FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 25, 1997
CONTACT: Dana Hagerty 202/225-2165
POLK COUNTY, MN – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Polk County a $1,311,116 grant for a voluntary buyout program. Polk County will use the money to purchase and destroy 25 flood-prone structures in high risk areas.
"Unfortunately, there is only so much that can be done to see that the kind of flood damage that this area suffered last spring doesn't happen again," said Congressman Collin C. Peterson (DFL-7th District). "Areas such as these included in this voluntary buyout program just can't be protected well from possible floods. In an effort to try and eliminate more human suffering in the future, the families in these areas are being given an opportunity to start over, hopefully in the same town."
The homes that are included in this voluntary buyout program are in an area located in:
Bygland Township near County Highway 223;
Esther Township near the junction of County Highway 21 and State Highway 220;
Grand Forks Township north of County Highway 19; and
Little Hubbard Township between Route 49 and Trail County.
The FEMA grant covers 75 percent of the project's cost, with the remaining 25 percent coming from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Training and Economic Development.