COCHRAN ANNOUNCES FUNDING TO MISSISSIPPI FOR HURRICANE KATRINA RECOVERY

FY 2009 Supplemental Bill Contains Funding for Barrier Islands, Stennis Center, and Housing Assistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) today announced funding for Mississippi to assist in continued Hurricane Katrina recovery.  The funding was approved through the FY 2009 Supplemental Appropriations bill, which was agreed to today by the Senate-House Conference Committee. 

“Nearly four years after Hurricane Katrina, Mississippi is still working to recover and rebuild from the destruction that was caused by the storm,” Sen. Cochran said.  “We can be proud of the progress we have made since Hurricane Katrina, but there is still work to be done.  The funding that was approved today will help storm victims find permanent housing, restore facilities that were damaged, and protect the Coast from future hurricanes.”

Cochran, who serves as Ranking Republican on the Senate Appropriations Committee, advocated for the assistance to Mississippi throughout the drafting and consideration of the legislation.  Details on the funding are highlighted below.    

Funding details:

·        $439 million for Mississippi’s Barrier Islands –  Funds will be used to fortify and restore Mississippi’s barrier islands, which were severely damaged during the hurricanes of 2005.  The islands span a 45-mile stretch approximately 12 miles off the coast of Mississippi and serve to weaken the impact of hurricanes.  The funding is provided in response to a report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identifying restoration activities and estimating the funding needed. 

·        $80 million for new housing vouchers for areas impacted by Hurricane Katrina – Funding will enable the State of Mississippi, along with Public Housing Authorities and Case Management Services, to work to expeditiously place Mississippians who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina in permanent homes.

·        Extension of FEMA disaster housing case management for the State of Mississippi – Provisions in the bill will allow FEMA to continue reimbursing Mississippi through March 2010 for activities to help find permanent housing solutions for the approximately 2,000 Mississippi households remaining in FEMA housing.  A majority of these households are elderly or disabled and have little ability to transition into permanent housing without proper case management.  At its peak, more than 70,000 Mississippi households displaced by Hurricane Katrina were living in housing provided by FEMA.

·        $49 million for the MS Army Ammunition Plant (MSAAP) at Stennis Space Center – Funding will go to repair the former Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant, which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina and is scheduled to be transferred from Army control back to NASA under provisions of the 2005 round of BRAC.  The Army operated the 4,400 acre plant from 1984 to 1990, employing more than 3,500.  Since its closure in 1990, the Army has deferred maintenance and invested minimal resources in the upkeep of the property.