[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 57341]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21451]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[FEMA-1552-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-1552-DR), dated 
September 17, 2004, and related determinations.

DATES: Effective September 17, 2004.

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 September 17, 2004, 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 Tropical Storm Jeanne and 
resulting landslides and mudslides beginning on September 14, 2004, 
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). Therefore, I 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 assistance of debris removal and 
emergency protective measures (Categories A and B) under the Public 
Assistance program and Hazard Mitigation in the designated areas, 
and any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act you may 
deem appropriate subject to completion of Preliminary Damage 
Assessments. Direct Federal assistance is authorized.
    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. For a period of up to 72 hours, 
you are authorized to fund assistance for debris removal and 
emergency protective measures, including direct Federal assistance, 
at 100 percent of the total eligible costs. If Other Needs 
Assistance under Section 408 of the Stafford Act is later requested 
and warranted, Federal funding 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 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, Peter Martinasco, 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:

    All Commonwealth municipalities for assistance for debris 
removal and emergency protective measures, including direct Federal 
assistance, at 100 percent Federal funding of the total eligible 
costs for a period of up to 72 hours.
    All municipalities within the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico 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; 97.309, Hazard Mitigation Grant Program)

Michael D. Brown,
Under Secretary, Emergency Preparedness and Response, Department of 
Homeland Security.
[FR Doc. 04-21451 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-10-M