N.D. Gov. Notes Additional County Eligible for Aid

North Dakota Gov. John Hoeven announced that Eddy County is now eligible for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance program. The move came in response to flooding and severe storms that occurred between March 26 and June 14, 2004.

The new designation, which falls under the presidential disaster declaration Hoeven secured for the state last May, means local jurisdictions and certain private non-profit organizations in Eddy County can now apply for state and federal public assistance. It will help communities in the county pay for repairs to vital public infrastructure, such as roads, bridges and drainage facilities, according to Hoeven.

“We’re grateful to local and state officials for all their hard work in helping our communities recover from damages sustained in this year’s spring flooding,” Hoeven said. “In addition, we continue to push for a U.S. Department of Agriculture secretarial disaster designation, which will help our farmers and ranchers across the state recover from weather-related damages.”

The addition of Eddy County brings the total to 19 counties and two tribal governments eligible to receive state and federal assistance under the major disaster declaration signed by President Bush on May 5, 2004, following a request by Hoeven.

Previously declared were the Spirit Lake Nation, the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and the counties of Benson, Bottineau, Burke, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Griggs, McHenry, Mountrail, Nelson, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Renville, Steele, Towner, Traill, Walsh and Ward.

Public assistance reimburses state, local and tribal governments for part of the cost to repair or restore storm-damaged public infrastructure, and for emergency protective measures needed to respond to the event. Public assistance operates on a cost-share basis, with 75 percent federal, 10 percent state and 15 percent local.