State, Federal & Tribal Recovery Partners Collaborate & Coordinate on New Mexico Federal Disaster Declaration

SANTA FE – Getting disaster aid quickly into the hands of eligible state agencies, tribal governments, certain nonprofits, community ditch associations and other local government entities affected by the July 27–August 5, 2014 flooding is a collaborative goal of the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (NM DHSEM) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

State and Federal recovery officials are coordinating to quickly move through the steps needed to get critical Public Assistance funding to eligible entities in Guadalupe, Lincoln, Otero, Rio Arriba, Sandoval,  and San Miguel counties, and the Acoma and Santa Clara pueblos.   

A federal declaration was approved on October 6 and an amendment followed on October 24 designating the six counties and two pueblos as eligible for the FEMA Public Assistance program (PA). 

Under the program, federal grants are reimbursed to eligible applicants for costs covering emergency protective measures taken to protect lives and property; the cleaning up of downed trees, power poles and other debris; and the repairing of public infrastructure, including roads, bridges and public utilities.

Under a cost-sharing formula, FEMA pays 75 percent of the total costs, while the state and/or applicant are responsible for the remaining 25 percent.  Find details of the Public Assistance program at www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/index.shtm.

“Our commitment to eligible entities under this declaration is to move as quickly as possible to get critically needed funds reimbursed as soon as possible,” said State Coordinating Officer Anita Statman.

“When we all work together – state, local, federal, and tribal – our common goal of providing assistance in a timely manner is easily reached.” said FEMA Federal Coordinating Officer Nancy Casper.

###

More information on New Mexico disaster recovery is available online at www.nmdhsem.org/.  DHSEM is the state’s homeland security and emergency management agency. The agency works to identify and lessen the effects of emergencies, disasters and threats to New Mexico by developing effective prevention, preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery actions for all disasters and emergencies.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Find more information at www.fema.gov/disaster/4197.