New York's Senator
CHARLES E. SCHUMER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 11, 2000

SCHUMER: NEW YORK TO RECEIVE $5 MILLION IN EMERGENCY FUNDING TO BATTLE WEST NILE

New York Still Needs More Emergency Funding to Effectively Fight West Nile

US Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced that New York will receive $5 million in emergency funding to reimburse localities for costs associated with this year's outbreak of the West Nile Virus. Schumer requested the emergency funding during several conversations with Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) Director James Lee Witt over the past month after FEMA's initial rejection of New York State's application.

In its initial decision, FEMA said that only the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) had the authority to reimburse New York State for its containment and prevention efforts and that FEMA had no jurisdiction to approve the funding. Schumer countered that the CDC's efforts to battle the West Nile virus were insufficient and provided no relief to New York's hardest hit counties and municipalities. With the State's resources pushed to the limit, Schumer demonstrated New York's need for emergency funding. In response, President Clinton today declared a state of emergency in New York, making the state eligible for $5 million in FEMA funds.

"For the second year in a row, New York State was the epicenter for the outbreak of the West Nile Virus and for the second year in a row, New York State has been left to foot the largest bill in the country for battling West Nile," said Schumer. "While this funding won't reimburse all of what New York localities have spent so far to contain West Nile, it does set a precedent for future FEMA assistance to help the State's efforts to contain this growing disease."

This year's West Nile outbreak was even worse than last year's, with infected animals turning up in 57 of New York State's 62 counties. As of October 2000, 14 humans have tested positive for West Nile, as well as 1,038 birds, 317 mosquito pools, two sentinel chickens and 32 mammals, statewide. The disease has cost New York State an estimated $17 million this year alone. An additional $14.3 million in spending is expected before the end of the year.

The FEMA money will be used to help local governments defray costs associated with emergency measures taken in response to the West Nile outbreak, including mosquito spraying, control and trapping, as well as other forms of virus surveillance and detection, public outreach and notification, and public health investigation. The localities will apply to the State to receive funding. The money was authorized under the Stafford Act, which allows FEMA to release assistance to provide for measures necessary to save lives and protect public health and safety. Under the award, FEMA will be authorized to reimburse local governments for up to 75% of their costs associated with emergency protective measures taken since July 15, 2000.

Counties eligible for funding include Albany, Allegany, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Lewis, Monroe, Montgomery, Nassau, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester and Yates, as well as New York City.

"For local governments on a tight budget, this year's West Nile outbreak threatened to break the bank," said Schumer. "This money is a good first step in softening the blow."

Schumer has also asked the Senate Appropriations Committee to include an additional $30 million for West Nile relief throughout the Northeast and the Mid-Atlantic regions in the Committee's emergency funding package.

# # #