[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 135 (Friday, July 13, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36783-36784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-17533]


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FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Notice of the State Management of Public Assistance Operations in 
Small Disasters

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: We (FEMA) give notice that we will devolve major management 
responsibility of the Public Assistance Program in small disasters to 
interested States with demonstrated capability beginning on or after 
the date this notice is published. Interested Indian Tribal 
Governments, which are acting as their own Grantee, are also invited to 
participate in this program. We award Public Assistance grants, which 
supplement community assets in the recovery of State, tribal, local and 
certain eligible private non-profit infrastructure when the President 
declares an emergency or major disaster. The change in the program 
management does not constitute a change to the process by which 
assistance is provided nor does it constitute a change in benefits 
under the law or regulation.

DATES: This notice is effective July 13, 2001. We invite comments on 
this initiative, particularly on the criteria for State selection. 
Comments received by September 11, 2001 will be considered when making 
future program revisions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James A. Walke, P.E., Public 
Assistance Branch Chief, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 
Washington DC 20472, 202-646-2751 (phone), 202-646-3304 (fax), or 
[email protected] (e-mail).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121, provides for the award of 
grants to assist in the repair and reconstruction of community 
infrastructure. In April 2000, we convened a task force of FEMA and 
State officials to explore the option of allowing capable States to 
manage the Public Assistance Program in small disasters. The purpose of 
this initiative is to streamline disaster operations and enhance 
States' program capabilities. This initiative does not change 
eligibility requirements or the amount of assistance available. Small 
disasters are those with sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a 
major disaster declaration by the President, but are limited in scope 
and size as defined by the following: statewide infrastructure damage 
is less than $2 per capita; or, total estimated infrastructure damage 
is less than $15 million; or, categories of work are limited to debris 
removal and emergency protective measures; or, the Public Assistance 
operation is within a State's capability to manage (varies by State). 
The task force developed a concept of operations, a sample operational 
agreement, a list of FEMA and State roles and responsibilities, and a 
list of frequently asked questions to guide program implementation.
    Participation in the State Management of Small Disasters program is 
voluntary. If a State is interested in managing a disaster, it must 
specify this in the

[[Page 36784]]

Governor's request for a disaster declaration. FEMA will determine 
whether a State is capable of managing a disaster. Interested States 
should have recent Federal disaster experience, adequate staff, a 
current management plan, an adequate fiscal accounting system, the 
ability to meet deadlines for grant management activities, 
environmental knowledge and awareness, and a commitment to training. 
FEMA regional offices and States should work together before a disaster 
to determine capability and ensure that States meet selection criteria. 
When a State elects to manage the disaster and FEMA determines that the 
State is capable, FEMA and the affected State will enter into an 
operational agreement. The operational agreement defines the roles and 
responsibilities of the State and FEMA as well as the processes and 
procedures in effect under the agreement.
    Under this initiative, a capable State provides staff to manage the 
Public Assistance Program operation, including project eligibility 
reviews, process control, and resource allocation on small disasters. 
We will provide a minimum number of FEMA staff to support the 
operation, which will include: Federal Coordinating Officer (FCO), 
Public Assistance Officer (PAO), Deputy PAO, data entry specialist, and 
environmental specialist. We will retain obligation authority, final 
approval of environmental and historic preservation reviews, and will 
help the State to the extent that the State requests such assistance. 
FEMA and the State will conduct on-going quality control checks of a 
sample of Project Worksheets to ensure accurate eligibility decisions, 
scopes of work, and cost estimates.
    In July 2000, FEMA published a Federal Register Notice regarding 
the program and plans for a field test. Subsequently, the concept was 
pilot-tested in three selected disasters that were declared in November 
2000 (FEMA-1344-DR-FL), January 2001 (FEMA-1347-DR-AZ), and February 
2001 (FEMA-1349-DR-OK). A FEMA/State team evaluated the Public 
Assistance recovery operation in each of these disasters to determine 
the success of the pilot program. The teams found that the State 
Management of Small Disasters concept and its implementation in the 
field were successful and identified additional refinements before full 
program implementation. The teams cited the necessity of adhering to 
State selection criteria and providing training to State personnel as 
two important keys to the program's success.
* * * * *

    Dated: July 6, 2001.
Lacy E. Suiter,
Assistant Director, Readiness, Response, and Recovery Directorate.
[FR Doc. 01-17533 Filed 7-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6718-01-P