Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett released the following statement regarding a $1.6 million grant for WAPA from FEMA to go towards the rebuilding of [St. John] associated with Hurricanes Maria and Irma:
“Today, I am pleased to announce a grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The grant is for $1,674,043.04 in federal funding to the V.I. Water and Power Authority (WAPA) Management Costs, which are any indirect costs and administrative expenses that are reasonably incurred by a grantee in administering a grant award.
During the incident period, Hurricane Maria caused severe winds, heavy rainfall and flooding that inundated the power generation, transmission and distribution facilities of the WAPA facilities on St. John. Project scope of work included within this Management Cost Award are: emergency protective measures for power restoration, drinking water distribution, and permanent work repairs to St. John Water System Facilities, which include water tanks and a well.
“This important grant will benefit the Virgin Islands tremendously with our ongoing rebuilding efforts making the Virgin Islands whole again after experiencing two devastating hurricanes. The United States government and the international community has an obligation to work with the affected local governments to restore infrastructure, provide critical humanitarian assistance, and help recover and build back our islands.”
