The previous lesson described important considerations for how your Tribe can organize its planning process. Once those decisions are made, it is time to start developing the plan while following the seven-step process.

The Plan Development process involves the following steps:

1. Describe your community
• Describe the planning area, Tribal assets, and any unique characteristics of your Tribe.
2. Identify your hazards
• Figure out what natural hazards could occur in your planning area.
3. Explain impacts that hazards can have on the community
• Describe what the natural hazards could do to your people, property, and land and determine the Tribe’s biggest hazard concerns.
4. Review your current capability to mitigate the impacts
• Inventory your Tribes’ plans, policies, and programs that could be used to protect your community.
5. Develop the strategy
• Keeping in mind your risks and your capabilities, identify your Tribe’s mitigation goals and actions.
6. Develop an action plan
• Prioritize your actions and develop the details to assist with implementation.
7. Keep track of progress
• Observe and record progress in implementing your mitigation program using a defined method and schedule.