News Releases for May 2006
May 11, 2006
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Hoeven Requests Presidential Disaster Declaration For 11 Counties, One Tribal Reservation
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven today asked President Bush to issue a federal presidential disaster declaration for 11 counties and one tribal reservation for damages to public infrastructure from recent spring flooding.
The Governor's request follows completion of a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) by federal, state, local and tribal officials, which is a prerequisite to the presidential request. Statewide estimates of damage compiled by these teams show losses of more than $6.3 million to public infrastructure. The PDA indicated that the most severe impacts were to transportation infrastructure.
"We have requested President Bush provide federal assistance in addition to the significant local, tribal and state efforts in dealing with recent damage as we move forward in our recovery process," Hoeven said. "The additional resources will help ensure that counties, tribal reservations and cities needing assistance can focus on recovering from damage to roads, bridges and other infrastructure."
Counties and the tribal reservation included in the Governor's presidential disaster request include Cass, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Pembina, Ransom, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Towner, Traill and Walsh counties, and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa.
If the President declares the impacted areas a disaster, local and tribal governments could receive federal grants to cover 75 percent of the public property damages. State and local governments must absorb the remaining 25 percent.
"This flood has caused evacuations, isolated rural residents and raised health and safety concerns due to extended response times of emergency services resulting from transportation infrastructure damages," said Greg Wilz, director of the N.D. Division of Homeland Security. "Our goal is to work with federal agencies to obtain federal funding to restore flood damaged roads, bridges and other infrastructure to ensure the safety and well being of impacted residents."
If approved by the President, the disaster declaration will make available Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation Grant programs. Hoeven expects a decision on the request by June.
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