[StBernard] St. Bernard Louisiana Gets Katrina Grant Money

[Westley Annis]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - According to U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) on
Tuesday, St. Bernard Parish will receive a total of $3,558,417.73 in federal
disaster aid grants from the from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). 

"Two and half years after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we are still
recovering and rebuilding in St. Bernard Parish," said Rep. Melancon. "The
media and people in Washington, D.C., often seem to forget that more than
just our homes were damaged in the storms.  Grants like these will help us
rebuild our local government infrastructure and move further along the path
to a complete recovery."

The following grants were announced today:

.       St. Bernard Parish will receive $1,050,307 for repairing damage to
the Government Complex buildings.  High winds, heavy rains, storm surge and
flooding from Hurricane Katrina damaged the Government Complex of St.
Bernard Parish. This grant will reimburse the parish government for the cost
of repairs to the roof, lighting, flooring, windows, electrical and
communications systems of the Main Hall and the Meeting Hall of the
Government Complex.   The grant amount announced today is an increase from
previous versions, and has been adjusted to match current market conditions.
FEMA will pay 100% of the reimbursement costs, since the requirement for a
local cost share was waived by legislation pushed by Congressman Melancon
last year.    

.       St. Bernard Port Harbor & Terminal District will receive
$1,011,322.73 to repair a building. Building 170 of the St. Bernard Port
Harbor and Terminal District sustained damage during Hurricane Katrina and
flood waters reached three feet in the interior of the structure. This grant
will reimburse the harbor and terminal district for repairs to the plumbing,
roofing, ceiling and electrical and mechanical systems. The grant amount
announced today is an increase from previous versions, and has been adjusted
to match current market conditions.  

The St. Bernard Parish Sheriff Department will receive $1,496,788 to pay for
the cost of utilities, water and waste removal for the office trailers and
employee housing trailers provided after Hurricane Katrina. High winds,
storm surge and severe flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina destroyed the
operational facilities of the St. Bernard Sheriff's office, as well as the
homes of many Sheriff's Department employees. Previous FEMA grants provided
for 10 office trailers and 200 residential trailers to replace the lost
structures and help the Sheriff's department continue operations.  However,
the costs of utilities, water and waste removal were not included in those
initial grants, and the FEMA Utility Subsidy Program for Essential Employees
was created to reimburse parish governments for the cost of paying utility
bills for essential government employees still working and living in
temporary housing (i.e., FEMA trailers).  Without this interim housing,
employees would not have been capable of remaining in the Parish and
reporting to work. 

This grant will cover the cost of electricity, waste disposal dumpster
rental, removal of sewage and delivery of potable water for the trailers.
This grant will also cover electrical connections and generator costs for 50
units from January 12, 2007, to May 11, 2007, and sewer and water connection
for 29 units.

The utility subsidy program was scheduled to expire in February of 2007, but
Rep. Melancon was successful in extending the program until February 2008,
by adding a provision to the Emergency Supplemental bill that was signed
into law last May.  Because of the extension, devastated parishes like St.
Bernard will continue to be able to use this program as an incentive to
encourage essential employees, such as law enforcement officers, to stay in
the community and continue working for the parish.  Rep. Melancon had
previously introduced the bill H.R. 858 to extend the utility subsidy
program for one year.

"These federal grants are stepping stones helping the people of south
Louisiana rebuild their communities and regain their lives," said Rep.
Melancon

Under the federal Robert T. Stafford Act, public assistance projects like
those announced today required a 10 percent cost share from local
governments upfront before the remaining 90 percent in federal grant money
can be used.  Many of the estimated 23,000 disaster recovery projects in
Louisiana had been put on hold because local governments did not have the
resources to provide the match.  The local match requirement has been waived
32 times since 1985 when per capita rebuilding costs have been deemed
excessive, but had not yet been waived for Katrina and Rita.