AUGUSTA, ME – February 26, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — More than $1 million in federal aid has been disbursed to help Maine communities recover from last December’s ice storm after the presidential disaster declaration on January 9 made local governments and municipalities in seven counties eligible for federal assistance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) are continuing to work to assist local recovery efforts in the state through FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) program. This program provides funding to local communities for the repair, replacement, or restoration of public facilities, as well as costs incurred for disaster cleanup or emergency actions taken to protect lives or property.
“We’re pleased with the speed of the recovery process and are engaged with the State to ensure assistance to Maine communities continues to flow as efficiently as possible,” said Nick Russo, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer.
The federal share of eligible recovery costs is at least 75 percent, while the remainder is split between the state and local government. The PA Program is only activated following a presidential disaster declaration and provides grant assistance to applicants including state agencies, local governments, and certain non-profit organizations.
FEMA’s PA Program may only provide assistance for projects that are located in a disaster-declared area and are the legal responsibility of an eligible applicant. The program cannot provide assistance for projects that are under the jurisdiction of other federal agencies, such as roads and bridges that are a part of the federal highway system or facilities located on federal lands like wildlife refuges and national parks.
FEMA leads and supports the nation in a risk-based, comprehensive emergency management system of preparedness, protection, response, recovery, and mitigation, to reduce the loss of life and property and protect the nation from all hazards including natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other man-made disasters.
The Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) has statutory responsibility for statewide coordination of emergency preparedness, response, recovery and mitigation. MEMA is a bureau of the Department of Defense, Veterans and Emergency Management.
