HCD and Tuolumne County won NDR funds to help the County rebuild from the 2013 Rim Fire. NDR funds three pillars to increase resiliency and provide the nation with best wildfire recovery practices.
Program Overview
The NDRC is a $1 billion program being administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The NDRC is designed to provide grants to communities to rebuild in a more resilient way following major disaster. States that had presidential disaster declaration in 2011, 2012, or 2013 are eligible to apply. This competition encourages American communities to consider not only the infrastructure needed to become resilient, but also the social and economic characteristics that allow communities to quickly bounce back after a disruption. For example, applicants need to consider how their projects will promote community development goals, ensure meaningful public engagement and participation, and build collaborations with neighboring jurisdictions and stakeholders who are critical partners in preventing, mitigating, and recovering from disasters. The NDRC is modeled on the Rebuild by Design Competition, which was held in the Hurricane Sandy-impacted region following that disaster. The intention is to look at rebuilding in a more resilient and holistic way and to consider multiple dimensions and benefits of such an approach.
From the perspective of the State of California, the competition was an opportunity to put into action many of the principles that we have developed in the around climate adaptation and resilience, hazard mitigation, and other sustainability efforts. The NDRC Core Team, a partnership lead by the Governor's Office of Planning and Research (OPR), and comprised of HCD, Tuolumne County, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), and the U.S. Forest Service submitted a successful Phase II application for the NDRC that targeted the Rim Fire resilient recovery needs. The program proposed by the application is called the Community and Watershed Resilience Program.
The Community and Watershed Resilience Program is designed to address the unmet recovery needs from the 2013 Rim Fire in Tuolumne County. The Program will support community protection and resilience from future fires, foster economic development, and provide long-term environmental and economic benefits. The State of California was awarded $70.4 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the National Disaster Resilience Competition. The State of California signed its Grant Agreement with HUD in January 2017, and all funds must be expended by September 30, 2024. Read the full press release (PDF).
The State of California will pursue three activities within the Community and Watershed Resilience Program, for a total funding amount of $70,359,459:
- Forest and Watershed Health — $28,604,459
- Community Resilience Center — $19,755,000
- Biomass Utilization Facility — $22,000,000