More Than $22.8 Million Approved For 1,905 Affected by Cerro Grande Fire
Release Date: January 18, 2001
Release Number: HQ-01-CG04
SANTA FE, N.M. -- More than $22.8 million in partial payments to 1,905 customers has been processed so far by the Office of Cerro Grande Fire Claims (OCGFC), according to Donald Erbach, director.
The breakdown:
- Claims from 1,719 individuals account for $12.8 million
of the payments made;
- 146 businesses have received $3.8 million;
- 35 state and county governments are recipients of $6.2 million, and five not-for-profit organizations have been compensated to the tune of $89,063
Other statistics:
- toll-free information line calls (1-888-748-1853)
- 2,318
- Claimants contacted thus far by claims reviewers - 3,752, or 95 percent of claims filed.
Customer Service Center activity:
- IT Building, Los Alamos, 2,910;
- White Rock, 134 State St., 832;
- Espanola, Johnson Controls Bldg, 1,046;
- Santa Clara Pueblo, behind Health Clinic, 742;
- San Ildefonso Pueblo, TEWA Visitors Center, 706.
Other News: Economic Impact Study To Measure Fire Effects
Residents, business owners and governmental officials will be eagerly awaiting the results early next month of an independent study that will determine the impact of last year's fire on Los Alamos, Rio Arriba, Sandoval and Santa Fe counties.
The study, to be conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, will enable OCGFC to develop policies that will assist in compensating claimants fairly for certain types of losses.
Director Erbach explained: "This analysis will help us to determine whether economic harm caused by the fire will be long-lasting or whether the area can be expected to bounce back quickly and overcome a temporary downturn."
Other economic questions will be answered, Erbach added, such as whether the fire dusrupted tourism in Northern New Mexico and if so to what extent.
Some of the factors to be evaluated by the accounting/consulting team include:
- The Los Alamos County economy prior to the fire,
- A review of the role Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory
plays in the Los Alamos economy,
- Supply and demand for new existing housing,
- Impacts on value of residential real estate,
- Other factors occurring at the same time or after the fire that may have had adverse effects on the economy and real estate market of Los Alamos County.
The firm is expected to complete its study by the end of January with the findings aired at a public meeting (to be announced) early next month.
Information Booth At Los Alamos Public Library
Specialists from OCGFC will staff an information booth in the Los Alamos Public Library on Saturdays beginning Jan. 20. The sessions will be open from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and will provide residents with opportunities to ask questions about policies and programs of the claims office.
In addition, Customer Service representatives will be prepared to assist in calculating estimates for the Square Foot Replacement Option; a mitigation officer will provide help in planning ways to avoid damage from future fire threats; and an Internal Revenue Service consultant will offer financial recovery assistance.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 30-Dec-2003 13:16:14