Congratulations to the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians for developing (in partnership with Tennessee-based BOLDplanning) their very first Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan. And, just as importantly, congratulations for receiving plan approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) upon first review—clearly, no small achievement!
Approval of the plan, i.e., compliance with U.S. Title 44 Code of Regulations (CFR) Part 201.7 Tribal Mitigation Plans, means that the tribe is now eligible to receive certain types of hazard mitigation disaster assistance, emergency and non-emergency, over the next five years. This includes FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance Programs, including the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM), and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA).
Funds from these programs are commonly used by tribal, territorial, local, and state governments to support all kinds of mitigation projects. Among them are structural retrofits, the building of safe rooms, culverts, and retaining walls, the installation of warning sirens, and even mitigation education and awareness programs.
The mitigation projects specifically identified within the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians’ plan include (but are not limited to) road and bridge construction for improved emergency access and evacuation, the installation of additional firebreaks, and the development of both an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations (COOP) plan.
The Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians is a federally-recognized sovereign nation located in Northern California (Tehama County) with a deep tradition of resiliency, culture, and a strong vision for the future of all peoples living in the Corning-Paskenta Tribal Community. The Tribe, which now owns a 2,000-acre reservation in Corning, operates several enterprises including the Rolling Hills Casino, the Links at Rolling Hills, the Equestrian Center at Rolling Hills, the Rolling Hills Clinics, and Tepa Companies.
With a FEMA-approved hazard mitigation plan now in place, the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians is in a much better position to protect its members, its businesses, and its critical infrastructure for years to come.
“On behalf of the entire BOLDplanning team, congratulations again to the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians,” said BOLDplanning representative, James Woulfe. “It was an honor and a pleasure to assist the tribe with its mitigation efforts, and we wish them all the best as they move forward with their mitigation projects.”
