Marine Debris Removal Projects near 'Clean Sweep' 

Release Date: November 20, 2007
Release Number: 1604-609

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BILOXI, Miss. -- Only five contracts remain active on the Mississippi Gulf Coast as the U.S. Coast Guard's wet debris removal project approaches its final stage - "Clean Sweep."

"As the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) closes out a site under a contract area, it is certifying that the site is cleaned to the satisfaction of the applicant –the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources (MDMR)," said Bob Johnson, FEMA Operations section chief.

Mark Reyes, FEMA operations specialist reported that 277,265 cubic yards of wet debris have been removed from Hancock (101,910), Harrison (116,676) and Jackson (58,678) counties. Hancock and Harrison counties each have two sites remaining to be closed out while Jackson County has only one.

"Completing the closeout continues the progress in the Gulf Coast recovery effort," said Sid Melton, director of the FEMA Mississippi Transitional Recovery Office. "Nearing the completion of this clean-up operation is another big step in the right direction."

Gulf Coast wetlands cover some 72,000 acres of Mississippi's 48,000-plus square miles, according to the MDMR which is working with several federal and state agencies to restore portions of damaged wetlands, marshes, and the Mississippi Sound's mean high tide line to four miles offshore.

This is the last step before the Clean Sweep contract is completed. "As the name implies – Clean Sweep is the final sweep of the coastline for eligible areas to be cleaned under this final contract," Johnson said. The Marine Debris Cleanup is funded under the Public Assistance program with an IAA with the USCG.

FEMA obligated nearly $122 million to help clean the Mississippi's coastal and inland waterways following Katrina. The Coast Guard Debris Inter-Agency Agreement (IAA) oversees the wet debris removal program, while private contractors bid to do the work.

FEMA's Public Assistance program was authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act. FEMA approves grants and provides technical assistance to the state and applicants. The state helps educate applicants about the program and the application process and distributes and monitors grant monies. Local and state applicants are responsible for identifying storm damage, for providing documentation and managing the funded projects.

FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 20-Nov-2007 15:55:06