Third Party Expert Hired to Help New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board
Release Date: August 6, 2007
Release Number: 1603-673
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a contract to an engineering firm that will use its expertise to facilitate the recovery of New Orleans' public water and sewerage capacities. CDM, a New Orleans engineering firm with offices in Baton Rouge and Shreveport, was awarded a $3.5 million competitive contract to recommend solutions, provide costs of repairs and assess current sewerage and water functions.
FEMA's public assistance program can bring back infrastructure to pre-disaster function and capacity. FEMA agreed to hire a third-party technical expert to provide recommendations on disputed claims identifying disaster-related damages. The agreement was sealed through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding among the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the city of New Orleans, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans and FEMA.
"We are pleased that FEMA has selected a consulting firm to move the process forward in evaluating overall Katrina damage to our water and waste water systems," city of New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Executive Director Marcia A. St. Martin said. "We also look forward to results realized in the implementation of their findings."
The contract was awarded Aug. 1 as part of a partnership with the city of New Orleans to serve the basic needs of residents, which includes repairing the city's damaged sewerage and water capabilities. Contracts such as these are awarded to expedite and resolve repair issues. Using an independent third party, in this case CDM, intends to resolve eligibility issues, thereby allowing the applicant to accelerate its recovery from the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina. The third party also sets forth outcomes and a timetable for the completion of recovery.
"These types of joint initiatives are the bedrock of good public service, and FEMA is proud to partner with the city's Sewerage and Water Board," FEMA's Director of the Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Jim Stark said.
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: Monday, 06-Aug-2007 13:08:06