[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 75266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-31966]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[FEMA-1503-DR]


Virgin Islands; 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 Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands (FEMA-1503-DR), 
dated December 9, 2003, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 9, 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 December 9, 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 the Territory of the U.S. 
Virgin Islands, resulting from severe storms, flooding, landslides, 
and mudslides on November 10-16, 2003, 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. 
121-5206 (the Stafford Act). I, therefore, declare that such a major 
disaster exists in the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    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 Public Assistance in the 
designated areas and Hazard Mitigation throughout the Territory of 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, 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 Public Assistance and 
Hazard Mitigation will be limited to 75 percent of the total 
eligible costs. If Other Needs Assistance under Section 408 of the 
Stafford Act is later requested and warranted, Federal funds 
provided under that program will also be limited to 75 percent of 
the total eligible costs. You are authorized to make adjustments as 
warranted to the non-Federal cost shares as provided under the 
Insular Areas Act, 48 U.S.C. 1469a(d).
    Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration 
to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice 
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Under Secretary for 
Emergency Preparedness and Response,
    I do hereby determine the following areas of the U.S. Virgin 
Islands to have been affected adversely by this declared major 
disaster:

    St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, including Water Island for 
Public Assistance.

    All islands within the Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands are 
eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program.

(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. 03-31966 Filed 12-29-03; 8:45 am]
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