[StBernard] Landrieu complains about FEMA actions

[Westley Annis]

Landrieu complains about FEMA actions

By GERARD SHIELDS
Advocate Washington bureau 
Published: Mar 7, 2007 

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., fired off two letters Tuesday
to the Federal Emergency Management Agency complaining about college
students being asked to return hurricane assistance and the lack of debris
removal for St. Bernard Parish.

In a letter to FEMA Director R. David Paulison, Landrieu expressed her
disappointment over what she said was the agency's recent decision to recoup
funding granted to Louisiana college students after hurricanes Katrina and
Rita in 2005.

Students lost books, clothing, computers and other personal necessities and
some had to go to colleges out of state after their schools closed, Landrieu
said.

Like other hurricane victims, students applied for and received expedited
FEMA assistance to cover housing and other needs, she said. Landrieu said
she has received reports that students have been sent "intimidating" letters
demanding the assistance be returned.

Landrieu asked Paulison that any debt incurred by students be forgiven by
FEMA.

"It seems incomprehensible that more than a year after the hurricanes, FEMA
would send out intimidating letters, with little explanation, demanding the
money be repaid or face fines and penalties," she wrote.
In a second letter written with U.S. Rep. Charles "Charlie" Melancon,
D-Napoleonville, Landrieu asked FEMA for resolution of debris removal
contracts for St. Bernard Parish.

FEMA has refused to reimburse the parish for about $75 million of debris
removal work, including $28 million for essential sewage pumping and
transport to a treatment plant, contending the contracts for the projects
were improperly procured, the lawmakers said.

The parish has said it may have to file for bankruptcy if the problem is not
resolved, the legislators said. The contractor hired to remove sewage in the
parish has said it will not continue its work without pay, possibly setting
up a health crisis,  the legislators said.

"If (the contractor) is unable to continue its sewage pumping project, St.
Bernard public officials tell us there will literally be sewage in the
streets," the letter said.

Landrieu and Melancon asked that FEMA facilitate a meeting to resolve the
matter. A FEMA spokesman said Tuesday that the agency has not seen the
letters but would work with the legislators to address the matters.