FEMA 2014 Funding for New Mexico Tops $79 Million

DENTON, Texas —The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided more than $79.4 million in 2014 funding to the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM), tribal governments and community partners for disaster recovery, mitigation and preparedness.

“FEMA, in partnership with DHSEM and tribes, continues to provide funding to assist communities recovering from and mitigating against future damage,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “We are committed to helping New Mexico residents strengthen their resilience.”

The $79.4 million includes more than $65.2 million in Public Assistance dollars for repair and replacement of infrastructure after a disaster, more than $12.5 million in Preparedness grants, and over $1.7 million for projects to mitigate damage from future disasters.

“In recent years, the state of New Mexico has experienced widespread damage caused by natural disasters,” said New Mexico DHSEM Cabinet Secretary-Designate Jay Mitchell. “We appreciate the strong partnership and support we have received from our friends at FEMA.” 

The 2014 federal funding covered numerous projects in New Mexico, including:

• A grant to the City of Alamogordo for removal of debris from flooding at the Bonito Lake Reservoir, a source of drinking water.

• Santo Domingo Pueblo received funding for the removal of 53,000 tons of debris deposited by flooding in the Middle West Drainage facility, an archaeologically and culturally sensitive area.

• Lincoln County received $118,000 for a Hazardous Fuels Reduction Education and Outreach project, to raise public awareness for the need to thin and manage vegetation to reduce losses from wildfires.

• Santa Clara Pueblo received funds for an engineering study to plan the replacement of four primary detention pond dam facilities in Santa Clara Canyon. Continued funding was also provided for the removal of debris from the canyon, caused by monsoon flooding in 2013.

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