More Than $7 Million Earmarked For Debris Basin Cleanup In San Bernardino County
Release Date: March 23, 2005
Release Number: 1577-027
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PASADENA, Calif. -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced it has earmarked an additional $1.2 million for flood control work, bringing total federal funding of repairs to public works facilities affected by the storms in San Bernardino County to $7 million.
“We have expedited an additional $1.2 million to the county to pay for storm related work at the Day Creek Dam debris basin,” said Federal Coordinating Officer David Fukutomi. “The storms’ flooding reduced the capacity of 16 San Bernardino County basins to capture and hold water and debris. We know there will be storms in the future. We are helping the county assure their protective function.”
At the request of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Bernardino County was one of seven Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Ventura, that became eligible for public assistance funding under the President’s federal disaster declaration. The February 4 declaration covers eligible response costs and damage to public facilities between December 27, 2004 and January 11, 2005.
"We recognize that ensuring that debris basins and channels have adequate capacity to handle run off and debris from future storms is critical to protecting lives and property,” said OES Director and State Coordinating Officer Henry Renteria. “The timely reimbursement of local governments affected by the storms, particularly for projects that have a potential impact on life safety, remains a priority as recovery efforts continue."
Under the program, FEMA funds 75 percent of the project’s cost, with the state covering 18.75 percent of eligible costs and the remaining 6.25 percent paid by San Bernardino County. The state’s $300,000 in approved funding of the work at Day Creek Dam brings its share of approved funding for storm related public works projects in San Bernardino County to more than $1.75 million.
OES coordinates overall state agency response to major disasters in support of local government. The office is responsible for ensuring California’s readiness to respond to and recover from natural, manmade and war-caused emergencies and for assisting local governments in their emergency preparedness, response, mitigation and recovery efforts.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Thursday, 24-Mar-2005 00:02:50