[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 234 (Friday, December 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68094-68095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30297]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[FEMA-1501-DR]


Puerto Rico; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, Emergency Preparedness and 
Response Directorate, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major 
disaster for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico(FEMA-1501-DR), dated 
November 21, 2003, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 21, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Magda Ruiz, Recovery Division, Federal 
Emergency Management Agency, Washington,DC 20472, (202) 646-2705.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter 
dated November 21, 2003, the President declared a major disaster under 
the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act), as follows:

    I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, resulting from severe storms, flooding, 
mudslides, and landslides on November 10, 2003, and continuing, is 
of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster 
declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5206 (the Stafford Act). I, 
therefore, declare that such a major disaster exists in the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
    In order to provide Federal assistance, you are hereby 
authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes, such 
amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and 
administrative expenses.
    You are authorized to provide Individual Assistance in the 
designated areas, Hazard Mitigation throughout the Commonwealth, and 
any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act you may deem 
appropriate. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance 
be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act 
for Hazard Mitigation and the Other Needs Assistance under Section 
408 of the Stafford Act will be limited to 75 percent of the total 
eligible costs. If Public Assistance is later warranted, Federal 
funds provided under that program will also be limited to 75 percent 
of the total eligible costs.
    Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration 
to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

    The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 
310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public 
Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed 
six months after the date of this declaration.
    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice 
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Under Secretary for 
Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of Homeland Security, 
under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Justo Hernandez, of FEMA is 
appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared 
disaster.
    I do hereby determine the following areas of the Commonwealth of 
Puerto Rico to have been affected adversely by this declared major 
disaster:

    The municipalities of Guanica, Guayama, Juana Diaz, Maunabo, 
Patillas, Rio Grande, Salinas, Santa Isabel, and Yauco for 
Individual Assistance.

    All municipalities within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico are 
eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program.


[[Page 68095]]


(The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers (CFDA) 
are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030, Community 
Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund Program; 97.032, Crisis 
Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services Program; 97.034, 
Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management 
Assistance; 97.048, Individual and Household Housing; 97.049, 
Individual and Household Disaster Housing Operations; 97.050 
Individual and Household Program-Other Needs, 97.036, Public 
Assistance Grants; 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.)
Michael D. Brown,
Under Secretary, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of 
Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 03-30297 Filed 12-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-10-P