Almost 10 months after Hurricane Katrina, residents of Hancock County are breathing a sigh of relief after learning that the Army Corps of Engineers will not pack up and leave at the end of the month.
But city and county leaders aren’t quite as consoled, since the financially strapped local governments will now have to begin picking up 10 percent of the debris-removal tab.
In a deal announced last week by Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, the Corps will not close up shop on June 30 as previously announced and will instead extend its stay in “the hardest hit areas of the Mississippi Coast” through Aug. 29 – the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
The Corps estimates that debris removal is about 98 percent complete in Mississippi. It is no longer publishing an estimated percentage for Hancock County, but local leaders say it is far lower than that.
Local officials raised a howl when plans for the pullout were announced, and worked with Barbour to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Corps to agree to push on in the hard-hit areas, listed in a press release issued by Barbour’s office as “the cities of Bay St. Louis, Pass Christian, Waveland and unincorporated areas of Hancock County.”
But Pete Smith, Barbour’s press secretary, said that the deal did not include an extension of the 100 percent federal funding of the debris cleanup, which means local government will begin having to pay 10 percent of the cost as of July 1.
Prior to the announcement, the mayors of Bay St. Louis and Waveland both said that they do not have the financial resources to meet that burden.
'A giant jig-saw puzzle'
Waveland Mayor Tommy Longo said the city’s finances remain a “giant jig-saw puzzle,” as officials await $150 million in FEMA funding to begin restoring infrastructure destroyed by the storm, including a new city hall, police department and fire department.
In the meantime, he says, “We can pay the electric bill and salaries, but that’s about all we can do.”
Bay St. Louis Mayor Eddie Favre put it this way: “The bottom line, regardless of how much is left out there, is we don’t have the staff or the time to deal with the debris issue.”
One of the biggest problems facing both cities are the hundreds of properties that have either been abandoned or whose owners have for some other reason not signed a Right-of-Entry form that would enable the Corps to enter and remove the debris.
There is probably no way for the cities to condemn the properties by Aug. 29, which means they will likely still be facing that problem without help from the Corps.
That prospect chills Favre, who notes that the city will have to pay the contractors up front to clean up the messes, then bill the owners and wait until someone – either the owner or a new buyer – pays the property taxes and liens to recover its money.
“We’re already broke and operating on loan proceeds,” he said glumly.
On other fronts
On other fronts as the 10 month mark passes:
· Local law enforcement agencies say that thieves are targeting contractors working in the hurricane zone and stealing heavy equipment, including big rigs, bulldozers, track-hoes and anything else that isn’t guarded, locked up or nailed down.
· New concerns are being raised about the possible health effects caused by long-term exposure to formaldehyde, a suspected carcinogen, produced by the building materials in FEMA trailers.
· Rebuilt homes are still far apart in areas that were blasted by Katrina, such as the south of the railroad tracks area of Waveland, but there are many more of them than there were just a month ago. And the sounds of construction fill the air as others race to join them.
· Additional restaurants reopen with each passing week, but the cities are still without a true grocery store.
· Construction has begun in earnest on the Highway 90 replacement bridge across St. Louis Bay. The Granite Archer Western partnership that won the $266.8 million contract is now racing the clock to get at least two lanes open by May of next year.
· The Casino Magic in Bay St. Louis is on target for a fall reopening; in Waveland, meanwhile, the new Silver Slipper casino is expected to open by the end of the year.
· Good news! Mississippi’s famed insects – including the ferocious “no-see-‘ems” – didn’t suffer any long-term harm as a result of Hurricane Katrina, a Mississippi State entomologist reports.
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It's a crime that they are still waiting for FEMA moneys after ten months. Since they are going to have to pay 10 percent of the cost to finish cleaning up what the Corps of Engineers couldn't do in ten months, I think they should be given ten years to pay it back interest-free. Why? I received a call from FEMA that they received all the documents I sent in and I would be hearing from them in two weeks concerning my claim. Guess what? That was three months ago. Guess what? That was after they said I volunteerly left the program, which I did not, and had to file again. FEMA time and apparantly COE time don't coincide with actual time. I have no faith in our government using our tax dollars to help in a disaster. And the COE maybe could borrow money from the insurance companies who have plenty to lend, since they haven't paid out a whole lot in claims. How in the world is Hancock County going to come up with the money when their tax base has been decimated? Drive down there and look. It will break your heart.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:13:46 PM)
Cheese and crackers with that whine Jane? There's alot of clean up to do and the COE is not an orginization like FEMA. The COE is responsible for alot of the water regulation throughout the nation, dams, dikes, locks and the like. This was an extraordinary event and while we should have been better prepared, you cannot blame all of the hard working people that are generally devoted to helping refugees get back on their feet.Take a little of the responsibility onto yourself as well.
James Ellwood, Libby MT (Sent Jun 26, 2006 11:18:34 PM)
Jane from Southern Mississippi, you said..."I have no faith in our government using our tax dollars to help in a disaster"... I feel exactly the same way as does hundreds of thousands of others. Only problem is that even though we are all fuming the electorate keeps voting these knuckleheads back in to keep throwing away our tax dollars. Until we vote em all out, nothing will change and we will just keep on bitching. I saw a poll recently that revealed 77% of Americans think that this is the worst Congress ever and in ths same breath, the same amount thinks that their particular representative or senator is doing a good job. Allways the case, my guy is great but everybody elses sucks. That is why we keep getting the status quo!
Terry B., Cape Coral Florida (Sent Jun 27, 2006 12:56:31 PM)
I've seen the Mississippi Coast. Clean up of debris is hit and miss, with one town looking pretty near finished as far as clean up goes and the next town still looking like Katrina just happened. The third town looks pretty cleaned up. And on and on. On the Coast, one town ends and another begins and it seems it is just one place. Explain to me how this can be the case. I think the COE has had enough timed to at least clean up the debris off the side of the roads.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Jun 27, 2006 2:12:09 PM)
It's extremely troubling that Americans no longer understand how American governmental system is supposed to function. Politician or elector, everyone tries to "pass the buck" to the federal government. The feds are supposed to be the last line of defense protecting our most basic freedoms. STATE government and taxes are supposed to be funding local infrastructure. State and local governments are, by and large, well aware of the natural disasters to which they are most vulnerable. State governors love to declare states of emergency. It's a chance for free press coverage of that governor "helping the citizens," plus a chance to get federal money to add to the state budget. When you have a tragedy of the magnitude of Katrina, of course federal aid is appropriate--but remember: every dollar a local government, which is better equipped to understand and respond efficiently to the needs its smaller population, saves and spends to help itself dramatically reduces the overall cost of reconstruction. The money passes through fewer layers of beaurocracy, and there are less opportunities for waste and mismanagement.
Richard, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Jun 27, 2006 4:34:21 PM)
James Ellwood....DON'T attack Jane....if you do you'll be on the Sh** list of many !.....say I'm sorry...dangitt!!!!!.....then we'll let you live!
andy,ms (Sent Jun 28, 2006 9:04:14 AM)
Jane, look at the part about signing right of entry forms. If people, companies, counties whatver don't sign it, then the COE can't enter. Lots of places in adjacent areas are owned by the same people, so adjacent areas don't get cleaned up if they refuse to sign.
I have several friends deployed down there right now. They're being told not to wear hard hats or shirts with COE on them or they'll be shot at. It's a heck of a thing for a single mom to leave her 7 year old for a month because she still desperately wants to help with the clean up and reovery (this is for the second time) and to be met down there with attitudes like yours.
Gen (Sent Jun 28, 2006 5:03:30 PM)
Do not refer to the Army Corps of Engineers as the "Corps". Only the Marine Corps is referred to as the "Corps" as a manner of respect. The Army Corps of Engineers is referred to as the name intends. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Jim W (Sent Jun 28, 2006 7:21:54 PM)
Perhaps the COE could hire some administrative assistants to aggressively go after the rights of entry. However, I really do think 10 months is enough time to at least pick up the debris that is already stacked for pickup on the side of the road.
And Andy, you're my hero.
Jane, Southern Mississippi (Sent Jun 29, 2006 2:16:34 AM)
And When California, falls off into the Pacific Ocean. I hope FEMA, local, and State officals aren't runnin' around like Heads with the chicken Cut off, as they did in Louisiana
Nic Mangler (Sent Jun 29, 2006 2:47:41 AM)
gen the quote single momm unquote who leaves a seven year old for any reason not involving a life or death situation is really in need of a pys consult. ps to jim w a corp is a military unit use the word any way you want also to andy, ms you definitely need to decrease the caffine and increase the fiber in your diet.
KEN IVY, LAS VEGAS, NV (Sent Jun 29, 2006 11:11:39 AM)
As I understand it, each city made decisions as to how to use their FEMA clean up money. Those who went with a private company found that the clean up went swiftly, as there were less regulations and inspections of the debris as it was loaded (if any inspections.) Now, the Bay and Waveland, were so completely devastated by the storm, and in that situation, they went with what would appear to be the more reliable option: the Corps of Engineers. That meant careful inspections, and slow work however, because nothing could be loaded without an inspector and they were in short supply...plus the sheer magnitude of what needed to be removed in the area was larger than in many of these other cities. So cities who went with private contractors seem to be back on their feet much sooner. I know there was some talk of reevaluating the Corp contract. Don't know what happened with that. I guess we all make decisions, and have to do what seems wisest at the time. In restrospect, we might choose differently.
I do hope those with property will PLEASE address the ROE forms so that things can keep moving!
Jane just wants things to go right. Nothing wrong with her attitude at all. How dare anyone accuse her of whining. Andy...you're a good man. There's nothing quite so wonderful as kindness and a good nature. We need more people like you!
Laurie, CO (Sent Jul 3, 2006 1:58:48 AM)
you don't know me Laurie......LOL....my wife can't stand me anymore ....i don't think....I'm just a mean redneck!....who learned how to use a computer
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Jul 5, 2006 9:52:30 PM)
Oh, Sorry. I got you all wrong!
Laurie, CO (Sent Jul 8, 2006 10:52:01 AM)
Dangitt!!!.....How do we get sooo for off track...on a story????...
andy,booneville ms. (Sent Jul 10, 2006 10:53:39 PM)
Everyone should go back to basic High School government and rediscover how the government is supposed to work. Kids in High School have a better understanding then some of these grown adults.
Tom Washington DC (Sent Jul 26, 2006 1:40:29 AM)
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