FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 20, 1998
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
Washington, D.C. -- Congressman Collin Peterson (DFL-7th) talked to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Director James Lee Witt this afternoon about the Cities of East Grand Forks' and Breckenridge' problems with dike and levee construction on lands acquired with federal hazard mitigation funds.
"Director Witt tells me that he has no objection to construction of dikes and levees on property purchased with hazard mitigation funds", Peterson said, "but would not grant a waiver because it's never been done before, it would cause him problems in other regions of the country, and it may not be necessary."
"He told me he had discussed the situation on Wednesday with General Fuhrman from the Army Corp of Engineers, and because the land has been deeded over to the cities, they both felt that the cities and the Corp of Engineers can work out the details between themselves and get these projects under way."
"I would have been more comfortable if we could have obtained a waiver for these specific projects, but I'm willing to take the Director and the General at their word", Peterson said. "However, I stand ready to undertake adding language to the water resources act which will authorize these projects if the need arises, and the Director has said he will support that effort."