CONGRESSMAN
COLLIN C. PETERSON
Minnesota - 7th District       http://www.house.gov/collinpeterson/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 15, 2003
CONTACT: Allison Myhre/218-847-5056 or 218-731-1657

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congressman Collin C. Peterson (D-7th District) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency released $725,000 in Hazard Mitigation Grant funds for buyouts of 13 residences, and flood-proofing of four homes in Mahnomen County.

The 13 homes will be voluntarily acquired and demolished. Participants will receive pre-flood fair market value for their homes. Following demolition the land will remain as open space.

“Mahnomen County officials have worked hard to get the necessary funding from the state and federal government to keep the same areas from flooding time and time again,” Peterson said. “This is a good first step in preventing future flooding for property owners around the Wild Rice and White Earth river banks.”

Mahnomen County Board Chairman Charlie Pazdernik and Mahnomen County Disaster Recovery Coordinator Mike Hewlett said that the county is pleased it can now clear away the structures that have been in harms way. “We are tickled pink,” Pazdernik said. “We feel really good about being able to help these property owners get on with their lives.”

FEMA’s funds represent 75 percent of the total $966,590 project cost. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management will provide $120,824 in matching funds. The county will furnish the remaining $120,823.

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