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Matanuska Susitna Borough LEPC
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1. Geographic Location: SOUTHCENTRAL ALASKA. The district’s boundaries coincide with those of the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, which is situated about 42 miles northeast of Anchorage.
2. Size and Activity: DISTRICT-WIDE POPULATION was 59,322 in
2000 and estimated 80,480 in 2007. The
Borough’s population is widely dispersed with less than one fifth living in one
of three incorporated cities. The 2000 census figures were: Houston, pop.
1,658, Palmer, pop. 4,533, or Wasilla,
pop. 5,469. Borough economy is diverse with residents employed in a variety of
retail and other professional services. Schools and government also provide
employment, and subsistence activities supplement income for many families. A
few residents hold commercial fishing permits and a high percentage commute to
jobs outside the Borough.
3. Communities:
The district has three incorporated communities, Houston, a second class city, Palmer, a
home rule city, and Wasilla, a first class city. All are political subdivisions within the
Matanuska-Susitna Borough, a second class Borough. The district also includes thirteen
unincorporated communities whose residents interact informally with the LEPC. They are: Big Lake,
Buffalo/Soapstone, Butte, Chase, Chickaloon, Fishhook, Gateway, Glacier View,
Greater Farm Loop, Knik-Fairview, Lake Louise, Lazy
Mountain, Meadow Lakes, N. Lakes, Petersville, Point Mackenzie, Skwentna, S.
Knik River, S. Lakes, Sutton, Talkeetna, Trapper Creek, Willow, and "Y".
4. Hazards Analysis: MODERATE RISK. The district’s widely scattered population and large area
serve to limit the number of people which might be affected by an incident, but increases
response difficulty. The borough and cities each have some limited, full-time, emergency
response resources. Several communities have local or borough-operated volunteer fire and ambulance services.
Disaster emergency responses are usually coordinated on an area-wide basis by the
borough’s Emergency Manager. Augmentation will usually be required to respond to
a major disaster. Wild land/urban interface fires threaten most of the district. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods and other severe weather events can affect the
entire district. Commercial airlines serve the Anchorage International Airport and
the Palmer and Wasilla municipal airports support private and chartered services. The Alaska Railroad
connects the district to Anchorage, Seward or Whittier for ocean freight delivery. Arthur
D. Little, Inc. analyzed the Borough’s hazardous substances threat and details can be
found in their final report dated April 29, 1994. While critics have found inaccuracies,
it remains the most comprehensive study available. Chlorine gas was the only
extreme hazardous substance (EHS) present
in fixed facilities in amounts greater than the threshold planning quantity. It was
present at Palmer’s water reservoir, well house #4, and sewer lagoon. However,
ammonia and chlorine are routinely transported to and through the Borough by truck, and
formaldehyde is shipped through by rail to Fairbanks. Also, the mining industry’s
need for EHSs, suggests others may also transit the district by rail and truck, bound for
interior Alaska and Canada.
5. Staffing:
VOLUNTEER SUPPLEMENTED PART-TIME BY BOROUGH EMPLOYEES. The LEPC’s chairperson and
other officers are elected by and from the predominantly volunteer, general membership.
Most LEPC staff functions are performed by Borough Department of Emergency
Services personnel.
6. Status
of Emergency Planning Process:
| Emergency Operations
Plan |
Yes |
| Initial Hazard
Analysis |
Yes |
| Hazardous Materials
Annex to EOP |
Yes |
7. Plan
focus: All Hazards
8.
LEPC Grant Awards: SFY 2007
| Baseline Grant of |
$17,800.00 |
| Special Project
Grant of |
$12,773.00 |
9.
Government/Industry Support
or Matches: LOCAL GOVERNMENT
and PRIVATE FACILITY SUPPORT. The
Matanuska-Susitna Borough manages the LEPC grant, and the Borough donates some time of
their paid employees and provides or arranges planning meetings and
office space.
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