FEMA Provides $8 Million in Public Assistance Funds to Aid in the Recovery of Washington, St. Tammany
Release Date: July 17, 2006
Release Number: 1603-509
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Public Assistance (PA) funds of more than $8 million have been made available for Iberia, St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced.
The funds are for the removal of vegetative debris and tree stumps and for demolition.
“The funds for these projects represent FEMA’s continuing commitment to reimburse communities for the damage caused to their environments by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita,” said Gil Jameison, FEMA’s Deputy Director of Gulf Coast Recovery.
Iberia Parish and the town of Delcambre received significant damage to over 150 houses and other private structures. The destruction endangered public health and safety. Funding in the amount of $1,560,000 has been made available for demolition of these buildings and the removal of debris.
In St. Tammany Parish, the number of structures with significant damage range anywhere from 300 to 500—again threatening public health and safety. FEMA has made available $5,500,000 for demolition and debris removal.
High winds and heavy rainfall uprooted and toppled trees onto public rights-of-way in Washington Parish. The state estimates the storm left approximately 48,000 hazardous stumps and other vegetative debris. FEMA has made available $1,028,160 for debris removal and management of disposal sites.
“We look forward to the full return of these parishes to safe and functioning communities,” said Jim Stark, Director of FEMA’s Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office.
The funds are part of more than $3.1 billion in Public Assistance obligated by FEMA for Louisiana.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 18-Jul-2006 07:08:12