[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 92 (Friday, July 15, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: July 15, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
           SOUTH DAKOTA LANDSLIDE VICTIMS NEED ASSISTANCE NOW

  Mr. PRESSLER. Madam President, several natural disasters have been in 
the news lately. Devastation caused by floods in Georgia and forest 
fires in the Rockies have gained the attention of the national media. 
These disasters also have gained the attention of the President who 
quickly offered Federal assistance.
  Last week, I toured another very serious disaster. A landslide in 
Lead, SD, already has claimed numerous homes and businesses and 
continues to threaten the residents of this small mining town. Despite 
the urging of South Dakota's entire congressional delegation, the 
Governor and local officials, the President has failed to act upon this 
crisis.
  The disaster in Lead is most unusual. Most disasters strike suddenly, 
leaving immediate evidence of physical damage. The landslide in Lead, 
on the other hand, is occurring slowly--a so-called creeping landslide. 
Slow, Mr. President, but with devastating results. An influx of ground 
water caused by heavy snowfall in the winter and continued 
precipitation in the spring destabilized a section of a hillside and it 
began to move, taking buildings with it. With the assistance of the 
Homestake Mining Co., the city drained excess ground water, thereby 
slowing the movement of this creeping landslide. Unfortunately, these 
efforts have not resolved the situation.
  Local, state, and Federal officials have developed a long-term 
solution to this slow-moving landslide. Such an effort to mediate the 
landslide, however, would require an estimated $3.05 million. Madam 
President, this creeping landslide poses an imminent and serious danger 
to the business community of the entire Lead area. The Twin City 
Shopping Mall was forced to close its doors on May 27, 1994, placing 
125 jobs, $400,000 in State tax revenues, and $100,000 in municipal tax 
revenues at risk. In an effort to continue providing their vital 
services to the community, some of the businesses have relocated to 
municipal buildings and other public facilities. Others, such as Lead's 
only grocery store, remain closed.
  The landslide also damaged many homes. Twenty-five hours are located 
within the slide area, and numerous occupants have been forced to 
evacuate until the slide stops. During my recent visit to the site, I 
toured the home of Don Papousek. The house has sustained severe damage 
from both interior and exterior stress fractures. The slide actually 
split the floor of his garage into two separate levels. I also recently 
received a letter from Marilyn and Howard Bridenstine of Lead. In the 
letter, the Bridenstines said, ``It is very scary and sickening at 
night when it's quiet and dark and you can hear your house slowly being 
torn apart.'' This disaster clearly is threatening the safety of these 
families.
  Though this disaster occurred in a community of 3,600 people, 
economic shock waves will be felt far beyond the Lead city limits. 
Everyone within a 6-county area surrounding Lead is experiencing the 
impact of the 10 businesses and 25 homes struck by this disaster. 
Without question, this disaster warrants a Presidential declaration.
  State and local governments already have committed hundreds of 
thousands of dollars to repairing structural damages, including broken 
gas and water lines. However, unless Federal assistance is made 
available, construction to stop the landslide itself may not begin. The 
citizens of Lead are not asking for a long-term bailout. They simply 
need assistance to halt this ongoing disaster situation.
  Lead needs assistance now. I have sent this message to the President 
and Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] Director James Lee Witt 
several times. I first contacted Mr. Witt by letter on May 27, 1994, 
urging his support of South Dakota Governor Walter D. Miller's June 6 
request for Federal assistance. That same day, I also asked the 
administrator of the Small Business Administration [SBA] Erskine Bowles 
for SBA disaster assistance. I then spoke with Mr. Witt on June 30 and 
July 1 and followed up with a second letter to FEMA on June 30. Madam 
President, I ask unanimous consent these letters regarding the Lead 
disaster be included in the Record immediately following my remarks.
  To Administrator Bowle's credit, the SBA quickly granted the greater 
Lead area an SBA disaster declaration on June 9, 1994. Shortly after 
the declaration, the SBA set up a temporary disaster assistance office 
offering much needed low-interest home and business loans. To date, the 
SBA has approved 10 home loans and is processing 9 business loans. 
Unfortunately, loans to repair damaged homes and businesses provide 
only temporary cures.
  This helpful assistance is greatly appreciated, but it acts only as a 
Band-Aid when a tourniquet should be applied. Such stopgap measures 
will not save Lead from future landslides. These home and business 
owners should have the assurance that their refurbished buildings will 
not again fall victim to this ongoing destruction. The people of Lead 
and officials from the State of South Dakota, as well as FEMA, 
understand the source of the problem and how it can be fixed. 
Assistance provided by the SBA and State and local sources can make 
superficial improvements to the affected homes and businesses. Federal 
contributions, however, must be committed to finance mediative 
construction necessary to stop the slide and prevent it from 
reoccurring.
  State and local officials have cooperated with FEMA to help hasten 
the declaration process. Each time I have contacted FEMA Director Witt 
I have explained how desperately the people of Lead need Federal 
assistance. As a result, FEMA sent a second inspection team to the 
area. I understand that inspection went very well and that a report is 
now being prepared. FEMA has been very helpful in this process. Their 
efforts are much appreciated by the citizens and officials of Lead and 
I commend FEMA for its hard work. That work now awaits Presidential 
action.
  Upon returning from my tour of the disaster area, I contacted 
President Clinton. In my letter I stressed the importance of an 
immediate disaster declaration and I ask unanimous consent that letter 
also be included in the Record at the conclusion of my remarks. South 
Dakota has an extremely short construction season. Each day that passes 
without Federal assistance is a day of construction lost. Until the 
landslide is stopped, repairs will not and should not be made of the 
homes. In order to receive necessary Federal assistance to stop the 
slide, the President must act now.
  Within hours of the Northridge, CA earthquake, hoards of national 
media flocked to every disaster site and every potential disaster site 
in highly populated southern California. The President and members of 
his Cabinet, naturally, followed the media to California and its 54 
electoral votes. President Clinton declared the area a disaster, 
freeing billions of dollars in Federal assistance almost immediately. 
Lead, SD, on the other hand, has been waiting for a declaration since 
June 6. Forty days have passed since tragedy struck.
  Politics should not determine whether the Federal Government offers 
disaster relief. I am concerned the administration sees little 
political gain in offering assistance to Lead, SD. At the same time, I 
realize the unique nature of this slow-moving landslide has not made 
assessments simple. Nonetheless, the people of Lead and the surrounding 
area have waited long enough for word from Washington. The future of 
family homes and a major portion of a small city's economy hang in the 
balance. The President should make a declaration immediately so that no 
more precious time is lost and the city of Lead can begin to rebuild.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, July 5, 1994.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: The Governor of the State of South 
     Dakota submitted a disaster declaration on behalf of the city 
     of Lead to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on June 6, 
     1994. A creeping landslide has devastated the town. The only 
     grocery store and pharmacy have been destroyed. The landslide 
     is a continuing crisis. Just last week, three water lines 
     brust due to continuing underground earth movement.
       I have just toured the Lead landslide area, and can assure 
     you that the town is unable to begin remediation until the 
     creeping landslide is stopped. Homes have been wrecked, an 
     entire shopping mall is closed and damage continues to occur. 
     It will take Federal, State and local resources to repair the 
     damage. Approval of South Dakota's request for a disaster 
     declaration is critical to the town's recovery.
       FEMA Director James Lee Witt has assured me that he will 
     send a FEMA representative back out to Lead this week to do 
     one additional assessment of the situation. It is my hope 
     that FEMA's reassessment will result in the prompt approval 
     of assistance for Lead. I urge that you approve this disaster 
     request. Almost one month has passed since the Governor 
     requested assistance. The city of Lead has projected that 125 
     jobs, $400,000 in state tax revenue and $100,000 in municipal 
     tax revenue could be lost because of this disaster.
       Thank you for your consideration of this request.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Larry Pressler,
                                                     U.S. Senator.
                                  
                                  ____



                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                    Washington, DC, June 30, 1994.
     Mr. James Lee Witt,
     Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear James: Thank you for returning my call this morning. I 
     appreciated the opportunity to visit with you about the 
     emergency situation in Lead, South Dakota.
       As you know, Governor Walter D. Miller requested a 
     presidential declaration for a creeping landslide on June 6, 
     1994. The gradual landslide caused gas and water lines to 
     break and an entire shopping mall to break away from its 
     foundation. While several businesses in the Twin City Mall 
     have relocated temporarily, the two largest stores remain 
     closed. Since May 27th, this community of 3,600 has had to 
     function without its only grocery store or pharmacy. The 
     situation is serious.
       Although the landslide appears to have subsided at this 
     time, the problem is not solved, and an emergency still 
     exists. The city of Lead and the state of South Dakota 
     already have pledged $350,000 to help alleviate immediate 
     damages. Likewise, the Small Business Administration (SBA) 
     has offered assistance in the form of physical and economic 
     injury loans. Mitigation efforts to prevent further damages, 
     however, appear to be the real solution to this crisis and 
     will require additional funds. In his request, the governor 
     estimates such an effort would cost approximately $2.6 
     million. I also understand that a preliminary damage 
     assessment conducted by FEMA determined that if the President 
     makes a declaration, this expense could be covered by 
     federal, state and local contributions.
       The situation in Lead truly is unique. Unlike last year's 
     mudslides in California, the residents in Lead are not 
     watching their homes suddenly fall down the side of a hill. 
     Instead, they must wait patiently, either for their home to 
     be condemned or for outside assistance to correct the 
     situation. A great deal of damage already has occurred. 
     Further precipitation this summer will create an even more 
     dire situation for the people of Lead. Meanwhile, fear of 
     similar conditions next spring prevent homeowners and 
     businesses from rebuilding damaged structures. The area's 
     abbreviated construction season and typically wet spring 
     months require immediate action if mitigation efforts are to 
     succeed.
       The city of Lead and Lawrence County desperately need 
     federal assistance. These people have been waiting 24 days 
     for a decision to be made on their request for relief. I 
     would appreciate anything you can do to urge the President to 
     declare this area a disaster.
       Thanks again, Mr. Witt, for your assistance. I look forward 
     from hearing from you soon.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Larry Pressler,
                                                     U.S. Senator.
                                  ____



                                                   U.S.Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 27, 1994.
     Mr. James Lee Witt,
     Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Washington, 
         DC.
       Dear Mr. Witt: I am writing to request that you immediately 
     approve disaster assistance for a landslide that has struck 
     Lead, South Dakota. This disaster is unprecedented and 
     assistance is desperately needed.
       I understand South Dakota Governor Walter Dale Miller 
     already has contacted you requesting disaster assistance. I 
     know that a damage assessment team is in Lead today and your 
     prompt response to damage assessments of this area are much 
     appreciated. I urge you to complete the assessment as quickly 
     as possible.
       Some effects of this disaster already are known. It is 
     estimated that one hundred twenty-five jobs, $100,000 in 
     municipal sales tax, and $400,000 in state sales tax will be 
     lost as a result of an affected shopping mall's closing. 
     Additionally, the stability of twenty-five homes remains in 
     jeopardy as a result of this creeping land slide. For a 
     community of 3,600 people, these numbers are devastating.
       Immediate response and assistance from the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency is vital. Providing assistance 
     the moment it is requested from the State will help greatly 
     those experiencing losses.
       I look forward to your prompt response.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Larry Pressler,
                                                     U.S. Senator.
                                  ____



                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 27, 1994.
     Mr. Erskine Bowles,
     Administrator, Small Business Administration, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Bowles: I am writing to request that you 
     immediately approve disaster assistance for a landslide that 
     has struck Lead, South Dakota. This disaster is unprecedented 
     and assistance is desperately needed.
       I know South Dakota Governor Walter Dale Miller already has 
     contacted you requesting disaster assistance. Damage 
     assessments currently are being conducted by the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Governor is 
     expected to seek additional federal assistance once they are 
     completed.
       Some effects of this disaster, however, already are known. 
     It is estimated that one hundred twenty-five jobs, $100,000 
     in municipal sales tax, and $400,000 in state sales tax will 
     be lost as a result of an affected shopping mall's closing. 
     Additionally, the stability of twenty-five homes remains in 
     jeopardy as a result of this creeping land slide. For a 
     community of 3,600 people, these numbers are devastating.
       It is my hope that immediate response and assistance from 
     the Small Business Administration can be provided. Providing 
     assistance the moment it is requested from the State will 
     greatly help those experiencing losses.
       I look forward to your prompt response.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Larry Pressler,
     U.S. Senator.

                          ____________________