In a special meeting on Oct. 1, the Archuleta County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) unanimously opted to extend the county’s declaration of a local disaster related to recent heavy rains and flooding.
County Manager Longinos Gonzalez initially signed a disaster declaration on Sept. 25.
Declarations signed by the principal executive officer of a political subdivision last for seven days unless extended by the BoCC.
Gonzalez explained the declaration is based on “all the rains we’ve had the last several weeks,” particularly starting on or about Sept. 14, which caused damage to personal and public property, infrastructure, and safety threats and concerns.
He noted the closure of several portions of roads because of flooding and washouts.
“I as the county manager signed a local disaster declaration on Sept. 25,” he said, which allowed the county to reach out to other entities to have them help as local abilities were exhausted.
Gonzalez indicated the extended declaration will allow the county to continue working with government partners on assessment to potentially take it to a higher level for assistance and funding.
The resolution states the “storms and flooding require emergency action to avert danger, damage, injury or loss of life or property, including but not limited to unknown economic, environmental, financial and natural resource impacts.”
It adds, “the September 15th flooding event has compromised portions of the roadway, shoulders, drainage structures, [culverts] and other transportation infrastructure creating hazardous conditions and impacting the safe reliable movement of residents, emergency responders and traveling public” and “the cost and magnitude of responding to, and recovery from, the flooding currently occurring, as well as the continued threat of flooding and debris flows, exceeds of the County’s available resources. Further, the potential impact to public safety, property, and critical infrastructure requires additional resources.”
The declaration further explains “that the effect of a declaration of a local disaster emergency is to activate the response and recovery aspects of any and all applicable and interjurisdictional disaster emergency plans and to authorize the furnishing of aid and assistance under such plans.”
The declaration also ratifies previous actions taken by personnel relating to the rain and flooding damage, and authorizes staff to continue the work.
Additionally, it explains, “Authorized personnel are directed to coordinate application to the state and federal government for funds available for reimbursement and to coordinate application for any other available funds related to this emergency.”
The declaration will remain in place until lifted by the BoCC.
During an Oct. 6 BoCC work session, Gonzalez indicated that sections of County Road 500 that were closed have been reopened.
He also explained that Road and Bridge crews have been performing maintenance on county roads 700 and 335, and planed to work on county roads 600 and 326 next.
Gonzalez noted that crews plan to blade county roads 917, 975, 500, 335, 326, 359, 400 and 382.
Later in the work session, Commissioner Warren Brown explained that he has “been in contact with” State Rep. Katie Stewart over the flooding in our area and the local disaster declaration.
“I know that they have been prompting the governor’s office to get us a response,” he said.
Brown indicated that the governor’s office “is looking at both La Plata and Archuleta County as far as the extent of the damage.
“I do appreciate the fact that they have been very communicative and that we’re working towards that end.”
randi@pagosasun.com
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