STAPLE HERE

The adverse publicity, the dupilicity of stories reported by the media and erroneous press releases by the Bureau of Reclamation have had a negative impact upon the entire Colorado River Area. Only the prompt actions taken by Bluewater Lagoon's installation of additional Rip Rap, and the relocation of our domestic water and sewerage facilities prevented a major catastrophe.

Bluewater lagoon needs monetary relief and assurance of efforts that are positive along the lines of reversing the negative publicity. We need the faith of the general public re-established in the stability of the Colorado River and the Bureau of Reclamation.

APPENDIX II

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1983

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR THE HEARING RECORD

STATEMENT BY ROBERT L. VICKERS, REGIONAL DIRECTOR, REGION IX, FEDERAL

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON INTERIOR AND
INSULAR AFFAIRS, U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, CONCERNING RECENT
FLOODING ON THE COLORADO RIVER, SEPTEMBER 8, 1983, NEEDLES, CALIF.

MR. CHAIRMAN, THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO TESTIFY TODAY ON BEHALF
OF AND CONCERNING THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND ITS
ROLE IN DISASTER RELIEF. LET ME BEGIN BY OUTLINING THOSE MEASURES
TAKEN TO DATE REGARDING THE FLOODING IN THIS AREA, AND THEN TOUCH ON
FEMA'S ROLE GENERALLY IN ACTING AS A COORDINATOR AND IN SUPPORTING
PREPAREDNESS PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO REDUCE THE IMPACT OF FUTURE DISASTERS.

(463)

THE DISASTER RELIEF ACT OF 1974 (PL 93-288 AS AMENDED) AUTHORIZES A
WIDE RANGE OF FEDERAL HELP IN MAJOR DISASTERS OR EMERGENCIES DECLARED
BY THE PRESIDENT. SUBSTANTIAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE PROVIDED, AS
APPROPRIATE, ACCORDING TO THE PARTICULAR CHARACTERISTICS OF EACH
DISASTER, INCLUDING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
FOR THE REPAIR AND RESTORATION OF PUBLICLY OWNED AND CERTAIN PRIVATE,
NON-PROFIT FACILITIES, AND INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE WHICH MAY INCLUDE
TEMPORARY HOUSING, GRANTS TO ADDRESS CERTAIN DISASTER RELATED COSTS,
AND DISASTER UNEMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED AT
THIS POINT THAT A BASIC REQUIREMENT OF THE DISASTER RELIEF ACT IS
THAT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE MAY BE AUTHORIZED ONLY WHEN IT IS NECESSARY
TO SUPPLEMENT THE CAPABILITIES OF THE STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN
COPING WITH A MAJOR DISASTER.

ON JULY 1, 1983, THE PRESIDENT DECLARED MAJOR DISASTERS FOR ARIZONA AND CALIFORNIA AS A RESULT OF THE FLOODING FROM THE COLORADO RIVER. FEMA IMMEDIATELY DESIGNATED LAPAZ, MOHAVE, AND YUMA COUNTIES IN ARIZONA AND IMPERIAL, RIVERSIDE AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTIES IN CALIFORNIA ELIGIBLE FOR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND THE EMERGENCY LOAN PROGRAM OF THE FARMERS HOME ADMINISTRATION WERE MADE AVAILABLE IN ALL SIX COUNTIES.

BOTH THE STATE OF ARIZONA AND. THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA REQUESTED THAT
THE AFFECTED AREAS BE DESIGNATED ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE.
ALSO, AS NOTED ABOVE, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS PRIMARILY THAT ASSISTANCE
PROVIDED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR THE REPAIR OR RESTORATION OF
DISASTER-DAMAGED PUBLIC FACILITIES. IT CAN ALSO INCLUDE EMERGENCY
MEASURES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PURPOSES SUCH AS THE SPRAYING BEING
ACCOMPLISHED IN THE MOSQUITO ABATEMENT PROGRAM. WE HAVE MONI-
TORED THE MOSQUITO PROBLEM CLOSELY IN BOTH STATES. ALSO, WE HAVE
ASSESSED THE OVERALL NEED FOR OTHER PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. AT THE
PRESENT TIME WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT THE DAMAGE WHICH CAN BE VERIFIED
IS CONSIDERED TO BE WITHIN THE CAPABILITIES OF THE STATES AND THEIR
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, INCLUDING THE RESPONSE TO THE MOSQUITO PROBLEM.

WHEN WE NOTIFIED EACH STATE OF THIS DECISION ON AUGUST 23, 1983, WE ALSO INDICATED THAT THIS DETERMINATION WAS NOT A DENIAL OF THEIR REQUEST. WHEN THE WATER HAS RECEDED, A COMPLETE SURVEY WILL BE MADE AND THE RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT WILL BE THE BASIS FOR A FINAL DETERMINATION OF WHETHER OR NOT PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IS WARRANTED.

ANOTHER PRIMARY ELEMENT OF FEMA'S INVOLVEMENT IN FEDERAL DISASTER
ASSISTANCE IS AS A COORDINATOR. THROUGH THE FEDERAL COORDINATING
OFFICER, FEMA FACILITATES AND SUPPORTS THE JOINT RELIEF EFFORTS OF
OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES, STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, AND VOLUNTARY
RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS. IT MUST BE NOTED THAT FEMA HAS NEITHER THE
AUTHORITY NOR EXPERTISE TO ADMINISTER OR DIRECT THE PROGRAMS OF
OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES. THE COORDINATING ROLE OF FEMA INVOLVES A
RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT THE APPROPRIATE MEASURES OF ASSISTANCE
ARE BROUGHT INTO PLAY, AND COORDINATED TO PREVENT UNNECESSARY
DUPLICATION.