[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 198 (Friday, October 10, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 60307]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-24101]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[FEMA-1798-DR]


Puerto Rico; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

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-1798-DR), dated 
October 1, 2008, and related determinations.

DATES: Effective Date: October 1, 2008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Miller, Disaster Assistance 
Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-3886.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter 
dated October 1, 2008, the President declared a major disaster under 
the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act), as follows:

    I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico resulting from severe storms and 
flooding beginning on September 21, 2008, 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. 5121-5207 (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 Individual Assistance in the 
designated areas, Hazard Mitigation throughout the Commonwealth, and 
any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act that you deem 
appropriate. Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance 
be supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act 
for Hazard Mitigation and Other Needs Assistance will be limited to 
75 percent of the total eligible costs. If Public Assistance is 
later requested and warranted, Federal funds provided under that 
program also will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible 
costs, except for any particular projects that are eligible for a 
higher Federal cost-sharing percentage under the FEMA Public 
Assistance Pilot Program instituted pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 777.
    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 Administrator, under 
Executive Order 12148, as amended, Justo Hernandez, of FEMA is 
appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared 
disaster.
    The following areas of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico have been 
designated as adversely affected by this declared major disaster:

    The municipalities of Guayama, Humacao, Maunabo, Patillas, 
Ponce, Salinas, Santa Isabel, and Yabucoa.
    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; 97.032, Crisis Counseling; 
97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034, Disaster Unemployment 
Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance Grant; 97.048, 
Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and Households In 
Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049, Presidentially 
Declared Disaster Assistance--Disaster Housing Operations for 
Individuals and Households; 97.050, Presidentially Declared Disaster 
Assistance to Individuals and Households--Other Needs; 97.036, 
Disaster Grants--Public Assistance (Presidentially Declared 
Disasters); 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant.)

R. David Paulison,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
 [FR Doc. E8-24101 Filed 10-9-08; 8:45 am]
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