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.
# # #
|