FEMA Reinforces Commitment To Louisiana's Recovery
Release Date: January 13, 2009
Release Number: 1603-827
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Katrina
» More Information on Louisiana Hurricane Rita
NEW ORLEANS, La.-- In 2009, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) remains committed to Louisiana's recovery from four hurricanes. FEMA continues to employ best practices developed in 2008, such as the FEMA/state jointly revamped Public Assistance appeals process. Developed last March, it is consistent with regulations and exactly what FEMA and the state agreed upon. The results of this streamlined process have been tangible, and only 31 projects are currently pending FEMA review and decision.
One of FEMA's most critical objectives in rebuilding Louisiana is to make the Public Assistance reimbursement process as quick as possible for applicants. Sometimes, FEMA must decline to fund a project; however, an applicant may appeal any decision made by FEMA.
FEMA also recognizes the state's concern over scope alignment - a process in which actual costs are realigned with actual work expenditures - and remains flexible to negotiate on more than 20,000 unique recovery projects. This process requires follow-up documentation to result in money obligations, and all levels of government need to be transparent to make the process more efficient. In particular, FEMA needs access to local project managers, to architects and engineers and to damaged buildings and infrastructure. Implementing a lesson learned from Katrina, FEMA and the state required joint assessments of all Gustav and Ike damages so that agreement on damages can be reached quickly and funding can flow.
FEMA's efforts for 2009 are to move many lingering projects into the next phase so that local discussion regarding scope is complete. Then applicants can finish the project with available funding or follow the appeals route to petition for additional funding.
To date, for Katrina and Rita recovery, FEMA has obligated approximately $7.4 billion in Public Assistance funding. Louisiana has distributed about $4 billion of that amount, leaving $3.4 billion still available to affected applicants. Additionally, the state has only spent a fraction of the $1.47 billion in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds made available by FEMA. Further, there are billions of Community Development Block Grant funds available to help supplement the Public Assistance dollars and projects and continue Louisiana's recovery.
FEMA remains open to dialogue with the state and local applicants and will pay for all eligible disaster-related damages. There is a considerable amount of money already available, and the state needs to guide local communities in the proper actions needed so they can access the funding that is already there to finish repairing and rebuilding their schools and police and fire stations.
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: Wednesday, 14-Jan-2009 10:19:45