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Washington, D.C. - In order to increase the chances of securing additional federal aid for flood relief in New York, Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) today led a bipartisan group of six New York House members in calling on New York State officials to provide them with a complete estimate on the damages that the state endured from this summer's flooding. Hinchey and his colleagues wrote to New York State Emergency (SEMO) Director John R. Gibb and New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSA&M) Commissioner Patrick H. Brennan to request that the estimate, include all individual, public, agricultural, and economic damage that is a direct result of the flooding.
"A complete damage estimate is vital to our efforts to obtain every possible federal resource for New York and our constituents who are still struggling to begin the recovery process," Hinchey and his colleagues wrote to Gibb and Brennan. "We have toured the damaged areas and continue to hear from many constituents whose needs simply cannot be met through existing disaster assistance. We would like to continue working with SEMO and NYSA&M officials on this matter, and our request for a damage estimate will provide us with a better understanding of what resources are needed to ensure a complete recovery for New Yorkers."
In June, Hinchey led a bipartisan group of 12 House members from the states affected by the recent flood in calling on President Bush to submit an emergency assistance request to Congress that would extend relief well beyond what has already been allocated. Specifically, Hinchey and his colleagues requested that the president submit a disaster relief package that would provide aid for water infrastructure improvements, farmers, and overall economic recovery to help hospitals, schools, and non-profit organizations who need additional support. In order to figure out the dollar amounts that are needed, Hinchey and his colleagues today are calling on the relevant state officials to provide them with those figures.
"It is our understanding that SEMO and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in partnership with the Farm Service Agency, are responsible for calculating the damage assessment figures in New York State," Hinchey and his colleagues wrote to Gibb and Brennan. "While we have been in contact with your offices, we have not yet been able to obtain this information. We certainly understand this is a complicated process, however, the information is critical and increasingly time-sensitive for an accurate assessment of eligibility so that no New Yorker is left behind as we rebuild. We would appreciate hearing from the appropriate person at each agency who can provide us with the appropriate figures. Any further delay may hinder our opportunity to try to obtain necessary funds through the legislative process."
Joining Hinchey in sending the letter to Gibb and Brennan were: Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY) (who co-led the letter), Congressman Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Congressman John McHugh (R-NY), Congressman Michael McNulty (D-NY), and Congressman James Walsh (R-NY).
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The text of the letter from Hinchey and his colleagues to Gibb and Brennan follows:
August 30, 2006
John R. Gibb, Director Patrick H. Brennan, Commissioner
State Emergency Management Office New York State Department of
1220 Washington Avenue Agriculture and Markets
Suite 101, Building 22 10B Airline Drive
Albany, NY 12226-2251 Albany, NY 12235
Dear Director Gibb and Commissioner Brennan:
In response to Governor Pataki's recent request for federal recovery assistance for the flooding in our state, which began on June 26, 2006, we write to respectfully request that the New York State Emergency Management Office (SEMO) and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSA&M) provide us with a complete dollar estimate on the damages that New York State sustained. This dollar estimate should include all individual, public, agricultural, and economic damage that is a direct result of the flooding.
As you know, on July 1, 2006, President Bush declared a major disaster for the State of New York due to extensive flooding. The declaration triggered the release of federal funds to assist individuals and communities in recovering from the severe storms and flooding. However, many of our constituents, municipalities and small businesses have still been unable to obtain the financial assistance they critically need to recover from this tragic disaster.
A complete damage estimate is vital to our efforts to obtain every possible federal resource for New York and our constituents who are still struggling to begin the recovery process. We have toured the damaged areas and continue to hear from many constituents whose needs simply cannot be met through existing disaster assistance. We would like to continue working with SEMO and NYSA&M officials on this matter, and our request for a damage estimate will provide us with a better understanding of what resources are needed to ensure a complete recovery for New Yorkers.
It is our understanding that SEMO and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, in partnership with the Farm Service Agency, are responsible for calculating the damage assessment figures in New York State. While we have been in contact with your offices, we have not yet been able to obtain this information. We certainly understand this is a complicated process, however, the information is critical and increasingly time-sensitive for an accurate assessment of eligibility so that no New Yorker is left behind as we rebuild. We would appreciate hearing from the appropriate person at each agency who can provide us with the appropriate figures. Any further delay may hinder our opportunity to try to obtain necessary funds through the legislative process. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Michael Neal of Rep. Sweeney’s staff at (202) 225-5614 or Moira Campion of Rep. Hinchey’s staff at (202) 225-6335.
Thank you for your serious attention to this important request.
Sincerely,
Maurice Hinchey, John Sweeney, Sherwood Boehlert,
John McHugh, Michael McNulty, James Walsh
cc: Stephen Kempf, Jr., Federal Emergency Management Agency Regional Director, Region II
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