Letter to FEMA Adnimistrator Fugate RE - City of Troy Request for Additional Funding

Letter

Dear Administrator Fugate:

I write to urge you to promptly review and approve the City of Troy's request for additional funding in their final inspection report (PW 7945, DR-NY 4020). FEMA originally approved a Project Worksheet with an estimated cost of $400,000, but because of the complexity of the project, actual costs for the eligible work ended up exceeding the initial estimate by nearly $700,000.

In September 2011, the rain, heavy winds, and flooding associated with Hurricane Irene caused damage throughout the City of Troy, including a section of Campbell Avenue. During the storm, flooding led to significant surcharging conditions, or overflowing, that caused a sewer to collapse. This collapse created sink holes which undermined the road and damaged two manholes. The high levels of groundwater also contributed to road instability, and ultimately slope failure. Because the road was deemed unsafe, city officials issued an emergency declaration for Campbell Avenue in February, closing the road for several months while repairs were made.

Because this was a very complex project that took seven months to complete, actual costs ended up exceeding the estimated costs laid out in the initial Project Worksheet. For example, the original Project Worksheet did not include the cost of the engineering study that FEMA requested that the city complete. The cost of rental equipment, including submersible pumps, an on-site fuel tank, and dump trucks, also ran high because of the length of time that the project took to complete.

Thank you for your attention to this important issue. I appreciate the support that you have already given to the City of Troy, and I urge you to promptly review and approve their request for additional funding.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer

United States Senator

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