[StBernard] State Accepting Public Comment on Plans for Gustav, Ike Funds

[Westley Annis]

State Accepting Public Comment on Plans for Gustav, Ike Funds
$32.5 million represents final allocation of federal recovery dollars

BATON ROUGE, La. - The state Office of Community Development-Disaster Recovery Unit is accepting public comments on Louisiana's plans for spending its allocation of nearly $32.5 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for recovery from hurricanes Gustav and Ike.

The State of Louisiana was awarded $32,487,882 in September 2010 from the Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund, a pool of $311.7 million set aside by HUD Secretary Donovan after Congress appropriated recovery funds for states who endured a natural disaster in 2008. The funds were allocated to states based on how they demonstrated the ability to create programs that enhance mitigation and create forward-thinking resiliency planning.

Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater said, "These funds will be used to continue Louisiana's recovery from hurricanes Gustav and Ike through programs that address recovery needs for homeowners, small businesses, local municipalities and the state's vital fishing industry, as well as planning for comprehensive resiliency in storm-impacted parishes."

The funds will be disbursed into existing programs as follow:

*	$15.3 million for Economic Revitalization; 
*	$5 million for Municipal Infrastructure;
*	$3.7 million for Affordable Rental Housing;
*	$3.3 million for Comprehensive Resiliency;
*	$2.6 million for Fisheries Industry Modernization; and
*	$2.6 million for Administration, Planning and Technical Assistance. 

The programs where the funds are being allocated have previously undergone public comment, submitted and approved as Action Plans or ensuing amendments. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development must approve the use of the $32.5 million through this APA.

*	Click here <http://lra.louisiana.gov/action.cfm?md=emaillist&task=addMessageClickThru&msgid=772&uid=kcenezlG&encoded=1&redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edoa%2Elouisiana%2Egov%2Fcdbg%2Fdr%2Fplans%2FGustav%2FGustav%2DIke%2DCDBG%2DAPA%2D8%2DPublic%2DComment%2D10%2D12%2D9%2Epdf>  to download a copy of the Action Plan Amendment about the final allocation of Gustav/Ike funding.

The formal public comment period for the plans begins Dec. 9, 2010 and continues until Dec. 17, 2010 at 5 p.m. After accepting public comments, the plan will go to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for final federal 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://lra.louisiana.gov/action.cfm?md=emaillist&task=addMessageClickThru&msgid=772&uid=kcenezlG&encoded=1&redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edoa%2Elouisiana%2Egov%2Fcdbg%2Fdractionplans%2Ehtm>  and opening "Action Plan Amendment 8 - Utilization of Disaster Recovery Enhancement Funds." A copy of the plan can be requested by calling (225) 219-9600.

Members of the public can submit comments several ways:

*	Using the online form at http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dractionplans.htm <http://lra.louisiana.gov/action.cfm?md=emaillist&task=addMessageClickThru&msgid=772&uid=kcenezlG&encoded=1&redirect=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Edoa%2Elouisiana%2Egov%2Fcdbg%2Fdractionplans%2Ehtm> ; 
*	Emailing them to ocd at la.gov; 
*	Mailing them to Disaster Recovery Unit, P.O. Box 94095, 70804-9095, Attn: Paul Catrou;
*	Faxing them to the attention of Paul Catrou at (225) 219-9605.

The Disaster Recovery Unit within the Office of Community Development is dedicated to helping Louisiana's citizens recover from hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike. As the state's central point for hurricane recovery, the OCD-DRU manages the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history, working closely with local, state and federal partners to ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before.

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