Due to the island's steep slopes and seismic activity, mudslides, landslides, and earthquakes are also a threat to safety and should be addressed by long-term mitigation strategies and sustainable redevelopment.
Sustainable redevelopment is an emerging and effective strategy for long-term recovery.
In addition to addressing the risk posed by natural hazards, it takes into consideration the compatibility of development with the natural environment, the use of nonrenewable resources, and social and economic issues affected by improved community planning. A positive aspect of this disaster is that it has provided an opportunity for Puerto Rico to rebuild safer and smarter, thereby reducing the potential for severe damage in the future. The Federal Government is encouraged by and supportive of Puerto Rico's proactive leadership in the area of mitigation. The Task Force is focusing resources on incorporating mitigation measures into current recovery operations and institutionalizing it in Puerto Rico's approach to future disaster recovery efforts. The Government of Puerto Rico and the municipalities are still in the process of identifying opportunities to incorporate mitigation measures into recovery efforts.