MIDDLESBORO - The Middlesboro city council voted Tuesday to approve a resolution to enter the Cumberland Valley Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan.

The resolution comes as part of the disaster litigation act of 2000 in which FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) requires each city or local jurisdiction to have a hazard mitigation plan in place.

The plan is part of a federal mandate by FEMA to help in planning and preparation in case of disasters as flooding, tornados, severe storms, severe winter storms, landslides and other natural hazards.

Representative Andy Meadors addressed the council on the background of the resolution and answered questions before the approval.

Meadors explained that the planning process started in July 2003 and now that it is put together and has been approved by FEMA, it is a federal regulation that all local jurisdictions adopted it. He was also happy to announce that as far as the actual planning process goes, there wasn't any expense to the locals.

"All paper work was done through a FEMA grant that my office applied for," he said. "There is actually a section in here that allows changes to be made if needed at a later date."

The plan covers 18 cities in a total of eight counties in Southeastern Kentucky. Council member Evertt Gulley felt that it was important for the council to accept the plan immediately because if not, FEMA would not offer future funding after a disaster.

Council member Dewey Morgan asked Meadors if under the plan and in event of a disaster, would anything hamper the local governments from being in charge.

"It doesn't take any authority away given to the county judge, mayor, local law enforcement, rescue agencies or anything else," said Meadors. "The alternative would be for Middlesboro to do their own plan."

Meadors confirmed what Gulley had said earlier about FEMA being reluctant in giving future funding in case of a disaster if the plan was not adopted by the council. He could not comment if the plan tied into Homeland Security.

"I'm not saying yes and I'm not going to say know," said Meadors.

The plan is roughly 124 pages long with every detail lined out, including names of every road, airport, assets to the communities, radio stations and more. Eventually, the city will have a copy of the plan available for all to read.