[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 220 (Thursday, November 16, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 53514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24908]



[[Page 53514]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-4339-DR; Docket ID FEMA-2017-0001]


Puerto Rico; Amendment No. 5 to Notice of a Major Disaster 
Declaration

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (FEMA-4339-DR), dated September 20, 2017, 
and related determinations.

DATES: This amendment was issued November 2, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and 
Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter 
dated November 2, 2017, the President amended the cost-sharing 
arrangements regarding Federal funds provided under the authority of 
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 
U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the ``Stafford Act''), in a letter to Brock Long, 
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of 
Homeland Security, under Executive Order 12148, as follows:

    I have determined that the damage in certain areas of the 
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico resulting from Hurricane Maria beginning 
on September 17, 2017, and continuing, is of sufficient severity and 
magnitude that special cost-sharing arrangements are warranted 
regarding Federal funds provided under the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. 
(the ``Stafford Act'').
    Due to the extraordinary level of impact to the Commonwealth's 
infrastructure caused by Hurricane Maria as well as a debt burden of 
more than $120 billion subject to court-supervised debt 
restructuring, and recognizing the Commonwealth's election on 
October 30, 2017, to participate in alternative procedures for all 
large project funding for Public Assistance Categories C-G pursuant 
to section 428 of the Stafford Act, I amend my declarations of 
September 20, 2017 and September 26, 2017, to authorize Federal 
funds for all categories of Public Assistance at 90 percent of total 
eligible costs, except for assistance previously approved at 100 
percent, subject to the following grant conditions, which I direct 
you to reflect in the agreement between the Commonwealth and the 
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
    1. The Commonwealth establish a Commonwealth grant oversight 
authority, supported by third-party experts, to perform as the grant 
recipient for Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation funding to 
ensure sound project management and enhanced, centralized control 
and oversight over the distribution of FEMA grant funds;
    2. All large project funding for Public Assistance Categories C-
G be obligated by FEMA only through alternative procedures as FEMA 
shall establish under section 428 of the Stafford Act, including 
third-party independent expert validation of estimates for projects 
exceeding a threshold FEMA shall establish consistent with law; and
    3. Hazard Mitigation grant funding available under section 404 
of the Stafford Act be prioritized toward protecting Federal 
investments in Puerto Rico's public infrastructure.
    This adjustment to Commonwealth and local cost sharing applies 
only to Public Assistance costs and direct Federal assistance 
eligible for such adjustments under the law. The Stafford Act 
specifically prohibits a similar adjustment for funds provided for 
Other Needs Assistance (section 408) and the Hazard Mitigation Grant 
Program (section 404). These funds will continue to be reimbursed at 
75 percent of total eligible costs.
    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.

Brock Long,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2017-24908 Filed 11-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-23-P


