FEMA Gives $12.7 Million to Rebuild Public Infrastructure in Puerto Rico
Release Date: November 14, 2006
Release Number: 1613-106
» More Information on Puerto Rico Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides
SAN JUAN, P.R. -- More than $12.7 million has been approved by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico to rebuild and restore public facilities and other infrastructure. The grants were approved under the Public Assistance (PA) program to supplement state and municipal recovery efforts due to the flooding, landslides, and mudslides which occurred on October 9-15, 2005.
"Repairing and replacing local infrastructure, and helping public systems work again, is a fundamental role of FEMA," said Alejandro De La Campa, DHS/ FEMA Region II Caribbean Division Director. "The restoration of key infrastructure is critical for the economic recovery of affected communities," he added.
One of the larger projects includes a $935,625 grant to the Municipality of Ponce at the Real Anon Ward where the community's main access, State Road 511, was severely damaged by landslides and flooding. The total project cost is $1,247,500 million and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico committed the 25 percent non-federal share of the Public Assistance program funds for this project.
As of today, a total of 574 projects have been approved to the municipalities of Adjuntas, Aibonito, Cayey, Guayanilla, Jayuya, Juana Diaz, Lares, Maricao, Orocovis, Peñuelas, Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, Utuado, Villalba, Yabucoa and, Yauco. Also, projects from thirteen state agencies and one private non-profit organization were approved, as well. The distribution of the approved federal funds is as follows:
| Categories | Obligated Federal Share |
|---|---|
| Debris Removal (A) | $2,100,119.97 |
| Protective Measures (B) | 1,516,288.33 |
| Roads and Bridges (C) | 7,689,921.36 |
| Water Control Facilities (D) | 1,138,502.10 |
| Public Buildings (E) | 49,869.64 |
| Public Utilities (F) | 141,485.52 |
| Recreational or Other (G) | 160,406.67 |
| Total | $12,730,815.96 |
The PA program provides a 75 percent federal reimbursement of the approved costs incurred in emergency work related to the disaster, such as protective measures, debris removal, and the repair, replacement or restoration of flood-damaged public facilities, such as roads and bridges, buildings, parks, water control facilities and utilities.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Nov-2006 13:24:39