FEMA Provides An Additional Half Million Dollars For Mitigation Projects In Ascension Parish
Release Date: September 6, 2007
Release Number: 1603-704
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently designated additional funding for mitigation projects in Ascension Parish. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding provides mitigation alternatives to reduce or eliminate long-term risks for properties affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
FEMA obligated $425,978 in funding to acquire three residential properties in the cities of Prairieville, St. Amant and Gonzales, which are part of the East Ascension Consolidated Gravity Drainage District. Acquiring these properties will remove flood-prone structures from the floodplain, eliminating future damages and potential health and safety risks.
Once an acquisition project is approved by the state and FEMA, the community uses federal funds to purchase the home or building leaving the land restricted to open space, recreation or wetlands in perpetuity. The local government becomes the new owner of the property.
Additional grant monies totaling $43,375 have been set aside to elevate a severe repetitive loss structure in Gonzales. Elevating this property above the Base Flood Elevation level will eliminate possible future damage during a 100-year storm event and reduce the need for subsidized flood insurance and federal disaster assistance.
"FEMA works closely with the state to help local communities determine the most appropriate mitigation measures to reduce risk of future flood damages," said Jim Stark, FEMA's director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office. "Implementing these mitigation measures is a proactive step toward creating safer communities."
When projects are obligated by FEMA through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the grantee, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, to draw down the funds as quickly as possible. The state may require additional information from the subgrantee before disbursing the funds.
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program provides grants to states and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration, to reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and to enable mitigation measures to be implemented during the immediate recovery from a disaster.
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: Thursday, 06-Sep-2007 11:24:29