Duckworth, Durbin, LaHood, Bost, Bustos, Davis Urge FEMA To Review Levee Reimbursement Methodology Across Regions
The lawmakers sent the letter voicing concerns raised by Sny Island Levee Drainage District with regard to pumping cost reimbursements
[WASHINGTON D.C.] – U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), along with U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL-18), Mike Bost (R-IL-12), Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17), and Rodney Davis (R-IL-13), sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requesting that the Agency’s headquarters revisit the formulas being used across its regions to calculate Public Assistant reimbursements with regards to pumping costs. In their letter, the lawmakers said they have heard concerns about possible discrepancies in how different FEMA regions are interpreting the reimbursements, a pressing issue of concern to the Sny Island Levee Drainage District (Sny) as it continues to recover from the record-breaking 2019 flood season.
“The 2019 flood season was the wettest year on record in the Midwest and Illinois was placed under a major disaster declaration (4461-DR-IL) to assist in recovery and repairs to local infrastructure. During this flood season, Sny’s pump stations were inundated with storm water, which resulted in significantly higher costs to ensure that surrounding towns were protected from this historic flooding,” the lawmakers wrote.
“It has been brought to our attention that various FEMA regions may be interpreting or calculating Public Assistant reimbursements differently with regards to pumping costs. As such, Sny is concerned it could be losing out on crucial reimbursement funds,” they continued.
Full text of the letter is available here and below:
November 29, 2021
Dear Administrator Criswell:
As Members of Congress representing levee-protected communities located along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in Illinois, we request your help in reviewing an important reimbursement issue pertaining to constituent drainage districts, including the Sny Island Levee Drainage District (Sny).
The 2019 flood season was the wettest year on record in the Midwest and Illinois was placed under a major disaster declaration (4461-DR-IL) to assist in recovery and repairs to local infrastructure. During this flood season, Sny’s pump stations were inundated with storm water, which resulted in significantly higher costs to ensure that surrounding towns were protected from this historic flooding.
It has been brought to our attention that various FEMA regions may be interpreting or calculating Public Assistant reimbursements differently with regards to pumping costs. As such, Sny is concerned it could be losing out on crucial reimbursement funds.
While we appreciate the efforts of FEMA Region 5 to engage with our offices on this matter, FEMA headquarters is best equipped to identify whether there are any differences between regions regarding reimbursement policy.
Following a review, our offices respectfully request a briefing from your staff on the findings of this matter. Should you need more information, or if we can be of assistance, please contact Senator Durbin’s office.
Sincerely,
-30-
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