Schumer: First Installment of Fed Funding Will Be Signed, Sealed, Delivered & I Will Not Stop Fighting Until Check For Second Portion of Funding Is In The Mail

Statement

U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer today announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved $436,493.50 in federal funding that will allow the Village of Gowanda to begin repairs on the Point Peter Reservoir System, which was severely damaged by the May 2014 flooding. Schumer said this first chunk of funding will allow the village to begin debris removal at the reservoir in particular, and he will not stop fighting until the second portion of funding, which will pay for repairs to the reservoir, is signed, sealed and delivered to Gowanda as well. Schumer said the second installment of $829,814.83 is needed and final approval is currently pending at FEMA. Earlier this month, Schumer announced FEMA had finally agreed to a framework with the Village of Gowanda that would allow it to provide the funding needed to repair the Point Peter Reservoir. Schumer said this is great news for the Village of Gowanda and he will continue urging FEMA to expeditiously approve the second portion of funding so these repairs can get underway and be finished as soon as possible. The $436,493.50 in total costs approved by FEMA includes a 75-25 federal-local cost-share. This funding will pay for debris removal at the Point Peter Reservoir, including the removal of dead trees, sediment, and other debris. The second installment of funding, which is currently going through the final review process, will fund repairs to the reservoir.

"After months of red tape, we were finally able to break through the bureaucracy and have FEMA approve this first installment of more than $430,000 in funding that the Village of Gowanda desperately needs to remove debris and begin its restoration of the Peter Point Reservoir," saidSchumer. "I am pleased to announce the village will finally see its check for this first portion of funding in the mail, and I will continue fighting tooth and nail to ensure the additional funding needed to complete repairs is signed, sealed and delivered as soon as possible. This combined federal funding will allow the Village of Gowanda to build back stronger than before and guard against damage in future storms."

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