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Page three of the letter: "I request direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property." This after requesting in line one that the federal Government consider the situation to be an "expedited major disaster for the state".
Did she know on the 28th exactly what would be needed and where? No. Can you tell me next week's winning lotto number?
My point is simple. Every level of government dropped the ball. I would rather deal with facts than join the partisan chorus that spends its time doing nothing but trying to shout louder than the partisan chorus across the street. Bring out all the facts and let the chips fall where they will.
Yes. And she went on to particularly describe the nature of that "direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property."
I am specifically requesting:Now, adding up the 30 million for debris removal, 75 million for the IHP, and 25 million for Emegency protective measures; there is ZERO left over for distribution of emergency supplies....
Individual Assistance, including the Individual and Household Program (IHP), Disaster Unemployment Assistance, Crisis Counseling, Public Assistance (Category A-G funding at 100%), Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loans and Direct Federal Assistance (DFA) funding at 100% for the following parishes: ...
...
To support the evacuation/sheltering effort, I am also requesting: Individual Assistance, including the Individual and Household Program (IHP), Crisis Counseling, and Public Assistance (Category B) for the following parishes: ...
...
Due to the extraordinary nature of this catastrophic hurricane and based on the anticipated damages in the impacted areas including the New Orleans Metropolitan region, I am requesting an increase of the Federal cost share from 75% to 100% for Individual Assistance, Public Assistance (All Categories) and Direct Federal Assistance. I certify that for this major disaster, the State and local governments will assume the applicable non-Federal share of costs required by the Stafford Act.
...
... Estimated requirements for other Federal agency programs:
- Department of Social Services (DSS): Opening (3) Special Need Shelters (SNS) and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.
- Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH): Opening (3) Shelters and establishing (3) on Standby. Costs estimated at $500,000 per week for each in operation.
- LANG and the office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP): Providing generators and support staff for SNS and Public Shelters. Costs estimated to range from $250,000-$500,000 to support (6) Shelter generator operations and personnel/equipment support.
- Louisiana State Police (LSP): Costs to support evacuations- $500,000 for a direct landfall.
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (WLF): Costs to support evacuations - $500,000 for a direct landfall.
- Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD): Costs to support evacuations - $5,000,000 for a direct landfall.
Totals: $130,000,000
Estimated Requirements for assistance under the Stafford Act:
Coordination [ZERO]
Technical and advisory assistance [ZERO]
Debris removal $30,000,000 (est.*)
Emergency protective measures $25,000,000 (est.*)
Individuals and Households Program (IHP) $75,000,000 (est*)
Distribution of emergency supplies [ZERO]
Other (specify) [ZERO]
Totals: $130,000,000
Grand Total: $130,000,000(*) Based on Hurricane Isidore, Lili and Ivan (FEMA 1435, 1437, 1548)
http://www.yuricareport.com/Disaster/BlancoToPresident_letter8_28_05.html
http://gov.louisiana.gov/Disaster%20Relief%20Request.pdf
I notice too, she breaks out the 130 million in a form that desribes which of HER agencies will be directing certain efforts and spending certain monies. For example, Louisiana State Police, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and Department of Transportation and Development would use a combined total of 6 million dollars to support evacuations in the event of a direct landfall.
Keep in mind that this letter was composed before landfall, and the extent of damage was indefinite. At this point she certainly didn't want to be turning control over the the feds - even less so that she might have been inclined to on Friday September 2nd, when looting had taken a toll and evacuation was going slowly.
My point is simple. Every level of government dropped the ball. I would rather deal with facts than join the partisan chorus that spends its time doing nothing but trying to shout louder than the partisan chorus across the street. Bring out all the facts and let the chips fall where they will.
That's the best we can hope for. But the fact pattern is more complex than most people have patience for. In a coordinated effort, which this is, each side has to make promises and keep them. If Blanco says her guys will keep order, then she can't complain that the Feds didn't. THere are thousands of details that somebody has to "own," and the first owner of the details is the locals.
Her "I request direct Federal assistance for work and services to save lives and protect property." is spelled out in detail in her letter, and you can bet that she got everything requested there. All of it. And did you see the promise that she made on page 3?
In accordance with 44 CFR § 206.208, the State of Louisiana agrees that it will, with respect to direct Federal assistance:That last part is a promise not to engage in turf wars.
- Provide without cost to the United States all lands, easements and rights-of-ways necessary to accomplish the approved work;
- Hold and save the United States free from damages due to the requested work, and shall indemnify the Federal Government against any claims arising from such work;
- Provide reimbursement to FEMA for the non-Federal share of the cost of such work in accordance with the provisions of the FEMA-State Agreement; and
- Assist the performing Federal agency in all support and local jurisdictional matters
"Bring out all the facts and let the chips fall where they will."
As in the way the chips fell at the behest of the 9/11 commision? You should take a look back at the hurricane threads before you start claiming all sides took on a partisan slant. The outcry against Nagin and Blanco here was a direct result of watching the incompetence as it happened, not because of their political affiliation. For real partisanship, you should be looking at the dems who had a senator blaming the hurricane on the President before it even hit.
You brought up the four (count 'em, four whole) pages as if that meant that she asked in detail what the fed didn't provide. You were proven wrong as to the amount of detail and what was asked, so now you're trying to blow it off as inconsequential since no one can predict the future?