National Disaster Resilience Competition

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 was a $1 billion program being administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The NDRC was 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 encouraged 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 needed to consider how their projects would 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 was modeled on the Rebuild by Design Competition, which was held in the Hurricane Sandy-impacted region following that disaster. The intention was 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, 2029. Read the original 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 Program— $28,604,459
  • Community Resilience Centers — $19,755,000
  • Biomass Utilization Fund — $22,000,000

As of April 2024, HCD is proud to share the following project updates:

  • Forest and Watershed Health Program
    • The U.S Forest Service/Stanislaus National Forest will complete all work under the NDR grant by mid-May and will close out their NDR grant by September 30, 2024.
    • Forest and Watershed Health Program Toolkit coming soon!
    • Some accomplishments to date:
      • Recovery and Reforestation:
        • 7,620 acres of fuels treatment
          • 1,375 of those acres included biomass removal
        • 2,743,894 seedlings planted across 7,945 acres, plus an additional 1,915 acres of fill-in or replant.
        • 3,042 acres of noxious weeds treated (1,602.5 unique acres)
      • Rangeland Restoration
        • 13.85 miles of corral fencing 1 corral, 3 cattle guards, 1 trough with solar pump reconstructed/installed.
      • Fuel Breaks
        • 750 acres of new or expanded shaded fuel breaks.
      • Additional outcomes: The reforestation and recovery work has been so successful that the USFS has rolled out work on other national forests using the NDR model.
  • The Community Resilience Centers
    • Both the centers in Tuolumne City and Groveland are complete and in operation.
    • Community Resilience Center Toolkit (PDF)
    • Some accomplishments and outcomes to date:
      • 2 fully functioning resilience centers constructed and in operation.
      • Uses so far: Warming and cooling centers, charging station for medical equipment during power outages, commercial kitchen uses for local small business product production, local meetings, non-profit group meetings, trainings, and preparation for use for satellite college classes. FEMA rented the Tuolumne City CRC for their Disaster Assistance Center.
      • The CA Strategic Growth Council has set up a state funded CRC funding program across all of California, based on the NDR model.
      • Other, rurally focused, entities are researching options for their own funded CRC programs based on the NDR model.
  • Biomass Utilization Fund
    • Two projects are underway and will be constructed and operational by August 30, 2025
      • Tuolumne Biomass, LLC, developed by Heartwood, Inc.
        • This project will produce woodchip pet bedding and fence posts from non-merchantable woody biomass.
        • This business is anticipated to create about 20 new full-time jobs.
      • Tuolumne Biomass, Inc, developed by Force Energy
        • This project will produce premium wood pellets for heating from non-merchantable woody biomass.
        • This business is anticipated to create about 17 new full-time jobs.
    • Biomass Utilization Fund Toolkit (PDF)

HCD anticipates it will fully closeout the full NDR grant with HUD by mid-2026.

Please Note: These documents may have been remediated with regard to accessibility in order to meet applicable State law. As a result of the remediation process, the appearance of the document may be slightly different than the original executed hard copy, however, remediation does not and will not change any verbiage of the signed agreement, so the version posted on this website is identical in deliverables, milestones, terms, and conditions to the non-remediated version. Should an electronic scanned copy of the original executed document be needed, please send your request to us at the following email address: DisasterRecovery@hcd.ca.gov.

Please Note: These documents have been remediated with regard to accessibility in order to meet applicable State law. As a result of the remediation process, the appearance of the document may be slightly different than the original executed hard copy, however, remediation does not and will not change any verbiage of the signed agreement, so the version posted on this website is identical in deliverables, milestones, terms, and conditions to the non-remediated version. Should an electronic scanned copy of the original executed document be needed, please send your request to us at the following email address: DisasterRecovery@hcd.ca.gov.

HCD has procured the following contracts for NDR:

A. Contractor NameB. DUNS NumberC. Procured ByD.Contract Execution DateE. Contract End DateF. Total Contract AmountG. Amount of CDBG-NDR Funds
GCR, Inc.021019674HCD3/2/20171/31/2019$489,779$489,779
Brief Description of ContractGrant Management Technical Assistance (PDF)
GCR, Inc.021019674HCD6/28/201912/31/2024$551,251$551,251
Brief Description of Contract

Grant Management Technical Assistance (PDF)

Amendment 1 (PDF)

Community Resilience Centers Pillar - County of Tuolumne:

A. Contractor NameB. DUNS NumberC. Procured ByD.Contract Execution DateE. Contract End DateF. Total Contract AmountG. Amount of CDBG-NDR Funds
Lionakis969000907Tuolumne County8/15/20177/30/2019$566,240$566,240
Brief Description of Contract

Phase I - Programming Document (PDF)

Lionakis969000907Tuolumne County3/13/202/28/2023$1,871,525$1,871,525
Brief Description of Contract

Phase 2 – Final Design and Construction

Cox Consulting79173625Tuolumne County9/5/20177/30/2019$24,500$24,500
Brief Description of Contract
Cox Consulting79173625Tuolumne County1/21/2012/31/2023$200,000$200,00
Brief Description of Contract
Ascent Environmental, Inc.23390109Tuolumne County8/7/20183/30/2019$135,200$135,200
Brief Description of Contract

Environmental Services (PDF)

Wallace Kuhl & Associates040592791Tuolumne County6/5/201912/31/2019$38,669.40$36,669.40
Brief Description of ContractGeo-technical Services (PDF)
Wright Appraisal Services Groveland794075101Tuolumne County9/10/201910/30/2019$6,000$6,000
Brief Description of ContractProperty Appraisal Services for Groveland
Wright Appraisal Services Tuolumne794075101Tuolumne County9/10/201910/30/2019$5,000$5,000
Brief Description of ContractProperty Appraisal Services for Groveland
NV5, Inc. Plan Review Consultant9440074Tuolumne County10/15/20201/31/2021$5,500$5,500
Brief Description of ContractThird Party review of Lionakis final plans and specifications
Roebbelen Construction Management Consultant71364188Tuolumne County10/6/20209/30/2022$874,814.66$874,814.66
Brief Description of Contract

Construction management services during CRC construction

Augustine Planning Associated, Inc.960028058Tuolumne County2/10/20217/31/2022$16,690$16,690
Brief Description of ContractBiological Survey Services during CRC construction
Robert Boyer Construction617494638Tuolumne County4/6/20217/16/2022$16,731,476$16,731,476
Brief Description of ContractRobert Boyer Construction Inc.

Forest and Watershed Health Program Pillar – U.S. Forest Service/Stanislaus National Forest

A. Contractor NameB. DUNS NumberC. Procured ByD.Contract Execution DateE. Contract End DateF. Total Contract AmountG. Amount of CDBG-NDR Funds
Helix Environmental Planning, Inc.826446890HCD03/05/201906/030/2021$329,940$329,940
Brief Description of ContractEnvironmental Review - Fuel Breaks (PDF)       
Helix Amendment #1 (PDF)
GE Forestry Inc.54639971USFS03/08/201912/02/2020$416,100.00$416,100.00
Brief Description of ContractFuels Reduction and Site Preparation - Item 1 (PDF)
West Forest, Inc.826323789USFS03/08/201912/02/2020$3,488,230.00$3,488,230.00
Brief Description of ContractFuels Reduction and Site Preparation - Items 2-5 (PDF)
Crook Logging Inc.137380663USFS03/20/201910/31/2020$4,611,068.81$4,611,068.81
Brief Description of ContractBiomass Removal and Fuels Reduction (PDF)
Cutting Edge Forestry, Inc.7748614USFS04/11/201905/30/2019$466,302.00$466,302.00
Brief Description of Contract2019 Reforestation Herbicide Site Preparation (PDF)
Cutting Edge Forestry, Inc.7748614USFS04/11/201905/14/2019$500,902.80$500,902.80
Brief Description of Contract2019 Jawbone Noxious Weed Treatment (PDF)
McConnell, Mike Construction931615058USFS05/03/201906/29/2019$94,067.28$94,067.28
Brief Description of ContractDuckwall Ridge Fence (PDF)
McConnell, Mike Construction931615058USFS09/01/201909/05/2019$8,574.00$8,574.00
Brief Description of ContractCattleguards Range Project (PDF)
RG'Z Forestry llc78500575USFS04/17/202012/31/2020$333,003.00$333,003.00
Brief Description of Contract2020 Reforestation herbicide site prep before 2021 planting (PDF)
RG'Z Forestry llc78500575USFS04/30/202012/31/2020$673,562.00$673,562.00
Brief Description of Contract2020 Reforestation herbicide site prep before 2021 planting (PDF)
West Forest, Inc.826323789USFS04/23/202001/31/2021$1,903,998.51$1,903,998.51
Brief Description of Contract2020 Fuels Reduction work (PDF)
Aspen Meadow Pack Station, Inc.79996699USFS11/05/202003/31/2021$42,640.54$42,640.54
Brief Description of ContractRangeland Reconstruction of Thomspon Corral (PDF)
Woolery Timber Management, Inc.99313095USFS11/19/202004/01/2021$217,418.00$217,418.00
Brief Description of ContractFY21 Fuels reduction Mastication (PDF)
RG'Z Forestry llc78500575USFS03/12/202108/31/2021$931,995.00$931,995.00
Brief Description of Contract2021 Reforestation Herbicide Site Prep before planting (PDF)
Imperial Forestry, Inc.80969USFS03/01/202104/30/2021$236,773.50$94,067.28
Brief Description of Contract2021 Tree Planting (PDF)
RG'Z Forestry llc78500575USFS04/09/202106/31/2021$636,462.50$636,462.50
Brief Description of Contract2021 Reforestation Herbicide Release after planting (PDF)
Cutting Edge Forestry lnc.7748614USFS03/30/202105/02/2021$179,720.00$179,720.00
Brief Description of Contract2021 Herbicide treatments on Jawbone Ridge (PDF)
West Forest, Inc.826323789USFS04/08/202112/31/2021$2,106,288.90$2,106,288.90
Brief Description of Contract2021 Fuels and Mechanical Site Prep (PDF)
RGZ Forestry, LLC127EAT22C0002USFS04/26/202205/31/2022$303,669.00$303,669.00
Brief Description of Contract2022 Noxious Weeds Treatment
GE Forestry, Inc.1654-FY22 HUD Tree PlantingUSFS02/14/20224/29/2022$778,128.62$778,128.62
Brief Description of Contract2022 Tree Planting
GE Forestry, Inc.1654-FY22 HUD Tree PlantingUSFS02/06/202303/29/2023$527,700.00$527,700.00
Brief Description of Contract2023 Tree Planting

Biomass Utilization Pillar – Rural Communities Assistance Corporation

A. Contractor NameB. DUNS Number/ Unique Entity IDC. Procured ByD. Contract Execution DateE. Contract End DateF. Total Contract AmountG. Amount of CDBG-NDR Funds
Beck Group949341663HCD3/22/20186/30/2019$172,755.00$172,755.00
Brief Description of Contract

Biomass Feasibility Study

BUF Feasibility Study Documents

Ascent Environmental Consultant Services23390109RCAC3/3/20211/31/2022$497,510$497,510
Brief Description of Contract

Completion of three project NEPA /CEQA review with permitting plans

Mother Lode Job Training Subrecipient556220515RCAC8/5/20206/30/2022$45,760$45,760
Brief Description of Contract

Provide job tracking and income eligibility services for BUF project

National Development Council Development Subrecipient73273294RCAC6/26/20205/30/2022$24,000$24,000
Brief Description of Contract

Provide CDBG underwriting Services on BUF project

Companies for Causes / Independent Finance CommitteeYJ3MJLAL11B7RCAC11/1/20217/31/2023$80,000$80,000
Brief Description of Contract

Provide RCAC with Technical Assistance in developing interest, investment, and marketing for the Healthy Forests Program

Adams Ashby GroupR9SSB9PUJNL5RCAC5/1/20239/1/2024$104,075$104,075
Brief Description of Contract

Labor Standards Compliance

Action Plan and Amendments

NDR Grant Administration Manual (GAM)

NDR Monitoring Plan

Phase 2 NDRC Application

Phase 1 NDRC Application

Supporting Documents

NDR Environmental Documents

All National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document requirements are included below by activity pillar.

The FWHP Project covers weed abatement, fuels reduction/biomass removal, reforestation, fuel break expansion projects, and rangeland projects. Below are the Environmental Documents for FWHP:

Fuel Break Expansion Project (Fuel Break expansions)

Rangeland Projects

Below are the Environmental Documents for NDR’s Biomass Utilization Fund:

TBI Three Maps of Project For 8 Step Process

Below are the Environmental Documents for the two Community Resilience Centers built in Tuolumne County with CDBG-NDR funds:

NDR Public Notices

Tuolumne Biomass, LLC  (TBLLC) Project

2022 Public Notices

2021 Public Notices

2020 Public Notices

2019 Public Notices

2017 Public Notices

2015 Public Notices