Having a FEMA-approved Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) is critical to future community development, and more importantly, future generations of the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians (Nomlāqa Bōda). Located in the City of Corning in Northern California, the tribe knows all too well that several natural and human-caused hazards exist. It also knows that theirs is a “community in charge of its own destiny.” That’s why the Tribe is working with BOLDplanning to develop its very first Tribal Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan.
The plan kick-off meeting, which will take place on Thursday, May 23, 2019, will be attended by BOLDplanning Vice President, Cathleen Atchison, MEP, PCP, and Lead Mitigation Planner, Brittney Whatley, CPBCP, as well as tribal leaders and others.
HMPs, as emphasized by FEMA, are key to breaking the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. In fact, the National Institute of Building Sciences now estimates that for every dollar invested in mitigation saves six dollars in prevented damages (up from four from previous years). For the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians, such damages can stem from drought, earthquake, flood and wildfire, among other critical events.
As evidenced by the past, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians has a deep tradition in resiliency, revitalized culture and a strong vision for the future. Upon completion, its new HMP will not only serve as a guide in its future land use planning and mitigation efforts, but also make it eligible to receive federal funding through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Such precious dollars can go a long way toward funding mitigation projects for property acquisition, retrofitting and structural development, and other mutually agreed upon activities.
Having assisted numerous states, counties, cities and tribal governments with their FEMA-approved HMPs, BOLDplanning is thrilled to support this all-important project. And, while there’s much work to be done, it will be well worth it for years to come. Five exactly, as that’s when HMPs must be updated and reviewed by FEMA for those who want to remain eligible for pre-and post-disaster mitigation assistance.
