§15-5-20 Disaster prevention.
§15-5-20. Disaster prevention.
(a) In addition to disaster prevention measures as included in the state, local, regional and interjurisdictional disaster plans, the governor shall consider on a continuing basis steps that could be taken to prevent or reduce the harmful consequences of disasters. At his direction, and pursuant to any other authority and competence they have, state agencies, including, but not limited to, those charged with responsibilities in connection with flood plain management, stream encroachment and flow regulation, weather modification, fire prevention and control, air quality, public works, land use and land-use planning and construction standards, shall make studies of disaster prevention-related matters. The governor, from time to time, shall make such recommendation to the Legislature, political subdivisions and other appropriate public and private entities as may facilitate measures for prevention or reduction of the harmful consequences of disasters.
(b) At the request of and in conjunction with the office of emergency services, the divisions of energy, natural resources and highways and any state department insured by the board of risk and insurance management shall keep land use and construction of structures and other facilities under continuing study and identify areas which are particularly susceptible to severe land shifting, subsidence, flooding or other catastrophic occurrences. Such studies shall concentrate on means of reducing or avoiding the dangers caused by such occurrences and the consequences thereof.
(c) In conjunction with the board of risk and insurance management and such other offices or agencies of state government as the board may deem appropriate, the director of the office of emergency services shall make a semi-annual report to the West Virginia disaster recovery board on the existence and location of abandoned motor vehicles, trash, debris and refuse that may in the event of a disaster cause an obstruction to natural water flow and thereby cause excessive and more extensive damage to property. The report shall further set forth a plan to remove and dispose of such trash, debris and refuse within the following semi-annual reporting period.