[StBernard] Federal officials approve Governor Blanco's request for additional hurricane relief

[Westley Annis]

Federal officials approve Governor Blanco's request for additional hurricane
relief 


Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco said today she is pleased that President
George Bush has granted her request to increase disaster relief for
repairing and rebuilding facilities and infrastructure damage caused by
Hurricane Katrina. Governor Blanco requested the additional federal relief
in letters to President Bush on September 12 and again last week. 

Governor Blanco said the President has approved extending, by 30 days, the
time that the federal government will reimburse state and local agencies 100
percent for Category A and B (debris and emergency). This means that
emergency disaster assistance such as debris removal and emergency
protective measures will continue at 100 percent reimbursement to the State
of Louisiana and local governments. 

The amendment allows the reimbursement to continue through midnight on Nov.
26, 2005.  Governor Blanco continues to ask for 100 percent reimbursement
for the duration of the incident and will request further extensions of this
deadline. 

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, beginning Nov. 27,
2005, all remaining emergency work will then be reimbursed 90 percent by the
federal government, with the remaining ten percent paid by the state and/or
local agencies. 

"While this extension is helpful, I will continue asking the President to
grant our request for 100 reimbursement for the duration of the incident,
just as was done after 9-11 and last year's hurricanes in Florida," Governor
Blanco said.  "This disaster is of such a magnitude that I believe our
request is more than justified."  

FEMA officials elaborated on the decision in a news release today: "Specific
tasks within mission assignments that have been assigned by midnight Nov.
26, 2005 will also be reimbursed 100 percent through the duration of the
project. Mission assignments are given to other federal agencies to provide
vital needs. These needs may include rescue missions, food disbursement, ice
delivery, or other critical life and safety missions. 

"Also, the federal share of costs for permanent work for Categories C-G is
being increased retroactively to 90 percent instead of 75 percent. The
remaining ten percent will be paid by the state and/or local agencies.
Categories C-G include:  Road & bridges, water control facilities, buildings
& equipment, utilities, parks & recreational areas."       

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The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for
Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and
help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of
Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies.