FEMA awards $3 million to DOTD for Isaac recovery

BATON ROUGE - The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development will receive a $3 million federal grant to reimburse the costs it incurred clearing debris, including boats, from public roads after Hurricane Isaac, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said Thursday.

The $3,085,418 grant covers the removal and disposal of debris, including: 77,400 cubic yards of vegetative debris, 37,200 cubic yards of construction and demolition debris, 55,200 cubic yards of

marsh grass, 7,000 cubic yards of hazardous household waste, 35,000 cubic yards of sediment and 47 boats deposited in state roadways

"Debris removal is an essential step in disaster recovery," said Federal Coordinating Officer Gerard M. Stolar. "By restoring access to schools, businesses and recreation, this work provided Louisianans with an important step in their journey back to normal."

Between Aug. 26 and Sept. 10, Hurricane Isaac produced high winds, rain and flooding throughout the state. The newly obligated funds are a portion of the $222.9 million in total Public Assistance recovery dollars approved for the state since the Aug. 29, 2012, disaster declaration.