[StBernard] State Issues Two Action Plan Amendments Seeking Public Comment

[Westley Annis]

State Issues Two Action Plan Amendments Seeking Public Comment

Baton Rouge, LA (July 25, 2008) - Today the Louisiana Recovery Authority and the Office of Community Development's Disaster Recovery Unit, published two action plans for public comment. 

The first proposed amendment will allocate $9.75 million to commercial projects unfunded in the first phase of the state's Fisheries Infrastructure Program. 

This past spring the state committed $19 million to 15 infrastructure improvement projects to repair the heavily damaged fisheries industry. After the second round, a total of $28.5 million will have been allocated for fisheries infrastructure projects across south Louisiana. Many of these projects address a continuing urgent need for the commercial fishing industry. 

A separate action plan published this week will provide local governments with the required matching dollars for emergency infrastructure projects. In addition to the match for eligible FEMA Public Assistance grants, the state will also use these funds to provide the non-federal match for FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds. 

Upon approval of this action plan the state will also pay for repairs that are ineligible under the FEMA Public Assistance program, including but not limited to uninsured and underinsured damages, insurance deductibles and improvements for code compliance, if they are determined to be critical to continued delivery and or protection of vital public services by state and local government entities in accordance with criteria established by the state. These criteria shall take into account the areas where the hurricane damages were most severe.

Following approval by the LRA's board and the Louisiana Legislature, action plans must be submitted to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final approval.

Citizens, community leaders and elected officials can access the plans and submit comments online by visiting http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dractionplans.htm 

<http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dractionplans.htm>  and opening Proposed Action Plan Amendment No. 25 or No. 26, or a copy can be requested by calling (225) 342-1700.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 17-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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