Jenniffer González announces $ 14.3 million in federal funds
The funds are for debris removal on the coast, administrative expenses and health center
Washington, DC- The congresswoman announced that several federal agencies allocated funds totaling $ 14,371,618 to cover administrative expenses, removal of boats and other debris on the coast as a result of the 2017 hurricanes.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA, for its acronym in English), granted the Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DNER) $ 3,700,000.00 from the Bipartite Budget Act of 2018 for the removal of marine debris and near the coast after Hurricane Maria
NOAA recognizes the joint work of the DNER with federal officials for the early elimination of marine debris that was eligible for elimination during the federal response phase. after the passage of Hurricanes Irma and María. However, according to NOAA, there is still a lot of coastal, beach and marine debris to be removed.
This allocation of funds would help the DNER to implement its plans to remove the sunken or displaced ships, floating house debris, debris of different types brought by the wave of hurricanes on the ecologically sensitive environment, wharves and damaged piers, as well as such as appliances, auto parts and parts of roofs and walls of residences or concrete slabs of the docks or ramps for boats affected by the hurricane María wind and the strength of the waves.
It is reported that the DNER intends to properly eliminate at least 12 vessels and large aggregations of debris in 39 locations around the island of Puerto Rico, as well as debris in the coastal waters of the islands of Vieques and Culebra.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) allocated $ 10,664,219 to the Health Council of Puerto Rico that offers primary medical assistance with centers around the island.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) allocated $ 7,399 to the Municipality of Cayey to cover administrative expenses incurred as a result of a disaster that are above and beyond what the Public Housing Agency is projected to receive from its administrative appropriations in current. These funds come from the federal Bipartite Budget Act of 2018 authorizing the Secretary of HUD to send additional funds to public housing agencies in places affected by major disasters, this time for the management of the Section 8 program.
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