Release Date: June 26, 2008
Release Number: 1755-022
» More Information on Maine Severe Storms and Flooding
AUGUSTA, Maine - When a disaster strikes, the initial reaction is typically to address personal and family safety issues first. In the aftermath of a disaster, local, state and federal along with voluntary organizations have a variety of programs at their disposal to help individuals recover. These programs help one person at a time. However, disasters also impact the community as a whole, damaging public facilities and increasing the workload of local governments.
Taking a lead role in helping communities recover is FEMAs Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program. The PA Program is only activated following a presidential disaster declaration and provides supplemental federal disaster grant assistance to applicants including state agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations.
Since the President designated Aroostook, Knox, Lincoln, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Somerset and Waldo Counties eligible to apply for PA, 384 PA projects have been funded, and $1.78 million has been obligated. Federal and state project specialists continue to work with local officials in formulating and funding the remaining projects.
Funding may be provided for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged facilities that are the responsibility of the applicant, as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. The federal share of recovery costs is at least 75 percent. The remaining share is the responsibility of the state and local government or non-profit organization.
The process of obtaining PA is straight forward, and FEMA PA specialists are always available to assist the applicant along the way:
The PA Program may only provide assistance for projects that are located in a designated disaster area, are the legal responsibility of an eligible applicant, and were in active use at the time of the disaster. The program cannot provide assistance for projects that are under the jurisdiction of other federal agencies, such as roads and bridges that are a part of the federal highway system or facilities located on federal lands like wildlife refuges and national parks.
Last Modified: Monday, 07-Jul-2008 16:50:54