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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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February
2006
Volume
10 - Number 1 |
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An update on the mission and activities of the Governor
of Louisiana’s Rebuilding Authority
By Kerry Hoerth The Louisiana Rebuilding Authority (LRA) is a 26-person
commission selected by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to identify, prioritize,
plan, and coordinate the Governor’s vision for the recovery and rebuilding
of Louisiana after the devastating 2005 Hurricane Season. The
LRA commissions’ authority includes the allocation and disbursement of all
hurricane recovery-related funding that comes to the state from the federal
government. It was established by executive order by Governor Blanco
on October 15, 2005. The current focus of the commission is two-fold:
secure funding and establish state-wide priorities & strategies for redevelopment
of the state both in the short-term and long-term.
So far, the LRA commission, along with state representatives, has secured over $6.2 billion from the U.S. Congress to directly support the rebuilding efforts in Louisiana. This soon-to-be LRA commission-controlled appropriation, which is less than five percent of the estimated damages and losses in the state, will come in installments beginning in February 2006. In addition to these funds, the LRA commission is working with both private and federal government sources, such as the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, the Louisiana Rebuilding Authority Fund, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to bring additional resources into the state while preventing overlapping of effort. Once the additional funds begin to arrive, the LRA commission will allocate the appropriations to state and local officials via the current priorities and strategies set forth by the LRA commission for redevelopment of the state. At this time, those priorities focus on housing, infrastructure, and private economic development. Of this list, the highest precedence is placed on the development of housing for the over 200,000 citizens that lost their homes during the 2005 Hurricane Season. Additionally, much emphasis is being placed on repairing bridges and levees which have prevented the return of local businesses and citizens to the state. The following are the most recent LRA commission accomplishments: --- Allocation of $150 million in Louisiana state funds to match FEMA funding for repair of state buildings --- Allocation of $100 million in Louisiana state funds to assist local governments with the required match for FEMA funded emergency infrastructure projects --- Allocation of $100 million in federal funds for the Louisiana Economic Development Small Business Disaster Bridge Loan Program --- Exploration of environmental uses of storm debris to restore Louisiana coastal wetlands --- Approved consolidation of levee boards in Louisiana coastal areas --- Official creation of the Louisiana Recovery Authority in Louisiana statute References: http://lra.louisiana.gov and http://www.bayoubuzz.com/articles.aspx?aid=5997 |