Climate and natural hazard analysis for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe

Abstract

Understanding potential changes in the frequency and severity of climate-related hazards is critical for supporting long-term strategic planning and community resilience for the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)-approved Hazard Mitigation Plans are one tool the Tribal Nation uses to identify, assess, and reduce risks associated with changing conditions. However, obtaining the climate information needed for the Hazard Mitigation Plan can be challenging due to time constraints, the large number of tools and datasets, and barriers to data accessibility. At the Tribal Nation’s request, the Climate Adaptation Technical Services team from the U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Adaptation Science Center provided data, visualizations, and supporting resources to inform their Hazard Mitigation Plan update, which is due to FEMA in mid-2027. This report creates a foundation for updating previously included information and incorporating future climate projections for the first time, with a focus on near-term planning needs. Designed as a non-interpretive resource, this report supports ongoing data acquisition and informed decision-making. Specific outputs from this effort include (1) historical hazards and climate conditions data and visualizations, (2) future climate projection data and visualizations, (3) a synthesis of scientific literature describing potential climate change impacts on hazards, and (4) guidance on tools, datasets, and resources to support future updates.