[Federal Register: January 9, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 6)] [Notices] [Page 1473] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr09ja98-75] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY [FEMA-1194-DR] The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; Major Disaster and Related Determinations AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (FEMA- 1194-DR), dated December 24, 1997, and related determinations. EFFECTIVE DATE: December 24, 1997. EFFECTIVE DATES: Madge Dale, Response and Recovery Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3630. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated December 24, 1997, the President declared a major disaster under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), as follows: I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, resulting from Typhoon Paka and associated torrential rains, high winds, high surf, and tidal surges on December 16, 1997, and continuing, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (``the Stafford Act''). I, therefore, declare that such a major disaster exists in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes, such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses. You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation in the designated areas. Consistent with the requirement that Federal Assistance be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance or Hazard Mitigation will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs. Under the provisions of the Insular Act, PL 95-134, if a waiver is requested, you are authorized to consider an adjustment of the cost sharing terms at a later date when more definitive information is available. If warranted, for the first 72 hours, you are authorized to fund direct Federal assistance at 100 percent of the total eligible costs. You or your designee may extend the time period for this direct Federal assistance funding, if necessary. The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration. Notice is hereby given that pursuant to the authority vested in the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency under Executive Order 12148, I hereby appoint William L. Carwile, III of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared disaster. I do hereby determine the following area of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to have been affected adversely by this declared major disaster: The Island of Rota for Individual Assistance and Public Assistance. All islands within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Direct Federal Assistance will be provided for the first 72 hours at 100 percent of total eligible costs. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance No. 83.516, Disaster Assistance.) James L. Witt, Director. [FR Doc. 98-547 Filed 1-8-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6718-02-M