Decatur to Receive Nearly $718,000 to Acquire 16 structures
FEMA Awards Hazard Mitigation Grant To Indiana Community
Release Date: May 3, 2004
Release Number: R5-04-003
CHICAGO, IL Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response, announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released $717,779 in hazard mitigation funds to the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) for a voluntary project to purchase 16 flood-damaged homes in the City of Decatur. Through a partnership of federal, state and local governments and homeowners, the properties will be purchased at a pre-disaster fair market value, demolished, and the area will be kept as open space in perpetuity.
"This grant will allow Indiana to implement long-term hazard mitigation efforts in Decatur," said Brown. "President Bush and Homeland Security are committed to reducing the loss of life and property due to natural disasters and enabling mitigation measures to be implemented during the recovery from a disaster."
The project consists of 10 properties located on Parkview Drive North in the St. Mary's River floodplain. The remaining six homes are located in the Meadow Lane neighborhood and are also in the floodway of the St. Mary's River. This project is the first phase of a proposed phased voluntary project to acquire approximately 37 structures. The land acquired for open space purposes will be restricted in perpetuity to open space uses and will be unavailable for construction of flood damage reduction levees, transportation facilities, and other purposes.
FEMA will pay 75 percent of the $999,543.00 cost of the project through its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The City of Decatur and the Maumee River Basin Commission will contribute the 25% match requirement of $249,886 for the project. The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is administered within the state by the Indiana State Emergency Management Agency.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Monday, 03-May-2004 16:45:37