Washington, D.C. --
---- Friday, July 24, 2009 Update ----
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) Friday led a bipartisan group of Illinois Congressional Delegation members in urging the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to immediately clarify the disaster assistance policy that was released on February 25, 2009.
In June, Durbin asked the FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate, to resolve the issue as soon as possible.
In their meeting, Durbin pressed Fugate to ensure that during the process of clarifying the policy, there would be no lapse in coverage of disaster relief to Illinois communities.
FEMA has assured Durbin that there will be no lapses and local communities will not be left footing the bills.
"Our Communities are asking for clear delineation of FEMA's authority to fund repairs to levees and other flood control works, including the removal of debris and the placement and removal of flood fighting measures.. At least four natural disasters have impacted Illinois in the last year alone, including historic levels of flooding in September 2008," said the Illinois members. "We respectfully request that you work with the USACE to resolve any discrepancies in coverage of disaster relief and emergency assistance and clearly communicate FEMA's policy regarding flood clean-up to regional, state and local officials."
Click here to view a copy of the letter sent to FEMA Administrator, Craig Fugate.
Other members of the Illinois Delegation signing today's letter include: Senator Roland Burris (D-IL), Representatives Jerry Costello (D-IL), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Bill Foster (D-IL), Debbie Halvorson (D-IL), Phil Hare (D-IL), Tim Johnson (R-IL), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), John Shimkus (R-IL) and Aaron Schock (R-IL).
The letter is signed, "Thank you in advance for your timely consideration of this urgent request."
-------------- Thursday, June 11, 2009 Update --------------
The FEMA policy that's been causing such a big uproar in river communities around the Tri-States has been reversed.
We first told you about this more than a week ago a new FEMA policy dated back in February stripped funding for things like flood fighting and flood clean-up from most river communities and drainage districts in the Tri-States.
Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock hosted a meeting with FEMA and lawmakers like Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer, Illinois Congressman Phil Hare and US Senator Dick Durbin and others to discuss the issue Thursday. Schock says this is a wonderful example of lawmakers crossing state and party lines to work together for the benefit of all.
You'll recall the Director of FEMA told lawmakers last week this was a big misunderstanding. Now we know why.
Without legislative approval, folks inside FEMA had advocated some of their duties like flood-fighting and flood clean-up to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But no one there has the authority to do those things, so there was a huge gap in coverage.
But now that policy has been reversed.
Congressman Aaron Schock said, "Folks in the Tri-States lit up our phone lines as members of Congress and said 'hey are you aware of this change?' and of course we weren't because Congress did not make the change. There was no policy change in terms of congressional action. It was basically an agency unilaterally advocating its responsibilities to another agency who did not have the money or authority to do it."
Schock also told me he hasn't seen the revised copy of this policy which would put the river communities' fears to rest, but says it will happen soon.
You'll recall FEMA did issue a statement to KHQA Monday in response to our many probes into this issue.
It assured everyone along the river they *would* get the support needed in a flood emergency.
We're going to keep holding them accountable, and we'll let you know as soon as there is a revised copy of this policy.
What will this mean for folks in the Tri-States?
Congressman Aaron Schock said, "For folks in the Tri-States this will mean if and when a disaster happens, FEMA will cover their expenses as they have in the past. FEMA has agreed to revert back to their original policy to cover those costs."
You'll recall FEMA did issue a statement to KHQA Monday in response to our many probes into this issue. It assured everyone along the river they *would* get the support needed in a flood emergency.
We're going to keep holding them accountable, and we'll let you know as soon as there is a revised copy of this policy.
-------------- Monday, June 7, 2009 Update --------------
Leaders of Tri-State communities and drainage districts are still waiting for solid answers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Watch the video: http://www.connecttristates.com/news/video.aspx?id=310688
You'll recall the FEMA policy we've been telling you about is dated in February and actually strips funding for things like flood fighting and flood clean-up from most river communities and drainage districts in the Tri-States.
But recently the Director of FEMA told Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois that it was all a big misunderstanding.
But leaders along the river aren't convinced.
Do you think this is a misunderstanding?
Sam Zumwalt, Chairman of the Hunt Drainage District said, "I have the new policy in my hand and it's clear about what's ineligible. It's in black and white what FEMA will and won't do according to this document. You can't be more clear than that."
Leaders along the river want to know how something like this could happen in the first place....and who holds FEMA accountable.
Chairman of the Hunt Drainage District Sam Zumwalt said, "When I go to FEMA and want changes they say I have to go to legislators in Congress. I find it interesting a government agency like FEMA can sit down and make changes without congressional authority. That's government at its worst. How can a government make changes when I have no recourse."
KHQA talked with David McMurray Chairman of the Upper Mississippi, Illinois Missouri Rivers Association.
He says although this policy is bad for everyone along the river, it's a positive thing that FEMA was looking to revise its policies. McMurray says after the flood of 2008...it was clear the way things were weren't working efficiently.
McMurray said, "The idea of clarifying individual responsibility is a valid idea but to merely and arbitrarily eliminate coverage by FEMA when that coverage is not under current authority of the Corps of Engineers leaves huge gaps."
KHQA spoke with a FEMA spokesperson Monday afternoon.
He told KHQA he was unclear about when top FEMA officials would meet to iron out this controversial policy, like they promised to do last week.
Congressman Aaron Schock's office confirmed to KHQA Congressmen from Illinois and Missouri would be meeting with FEMA Wednesday to discuss the problem.
Now FEMA is speaking out.
FEMA issued another statement to KHQA earlier today in response to our many probes into this issue.
FEMA’s Statement, "Communities can be assured that they will receive the flood fighting assistance that they need from the Federal government in order to meet their needs in disasters and emergencies. Whether this is provided from FEMA or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, communities will receive the help they need when they are faced with a crisis and are overwhelmed and need assistance from the Federal government."
A revised policy which confirms this statement hasn't been issued as of yet.
Read the new FEMA policy yourself by clicking here....http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9524_3.shtm
-------------- Thursday, June 4, 2009 Update --------------
We have an update to the story we brought you Wednesday regarding a new Federal Emergency Management Agency policy. Watch the video: http://www.connecttristates.com/news/video.aspx?id=309543
You'll recall that FEMA policy actually cuts off FEMA dollars to levee districts and communities under FEMA's Rehabilitation and Inspection Program. Enacted in February, most levees in our area would lose all FEMA dollars for flood-fighting, flood clean-up, debris removal and de-watering of flooded areas. That would bankrupt and burden area communities. See more in the story below.
After KHQA's report Wednesday, several legislators and area leaders have been contacting FEMA to get answers.
One of them was U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who addressed the issue with FEMA today.
Hannibal Emergency Management Director John Hark said, "Without any possibility of reimbursement I'm not sure just exactly how we could fight a major flood."
Hark is one of many area leaders concerned about how FEMA's policy change will impact everyone here in the Tri-States.
Thursday KHQA received this statement from FEMA in red.
This policy was implemented on February 25, 2009: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9524_3.shtm
FEMA’s Statement:
FEMA recently revised and updated its policy on assistance for levees and flood control works. The intention of the policy is to provide guidance on what types of facilities and activities related to levees and flood control works are eligible for FEMA assistance in emergencies and disasters. The policy clarifies what FEMA may cover in its disaster relief programs and what are the responsibilities of other federal agencies. A number of federal agencies have programs and authorities that apply to levees, including the US Army Corps of Engineers and Natural Resources Conservation Service. FEMA coordinated development and issuance of the revised policy with other federal agencies.
Following established procedures, the revised policy went through a thorough review process, which all FEMA Public Assistance policies go through. This included federal, state, local and tribal government stakeholder review as well as review by the emergency management community.
FEMA is currently reviewing questions that have been raised since the issuance of the new policy, and will continue to closely coordinate with the US Army Corps of Engineers in addressing these questions. FEMA is working diligently to ensure that the needs of communities affected by disaster continue to be met as these issues are considered.
It says this policy change was merely an update to clarify what types of facilities and activities related to levees and flood control works are eligible for FEMA assistance...and clarifies what FEMA may cover in its disaster relief programs.
It also claimed federal, state, local and tribal government stakeholders all reviewed the plan.
You'll recall everyone here in the Tri-States I spoke with as well as officials with the Army Corpos of Engineers say they had no part in the creation of this policy change. In fact everyone locally we talked to just learned of it in the last month.
After our story last night several legislators and area leaders have been contacting FEMA to get answers. One of them was U.S. Senator Dick Durbin from Illinois. He was so concerned he took the issue directly to the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Thursday.
KHQA talked with several folks here locally impacted by this policy. They say they don't necessarily believe this is a misunderstanding as FEMA says. They say all the proof they need is in black and white. Read more by clicking here: http://www.fema.gov/government/grant/pa/9524_3.shtm
But on the other hand they hope our lawmakers like Senator Durbin will keep fighting for their futures.
-------------- Wednesday, June 3, 2009 --------------
Folks along the Mississippi River are fuming over a new Federal Emergency Management Agency policy. This includes are legislators. Learn more about that: http://www.connecttristates.com/news/video.aspx?id=310688
That policy actually cuts off FEMA dollars to help fight future floods for levees here in the Tri-States.
According to a new policy dated back on February of 2009... FEMA will no longer reimburse drainage districts in its Rehabilitation and Inspection Program for things like flood-fighting, flood clean-up and debris removal.
In the past levees maintained and built according to specifics could count on money from FEMA to fight floods and clean-up afterwards.
FEMA used to take care of de-watering districts which lost their fight with the river.
This new internal policy at FEMA stops that funding.
That means levee districts and communities would have to pay for those costs themselves, which could reach into the millions of dollars.
That could bankrupt small towns and drainage districts...and become a huge financial burden on others.
I called FEMA officials more than a dozen times throughout the day. So far no one there will answer our questions.
We don't know why this was done in the first place or if the policy is in effect or is just under consideration.
We've gotten conflicting reports on that question.
What I do know is according to the Army Corps of Engineers this will not affect what they do to repair levees and provide materials like sandbags, pumps and engineering advice to drainage district.
KHQA found out most people, including local folks from drainage districts affected by this change and even politicians, weren't aware of this policy until the last couple of weeks (even though it was dated in February of this year).
Many of them feel this was done in secret and slid through, without input from those involved.
Fabius Drainage District President Roger Sutter remembers all too well battling the Mississippi last year.
These days he doesn't just have to worry about Mother Nature...now he has to worry about how his district will pay for another flood event. Last year FEMA reimbursed the one and a half million dollar price tag spent to protect West Quincy. Under this policy that would all change.
Without it what will happen?
Sutter said, "The local district will have take on a bigger burden."
And FEMA isn't answering any questions right now. We called FEMA officials more than a dozen times throughout the day Wednesday. Several spokespeople promised interviews but never provided them.
We were also promised written answers to our questions just twenty minutes before our 6 p.m. broadcast Wednesday and they were not provided. We are continuing to wait for this promised information.
Here's what we do know.
According to an Army Corps of Engineers spokesperson, this will not affect what they do to repair levees and provide materials like sandbags, pumps and engineering advice to drainage districts.
However they're not sure if FEMA will send them any missions for services to levees.
Alexandria Mayor Bob Davis said, "Well, it's a shock when they don't come to us."
Davis didn't hear about the new FEMA policy until Wednesday and he wasn't the only one. Many of those in the dark were lawmakers.
We checked with the offices of all of our federal lawmakers in the Tri-States Wednesday.
Out of all of them... four knew nothing about it.
We did hear from Missouri Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer Wednesday. He called on FEMA and the U-S Army Corps of Engineers to ease the concerns of river communities.
Luetkemeyer says it appears these changes were not properly communicated to many of the financially strapped river communities.
“I am extremely troubled that our river communities are going to be forced to pay additional local funds during times of disastrous flooding and I am also very disappointed that these communities weren’t informed of the changes during these tough economic times,” Luetkemeyer said. “It is my understanding that officials from FEMA and the Corps will be meeting later today to discuss this issue, and it is my hope that our river communities will not be set fiscally adrift by these federal agencies.”
U.S. Senator Kit Bond also released a statement. He called it an outrage and chastised FEMA.
“This is an outrage,” said Bond. “Surely they are not saying that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina when Bush and FEMA were chastised with not being responsive enough that the federal government won’t be there during our community’s darkest hours. If this is true, this will be met with bipartisan opposition on Capitol Hill.”
The chairman of the Upper Mississippi Illinois Missouri Rivers Association called this a serious policy change made without input from those people affected directly and without input from lawmakers.
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