State seeks federal help for landslide woes

Cindy Frazier

The Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has asked the Federal

Emergency Management Agency to allow federal assistance for

individuals affected by the June 1 landslide, and to permit

reimbursement to the city of nearly 95% of costs associated with

responding to the slide.

The agency is basing its request -- issued in a letter dated June

7 -- on a statement by the U.S. Geological Survey that the Laguna

slide “is almost certainly related” to heavy rains that caused

massive destruction throughout the state in February, said Greg

Renick, an OES spokesman.

The U.S. Geological Survey also issued an advisory in February

that landslides could continue long after the winter rainfall ended.

“An additional consequence of the above-normal rainfall in January is

the potential for activation of deep-seated, slow-moving landslides.

Rainfall is moving slowly through soil and bedrock, and over time

(days to months), may result in destabilization of some hillslopes,”

the advisory stated.

Officials hope those findings will pave the way for inclusion of

the Bluebird Canyon landslide in the existing disaster declaration --

and the funding that follows.

“This is good news,” Mayor Elizabeth Pearson-Schneider said

Wednesday. “Now we can piggy-back on the previously-issued federal

disaster proclamation. It means easier and faster funding.”

There are three hurdles to surmount in the request.

One, federal officials must agree to “piggy-back” the June 1

landslide onto the agency’s former declaration covering the winter

rain-related destruction; two, they must agree to expand cash grant

coverage to individuals, which was not part of the original emergency

declaration. In addition, they must allow a late application for

funds.

“We’re not sure when we’ll hear from FEMA,” Renick said. “We

already sent them a supplemental request in May [before the

landslide] and haven’t heard from them on that.”

If aid is approved, individuals could receive a maximum of

$200,000 for the loss of their homes, plus another $40,000 to replace

personal belongings. Additional help could total $26,000 for lodging,

and “other needs,” including medical, dental and transportation,

Renick said. If still more aid is needed, the victims can apply to

the state Social Services Dept. for a $10,000 supplemental grant.

There is no maximum amount that cities can seek to reimburse them

for disaster response, but cities will still be responsible for 6

1/4 % of the total, Renick said.

The reimbursement package includes funding for the costs of

evacuations, debris removal, and the repair and restoration of any

public facilities, such as roads.

The federal government pays 75% of the total cost, with the state

responsible for 75% of the remainder, which amounts to 18.75% of the

total.

Additional funds could be available for preparation efforts for

potential future disasters.

* Barbara Diamond contributed to this story.