FEMA SAYS INFRASTRUCTURE AID TOPPED $200 MILLION IN 2011

The following excerpt is from the FEMA website:

"Federal Infrastructure Aid For 2011 Floods Tops $200 Million
Funding allocated for more than 3500 projects thus far
 Date: February 27, 2012
BISMARCK, N.D. – North Dakota’s recovery from unprecedented 2011 flooding continues, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency today announced that federal funding for public infrastructure repairs has surpassed $200 million.

FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program provides funding to local government jurisdictions and eligible private non-profits for the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged infrastructure as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property. The federal share of recovery costs is 90 percent. The remaining share is the responsibility of the state and local government or non-profit organization.

To date, more than $201.7 million has been obligated for 3,553 infrastructure projects. Of that amount, $79.3 million is for roads and bridges throughout the state, $48.6 million is for emergency protective measures, $20.9 million is for debris removal and $40.5 million is for repairs to public buildings. PA projects fall broadly into two categories, small projects (total project cost of $63,900 or less) and large projects (total project cost greater than $63,900). Applicants receive funding for small projects as soon as funding is obligated and receive funding for large projects when receipts and cost documentation for work completed is provided to the state. FEMA provides funding to the state and state in turn awards the funds to the applicant.

On May 10, President Obama issued a major disaster declaration for the state for Public Assistance, including emergency work, debris removal, and repairs to or replacement of infrastructure, including roads, bridges and schools. The original declaration included 39 counties and by Aug. 4 the assistance had been extended to 44 counties and four Indian reservations. There are a total of 277 applicants receiving assistance, ranging from cities and counties, to tribal governments, state agencies, and private non-profit agencies performing governmental functions.

North Dakota is a self-managing state for Public Assistance, with FEMA retaining quality control/quality assurance reviews and final funding authority. FEMA also provides technical assistance where needed, such as in complex repairs to bridges and public buildings.”