DOES
THE TIME PERIOD IN WHICH WORK IS PERFORMED
AFFECT THE
REIMBURSEMENT OF THAT WORK?
The
initial deadlines are established according
to the type of
work performed.
Debris removal—6 months
Emergency protective measures—6 months
Permanent repair work—18 months
Time extensions may be granted for extenuating
circumstances.
For debris removal and emergency work, an
additional 6 months
may be granted by the State. For permanent
restoration work,
an additional 30 months may be granted by
the State.
Requests for extensions beyond the deadlines
listed above may
be submitted by the State to the DRM. The
DRM has authority
to grant extensions appropriate to the situation.
The DRM may
impose requirements upon the State to ensure
that the project
will be completed within the approved time
limit.
You will only be reimbursed for those costs
incurred up to the
latest approved completion date for a particular
project.
WHAT
COSTS ARE COVERED BY THE STATUTORY ADMINISTRATIVE
ALLOWANCE?
The
Statutory Administrative Allowance is provided
to lessen the
financial impact of administering the disaster
recovery effort,
including preparation of the Project Worksheet,
related field
inspections, project applications, final inspection
reports and
final audits. Necessary costs of requesting,
obtaining and
administering Federal disaster assistance
are covered by this
allowance. No other administrative costs are
eligible. Good
fiscal management and record keeping are essential
to
controlling the indirect costs associated
with FEMA-reimbursed
projects.
AFTER
THE DISASTER, USDA ESTABLISHED AN EMERGENCY
FOOD
STAMP PROGRAM. HOWEVER, USDA ONLY REIMBURSED
50% OF
THE TOTAL OPERATIONAL COST. MAY WE SUBMIT
THE OTHER 50%
TO FEMA FOR REIMBURSEMENT?
No.
One Federal agency may not reimburse another
Federal
agency’s non-Federal cost share.
A
DISASTER HAS JUST OCCURRED. WHY DOES FEMA
STILL GET
INVOLVED IN ENVIRONMENTAL OR HISTORICAL ISSUES?
FEMA's
PA Program is a Federal grant program. As
a result, the
actions that FEMA funds are required by law
to demonstrate
compliance with applicable Federal laws and
regulations
including those enacting environmental and
historic legislation—
even after a disaster declaration. We are
not addressing the
environmental impacts caused by nature, but
those caused by
Federal actions responding to the disaster.
Some of these laws
have exemptions, waivers or expedited consultations
for certain
types of work. FEMA will apply these to projects
where
appropriate. FEMA and the State have also
established
procedures to expedite compliance of those
projects that do not
fall under the previously mentioned exceptions.
In addition,
there are trained FEMA and State specialists
on staff to address
these issues in an expeditious manner.
IF
MY PROJECT GETS ITS ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE
FROM FEMA
AND IS SUBSEQUENTLY FUNDED, DO I STILL NEED
TO GET A LOCAL,
STATE OR FEDERAL PERMIT TO COMPLETE MY PROJECT?
Generally,
yes, unless the local, State or Federal regulations
have permit exemptions to the work proposed.
Remember that
FEMA's environmental clearance applies to
the construction of
the project because of the Federal funding
action. FEMA and
the State will require as a condition of funding
that all applicable
permits are obtained. Prior to a disaster
occurring or initiating
construction, it is recommended that the regulatory
agencies be
contacted about any exemptions and expedited
permit processes
that may be applicable. Work completion in
violation of the law
runs the risk of losing its Federal grant
funding from FEMA.
