this mitigation plan as broad-based public policy statements that:
➢ Represent basic desires of the community;
➢ Encompass all aspects of community, public and private; ➢ Are nonspecific, in that they refer to the quality (not the quantity) of the outcome; ➢ Are future-oriented, in that they are achievable in the future; and ➢ Are time-independent, in that they are not scheduled events.

Goals are stated without regard to implementation. Implementation cost, schedule, and means are not considered. Goals are defined before considering how to accomplish them so that they are not dependent on the means of achievement. Goal statements form the basis for objectives and actions that will be used as means to achieve the goals. Objectives define strategies to attain the goals and are more specific and measurable.
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HMPC members were provided with the list of goals from the 2020 LHMP as well as a list of other sample goals to consider. The team was told that they could use, combine, or revise the statements provided or develop new ones, keeping the risk assessment in mind. Each member was asked to provide three goal statements. Goal statements were collected and grouped into similar themes and provided to the HMPC.

Some of the statements were determined to be better suited as objectives or actual mitigation actions and were set aside for later use. Next, the HMPC developed objectives that summarized strategies to achieve each goal. Edits and refinements to these new goals and resulting objectives were provided by the HMPC until the team came to consensus on the final goals and objectives for this 2025 LHMP Update.

Based on the risk assessment review and goal setting process, the HMPC identified the following goals, which provide the direction for reducing future hazard-related losses within the Amador County Planning Area.

Goal #1: Provide protection for people's lives, property, public health, and the environment and reduce risk and losses from natural hazards ➢ Minimize impact to existing development
➢ Minimize impact to future development
➢ Minimize economic and resource impact
➢ Promote resiliency strategies
➢ Consider and prioritize the use of prevention measures such as land use controls and code enhancements Goal #2: Provide protection for critical facilities, infrastructure, utilities and services from hazard impacts
➢ Protect and improve resiliency of critical facilities, services, and community lifelines from hazard impacts to protect life and reduce loss of property
➢ Implement critical facility upgrades, retrofits, and mitigation measures to ensure reliability of services ➢ Update and maintain GIS list of critical facilities: Essential Services, At-Risk Populations, Hazardous Materials Facilities
Goal #3: Improve community (public and stakeholder) awareness, education, and preparedness to natural hazard events
➢ Enhance public/stakeholder outreach, education and preparedness planning for all hazards of concern and for all populations, including underserved and vulnerable populations ➢ Reinforce emergency response systems
➢ Foster household preparedness and self-responsibility for hazard mitigation ➢ Increase public and stakeholder knowledge and awareness about the risk and vulnerability to identified hazards and how to take responsibility for and mitigate these risks with a focus on high priority hazards such as wildfire and flood
➢ Leverage existing public outreach and education mechanisms such as community coalitions and other existing forums; expand social media presence and local community boards ➢ Increase use of technology to communicate hazard information (e.g., GIS) ➢ Provide education and outreach on evacuation routes, signage, roles and responsibilities, as well as on various emergency communication modes
503
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-8
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Goal #4: Build community resilience and increase communities' ability to be prepared for, respond to, and recover from a disaster event
➢ Improve community capabilities to mitigate hazards, reduce losses, and to better recover from disasters ➢ Integrate mitigation into planning and decision making by embedding mitigation strategies into everyday county policies, capital projects, and other similar mechanisms ➢ Improve interagency (local, state, federal) emergency coordination, communication, and operational capacity to ensure effective community preparedness, response and recovery ➢ Maintain current service levels and continue internal and operational training ➢ Enhance alert and warning systems and ensure effective system redundancies ➢ Improve emergency communication systems with reliable backup (e.g., cell phones, radios, sirens, reverse 911, multi-media, etc.)
➢ Improve identification, education, and emergency notifications of vulnerable and underserved populations
➢ Enhance the use of shared resources/Develop a strong mutual aid support system ➢ Improve and make better use of technology (e.g., GIS) ➢ Establish and expand GIS technologies to map hazards and community assets for mitigation planning and to support hazard response and community recovery
➢ Maintain coordination of disaster plans, data, and information with changing DHS/FEMA and State requirements
➢ Support and build upon evacuation planning and sheltering efforts in the County ➢ Mitigate future hazard losses through adequate land use/facilities planning Goal #5: Reduce fire severity and intensity in Amador County and surrounding lands ➢ Reduce life safety issues, property loss, natural resource impacts, and damages associated with wildfires ➢ Prevent and reduce wildfire ignitions
➢ Increase agency and jurisdictional coordination to reduce wildfire risk, severity and intensity ➢ Increase vegetation management countywide to reduce wildfire losses ➢ Be proactive in identifying and prioritizing mitigation funding to minimize risk and vulnerability to wildfire
➢ Prioritize wildfire mitigation around critical facilities and infrastructure ➢ Support efforts to gain access to affordable insurance for all communities including underserved and vulnerable populations
Goal #6: Maintain FEMA Eligibility/Position the communities for Grant funding ➢ Improve community ability to be competitive/successful with grant funding opportunities from application development to project delivery
➢ Establish and share best practices among agencies for development of grant applications, project permits, etc.
➢ Educate (and advocate) local officials to support local access to funding. 504
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-9
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025

5.3 Identification and Analysis of Mitigation Actions
44 CFR §201.6(c)(3)(ii) and §201.6(c)(3)(ii): [The mitigation strategy shall include a] section that identifies and analyzes a comprehensive range of specific mitigation actions and projects being considered to reduce the effects of each hazard, with particular emphasis on new and existing buildings and infrastructure.

In order to identify and select mitigation actions to support the mitigation goals, each hazard identified in Section 4.1 was evaluated at the completion of the risk assessment as part of the second prioritization process to determine which hazards were priorities for mitigation strategy planning. Only those hazards that were determined to be a priority hazard for each participating jurisdiction were considered further in the development of hazard-specific mitigation actions. Those hazards not considered a priority for mitigation strategy development were eliminated from further consideration because the risk of a hazard event to the participating jurisdiction is unlikely, the vulnerability of the participating jurisdiction is low, or capabilities are already in place to mitigate adverse impacts. Further, the resulting mitigation strategy presented in this Chapter focuses on those mitigation actions that each jurisdiction has the authority, resources, and capacity to consider for implementation over the next 5-years covered by this LHMP Update.

Table 5-2 and Table 5-3 provide a listing of priority hazards by jurisdiction to be addressed in the mitigation strategy portion of this Plan.

Table 5-2 Amador County Planning Area: Mitigation Action Priority Hazards by Jurisdiction Hazard
Amador
County
City of
Amador
City
City of
Jackson
City of
Ione
City of
Plymouth
City of
Sutter
Creek
Agricultural Hazards (severe
weather/pests/invasive species)
X
Avalanche*
Climate Change X X X X X X
Dam Failure X X X
Drought & Water shortage (w/ tree mortality) X X X X X X Earthquake (w/subhazards) X X X
Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee
failure)

X X X X X
Floods: Localized Stormwater X X X X X X
Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow X X X X
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and
Snow
X X
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat X X X X X X
Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms
(Hail, Lightning)

X X X X X
Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes X X X X
Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) X X X X X X
*while initially a priority hazard for the County Planning Area, after completion of the risk assessment, it was determined that avalanche is a low priority hazard for mitigation planning purposes. 505
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-10
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Table 5-3 Amador County Planning Area: Mitigation Action Priority Hazards by Jurisdiction Hazard Amador Water
Agency
Jackson Valley
Irrigation District
Agricultural Hazards (severe weather/pests/invasive species) X X Avalanche*
Climate Change X X
Dam Failure X X
Drought & Water shortage (w/ tree mortality) X X
Earthquake (w/subhazards) X X
Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee failure) X X
Floods: Localized Stormwater X
Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow X
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow X X
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat X
Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms (Hail, Lightning) X Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes X
Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality) X X
*while initially a priority hazard for the County Planning Area, after completion of the risk assessment, it was determined that avalanche is a low priority hazard for mitigation planning purposes.

It is important to note, however, that all the Hazards addressed in this LHMP are included in the multi-hazard public awareness mitigation actions as well as in other multi-hazard, emergency management actions, and other hazard-specific actions, providing benefits to all participating jurisdictions to this 2025 LHMP Update.

Once it was determined which hazards warranted the development of specific mitigation actions, the participating jurisdictions and HMPC analyzed viable mitigation options that supported the identified goals and objectives. The HMPC was provided with the following list of categories of mitigation actions, which originate from the Community Rating System:
➢ Prevention
➢ Property protection
➢ Structural projects
➢ Natural resource protection
➢ Emergency services
➢ Public information
The HMPC was provided with examples of potential mitigation actions for each of the above categories.

The HMPC was also instructed to consider both future and existing buildings in considering possible mitigation actions. A facilitated discussion then took place to examine and analyze the options. Appendix C provides a detailed review and discussion of the six mitigation categories to assist in the review and identification of possible mitigation activities or projects. Also utilized in the review of possible mitigation measures is FEMA’s publication on Mitigation Ideas, by hazard type. Prevention type mitigation 506
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-11
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
alternatives were discussed for each of the priority hazards. This was followed by a brainstorming session that generated a list of preferred mitigation actions by hazard.

5.3.1. Prioritization Process
Once the mitigation actions were identified, the HMPC was provided with several decision-making tools, including FEMA’s recommended prioritization criteria, STAPLEE sustainable disaster recovery criteria; Smart Growth principles; and others, to assist in deciding why one recommended action might be more important, more effective, or more likely to be implemented than another. STAPLEE stands for the following:
➢ Social: Does the measure treat people fairly? (e.g., different groups, different generations) ➢ Technical: Is the action technically feasible? Does it solve the problem? ➢ Administrative: Are there adequate staffing, funding, and other capabilities to implement the project? ➢ Political: Who are the stakeholders? Will there be adequate political and public support for the project? ➢ Legal: Does the jurisdiction have the legal authority to implement the action? Is it legal? ➢ Economic: Is the action cost-beneficial? Is there funding available? Will the action contribute to the local economy?
➢ Environmental: Does the action comply with environmental regulations? Will there be negative environmental consequences from the action?
In accordance with the DMA requirements, an emphasis was placed on the importance of a benefit-cost analysis in determining action priority. Other criteria used to assist in evaluating the benefit-cost of a mitigation action includes:
➢ Contribution of the action to save life or property
➢ Availability of funding and perceived cost-effectiveness ➢ Available resources for implementation
➢ Ability of the action to address the problem
The initial list of mitigation actions carried forward from the 2020 LHMP and new actions identified during this planning process were reviewed and prioritized using the criteria (alternatives and selection criteria) in Appendix C.

With these criteria in mind, the HMPC were each given a set of 9 colored dots, three each of red, blue, and green. The dots were assigned red for high priority (worth five points), blue for medium priority (worth three points), and green for low priority (worth one point). The HMPC was asked to use the dots to prioritize actions with the above criteria in mind. The point score for each action was totaled. Appendix C contains the total score given to each identified mitigation action.

The process of identification and analysis of mitigation alternatives allowed the HMPC to come to consensus and to prioritize recommended mitigation actions. During the voting process, emphasis was placed on the importance of a benefit-cost review in determining project priority; however, this was not a quantitative analysis. The team agreed that prioritizing the actions collectively enabled the actions to be ranked in order of relative importance and helped steer the development of additional actions that meet the more important objectives while eliminating some of the actions which did not garner much support. 507
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-12
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Benefit-cost was also considered in greater detail in the development of the Mitigation Action Plan detailed below in Section 5.4 The cost-effectiveness of any mitigation alternative will be further considered in greater detail through performing benefit-cost project analyses when seeking FEMA mitigation grant funding for eligible actions associated with this 2025 LHMP Update.

Recognizing the limitations in prioritizing actions from multiple jurisdictions and departments and the regulatory requirement to prioritize by benefit-cost to ensure cost-effectiveness, the participating jurisdictions and HMPC decided to pursue actions that contributed to saving lives and property as first and foremost, with additional consideration given to the benefit-cost aspect of a project. This process drove the development of a determination of a high, medium, or low priority for each mitigation action, and a comprehensive prioritized mitigation action plan for the Amador County Planning Area. 508
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-13
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025

5.4 Mitigation Action Plan
44 CFR §201.6(c)(3)(iii) and §201.7(c)(3)(iii): [The mitigation strategy section shall include] an action plan describing how the actions identified in section (c)(3)(ii) will be prioritized, implemented, and administered by the local jurisdiction. Prioritization shall include a special emphasis on the extent to which benefits are maximized according to a cost benefit review of the proposed projects and their associated costs.

This mitigation action plan was developed to present the recommendations developed by the HMPC for how the Amador County Planning Area can reduce the risk and vulnerability of people, property, critical facilities and infrastructure, natural and cultural resources, and the economy to future disaster losses.

Emphasis was placed on both the existing built environment and future development. This mitigation action plan summarizes who is responsible for implementing each of the prioritized actions as well as when and how the actions will be implemented. Each action summary also includes a discussion of the benefit-cost review conducted to meet the regulatory requirements of the Disaster Mitigation Act.

Table 5-4 identifies all mitigation actions for participating jurisdictions to this LHMP Update. For each mitigation action item included in Table 5-4, a detailed mitigation implementation strategy has been developed. The detailed descriptions for each mitigation action are included in each respective jurisdictional annex to this LHMP.

The mitigation action plan summarized below contains both new action items developed for this 2025 LHMP Update as well as old actions being carried forward from the 2020 LHMP. Table 5-4 indicates whether the action is new or from the 2020 LHMP and Chapter 2 contains the details for each 2020 mitigation action item indicating whether a given action item has been completed, deleted, or deferred.

As described throughout this 2025 LHMP Update, the Amador County Planning Area has many risks and vulnerabilities to identified hazards. Although many possible mitigation actions, as detailed in Appendix C, were brainstormed and prioritized during the mitigation strategy meetings, the resulting mitigation strategy presented in this Chapter 5 of this LHMP focuses only on those mitigation actions that are both reasonable and realistic for the communities to consider for implementation over the next 5-years covered by this 2025 Update. Thus, only a portion of the actions identified in Appendix C have been carried forward into the mitigation strategy presented in Table 5-4. Although many good ideas were developed during the mitigation action brainstorming process, the reality of determining which priority actions to develop and include in this LHMP Update came down to the actual priorities of communities, individuals and departments based in part on department direction, staffing, and available funding. The overall value of the mitigation action table in Appendix C is that it represents a wide-range of mitigation actions that can be consulted and developed for this LHMP Update during annual plan reviews and the formal 5-year update process.

It is also important to note that the participating jurisdictions have numerous existing, detailed action descriptions, which include benefit-cost estimates, in other planning documents, such as stormwater and drainage plans, flood and water management plans, fire plans, climate plans, and capital improvement budgets and reports. These actions are considered to be part of this LHMP, and the details, to avoid duplication, should be referenced in their original source document. The HMPC also realizes that new 509
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-14
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
needs and priorities may arise as a result of a disaster or other circumstances and reserves the right to support new actions, as necessary, as long as they conform to the overall goals of this LHMP Update.

Further, it should be clarified that the actions included in this mitigation strategy are subject to further review and refinement; alternatives analyses; and reprioritization due to funding availability and/or other criteria. The participating jurisdictions are not obligated by this document to implement any or all of these projects. Rather this mitigation strategy represents the desires of the jurisdictions to mitigate the risks and vulnerabilities from identified hazards. The actual selection, prioritization, and implementation of these actions will also be further evaluated in accordance with the mitigation categories and criteria contained in Appendix C.

It should be noted that many of the projects submitted by each jurisdiction in Table 5-4 benefit all jurisdictions whether or not they are the lead agency. Further, many of these mitigation efforts are collaborative efforts among multiple local, state, and federal agencies. In addition, the public outreach actions, as well as many of the emergency services actions, apply to all hazards regardless of hazard priority.

Collectively, this multi-jurisdictional mitigation strategy includes only those actions and projects which reflect the actual priorities and capacity of each jurisdiction to implement over the next 5-years covered by this 2025 LHMP Update.

Table 5-4 Amador County Planning Area Mitigation Actions Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Amador County
Multi-Hazard Actions
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of
General Plan
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Action 2. Enhance Public
Education and Awareness of Natural
Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 3. Backup Power Projects
for Critical Facilities & Infrastructure
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 4. Establish and Fund a
Full-Time Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) position for Hazard
Mitigation and Emergency Planning
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Emergency Services
Action 5. Enhance and Harden
Cellular and Repeater Communications
Infrastructure Countywide
Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Structural
Action 6. Upgrade and Replace
Countywide Emergency Radio
Communications Infrastructure
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Emergency Services
510
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-15
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 7. Emergency Water
Storage & Hauling Infrastructure
Project
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Emergency Services
Action 8. Launch of PHapp
Mobile Preparedness Public Health
Application
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Agricultural Hazard Actions
Action 9. Invasive Pests (Insect) Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 10. Invasive Pests (Weeds) Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Climate Change Actions
Action 11. Climate Resilience
through Multi-Hazard Mitigation
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Dam Failure, Flood, Localized Flood, and Heavy Rains and Storm Actions Action 12. Flood & Dam Failure
Resilience Plan
New Action X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Earthquake Actions
Action 13. Amador County
Earthquake Preparedness & Seismic
Resilience Plan
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Landslide Actions
Action 14. Landslide Hazard
Mitigation & Slope Stability Plan
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow Actions
Action 15. Severe Winter Weather
Resilience Plan
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Actions
Action 16. Extreme Heat Resilience
Plan
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Wildfire, Drought, and Extreme Heat Actions
511
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-16
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 17. Tree Mortality Program
Coordinator
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 18. Countywide wildfire
resiliency coordination GIS mapping
project to support fuels reduction
efforts
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 19. Forest Health Projects New Action X X Prevention Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 20. Ingress/Egress Phases I
and II: Public Education and Fuels
Reduction
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 21. Community Fuel Break
Network
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 22. Defensible Space
Assistance
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 23. Defensible Space Public
Education
New Action X X Public Education
Action 24. Develop Amador County
CWPP and Implementation of
Identified Projects
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Property Protection
Public Education
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 25. Vegetation Management
projects – Monitoring and
Maintenance
Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
City of Amador City
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of
General Plan
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Action 2. Enhance Public
Education and Awareness of Natural
Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 3. Old Hwy 49/Main Street
Slope and Road Stabilization
Previous
Action
X X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 4. Cooling Center/Severe
Weather Center
New Action X X Structural
512
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-17
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 5. Amador Creek Annual
Cleaning projects
New Action X X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 6. Stormwater Masterplan
Development and Implementation
Previous
Action
X X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 7. Vegetation Management
and Perimeter Wildfire Protection Fuel
Break
Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
City of Ione
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of
General Plan
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Action 2. Enhance Public
Education and Awareness of Natural
Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 3. Develop a Climate
Adaptation Plan
New Action X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 4. Implement Water
Conservation and Drought
Preparedness Program
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 5. Update Floodplain
Ordinance and Join Community Rating
System (CRS)
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 6. Develop a Storm Water
Master Plan
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 7. Establish a Cooling
Center Network and Shelter Upgrades
Previous
Action
X X Emergency Services
Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 8. Implement Urban
Forestry and Debris Management
Program
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 9. Enhance Wildfire
Preparedness and Defensible Space
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 10. Develop a Sustainable
Sutter Creek Maintenance Program
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
513
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-18
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
City of Jackson
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of
General Plan
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Action 2. Enhance Public
Education and Awareness of Natural
Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 3. Creation of Drone
Program
New Action X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 4. Backup Power Projects
for Critical Facilities and Infrastructure
(e.g. Generators, Batteries, Solar, Etc.)
New Action X X Property Protection
Structural
Action 5. Creek Excavation and
Annual Clearing Projects
Previous
Action
X X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 6. Pitt Street Bridge
Replacement
New Action X X X Structural
Action 7. Mattley Street Erosion
Project
New Action X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 8. Home Hardening
Education Program/Go Bags, ARC
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 9. Defensible Space Public
Education
Previous
Action
X X Public Education
Action 10. Fuel Break Projects New Action X X Prevention Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 11. Jackson Fire Station 131
Replacement Project
New Action X X Structural
City of Plymouth
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of
General Plan
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Action 2. Enhance Public
Education and Awareness of Natural
Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 3. Develop a Community
Wildfire Prevention Plan
New Action X X Prevention
Public Education
514
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-19
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 4. Repairs of Old
Sacramento Road to Reduce Flooding
and Road Blockage
New Action X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 5. Additional Water Tank
Storage
Previous
Action
X X Structural
City of Sutter Creek
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard
Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of
General Plan
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Action 2. Enhance Public
Education and Awareness of Natural
Hazards and Public Understanding of
Disaster Preparedness
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Public Education
Action 3. Auditorium, Community
Center, and WWTP Backup Power
Generators
New Action X X X Structural
Action 4. Development of Walking
Paths, Native Tree Protection, and
Native Tree Species Planting
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 5. Henderson Underdrain New Action X X X Structural Action 6. Recycled Water System
for New Development
New Action X X Structural
Action 7. Early EQ Warning
Program
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 8. Sutter Creek
Excavation/Annual Cleaning Projects
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 9. Stormwater Masterplan
Development and Implementation
Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 10. Culvert Cleaning Projects Previous
Action
X X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 11. Karsan Drive Tributary
Slope and Road Stabilization
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
515
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-20
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 12. Cooling Center/Severe
Weather Center
New Action X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 13. Vegetation Management
Enforcement and Perimeter Wildfire
Protection Fuel break
Previous
Action
X X Prevention
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Amador Water Agency
Action 1. AWA Tank Flexibility
Connectors
New Action X X Structural
Action 2. Camanche WWTP
Treatment, Disposal, and Effluent
Storage Upgrades
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 3. CAWP Transmission
Main Improvements and Tank D
Replacement
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 4. CAWP Tiger Creek
Afterbay Alternate Supply
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 5. Ione WTP Backwash
Handling Improvements
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 6. Tanner Clearwell
Replacement
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 7. Tanner WTP Backwash
Drying Beds
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 8. Tank Replacement/
Tank Repair
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 9. Amador and Ione Water
Systems Taste and Odor Mitigation
Previous
Action
X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 10. Replacement of Two
Hypalon Lined and Covered Tanks
with New Tanks
Previous
Action
X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
516
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-21
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 11. Mt. Crossman Main Area
Tank for Upper CAWP System
Previous
Action
X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 12. Martell Regional Lift
Station and Collection System
Improvements
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 13. Mace Meadows Pump
Station Flooding
New Action X X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 14. Water Treatment Plant
Raw Water Bypasses
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 15. Upgrade Fire Pumps New Action X X Structural Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 16. Tanner WTP Flow
Control and Reliability Improvements
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 17. Ione Reliability Capacity
Expansion and Site Security
New Action X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Jackson Valley Irrigation District
Action 1. Aquatic Invasive Species
Monitoring Plan and Decontamination
Station
Previous
Action
X X Natural Resource
Protection
Action 2. Long Term Water
Solutions Analysis Due to Climate
Change
Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 3. Jackson Creek Dam
Spillway Apron Extension Project
Previous
Action
X X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 4. Lake Amador Spillway
Rubber Dam Project
Previous
Action
X X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 5. JVID Water
Procurement and Additional Water
Storage Study
Previous
Action
X X Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
517
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-22
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action Title
New Action/
Previous
Action
Address
Current
Development
Address
Future
Development
Continued
NFIP
Compliance Mitigation Type
Action 6. Jackson Creek
Streambank and Levee Maintenance
Project
Previous
Action
X X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
Action 7. Lake Amador Drive Box
Culvert Expansion Project
Previous
Action
X X X Structural
Property Protection
Natural Resource
Protection
518
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-23
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Amador County Mitigation Actions
Multi-Hazard Actions
Action 1. Integrate Local Hazard Mitigation Plan into Safety Element of General Plan Hazards Addressed: Multi-hazard (Agricultural Hazards (severe weather/pests/invasive species), Avalanche, Climate Change, Dam Failure, Drought & Water shortage (w/ tree mortality), Earthquake (w/subhazards), Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee failure), Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow, Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather:

Extreme Heat, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms (Hail, Lightning), Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes, Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality))
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Local jurisdictional reimbursement for mitigation projects and cost recovery after a disaster is guided by Government Code Section 8685.9 (Assembly Bill (AB) 2140).

Project Description: Specifically, this section requires that each applicable jurisdiction adopt a local hazard mitigation plan (LHMP) in accordance with the federal Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 as part of the Safety Element of its General Plan. Adoption of the LHMP into the Safety Element of the General Plan may be by reference or incorporation.

Other Alternatives: No action
Existing Planning Mechanisms through which Action will be Implemented: Safety Element of General Plan
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Planning Department Benefits (Losses Avoided): Incorporation of an adopted LHMP into the Safety Element of the General Plan will help jurisdictions maximize the cost recovery potential following a disaster.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Local budgets: General Fund, Staff Time Timeline: Within year 1 as part of LHMP adoption
Priority (H, M, L): High
Action 2. Comprehensive Public Education and Outreach Enhancement for All-Hazards Preparedness
Hazards Addressed: Multi-hazard (Agricultural Hazards (severe weather/pests/invasive species), Avalanche, Climate Change, Dam Failure, Drought & Water shortage (w/ tree mortality), Earthquake (w/subhazards), Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee failure), Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow, Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather:
519
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-24
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Extreme Heat, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms (Hail, Lightning), Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes, Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality))
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County residents and visitors face a wide range of natural and human-caused hazards. The 2020 Amador County LHMP identified a need for improved public understanding of risk and individual preparedness, especially in rural or high-risk areas. Public education efforts have been limited by staff capacity, funding, and coordination among local partners. Many residents lack basic preparedness items (e.g., Go Bags), do not understand evacuation protocols, or are unaware of available resources like ARC shelters or emergency alerts. Enhanced, accessible, and ongoing outreach is necessary to ensure the public is informed and empowered before, during, and after emergencies.

Project Description: Develop and implement a comprehensive, year-round public education and outreach program focused on multi-hazard preparedness across all communities within Amador County. This program will include:
➢ Regular in-person and virtual workshops on Go Bag preparation, family communication plans, evacuation planning, and shelter-in-place procedures.
➢ Partnership with schools, community groups, and businesses to distribute preparedness information. ➢ Quarterly public safety campaigns via social media, local radio, and print media. ➢ Bilingual outreach materials (English & Spanish) tailored to vulnerable populations. ➢ Distribution of American Red Cross materials and integration of ARC support services in outreach events.
➢ Creation and promotion of an “Amador Ready” webpage and/or integration with existing Amador County Sheriff’s Office mobile application with hazard information, evacuation maps, emergency kit checklists, and alert registration links.
➢ Community drills and outreach booths at local events.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo: Continue limited outreach through existing channels (e.g., occasional Facebook posts) ➢ Digital-Only Strategy: Focus solely on online outreach and alert system, omitting in-person events and direct engagement.
➢ Emergency-Only Messaging: Limit outreach to periods immediately before/during active disasters.

These alternatives lack the consistency, equity, and multi-platform engagement needed to reach the entire population effectively.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Existing Public Outreach Programs, County website,
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, American Red Cross, Amador County Public Health
Benefits (Losses Avoided):
520
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-25
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Increased personal and household preparedness reduces reliance on emergency services during disasters.
➢ Faster and more orderly evacuations.
➢ Greater community resilience and recovery capacity.
➢ Reduced injury and loss of life during emergencies.
➢ Reduced costs associated with unprepared populations during disaster response. ➢ Improved public trust and cooperation with emergency officials.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.):
➢ FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
➢ Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant (BRIC) ➢ Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG)
➢ Public Health Emergency Preparedness Funds
➢ PG&E
➢ Cal-OES Grants
➢ County General Fund
Timeline:
➢ 0-2 years
✓ Establish stakeholder working group
✓ Develop education materials and outreach schedule
✓ Launch first outreach campaign and public workshops
✓ Coordinate w/ARC
➢ 3-5 years
✓ Expand program to underserved and high-risk communities ✓ Evaluate effectiveness via public surveys
✓ Update materials and incorporate new hazards or best practices ✓ Launch website and incorporate resources into existing mobile application Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 3. Backup Power Projects for Critical Facilities & Infrastructure Hazards Addressed: Multi-hazard (Agricultural Hazards (severe weather/pests/invasive species), Avalanche, Climate Change, Dam Failure, Drought & Water shortage (w/ tree mortality), Earthquake (w/subhazards), Floods: 1%/0.2% annual chance (w/ levee failure), Floods: Localized Stormwater, Landslide, Mudslide, Debris Flow, Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow, Severe Weather:

Extreme Heat, Severe Weather: Heavy Rains and Storms (Hail, Lightning), Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes, Wildfire (w/smoke and air quality))
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County is frequently impacted by power outages caused by Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), wildfire threats, and other extreme weather events. The 2020 LHMP identified that many of the County’s critical facilities, including Emergency Operations 521
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-26
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Centers (EOCs), fire stations, law enforcement offices, water/sewer systems, shelters, and communication towers, lack reliable, long-term backup power systems.

Although some progress has been made in this area, the lack of redundancy at many facilities poses a serious threat to emergency response, medical care, public safety, and essential infrastructure continuity during disasters. Some facilities rely on outdated or undersized generators, while others have no backup system at all. Investing in diversified back power solutions such as generators, battery storage, and solar power with storage will significantly increase the County’s resilience.

Project Description: This mitigation project will include:
➢ Conducting a countywide assessment of existing backup power capabilities and gaps at critical facilities and infrastructure nodes (e.g., EOCs, fire stations, law enforcement offices, water/wastewater treatment plants, shelters, communication towers.)
➢ Prioritizing Upgrades based on vulnerability, service population, and hazard exposure. ➢ Procuring and installing diesel, propane, or natural gas generators where appropriate. ➢ Implementing solar-plus-storage microgrids for high-use public buildings or community shelters to reduce reliance on fuel.
➢ Ensuring all backup systems are maintained and regularly tested, and that staff are trained in proper use.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Do Nothing: Continue relying on aging or absent backup system, risking loss of function during outages
➢ Mobile Generators Only: Deploy trailer-mounted generators when outages occur. However, this option is limited by fuel supply, logistics, and deployment delays. ➢ Only Solar Installations: Focus solely on solar energy without storage. This does not address nighttime outages or cloudy-day failures.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Emergency Plans Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Amador County General Services Administration, Amador County Public Works, PG&E, Local law enforcement agencies and fire stations, and Special Districts
Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Continuity of essential government functions during disasters ➢ Maintenance of communications and coordination in emergency response ➢ Protection of vulnerable populations who depend on shelter and medical facilities ➢ Avoidance of water/wastewater system failure and association environmental & public health risks ➢ Reduced economic and service disruption during PSPS or natural hazard events ➢ Increased confidence in local government preparedness Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.):
➢ FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)
➢ FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities Program (BRIC) 522
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-27
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Cal-OES Grants
➢ California Energy Commission Resilient Communities program ➢ PG&E Grant Program
Timeline:
➢ Short Term:
✓ Facility power needs assessment
✓ Project scoping and grant application
✓ Procurement for priority sites
➢ Medium Term:
✓ Full deployment at prioritized sites
✓ Development of testing/maintenance schedule
✓ Training
➢ Long Term:
✓ Expansion to secondary facilities
✓ Solar microgrid installation at designated resilience hubs or shelters ✓ Ongoing system maintenance and lifecycle replacement
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 4. Establish and Fund a Full-Time Geographic Information Systems (GIS) position for Hazard Mitigation and Emergency Planning
Hazards Addressed: Multi-Hazard
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The 2020 Amador County LHMP highlights the need for improved hazard mapping, risk analysis, evacuation route modeling, and real-time data sharing to support emergency response and mitigation. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are essential tools in identifying hazard exposure, modeling impact areas, planning evacuations, coordinating resources, and informing the public.

Currently, Amador County lacks a dedicated, full-time GIS professional to support countywide hazard mitigation and emergency management functions. A permanent GIS position would greatly enhance the County’s ability to plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters.

Project Description: Hire and fund a full-time County GIS Specialist under the Department of Information Technology or the Planning Department, responsible for the following activities:
➢ Maintain and update hazard layers (e.g., wildfire zones, floodplains, evacuation zones, infrastructure maps)
➢ Support hazard mitigation planning with risk assessments and vulnerability analysis ➢ Develop GIS tools and dashboards for decision-makers and first responders 523
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-28
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Assist in creating and maintaining evacuation maps, emergency shelter data, and situational awareness platforms
➢ Generate public-facing tools and maps for community preparedness ➢ Integrate GIS into Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP), Emergency Operations Plans (EOP), and LHMP updates
➢ Partner with state agencies (e.g., Cal OES, CalFire) and local jurisdictions for GIS data exchange and coordination
Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo: Continue without a GIS Specialist
➢ Contract GIS: Outsourcing may work temporarily but lacks the institutional knowledge, continuity, and cost-effectiveness of a full-time role.
➢ Regional Shared GIS Resource: Explore partnership with nearby counties. While potentially costsaving, this limits the responsiveness needed for Amador-specific needs.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: County budgets and staffing plans
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Planning Department, Amador County Information Technology Department
Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Improved identification of hazard-prone areas and vulnerable populations ➢ Faster, data-driven emergency response and evacuation coordination ➢ Enhanced public information during disasters (e.g., interactive evacuation maps) ➢ More competitive grant applications with data-backed risk assessments ➢ Improved planning for infrastructure investments and resource deployment ➢ Increased operational efficiency and interagency coordination ➢ Better compliance with FEMA and Cal OES hazard mitigation and emergency management standards Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG), Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities Grant (BRIC), State Homeland Security Program (SHSP), County General Fund
Timeline:
➢ Short Term: (0-1 year)
✓ Identify funding source(s)
✓ Update job description and classification
✓ Hire GIS Specialist
➢ Medium Term: (1-3 years)
✓ Develop and integrate GIS systems across departments
✓ Complete first phase of hazard mapping and public dashboards ➢ Long Term: (Ongoing)
✓ Maintain, update, and expand GIS capabilities
524
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-29
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
✓ Integrate GIS into all County hazard and resilience planning Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 5. Enhance and Harden Cellular and Repeater Communications Infrastructure Countywide
Hazards Addressed: Multi-Hazard
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County’s mountainous terrain, rural population, and dependence on above-ground infrastructure make it particularly vulnerable to communications failures during disasters. The 2020 Amador County LHMP identifies communication outages as a recurring vulnerability, especially during PSPS events and wildfires when towers often lose power or become damaged. Several areas of the county also suffer from limited or no cellular coverage under normal conditions, complicating emergency response and public alerting.

Inadequate cell service undermines public warning systems (e.g., Wireless Emergency Alerts), responder coordination, and public ability to call for help. A hardened, redundant cellular and repeater infrastructure is essential for life safety and effective disaster response.

Project Description:
➢ Cell Coverage Assessment & Planning:
✓ Conduct a countywide assessment of cell coverage gaps and tower vulnerabilities. ✓ Identify critical areas lacking service (e.g., evacuation routes, shelters, fire-prone zones). ➢ Infrastructure Enhancements:
✓ Construct new permanent cell towers and repeaters in underserved and high-risk zones. ✓ Install backup generators, solar panels, and/or battery storage at existing tower sites. ✓ Partner with cellular providers to harden critical sites against wildfire and power loss. ➢ Deployable Assets:
✓ Acquire or pre-position mobile cellular repeaters (e.g., COWs – Cells on Wheels) for rapid deployment during outages.
✓ Integrate mobile units into emergency operations planning and exercises. ➢ Public-Private Coordination:
✓ Work with Verizon, AT&T, FirstNet, and other carriers to upgrade existing assets, share infrastructure data, and co-fund new installations.
✓ Ensure interoperability with county radio and dispatch systems.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo: Rely on existing cellular networks and hope for carrier-driven upgrades. This leaves many areas exposed to prolonged outages and slow recovery
➢ Satellite Phones Only: Provide satellite phones to key personnel. Helpful for redundancy, but impractical for widespread public communication and limited bandwidth. 525
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-30
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Fixed Wireless Mesh Network: Establish a proprietary emergency communication network. Expensive and redundant where cell improvements are more scalable.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Emergency plans: EOP and Annexes
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Local Fire Departments, Local Police Departments, American Legion Ambulance, and/or Cell Providers Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Improved public access to emergency alerts and warnings ➢ Greater responder coordination and situational awareness ➢ Reduced response times and faster resource deployment ➢ Increased survivability of communication infrastructure during PSPS and natural disasters ➢ Continuity of public safety services in remote and rural areas ➢ Reduced loss of life and property due to faster emergency response ➢ Greater equity in access to emergency services across all parts of the county Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) PSPS Mitigation Funds, California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Infrastructure Grants, or State Homeland Security Program (SHSP) Timeline:
➢ Short-Term (0–1 year):
✓ Conduct coverage assessment and planning
✓ Identify funding sources and partnerships
✓ Procure mobile repeaters for initial deployment
➢ Medium-Term (1–3 years):
✓ Construct new towers/repeaters in prioritized zones
✓ Install backup power and hardening features
✓ Conduct community outreach and integration with EOP
➢ Long-Term (3–5+ years):
✓ Maintain and upgrade infrastructure as technology evolves ✓ Expand coverage to remaining underserved areas
✓ Conduct periodic testing and disaster communication exercises Action 6. Upgrade and Replace Countywide Emergency Radio Communications Infrastructure Hazards Addressed: Multi-Hazard
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
526
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-31
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Reliable emergency communications are critical for coordinated response and life safety during disasters. The 2020 Amador County LHMP identifies aging and fragmented radio infrastructure as a major vulnerability for first responders, particularly law enforcement, fire, EMS, and emergency management personnel. Key issues include:
➢ Inadequate coverage in mountainous and rural areas
➢ Limited interoperability between jurisdictions
➢ Increasing equipment failure due to age and deferred maintenance ➢ Power and connectivity vulnerabilities at key repeater sites.

Without a modern and resilient communications network, Amador County’s response capacity is significantly reduced in fast-moving or multi-agency events.

Project Description: Modernize and expand the County’s emergency communications network through phased replacement of radios, repeaters, towers, and supporting infrastructure. The project will include:
➢ Assessment and mapping of current coverage gaps and equipment condition ➢ Replacement of aging repeaters, antennas, and associated hardware ➢ Transition to P25 Phase II digital trunked radio systems (where appropriate) ➢ Installation of redundant power (generators, batteries, solar) at repeater sites ➢ Development of radio interoperability plans with CalFire, CHP, neighboring counties, and local fire/law enforcement agencies
➢ Standardization and bulk procurement of portable and mobile radios for field staff ➢ Integration with GIS and dispatch systems for improved situational awareness ➢ Installation of equipment in priority locations.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo: Continue using legacy systems until failure. This increases the risk of communications breakdown during emergencies.
➢ Partial Upgrade: Replace only mobile or portable radios. This improves user equipment but does not guarantee improved coverage, repeaters, or interoperability gaps. ➢ Leased Network Services: Contract with private carriers of regional networks. While supplemental, this does not provide the resilience of a dedicated county system.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Amador County Emergency Operations Plan
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Sheriff’s Office, Local Fire Departments, Local Police Departments, American Legion Ambulance, Amador County Public Works Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Reliable, 24/7 emergency communications in all hazard scenarios ➢ Faster response and coordination in mutual aid/multi-agency incidents ➢ Enhanced responder safety and situational awareness
➢ Reduced delays and errors in dispatch and field operations ➢ Increased coverage in rural and high-risk areas
➢ Avoidance of system failure during PSPS and natural disasters 527
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-32
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), FEMA Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), Cal-OES Grants, Partner Agencies, County General Fund
Timeline:
➢ Short Term: (0-1 year)
✓ Conduct full system audit
✓ Identify funding sources and develop engineering specifications ✓ Apply for grants and secure budget
➢ Medium Term: (1-3 years)
✓ Begin phased installation of new infrastructure
✓ Deploy upgraded radios to field personnel
✓ Train users on systems and interoperability protocols ➢ Long Term: (3-5 years)
✓ Full system modernization
✓ Integrate with GIS, Dispatch, and Mutual Aid systems
✓ Maintain and test backup power and resilience measures Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 7. Emergency Water Storage & Hauling Infrastructure Project Hazards Addressed: Multi-Hazard
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County relies on a limited number of surface water and groundwater sources to supply drinking water, agriculture, fire suppression, and emergency shelter needs. The 2020 LHMP recognizes drought, wildfire, and infrastructure failure as major threats to water supply, particularly for vulnerable rural communities, critical facilities, and fire protection services.

Many small water systems and private wells are vulnerable to prolonged outages during emergencies. In particular, wildfires and PSPS events can disrupt pumping stations and storage tank operations. There is also a growing need for mobile water hauling and emergency storage systems for use during system outages, contamination incidents, or when traditional delivery methods fail.

A coordinated emergency water storage and hauling system will enhance community resilience, reduce reliance on bottled water during crises, and support firefighting operations during peak wildfire seasons.

Project Description: This project involves the development and deployment of a countywide emergency water storage and hauling capability, in partnership with the State of California. Key components include:
➢ Fixed Emergency Storage Tanks
✓ Install large-capacity water storage tanks in strategic locations (fire stations, public works yards, rural community centers, schools, shelters, etc.,)
528
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-33
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Water Hauling Equipment
✓ Procure water tenders and tanker trailers capable of delivering water to remote or disconnected areas.
➢ Water Fill Stations
✓ Develop or expand public and emergency-use water fill stations accessible to mutual aid partners and residents.
✓ Ensure capability for gravity or pump-powered access during power failures. ➢ Mobile Treatment Units
✓ Explore inclusion of mobile water purification of chlorination systems to treat hauled water as needed.
➢ Integration with State Emergency Water Program
✓ Coordinate with State resources and planning efforts for pre-positioning assets and technical support.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo: Continue relying on ad hoc bottle water distribution or private contracts during emergencies. This is inefficient, slow, and costly during large-scale disasters. ➢ Facility-by-Facility Resilience: Have each critical facility develop its own water backup. This leads to inconsistent standards and lacks centralized coordination. ➢ Reservoir Expansion Only: Long-term solution but does not address short-term water transport and emergency needs.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: SB552 Drought plan and other Drought and water supply plans; Emergency Operations Plans Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services, Amador Water Agency, Amador County Environmental Health, Amador County Public Works, Local Fire Departments & Schools, California Department of Water Resources, and Amador County and California Department of Public Health
Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Rapid deployment of water for fire suppression and public health emergencies. ➢ Reduced public exposure to contaminated or unavailable water supplies ➢ Continuity of operations at emergency shelters and critical facilities ➢ Lower costs and delays from emergency bottle water procurement ➢ Increased capacity to serve remote and underserved populations. ➢ Support for agricultural continuity during prolonged droughts or outages ➢ Enhanced interagency coordination and mutual aid readiness Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMPG), FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC), California Department of Water Resources Grants, California Climate Resilience Program, State Water Resources Control Board Emergency Drinking Water Funds, USDA Rural Development Programs Timeline:
529
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-34
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Short Term: (0-1 year)
✓ Conduct needs assessment and stakeholder engagement
✓ Identify priority sites for tanks and hauling support ✓ Secure design specs, environmental compliance, and funding applications. ➢ Medium Term: (1-3 years)
✓ Procure and install emergency storage systems
✓ Purchase and train staff on hauling equipment
✓ Establish fill stations and storage rotation schedules ➢ Long Term: (3-5 years)
✓ Integrate water logistics into emergency exercises
✓ Maintain, inspect, and rotate emergency water stocks
✓ Expand program to new sites and incorporate mobile treatment Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 8. Launch of PHapp Mobile Preparedness Public Health Application Hazards Addressed: Public Health Emergencies, Disease Outbreaks, Extreme Weather Events, Wildfire Smoke/Power Outages, Hazardous Material Events
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County is a rural jurisdiction with geographically dispersed and vulnerable populations, including seniors, individuals with limited mobility, and those with limited access to technology or communication systems. Ensuring timely, trusted communication during a public health emergency has historically been a challenge, particularly in areas with limited infrastructure or unreliable cell service.

Project Description: Amador County Public Health has partnered with Wehealth and its Public Health Preparedness Platform, PHapp. This app was created to provide a free, county-specific mobile application that delivers real-time public health alerts and information to residents. The app enables Public Health to send notifications during emergencies, disease outbreaks, extreme weather events, or other threats. Key features include local event alerts, customizable notification settings, and an easy-to-use design that increases community access to credible information and supports emergency preparedness.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Use of social media or county website only (less direct and time-sensitive) ➢ Reverse 911 system (limited flexibility and scope)
➢ Printed materials (not viable for real-time alerts)
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented:
➢ Public Health Emergency Preparedness Plans
➢ Mass Communication Plan
530
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-35
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Local Hazard Mitigation Plan
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program, Amador County Public Health Communications Team, PHapp (Wehealth), National Weather Service-Sacramento station-NWS, Amador Air District-AAD, Food and Drug Administration-FDA, Center for Disease ControlCDC Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Faster, more equitable communication with all community members ➢ Increased emergency readiness across vulnerable populations ➢ Reduced misinformation and confusion during crises
➢ Improved coordination with response partners
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.):
➢ HPP/PHEP Grants-(Though these programs and their budgets have been reduced again for the FY 25- 26, so we’re unsure of future sustainability)
➢ In-kind support through PHapp partnership
➢ Other potential funding opportunities?
Timeline: Initial App Launch: Late Spring, 2025; Ongoing Engagement and Integration: FY 2025-2027 Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
531
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-36
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Agricultural Hazard Actions
Action 9. Invasive Pests (Insect)
Hazards Addressed: Invasive Pests (Insect)
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Invasive insects can decimate local agricultural crops such as grapes, walnuts, and timber. They also are known to vector disease and pathogens such as Pierces’ disease.

Project Description: Monitoring invasive insects through urban and crop specific insect traps to located and delimitate the introduction and spread of these insects.

Other Alternatives: No action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) annual Pest Detection agreements with Amador County to deploy and service traps each season. Treatments to control infestations may be possible if found.

Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Department of Agriculture / California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA)
Benefits (Losses Avoided): If insects that make there way into Amador County are trapped/found and eliminated before they establish an infestations in the commercial agricultural areas. This will reduce the possible losses to production Agriculture in Amador County.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): State funding through CDFA and Amador County general fund support through the Amador County Department of Agriculture Timeline: Seasonal and ongoing for the 5 years covered by this LHMP Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Action 10. Invasive Pests (Weeds)
Hazards Addressed: Invasive Pests (Weeds)
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Invasive insects can decimate local agricultural crops such as grapes, walnuts, and timber. They also are known to vector disease and pathogens such as Pierces’ disease.

Project Description: Monitoring invasive insects through urban and crop specific insect traps to located and delimitate the introduction and spread of these insects.

Other Alternatives: No action
532
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-37
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) annual Pest Detection agreements with Amador County to deploy and service traps each season. Treatments to control infestations may be possible if found.

Amador County 5-38
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Climate Change Actions
Action 11. Climate Resilience through Multi-Hazard Mitigation Hazards Addressed: Climate Change, Wildfire and wildfire smoke, Extreme heat/heat waves, Drought & Water Scarcity, Flooding associated w/intense storms
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Climate projections indicate increasing frequency and severity of heat waves, drought, wildfire, and associated air quality issues within Amador County. Such shifts exacerbate threats to public health—especially for vulnerable groups including older adults, children, and people with chronic conditions—as noted in the County’s health profile report CDPH. Infrastructure, agriculture, and water systems face growing strain under these conditions. Without proactive mitigation and adaptation strategies, cumulative impacts will degrade community resilience and critical services.

Project Description:
➢ Wildland Fuel Reduction + Community Defensible Space Program ✓ Fire Districts + Public Works + Planning + ARCD + OES ✓ Expand fuel-break maintenance, educational outreach for property owners, seek grants for defensible space & home hardening.
➢ Heat-Wave Response Infrastructure
✓ Public Health + OES + Environmental Health
✓ Grow Cooling Center location options (libraries, community centers, etc.) ✓ Establish Community Outreach registration programs for vulnerable individuals. ➢ Drought Resilience
✓ Amador Water Agency + Ag Dept + Planning + OES
✓ Promote water conversation, incentives for drought-resistant landscaping, monitoring for groundwater and surface water readiness.
➢ Flood Mitigation Enhancements
✓ Public Works + Planning + OES
✓ Update mapping for extreme storm/flood zones, implement natural stormwater retention projects, improve infrastructure drainage in high-risk areas
Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo: Continue current hazard programs without targeted climate focus. ✓ Pros: minimal new resource needs.
✓ Cons: Vulnerabilities deepen as climate intensifies; uncoordinated responses. ➢ Narrow Hazard-Specific Approach: Tackle each hazard separately (e.g. wildfire fuels reduction, heat shelters, flood control).
✓ Pros: focused interventions.
✓ Cons: Misses synergies; resource duplication; limited cross hazard preparedness. ➢ Integrated Climate-Hazard Action Plan (Preferred): A coordinated package of mitigation, adaptation, public health, and infrastructure actions that addresses multiple climate enhanced hazards and target vulnerable populations for greatest benefit.
534
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-39
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: General Plan Elements, Related hazard plans: Drought, Flood, Extreme Weather, Wildfire, others Responsible Office/Partners: Fire Districts, Public Works, Planning, ARCD, Environmental Health, Ag Dept, OES
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Reduced property damage, Lower firefighting costs, improved public health, fewer heat-related deaths/hospitalizations, protection for vulnerable groups, sustained water supply, protection of agricultural.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): HMGP, BRIC, FMA, Cal-Fire Timeline: Within 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
535
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-40
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Dam Failure, Flood, Localized Flood, and Heavy Rains and Storm Actions Action 12. Flood & Dam Failure Resilience Plan
Hazards Addressed: Dam Failure Inundation, Flooding, Localized Flooding, Heavy Rains & Snow Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County is downstream of several reservoirs and dams with dam-failure inundation zones. In heavy storm, snowmelt, or seismic events – even slow-release – can produce catastrophic downstream flooding. Localized floods also occur in low-lying areas and roads during intense rainfall or snowmelt. Existing maps and emergency plans are limited in community-wide reach, and residents in inundation zones map lack awareness or preparedness. The County’s floodplain management and hazard vulnerability reports note widespread exposure to these risks.

Project Description:
➢ Dam Safety & Emergency Action Planning
✓ OES + DWR
✓ Map & review inundation zones; coordinate with DWR inundation mapping guidelines. ✓ Update or develop EAPs for relevant dams; train first responders. ✓ Conduct community education on dam risk and evacuation protocols ➢ Flood Mitigation & Infrastructure
✓ Public Works + Planning + OES
✓ Assess & upgrade culverts, drainage systems in flood-prone areas ✓ Retrofit critical infrastructure (roads, bridges) to withstand high-flow scenarios. ✓ Establish or expand retention basins, bioswales, and natural stormwater features to reduce peak flows.
➢ Snowpack & Storm Preparedness
✓ Public Works + Cal-Trans +OES
✓ Monitor snowpack and melting trends; issue alerts when rapid thaw risk is high ✓ Clear critical drainage channels before spring thaws; pre-position sandbags, barriers ✓ Train community volunteers in flood watch and flood response support ➢ Community Engagement & Equity
✓ Planning + OEs
✓ Host outreach in communities within inundation zones; including underserved and remote residents Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo – Rely on existing flood/dam plans.
✓ Cons: Low awareness, limited mitigation, reactive responses only. ➢ Partial Upgrades – Improve flood infrastructure (culverts, drainage) without dam safety coordination. ✓ Cons: Dam failure hazard remains unmanaged; siloed approach. ➢ Integrated Flood/Dam Resilience Strategy (Preferred) – Develop coordinated actions across dam safety, flood infrastructure, emergency awareness and planning to reduce both dam-related and localized flood risk.
536
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-41
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Emergency Plans, Related hazard plans: Dam EAPs, Flood, Extreme Weather, others Responsible Office/Partners: OES, DWR, Public Works, Planning, Cal-Trans Benefits (Losses Avoided): Timely dam-failure warnings and evacuation systems prevent fatalities and injuries. Structural upgrades and stormwater management reduce damage to homes, roads, utilities.

Proactive planning diminishes rescue efforts, road closures, and cleanup expenses. Hardening drainage and tech improves transportation resilience and minimizes closures. Educated residents respond more quickly in emergencies, reducing chaos and loss.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): FEMA grants (HMA related), Cal-OES, California/DWR
Timeline: Annually and within 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
537
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-42
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Earthquake Actions
Action 13. Amador County Earthquake Preparedness & Seismic Resilience Plan Hazards Addressed: Earthquakes. Secondary hazards: landslides, utility disruption, structural failure, HAZMAT releases.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County lies near the Foothills Fault System and is within shaking influence from larger regional faults such as the Calaveras and Hayward systems. While catastrophic earthquakes are less frequent than in coastal California, moderate events can cause significant damage due to:
➢ Older unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in historic towns (Sutter Creek, Jackson, Ione). ➢ Critical infrastructure (bridges, utilities, emergency facilities) built prior to modern seismic standards. ➢ Limited public preparedness for earthquake response.

Damage from a moderate earthquake could disrupt transportation, emergency response, water and power supply, and historic/cultural preservation.

Project Description:
➢ Seismic Risk Assessment & Mapping
✓ Update seismic hazard mapping for faults, liquefaction zones, and landslide-prone slopes. ✓ Identify critical facilities and lifeline infrastructure at greatest seismic risk. ➢ Structural Mitigation & Retrofits
✓ Prioritize retrofits of County-owned critical facilities ✓ Support grant-funded retrofits for schools and private, critical businesses (grocery, fuel, medical) ✓ Assess bridges, overpasses and water/wastewater systems for seismic safety upgrades. ➢ Nonstructural Hazard Reduction
✓ Secure nonstructural hazards in government buildings (equipment, shelving, HAZMAT) ✓ Promote nonstructural mitigation for businesses and homeowners through outreach. ➢ Public Education & Preparedness
✓ Expand community earthquake preparedness programs (Great California ShakeOut) ✓ Distribute preparedness kits, evacuation guidance and Drop-Cover-Hold training materials.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo – Maintain current preparedness activities. ✓ Cons: No reduction in structural vulnerability; high recovery costs. ➢ Targeted Retrofits Only – Focus exclusively on high-risk URM buildings. ✓ Cons: Leaves other critical infrastructure and community preparedness gaps. ➢ Comprehensive Seismic Resilience Program (Preferred) – Combines structural mitigation, infrastructure upgrades, and community preparedness to reduce life-safety risk and economic losses. 538
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-43
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Capital Improvement Plans
Responsible Office/Partners: OES, Planning, Building Department, Public Works, Facilities, Public Health
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Reduced fatalities and injuries from building collapse, falling debris, and utility failure. Lower repair/reconstruction costs by retrofitting vulnerable structures before an event.

Protects historic downtowns and heritage structures that contribute to tourism. Keeps government, emergency services, utilities, and businesses functional post-event.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): HMGP, BRIC, FEMA Public Assistance (post event), Cal-OES, PG&E
Timeline: Within 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
539
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-44
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Landslide Actions
Action 14. Landslide Hazard Mitigation & Slope Stability Plan Hazards Addressed: Landslides, debris flow, rockfalls, secondary impacts to infrastructure, utilities, and emergency access
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County’s terrain includes steep slopes, weathered rock, and soils susceptible to movement during intense rainfall, seismic shaking, or following wildfire.

High-risk areas include:
➢ Road corridors (e.g., Hwy 88, mountain passes, rural canyon roads) ➢ Hillsides above residential areas
➢ Post-burn slopes where vegetation loss increases runoff and erosion Landslides can block roads, isolate communities, damage structures, disrupt utilities, and require costly emergency repairs. Preventive slope stabilization and early-warning efforts can reduce these impacts.

Project Description:
➢ Risk Assessment & Mapping
✓ Update landslide hazard maps using recent geologic surveys, post-fire assessments, and LiDAR terrain analysis.

Prioritize slopes adjacent to critical transportation routes and populated areas. ➢ Slope Stabilization & Infrastructure Protection
✓ Install retaining walls, rockfall netting or soil nails in high-risk road cuts ✓ Improve drainage systems to reduce water saturation of slopes ✓ Re-vegetate burned or disturbed slopes to prevent erosion ➢ Monitoring & Early Warning
✓ Implement slope movement monitoring (survey markers, inclinometers) in high-risk areas. ✓ Coordinate with Cal-Trans and regional agencies for debris flow and slope failure alerts. ➢ Public Education & Preparedness
✓ Provide information to residents in slide-prone areas about warning signs (soil cracks, leaning trees) and evacuation readiness.
✓ Offer guidance on private slope stabilization and drainage management ➢ Post-Fire Landslide Risk Reduction
✓ Conduct rapid risk assessments after wildfires to identify slopes at risk of post-burn debris flow. ✓ Pre-position sandbags, barriers, and erosion-control materials before winter storms.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo – Respond to landslides as they occur.
✓ Cons: High emergency repair costs; extended road closures; recurring damage. ➢ Reactive Engineering Approach – Stabilize only after major failures. 540
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-45
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
✓ Cons: Costly, disrupts transportation, does not prevent recurring damage. ➢ Proactive Risk Reduction & Slope Management (Preferred) – Identify high-risk areas, stabilize proactively, improve drainage, and establish early-warning and response capabilities.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: None Responsible Office/Partners: Planning, OES, Public Works, Public Health, Fire Departments Benefits (Losses Avoided): Prevents fatalities and injuries from sudden slope failure or debris flow. Keeps key roads open, avoiding isolation of communities and emergency access delays. Preventive stabilization is far less expensive than repeated emergency clearance and reconstruction. Protects power lines, pipelines and communications infrastructure from slope failures.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): HMGP, BRIC, FEMA Public Assistance (post event), Cal-OES.

Timeline: Within 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
541
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-46
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Severe Weather: Extreme Cold, Freeze, and Snow Actions
Action 15. Severe Winter Weather Resilience Plan
Hazards Addressed: Extreme cold temperatures, hard freezes, heavy snow accumulation, secondary impacts (power outages, transportation disruption, structural damages, agricultural losses) Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County experiences periodic extreme cold snaps, heavy snow, and prolonged freezes, especially at higher elevations along the Hwy 88 corridor and rural foothill areas. Risks include:
➢ Life safety hazards to vulnerable populations (elderly, medically fragile, low-income households without adequate heating).
➢ Infrastructure and utility impacts from ice, snow load, and downed power lines. ➢ Agricultural losses from freezes affecting vineyards, orchards, and livestock. ➢ Transportation hazards from snow/ice-covered roads impacting emergency access and commerce.

Without coordinated mitigation and preparedness, these events can cause costly disruptions and threaten health and safety.

Project Description:
➢ Vulnerable Population Protection
✓ Develop extreme cold emergency outreach list (elderly, medically dependent) ✓ Expand warming center locations (libraries, community centers) with backup power ✓ Obtain and provide blankets, space heaters, and transport support to vulnerable residents. ➢ Infrastructure & Utility Hardening
✓ Insulate exposed water line in County facilities; promote similar measures for homes. ✓ Work w/PG&E and utilities to reduce tree/ice damage to power infrastructure ✓ Assess structural capacity of critical facilities for snow load ➢ Transportation & Snow Management
✓ Maintain snow removal capacity for priority roads, especially emergency access routes ✓ Pre-position de-icing materials, snow plows and barricades in high-elevation areas ➢ Agricultural Freeze Protection
✓ Promote frost prevention method for vineyards, orchards, and livestock ✓ Provide grants or technical assistance for frost fans, wind machines and water systems ➢ Public Outreach & Education
✓ Disseminate extreme cold/snow preparedness guidance (winter kits, heating safety) ✓ Share road closure, storm alerts, and freeze warning through multiple channels.

Other Alternatives:
➢ Status Quo – Maintain current winter storm response.
✓ Cons: Continues high costs from emergency heating, storm repairs, and agricultural losses. ➢ Focused Agricultural Support – Target frost protection for crops and livestock only. 542
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-47
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
✓ Cons: Does not address life safety, infrastructure, or transportation impacts. ➢ Comprehensive Winter Resilience Strategy (Preferred) – Integrates life safety, infrastructure protection, agricultural mitigation, and preparedness measures.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Emergency Plans, Responsible Office/Partners: Public Health, Red Cross, OES, Public Works Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Life Safety: Prevents hypothermia, frostbite, and cold-related deaths. ➢ Property Protection: Reduces burst pipes, roof damage from snow loads, and utility failures. ➢ Agricultural Stability: Limits crop and livestock losses, preserving agricultural economy. ➢ Economic Continuity: Maintains transportation access for commerce and emergency services. ➢ Lower Emergency Costs: Reduces spending on emergency shelter, storm repairs, and power restoration.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): HMGP, BRIC, FEMA Public Assistance (post event), Cal-OES
Timeline: Within 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
543
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-48
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Severe Weather: Extreme Heat Actions
Action 16. Extreme Heat Resilience Plan
Hazards Addressed: Extreme Heat Waves, Prolonged high temperature periods. Secondary impacts:

Power outages, wildfires, drought intensification, health emergencies Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Amador County experiences periodic heat waves that can last several days or longer. Risks include:
➢ Life safety hazards for vulnerable populations (elderly, children, medically fragile, outdoor workers). ➢ Health emergencies from heat stroke, dehydration, and exacerbation of existing illnesses. ➢ Power reliability risks from increased energy demand for cooling. ➢ Economic impacts to agriculture, livestock, and outdoor industries.

Extreme heat events are projected to increase in frequency and intensity, making proactive mitigation essential.

Project Description:
➢ Vulnerable Population Protection
✓ Identify high-risk individuals and maintain an emergency contact registry (elderly, medically dependent)
✓ Expand cooling center locations (libraries, community centers, with backup power ✓ Transportation support for vulnerable residents
➢ Energy Reliability & Resilience
✓ Coordinate w/PG&E to minimize planned outages during extreme heat events ✓ Install backup generators or solar battery systems at designated cooling centers and critical facilities ➢ Community Preparedness & Outreach
✓ Disseminate heat safety guidance (hydration, cooling, recognizing heat illness symptoms) ✓ Partner w/employers, schools, and outdoor recreation programs to promote safe heat practices ➢ Agricultural & Outdoor Workforce Protection
✓ Provide technical guidance & support for livestock cooling systems, irrigation timing, and worker safety compliance.

Other Alternatives: No Action
➢ Status Quo – Continue current response-based approach. ✓ Cons: Reactive only, does not reduce vulnerability or prevent health impacts. ➢ Targeted Cooling Centers Only – Establish limited cooling facilities during extreme heat. ✓ Cons: Addresses immediate safety but not infrastructure or community-wide resilience. ➢ Comprehensive Heat Resilience Strategy (Preferred) – Combines life safety measures, infrastructure improvements, community outreach, and energy resilience.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Emergency Management Plans
544
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-49
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Responsible Office/Partners: Public Health, OES, Public Works, PG&E, Ag Dept Benefits (Losses Avoided):
➢ Life Safety: Prevents heat-related deaths and medical emergencies. ➢ Health System Relief: Reduces ER visits and hospitalizations during heat events. ➢ Economic Stability: Protects agricultural output, outdoor work productivity, and tourism. ➢ Infrastructure Resilience: Reduces strain on power systems and prolongs facility service life. ➢ Community Confidence: Demonstrates proactive protection for vulnerable residents.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): HMGP, BRIC, Cal-OES Timeline: Within 5 years
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
545
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-50
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Wildfire, Drought, and Extreme Heat Actions
Action 17. Tree Mortality Program Coordinator
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire, Drought and Water Shortage, Severe Weather: Extreme Heat, Severe Weather: High Winds and Tornadoes (any natural hazard that affects dead and dying trees along County roads.

Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Due to drought and insect infestation, trees within Amador County have been dying. The Tree Mortality Program was set up to mitigation hazard trees along County roads, thus addressing risk to the public from falling trees, while removing excess wood fuel from key roadways that would be utilized as ingress and egress during wildfire events.

Project Description: Commencing January 2017 Amador County implemented the TMP. TSS Consultants was retained as Coordinator to facilitate dead/dying tree mitigation.

Other Alternatives: No Action
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: The County has existing contracts to identify and remove infected and dead trees throughout the County.

Responsible Office/Partners: County GSA
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Public safety
Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): US Forest Service match funding.

Timeline: Commencement date: Jan 2017. Project is ongoing Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Action 18. Countywide Wildfire Resiliency Coordination GIS Mapping Project to Support Fuels Reduction Efforts
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Fuels reduction efforts are carried out by public agencies and private landowners across the county. Most are planned and implemented by the agency or landowner within their jurisdiction according to their own strategy and priorities. Some cooperative agreements exist for coordinated landscape-scale wildfire protection, but it is a challenge to share, store and update geographic information across entities, which is essential for project management and planning. 546
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-51
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Project Description: Geographic data from wildfire mitigation projects planned and implemented by any land management agency or private landowner, if appropriate, will be shared with Amador County Planning Department: GIS and Mapping. The information will be added to the existing GIS viewer (ArcGIS Experience platform), in a publicly viewable and downloadable format. Additional layers essential for fuels reduction project planning such as roads, watercourses, parcels, will also be updated regularly in the platform.

Other Alternatives: Sharing of paper or digital maps. Sharing of individual files when multiagency/landowner maps are required.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: The Amador County Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) will be rewritten in 2025-2026. It will include geographically specific risk and hazard analyses and identify past, present and future wildfire mitigation actions. Countywide coordinated GIS mapping will build off this work with regular updates.

Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Planning Department, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, Amador Fire Safe Council, Amador Resource Conservation District, Amador Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management – Mother Lode Field Office, El Dorado National Forest, Sierra Pacific Industries
Benefits (Losses Avoided): The cost of personnel time required for inter-agency collaboration will be significantly reduced if there is one accessible source which contain updated geographic information associated with wildfire mitigation projects.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Local budgets will be required to maintain the database and existing GIS viewer. Grant-funded work will supplement the program, for example the rewriting of the CWPP in 2025-2026 and the associated geographic information that will be compiled and analyzed.

Timeline: 2025 - no end date
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 19. Forest Health Projects
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Historic wildfire suppression, the expansion of residences within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and climate change have resulted in extreme risk and vulnerability to wildfire within and beyond the County. Forested areas within the WUI are typically overcrowded with vegetation. Non-industrial private landowners and public land management agencies have limited financial means for fuels reduction treatments. 547
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-52
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Project Description: Forest Health projects refer to landscape-scale vegetation management to improve ecosystem functions including the reduction of potential wildfire severity through fuels reduction. The Jackson Creek Forest Health Project was the first of its kind and scale in the County. The Project assisted non-industrial forest landowners in the WUI to thin overcrowded forests across over one thousand acres through mechanical mastication, hand treatment and targeted grazing. The Amador Resource Conservation District intends to implement similar projects in other areas of the County.

Other Alternatives: California Forest Improvement Program (Natural Resource Conservation Service).

Assists individual landowners.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Amador County CWPP.

Firewise Communities may propose Forest Health project ideas to the Amador Resource Conservation District, who will evaluate their feasibility and seek funding opportunities for planning and implementation.

Responsible Office/Partners: Firewise Communities, Amador Resource Conservation District, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, Bureau of Land Management – Mother Lode Field Office Benefits (Losses Avoided): Vegetative fuels reduction will reduce the intensity of future wildfires in treated areas.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CALFIRE Forest Health grants Timeline: Ongoing and within 1-5 years covered by this LHMP Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): Medium
Action 20. Ingress/Egress Phases I and II: Public Education and Fuels Reduction Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Vegetative growth adjacent to roads presents a danger to residents on their evacuation routes and to emergency services en route towards their destination in a wildfire situation. This is a continual maintenance issue along County- and private- maintained roads which serve as evacuation routes. Many residents in the WUI depend on a single evacuation route.

Project Description: Through the Community Ingress/Egress Project Phases I & II which concluded in 2025:
➢ Evacuation routes were identified, mapped and prioritized. ➢ Public outreach was conducted
➢ 113 miles of fuels reduction treatment was implemented along 113 miles of road, within 20 feet of the road edge.

The program will continue in the future pending additional grant funding. 548
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-53
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Other Alternatives: None
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: The Amador Fire Safe Council is seeking additional funding opportunities to resume the program.

Responsible Office/Partners: Amador County Public Works, Amador Fire Safe Council, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, and Amador Fire Protection District Benefits (Losses Avoided): The avoided loss of life and damage to property that can result if emergency access routes are blocked is invaluable.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CALFIRE Fire Prevention grants, Sierra Nevada Conservancy grants
Timeline: Ongoing. Intent to obtain funding and resume program in late 2025 Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 21. Community Fuel Break Network
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Historic wildfire suppression, the expansion of residences within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), and climate change have resulted in extreme risk and vulnerability to wildfire within and beyond the County. Forested areas within the WUI are typically overcrowded with vegetation. Non-industrial private landowners and public land management agencies have limited financial means for fuels reduction treatments.

Project Description: Shaded fuel breaks facilitate wildfire suppression activities in strategic locations along ridgetops and main access routes. They are forested areas that are thinned to significantly reduce understory vegetation, ladder fuels, and crown connectivity of remaining overstory trees. Since the Amador Fire Safe Council (AFSC) was formed in 2002, the following fuel breaks have been implemented in the County:
➢ Mitchell Mine
➢ Pine Acres
➢ River Pines
➢ Tiger Creek
➢ Upper Rancheria
Community-based project proposals drive the expansion of the fuel break network to new project areas.

The AFSC evaluates, plans and implements projects on a rolling basis.

Several fuel breaks are in planning including:
549
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-54
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
➢ Butte Mountain
➢ Mount Crossman
➢ Pine Grove Corridor
➢ Rendic (Amador City)
➢ Thompson Ridge
➢ Volcano Hills
Other Alternatives: None
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Firewise Communities may propose Fuel Break project ideas to the Amador Fire Safe Council, who will evaluate their feasibility and seek funding opportunities for planning and implementation. The Community Wildfire Protection Plan rewrite of 2025-2026 will identify and prioritize areas for new fuel breaks.

Responsible Office/Partners: Amador Fire Safe Council, Firewise Communities, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, Amador Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management – Mother Lode Field Office Benefits (Losses Avoided): A network of shaded fuel breaks aid firefighters to contain wildfires, reducing the extent of damage done to land and property.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CALFIRE Wildfire Prevention grants, Sierra Nevada Conservancy grants, and Bureau of Land Management grants Timeline: Ongoing and annually within the next 5 years and beyond, depending on funding Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 22. Defensible Space Assistance
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): A significant portion of the County’s residents who live within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) are seniors, veterans, disabled, and/or earn a low income. Defensible Space can be a challenge for any homeowner or resident to maintain, especially for the above listed vulnerable sectors of the population.

Project Description: A Defensible Space Assistance Pilot Program is in development to aid disadvantaged residents of the County to treat vegetation within 100 feet of their homes. The Pilot Program will assist at least 75 households, after which additional funding will be required.

Other Alternatives: Defensible Space Education
Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Amador Resource Conservation District is developing the pilot program through a CALFIRE Wildfire Prevention grant. 550
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-55
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador Resource Conservation District, Amador Fire Protection District, and CAL FIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Properly maintained Defensible Space reduces risk of damage to homes during wildfire and reduces risk of fire spreading beyond a home where a fire ignites.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CALFIRE Wildfire Prevention grants, Sierra Nevada Conservancy grants
Timeline: Program to begin accepting applications Fall 2025. Ongoing and annually within the next 5 years and beyond, depending on funding
Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 23. Defensible Space Public Education
Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Of Amador County’s 41,259 residents, 23,500 live within the State Responsibility Area and the Wildland Urban Interface (2020 U.S. Census). Maintaining Defensible Space 100 feet around homes is the responsibility of the homeowner and mandated by the state of California, but compliance is challenging to achieve.

Project Description: Public education is necessary to inform residents of Defensible Space standards and requirements, which are complex and require close attention to understand and apply to one’s personal property. Several organizations within the County provide education and outreach through community events and print and online resources.

Amador Fire Protection District consistently hosts public outreach events and makes home visits for Defensible Space Assessments upon request free of charge.

A Defensible Space and Firewise Landscaping demonstration site is being developed at Pioneer Veterans Hall to serve as a publicly accessible full-scale example for residents to educate themselves.

University of California Cooperative Extension: Master Gardeners hosts a Defensible Space, Home Hardening and Firewise Landscaping workshop once per year.

Red Cross provides Defensible Space, Home Hardening and Wildfire Preparedness education and outreach, emergency go-bags, and smoke detectors.

Other Alternatives: Enforcement of Public Resources Code 4291 of Government Code 51182 Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Amador Fire Protection District: Public Information Officer, Firewise Communities, ARCD Defensible Space Assistance Program 551
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-56
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Responsible Office/Partners: Amador Fire Protection District, Amador Fire Safe Council, Amador Resource Conservation District, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, Red Cross, Amador County Board of Supervisors, and University of California Cooperative Extension: Master Gardeners Benefits (Losses Avoided): Properly maintained Defensible Space reduces risk of damage to homes during wildfire and reduces risk of fire spreading beyond a home where a fire ignites.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): County budget: Amador Fire Protection District, CALFIRE Wildfire Prevention Grants
Timeline: Ongoing and annually within the next 5 years and beyond, depending on funding Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
Action 24. Develop Amador County CWPP and Implementation of Identified Projects Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): The Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for all of Amador County was written in 2004. Since then, several CWPP’s were written for planning units within the county, but most have passed their 10-year planning horizon.

Project Description: The Amador County CWPP will be rewritten in 2025-2026.

Other Alternatives: Do not update the CWPP, remain ineligible for some wildfire mitigation funding sources.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: Amador Fire Safe Council is facilitating the CWPP development process using BLM grant funding.

Responsible Office/Partners: Amador Fire Safe Council, Amador County Office of Emergency Services, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, Amador Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management – Mother Lode Field Office, El Dorado National Forest, Cities of Amador City, Ione, Jackson, Plymouth, Sutter Creek, Firewise Communities
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Establish a coordinated strategy among stakeholders in the County for wildfire mitigation, especially fuels reduction project prioritization and reduction of structural ignitability. Become eligible for additional wildfire mitigation funding sources.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): Bureau of Land Management Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program
Timeline: 2025-2026. Rewrite every 10 years.

Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
552
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 5-57
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Action 25. Vegetation Management projects – Monitoring and Maintenance Hazards Addressed: Wildfire
Goals Addressed: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6
Issue/Background (Problem Statement): Fuels reduction projects in the Wildland Urban Interface on private nonindustrial forest lands and public lands are typically implemented using grant funds. After the initial treatment and conclusion of the grant, vegetation quickly grows back and fuel loads return, but historically funding has not been secured for follow-up treatments.

Project Description: A Monitoring and Maintenance program will be established to track and manage the following types of fuels reduction projects (Mitigation Actions described in previous Worksheets):
➢ Forest Health
➢ Community Fuel Break Network
➢ Ingress/Egress
Information obtained through monitoring will allow for the prioritization of maintenance treatments to retain the benefits of fuels reduction projects beyond the initial treatment period. Maintenance plans will be informed by the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP).

In 2025, Amador Fire Safe Council began planning a monitoring program, and intends to fully develop it by 2026. Maintenance treatments will require continuous grant solicitations and awards.

Other Alternatives: CALFIRE Vegetation Management Program (VMP). For some project areas within the Community Fuel Break Network, a VMP may be established to enable CALFIRE contribution to fuels management through prescribed fire and mechanical treatments.

Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action Will Be Implemented: No standardized system yet exists. Some follow-up treatment has been implemented within the grant period intended for the initial treatment on one Community Fuel Break: Mitchell Mine.

Responsible Office/Partners: Amador Fire Safe Council, Firewise Communities, CALFIRE Amador-El Dorado Unit, Amador Fire Protection District, Bureau of Land Management – Mother Lode Field Office, Amador County Public Works
Benefits (Losses Avoided): Consistent monitoring and maintenance of fuels reduction projects would extend the wildfire mitigation benefits of initial treatments beyond just 2-3 years.

Potential Funding (Local Budgets, Grant Funds, etc.): CALFIRE Wildfire Prevention grants, CALFIRE Forest Health grants, Sierra Nevada Conservancy grants, Bureau of Land Management grants Timeline: Ongoing and annually within the next 5 years and beyond, depending on funding Project Priority (High, Medium, Low): High
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October 2025
Chapter 6 Plan Adoption
44 CFR §201.6(c)(5): [The local hazard mitigation plan shall include] documentation that the plan has been formally approved by the governing body of the jurisdiction requesting approval of the plan (e.g., City Council, county commissioner, Tribal Council).

The purpose of formally adopting this 2025 Amador County LHMP Update is to secure buy-in from each participating jurisdiction, raise awareness of the Plan, and formalize the Plan’s approval and implementation. The adoption of this LHMP Update completes Planning Step 9 of the 10-step planning process: Adopt the Plan, in accordance with the requirements of DMA 2000. For the unincorporated County and the two incorporated communities, this adoption resolution also addresses AB 2140 requiring adoption by reference or incorporation into the Safety Element of the General Plan. Two resolutions were created – one for the County and incorporated communities and one for the special districts.

The governing board for each jurisdiction has adopted this 2025 Amador County LHMP Update by passing a resolution. A copy of the generic resolutions is included in Appendix D: Adoption Resolution. 554
Section 7, Item B.

Amador County 7-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Chapter 7 Plan Implementation and Maintenance
44 CFR §201.6(c)(4): [The plan maintenance process shall include a] section describing the method and schedule of monitoring, evaluating, and updating the mitigation plan within a five-year cycle.

Implementation and maintenance of this 2025 Amador County LHMP Update is critical to the success of hazard mitigation in the Amador County Planning Area. Plan implementation and maintenance is Planning Step 10 of the 10-step planning process. Accordingly, this chapter provides an overview of the overall strategy for Plan implementation and maintenance and outlines the method and schedule for monitoring, updating, and evaluating the Plan. The chapter also discusses incorporating the Plan into existing planning mechanisms and how to address continued public involvement in local hazard mitigation planning.

Chapter 3, Planning Process, includes information on the implementation and maintenance process since the adoption of the 2020 LHMP Update. This chapter includes information on the implementation and maintenance process for the development of this Plan, the 2025 Amador County LHMP Update.

7.1 Implementation
Once adopted, this 2025 Amador County LHMP Update faces the truest test of its worth: implementation.

While the Plan contains many worthwhile actions, the County and all participating jurisdictions will need to decide which action(s) to undertake first. Two factors should be considered when making that decision:
the priority assigned to the mitigation actions in the Plan and funding availability. Low or no-cost actions most easily demonstrate progress toward successful Plan implementation.

An important implementation mechanism that is highly effective and low-cost is incorporation of the hazard mitigation plan recommendations and their underlying principles into other plans and mechanisms such as local general plans, stormwater plans, Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs), evacuation plans, and other hazard and emergency management planning efforts by the participating jurisdictions. These jurisdictions already implement policies and programs to reduce losses to life and property from hazards. This 2025 LHMP Update builds upon the momentum developed through prior, related planning and mitigation programs and recommends implementing actions, where possible, through other programs.

Mitigation is most successful when it is incorporated into the day-to-day functions and priorities of government and development. Implementation can be accomplished by adhering to the schedules identified for each action through sustained collaborative efforts, highlighting the mutual benefits of proposed mitigation actions, and the Amador County jurisdictions, its stakeholders, and the public. This is achieved through the routine actions of monitoring agendas, attending meetings, and promoting mitigation initiatives to enhance the safety and sustainability of the community. Additional mitigation strategies may include consistent and ongoing enforcement of existing policies and the vigilant review of programs for coordination and multi-objective opportunities to enhance mitigation. 555
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Simultaneously, it is important to continuously monitor potential funding opportunities to finance mitigation actions. This may include identifying funding sources to meet local matching funds requirements under FEMA pre- and post-disaster mitigation grant programs, and other sources. When funding does become available, the participating jurisdictions will be better positioned to capitalize on the opportunity.

Responsibility for Implementation of Goals and Activities The elected officials, executive leadership teams, responsible staff and departments, and emergency management offices of the participating jurisdictions are charged with implementation of various activities in the 2025 LHMP Update. During annual reviews as described later in this section, each participating jurisdiction should conduct an assessment of progress toward meeting the goals and activities of the LHMP Update. At that time, recommendations may be made to modify timeframes for the completion of identified mitigation actions, identify funding sources, and work with responsible entities to implement the actions.

On an annual basis, the priority of various mitigation actions may be adjusted. Some activities that are found not to be feasible may be removed from the Plan entirely, while other mitigation actions unforeseen during the Plan development process may be added.

7.1.1. Role of the LHMP Update Planning Committee in Implementation and Maintenance
With adoption of this Plan, each participating jurisdiction will be responsible for LHMP implementation and maintenance. The HMPC identified in Chapter 3 (or a similar committee) will reconvene annually to ensure mitigation strategies are being implemented, and the County and Cities continue to maintain compliance with the NFIP. The Amador County, Office of Emergency Services (County OES), will continue in its role as project lead for LHMP implementation and maintenance. As such, County OES, as LHMP project lead, and all participating jurisdictions will continue their relationship, and will plan to convene the same or similar HMPC when preparing the subsequent LHMP Update. The County OES project lead, with support from participating jurisdictions and the LHMP Update HMPC will:
➢ Act as a forum for hazard mitigation issues;
➢ Disseminate hazard mitigation ideas and activities to all participants; ➢ Pursue the implementation of high-priority, low/no-cost recommended actions; ➢ Ensure hazard mitigation remains a consideration for community decision makers; ➢ Maintain a vigilant monitoring of multi-objective cost-share opportunities to help the community implement the Plan’s recommended actions for which no current funding exists; ➢ Monitor and assist in the implementation and update of this Plan; ➢ Report on Plan progress and recommended changes to the governing boards for all participating jurisdictions; and
➢ Inform and solicit input from the public.

The primary duty of the County and all participating jurisdictions and the HMPC is to see the LHMP Update successfully carried out and to report to their governing boards and the public on the status of LHMP implementation and mitigation opportunities. Other duties include reviewing and promoting mitigation 556
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proposals, considering stakeholder concerns about hazard mitigation, passing concerns on to appropriate entities, and posting relevant information about the LHMP on the websites of participating jurisdictions.

7.2 Maintenance
Plan maintenance implies an ongoing effort to monitor and evaluate LHMP implementation and to update the Plan as progress, roadblocks, or changing circumstances are encountered.

7.2.1. Maintenance Schedule
Amador County OES, as project lead, in conjunction with the LHMP leads for all participating jurisdictions, is responsible for initiating Plan reviews. In order to monitor progress and update the mitigation strategies identified in the mitigation action plan, County OES, LHMP leads from other participating jurisdictions, and the HMPC will revisit this Plan annually each year and following a hazard event to review and document progress on Plan implementation. Amador County OES will also submit a five-year written update to the State and FEMA Region IX, unless disaster or other circumstances (e.g., changing regulations) require a change to this schedule. With this 2025 LHMP Update anticipated to be fully approved and adopted in early 2026, the next required written update of the Plan must be completed by early 2031.

Amador County OES will initiate the Plan Update – which may include applying for grant funding to hire professional services to assist in preparing the 2031 LHMP Update. The 2031 LHMP Update development process should be initiated in 2028 to ensure the 2031 LHMP Update can be funded and completed by this 2025 Amador County LHMP’s expiration date.

7.2.2. Maintenance Evaluation Process
Evaluation of progress can be achieved by monitoring changes in vulnerabilities identified in the Plan.

Changes in vulnerability can be identified by noting:
➢ Decreased vulnerability as a result of implementing recommended actions; ➢ Increased vulnerability as a result of failed or ineffective mitigation actions; ➢ Increased vulnerability as a result of new development (and/or annexation); and/or ➢ Increased vulnerability resulting from unforeseen or new circumstances.

Updates to this Plan will:
➢ Consider changes in vulnerability due to action implementation; ➢ Document success stories where mitigation efforts have proven effective; ➢ Document areas where mitigation actions were not effective; ➢ Document any new hazards that may arise or were previously overlooked; ➢ Incorporate new data or studies on hazards and risks; ➢ Incorporate new capabilities or changes in capabilities; ➢ Incorporate growth and development-related changes to infrastructure inventories; and ➢ Incorporate new action recommendations or changes in action prioritization.

Changes will be made to this Plan to accommodate for actions that have failed or are not considered feasible after a review of their consistency with established criteria, time frame, community priorities, and/or 557
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October 2025
funding resources. All mitigation actions will be reviewed during the monitoring and update of this Plan to determine feasibility of future implementation. Updating of this LHMP will be by written changes and submissions, as the participating jurisdictions and HMPC deem appropriate and necessary, and as approved by the governing boards of each participating jurisdiction. In keeping with the five-year update process, the HMPC will convene public meetings to solicit public input on this LHMP Update and its routine maintenance, and the final product will be again adopted by the governing boards of each participating jurisdiction.

Annual Plan Review Process
For the LHMP Update review process, the County OES lead, and the LHMP leads for each of the participating jurisdictions, will be responsible for facilitating, coordinating, and scheduling reviews and maintenance of the LHMP. The LHMP is intended to be a living document. The review of the 2025 LHMP Update will normally occur on an annual basis each year and will be conducted by the HMPC as follows:
➢ County OES will place an advertisement in the local newspaper and will utilize other public outreach mechanisms, such as e-newsletters, social media blasts, and others, advising the public of the date, time, and place for each annual review of the LHMP Update and will be responsible for leading the meeting to review the Plan.
➢ Notices will be mailed to the members of the HMPC, federal, state, and local agencies, non-profit groups, local planning agencies, representatives of business interests, neighboring communities, and others advising them of the date, time, and place for the review. ➢ County/City/District/Tribal officials will be noticed by email and telephone or personal visit and urged to participate.
➢ Members of any participating jurisdiction’s planning commissions and other appointed commissions and groups will also be noticed by email and either by telephone or personal visit. ➢ Prior to the review, department heads and others tasked with implementation of the various activities will be queried concerning progress on each activity in their area of responsibility and asked to present a report at the review meeting.
➢ The local news media will be contacted, and a copy of the current LHMP will be available for public comment at Amador County OES as project lead.
➢ After the review meeting, minutes of the meeting and an annual report will be prepared by the participating jurisdictions and the HMPC and posted on the Amador County LHMP webpage for the public.
➢ A copy of the 2025 LHMP Update will be continually posted on the LHMP website for the participating jurisdictions.

Criteria for Annual Reviews
The criteria recommended in 44 CFR 201 and 206 will be utilized in reviewing and updating the 2025 LHMP Update. More specifically, the reviews should include the following information:
➢ Community growth or change in the past year.
➢ The number of substantially damaged or substantially improved structures by flood zone. 558
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➢ The renovations to public infrastructure including water, sewer, drainage, roads, bridges, gas lines, and buildings.
➢ Natural hazard occurrences that required activation of the Emergency Operations Center(s) (EOC) and whether or not the event resulted in a federal disaster declaration. ➢ Natural hazard occurrences that were not of a magnitude to warrant activation of the EOC or a federal disaster declaration but were severe enough to cause damage in the community or closure of businesses, schools, or public services.
➢ The dates of hazard events and descriptions.
➢ Documented damages due to the events.
➢ Closures of places of employment or schools and the number of days closed. ➢ Road or bridge closures due to the hazard and the length of time closed. ➢ Assessment of the number of private and public buildings damaged and whether the damage was minor, substantial, major, or if buildings were destroyed. The assessment will include residences, mobile homes, commercial structures, industrial structures, and public buildings, such as schools and public safety buildings.
➢ Review of the status of implementation of projects (mitigation strategies) including projects completed will be noted. Projects behind schedule will include a reason for delay of implementation. ➢ Review of any changes in federal, state, and local policies to determine the impact of these policies on the community and how and if the policy changes can or should be incorporated into the next LHMP Update.

7.2.3. Incorporation into Existing Planning Mechanisms
Another important implementation mechanism that is highly effective and low-cost is incorporation of the 2025 LHMP Update recommendations and their underlying principles into other jurisdictional plans and mechanisms. Where possible, Plan participants will use existing plans and/or programs to implement hazard mitigation actions. As previously stated in Section 7.1 of this Plan, mitigation is most successful when it is incorporated into the day-to-day functions and priorities of government and development. The point is re-emphasized here. As described in this LHMP’s capability assessment, the participating jurisdictions already implement policies and programs to reduce losses to life and property from hazards.

This Plan builds upon the momentum developed through previous and related planning efforts and mitigation programs and recommends implementing actions, where possible, through these other program mechanisms. These existing mechanisms include:
➢ General and master plans
➢ Emergency Operations Plans and other emergency management efforts ➢ Jurisdictional ordinances
➢ Flood/stormwater management/master plans
➢ Climate Plans
➢ Capital Improvement Plans and budgets
➢ Other plans and policies outlined in the capability assessment ➢ Other plans, regulations, and practices with a mitigation focus Participating jurisdictions and HMPC members involved in these other planning and program mechanisms will be responsible for integrating the findings and recommendations of this LHMP with these other plans, 559
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programs, etc., as appropriate. As described in Section 7.1 Implementation, incorporation into existing planning mechanisms will be done through the routine actions of:
➢ monitoring other planning/program agendas;
➢ attending other planning/program meetings;
➢ participating in other planning processes; and
➢ monitoring community budget meetings for other community program opportunities.

The successful implementation of this mitigation strategy will require constant and vigilant review of existing plans and programs for coordination and multi-objective opportunities that promote a safe, sustainable community.

Examples of incorporation of the 2025 LHMP Update into existing planning mechanisms include:

1. As recommended by Assembly Bill 2140, the County and Cities should adopt (by reference or incorporation) this LHMP into the Safety Element of their General Plans. Evidence of such adoption (by formal, certified resolution and text within the body of the Safety Element) shall be provided to CAL OES and FEMA.

2. Integration of wildfire actions identified in this mitigation strategy with the actions and implementation priorities established in existing and new Community Wildfire Protection Plans and other fire plans.

Key people responsible for development and implementation of these plans participated on the HMPC.

Key projects were identified and integrated specifically into this LHMP, while others currently of lessor priority should be referenced in their source document. Actual implementation of these projects will likely occur through the CWPP’s processes through the efforts of each responsible jurisdiction and department.

3. Integration of many of the infrastructure, roads, and facility improvement projects with the jurisdictional Capital Improvement Programs.

4. Use of risk assessment information to inform future updates of the hazard analysis in the Emergency Operations Plans and related emergency management efforts for all participating jurisdictions.

Each jurisdiction will consider incorporation of the LHMP into planning mechanisms listed on Table 7-1.

Table 7-1 LHMP Incorporation into other Planning Mechanisms Jurisdiction General Plans
/
Master Plans/
Strategic Plans
EOP /
Emergency
Plans
CWPP
/ Fire
Plans
CIP Flood /
Stormwater /
Watershed
Plans
Other Plans:

Drought/ Water
Management/
Climate Plans/
Other
Amador County X X X X X X
City of Amador City X X X X
City of Ione X X X
City of Jackson X X X X
City of Plymouth X X X X
City of Sutter Creek X X X
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Jurisdiction General Plans
/
Master Plans/
Strategic Plans
EOP /
Emergency
Plans
CWPP
/ Fire
Plans
CIP Flood /
Stormwater /
Watershed
Plans
Other Plans:

Drought/ Water
Management/
Climate Plans/
Other
Amador Water Agency X X X X
Jackson Valley Irrigation
District

X X X X
In addition, the mitigation actions included within each jurisdictions’ mitigation strategy contain a category identifying “Existing Planning Mechanism(s) through which Action will be Implemented” that contains how each mitigation action is related to other planning mechanisms and jurisdictional programs. Those can be found in Chapter 5 of the Base Plan for the County and within each jurisdictions’ annex to this Base Plan.

Efforts should continuously be made to monitor the progress of mitigation actions implemented through these other planning mechanisms and, where appropriate, their priority actions should be incorporated into updates of this LHMP.

7.2.4. Continued Public Involvement
Continued public involvement is a crucial element of successful Plan implementation. The update process provides an opportunity to solicit participation from new and existing stakeholders and to publicize success stories from the 2025 LHMP implementation and seek additional public comment. The Plan maintenance and update process will include continued public and stakeholder involvement and input through attendance at designated committee meetings, web postings, press releases to local media, and through public hearings.

Public Involvement Process for Annual Reviews
The public will be noticed by placing an advertisement in the newspaper and will utilize other public outreach mechanisms, such as e-newsletters, social media blasts, and others specifying the date and time for the review and inviting public participation. The HMPC, local, state, and regional agencies will be notified and invited to attend and participate.

Public Involvement for Five-year Update
When the participating jurisdictions and HMPC reconvenes for the next LHMP Update, they will coordinate with all stakeholders participating in the planning process—including those that joined the committee since the planning process began—to update and revise the Plan. In reconvening, the HMPC will identify a public outreach subcommittee, which will be responsible for coordinating the activities necessary to involve the greater public. The subcommittee will develop a plan for public involvement and will be responsible for disseminating information through a variety of media channels detailing the LHMP update process. As part of this effort, public meetings will be held, and public comments will be solicited on the LHMP Update draft. In addition, continued public involvement and outreach efforts will place an emphasis on identifying and inviting representatives from underserved and vulnerable populations to be part of the next, 2031 561
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Amador County LHMP Update. As a starting point the underserved and vulnerable population groups identified for this 2025 LHMP Update will be contacted to invite them to the 2031 LHMP Update process with additional groups identified and added to meet the ongoing goal of mitigation planning for the whole community.
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Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Prelude to Jurisdictional Annexes
For this 2025 Amador County LHMP Update, the Jurisdictional Annexes, working in conjunction with the Base Plan, detail the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to participating jurisdictions, beyond the unincorporated County which is covered in the Base Plan. Each Annex is not intended to be a standalone document, but appends to, supplements, and incorporates by reference the information contained in the Base Plan, as the umbrella document for this planning effort. As such, all Chapters 1-7 of the Base Plan and associated appendices, including the planning process and other procedural requirements and planning elements apply to and were met by each participating jurisdiction.

These Jurisdictional Annexes provide additional information specific to each participating jurisdiction, with a focus on providing additional details on the risk assessment and mitigation strategy beyond that provided in the Base Plan.
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Amador County City of Amador City Annex A-1
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
Annex A City of Amador City
A.1 Introduction
This Annex details the hazard mitigation planning elements specific to the City of Amador City, a previously participating jurisdiction to the 2020 Amador County Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) Update. This Annex is not intended to be a standalone document but appends to and supplements the information contained in the Base Plan document. As such, all sections of the Base Plan, including the planning process and other procedural requirements apply to and were met by the City. This Annex provides additional information specific to the City of Amador City, with a focus on providing additional details on the planning process, risk assessment, and mitigation strategy for this jurisdiction.

A.2 Planning Process
As described above, the City of Amador City followed the planning process detailed in Chapter 3 of the Base Plan. In addition to providing representation on the Amador County Hazard Mitigation Planning Committee (HMPC), the City formulated their own internal planning team to support the broader planning process requirements. Internal planning participants, their positions, and how they participated in the planning process are shown in Table A-1. Additional details on Plan participation and City representatives are included in Appendix A.

Table A-1 City of Amador City – Planning Team*
Name Position/Title How Participated
Sandy Staples Mayor Attended planning meetings. Provided past events and local concerns. Provided hazard ID table.

David Groth City Administrator Attended planning meetings. Provided past events and local concerns.
*The City noted that much help was provided by Tom DuBois, City Manager, City of Sutter Creek, and Dan LaFontaine, Public Works Director, City of Sutter Creek in the completion of this annex.

Coordination with other community planning efforts is paramount to the successful implementation of this LHMP Update. This section provides information on how the City integrated the previously approved 2020 LHMP into existing planning mechanisms and programs. Specifically, the City incorporated into or implemented the 2020 LHMP through other plans and programs shown in Table A-2.

Table A-2 2020 LHMP Incorporation
Planning Mechanism 2020 LHMP Was
Incorporated/Implemented In.

Details: How was it incorporated?
N/A There were no planning mechanisms since 2020 to incorporate the Plan into.
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Amador County City of Amador City Annex A-2
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October 2025
A.3 Community Profile
The community profile for the City of Amador City is detailed in the following sections. Figure A-1 displays a City map and the location of City of Amador City within Amador County.

Figure A-1 City of Amador City
A.3.1. Geography and Climate
Amador City is located on Highway 49 in California's Gold Country. The benchmark elevation for the City is 954 feet above sea level. However, elevations range from as low as 900 feet to about 1,320 feet in the southeast portion of the City. The terrain is common for the foothills area of the Sierra Nevada, variable and dominated by grasslands. The main part of the City is located in an east-west trending Canyon created by Amador Creek, which serves as the primary drainage basin. Slopes vary, with a large part of the City in the 15-30% and 30%+ categories. Climate is similar to the County, as described in the Base Plan.

A.3.2. History
Amador City, like the County, is named for Jose Maria Amador, a wealthy California rancher who mined along the creek in 1848. Amador City was settled in the summer of 1851, after gold outcroppings had been 565
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Amador County City of Amador City Annex A-3
Local Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
October 2025
prospected on both sides of Amador’s Creek. The “Original” or “Little” Amador Mine (north) and the Spring Hill (south) were probably Amador County's first gold mines. The City’s most famous and productive mine, the Keystone, was organized in 1853 and, before it closed for good in 1942, produced about $24 million in gold. Today Amador City offers a wide range of tourist activities, including nearby access to area wineries and local shops and eateries.

A.3.3. Economy and Tax Base
US Census estimates show economic characteristics for the City of Amador City. These are shown in Table A-3 and Table A-4. Mean household income in the City was $107,129. Median household income in the City was $69,844.

Table A-3 City of Amador City – Civilian Employed Population 16 years and Over Industry Estimated
Employment
Percent
Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting, and mining 3 2.3% Construction 5 3.8%
Manufacturing 0 0.0%
Wholesale trade 0 0.0%
Retail trade 0 0.0%
Transportation and warehousing, and utilities 0 0.0%
Information 11 8.4%
Finance and insurance, and real estate and rental and leasing 13 9.9% Professional, scientific, and management, and administrative and waste management services
27 20.6%
Educational services, and health care and social assistance 10 7.6% Arts, entertainment, and recreation, and accommodation and food services 27 20.6% Other services, except public administration 4 3.1%
Public administration 31 23.7%
Source: US Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 Estimates Table A-4 City of Amador City – Income and Benefits
Income Bracket Percent
<$10,000 6.5%
$10,000 – $14,999 3.7%
$15,000 - $24,9999 7.5%
$25,000 – $34,999 6.5%
$35,000 – $49,999 13.1%
$50,000 – $74,999 13.1%
$75,000 – $99,999 8.4%
$100,000 – $149,999 16.8%
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Sutter Creek City CouncilApril 6, 2026

Sutter Creek City Council
April 6, 2026