This action diary builds on the recent diaries about the weather emergency on South Dakota Reservations.
First and foremost, please rec navajo's new diary, which notes that these reservations' heating funds ran out in December.
Second, chi miigwech to all of you who have given, and continue to give, of your time, money, clothing, food, medical supplies, and other resources to help our Lakota brothers and sisters.
Third, please help us with a new action item: getting a formal disaster declaration, which will release badly-needed federal dollars to these folks. Five minutes of your time to make a phone call or an e-mail could save a life.
Whenever there's a major disaster - flood, fire, landslide, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, ice storm, you name it - affected areas are eligible for federal monies and practical assistance, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, the aid doesn't materialize magically; specific procedures exist to ensure that the right aid gets to the right areas. Government officials at all levels are tasked with certain parts of this process, and each official must do his or her part to ensure that procedures are followed and proper aid is released. The standard mechanism for this aid is the disaster declaration, which can take various forms, discussed below. But first, I want you to take a look at the current list of disaster declarations, from FEMA's own Web site:
* New Jersey Snowstorm (declared Feb. 5)
* Arkansas Severe Storms and Flooding (declared Feb. 4)
* North Carolina (Severe Winter Storms and Flooding Declared Feb. 2)
* Oklahoma Severe Winter Storm (declared Jan. 30)
* Arizona Severe Winter Storm (declared Jan. 24)
* Alabama Severe Storms and Flooding (declared Dec. 31)
* New York Severe Storms and Flooding (declared Dec. 31)
* Kansas Severe Winter Storm (declared Dec. 23)
* New Jersey Severe Storms and Flooding (declared Dec. 22)
* Alabama Tropical Storm Ida (declared Dec. 22)
* Alaska Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Rockslides (declared Dec. 18)
* Nebraska Severe Winter Storm (declared Dec. 16)
What's wrong with this picture?
Do you see South Dakota on there - at all? Neither do I. And the current string of winter storms to hit the S.D. reservations began on December 17. Nearly two months of wave after wave of snow, ice, wind, sub-freezing temperatures, blocked roads, power outages, and medical emergencies - and there still has been no official disaster declaration for South Dakota.
This is where we come in.
Before we get to the action part of the diary, however, let's review a little background information on the federal disaster declaration process.
TYPES OF DECLARATIONS
FEMA describes two major categories of declarations that apply to these types of situation:
1. Major Disaster
A Major Disaster could result from a hurricane, earthquake, flood, tornado or major fire which the President determines warrants supplemental federal aid. The event must be clearly more than state or local governments can handle alone. If declared, funding comes from the President's Disaster Relief Fund, which is managed by FEMA, and disaster aid programs of other participating federal agencies.
A Presidential Major Disaster Declaration puts into motion long-term federal recovery programs, some of which are matched by state programs, and designed to help disaster victims, businesses and public entities.
2. Emergency Declaration
An Emergency Declaration is more limited in scope and without the long-term federal recovery programs of a Major Disaster Declaration. Generally, federal assistance and funding are provided to meet a specific emergency need or to help prevent a major disaster from occurring.
Note that an emergency declaration can be prospective - i.e., it can be declared prior to the actual event to help prevent the situation from turning into a major disaster. This is what Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley did (in cooperation with state officials) in anticipation of the severe winter weather that hit Dinetah lands in Northern New Mexico and Arizona recently. As a result, resources were already in place when the storm hit, and it has helped greatly with relief and rescue efforts.
However, if there is no early declaration of emergency, the situation can spiral out of control rapidly. The results of nearly two months' worth of severe winter weather in South Dakota, sans federal assistance, has created a humanitarian crisis. And although we have reports from Cheyenne River that they are gradually getting control of the situation, and reports from Pine Ridge and Rosebud that they were not hit nearly as bad as Cheyenne River, the fallout is still enormous, and will remain so for the long term. These reservations need investment in and development of infrastructure, jobs for their residents to alleviate an unemployment rate as high as 85% in some places, and immediate funds and assistance to those in dire need of food, clothing, electricity/propane, shelter, and other necessities for daily survival that most of us take for granted.
FEMA publishes a fact sheet for media and other interested parties, outlining the declaration process:
The Major Disaster Process
A Major Disaster Declaration usually follows these steps:
* Local Government Responds, supplemented by neighboring communities and volunteer agencies. If overwhelmed, turn to the state for assistance;
* The State Responds with state resources, such as the National Guard and state agencies;
* Damage Assessment by local, state, federal, and volunteer organizations determines losses and recovery needs;
* A Major Disaster Declaration is requested by the governor, based on the damage assessment, and an agreement to commit state funds and resources to the long-term recovery;
* FEMA Evaluates the request and recommends action to the White House based on the disaster, the local community and the state's ability to recover;
* The President approves the request or FEMA informs the governor it has been denied. This decision process could take a few hours or several weeks depending on the nature of the disaster.
The full description of the process is available here.
Now, here's what a disaster declaration will accomplish, in concrete terms, for the families on the reservations and for the tribes themselves:
Assistance to individuals
Immediately after the declaration, disaster workers arrive and set up a central field office to coordinate the recovery effort. A toll-free telephone number is published for use by affected residents and business owners in registering for assistance. Disaster Recovery Centers also are opened where disaster victims can meet with program representatives and obtain information about available aid and the recovery process.
Disaster aid to individuals generally falls into the following categories:
* Disaster Housing may be available for up to 18 months, using local resources, for displaced persons whose residences were heavily damaged or destroyed. Funding also can be provided for housing repairs and replacement of damaged items to make homes habitable.
* Disaster Grants, are available to help meet other serious disaster related needs and necessary expenses not covered by insurance and other aid programs. These may include replacement of personal property, and transportation, medical, dental and funeral expenses.
* Low-Interest Disaster Loans are available after a disaster for homeowners and renters from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing or other damaged personal property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury.
* Other Disaster Aid Programs include crisis counseling, disaster-related unemployment assistance, legal aid and assistance with income tax, Social Security and Veteran's benefits. Other state or local help may also be available.
Assistance Process -- After the application is taken, the damaged property is inspected to verify the loss. If approved, an applicant will soon receive a check for rental assistance or a grant. Loan applications require more information and approval may take several weeks after application. The deadline for most individual assistance programs is 60 days following the President's major disaster declaration.
Assistance to state,local, and tribal entities:
Public Assistance
Public Assistance is aid to state or local governments to pay part of the costs of rebuilding a community's damaged infrastructure. Generally, public assistance programs pay for 75 per cent of the approved project costs. Public Assistance may include debris removal, emergency protective measures and public services, repair of damaged public property, loans needed by communities for essential government functions and grants for public schools.
Hazard Mitigation
Disaster victims and public entities are encouraged to avoid the life and property risks of future disasters. Examples include the elevation or relocation of chronically flood-damaged homes away from flood hazard areas, retrofitting buildings to make them resistant to earthquakes or strong winds, and adoption and enforcement of adequate codes and standards by local, state and federal government. FEMA helps fund damage mitigation measures when repairing disaster-damaged structures and through the Hazard Mitigation.
Next, here are the key steps at the state level:
The Governor's request is made through the regional FEMA office. State and Federal officials conduct a preliminary damage assessment (PDA) to estimate the extent of the disaster and its impact on individuals and public facilities. This information is included in the Governor's request to show that the disaster is of such severity and magnitude that effective response is beyond the capabilities of the State and the local governments and that Federal assistance is necessary. Normally, the PDA is completed prior to the submission of the Governor's request. However, when an obviously severe or catastrophic event occurs, the Governor's request may be submitted prior to the PDA. Nonetheless, the Governor must still make the request.
As part of the request, the Governor must take appropriate action under State law and direct execution of the State's emergency plan. The Governor shall furnish information on the nature and amount of State and local resources that have been or will be committed to alleviating the results of the disaster, provide an estimate of the amount and severity of damage and the impact on the private and public sector, and provide an estimate of the type and amount of assistance needed under the Stafford Act. In addition, the Governor will need to certify that, for the current disaster, State and local government obligations and expenditures (of which State commitments must be a significant proportion) will comply with all applicable cost-sharing requirements.
Based on the Governor's request, the President may declare that a major disaster or emergency exists, thus activating an array of Federal programs to assist in the response and recovery effort.
Finally, here are some of the major factors used in evaluating a request for a presidential disaster declaration:
* Amount and type of damage (number of homes destroyed or with major damage);
* Impact on the infrastructure of affected areas or critical facilities;
* Imminent threats to public health and safety;
* Unique capability of Federal government;
* Dispersion or concentration of damage;
* of insurance coverage in place for homeowners and public facilities;
* Assistance available from other sources (Federal, State, local, voluntary organizations);
* State and local resource commitments from previous, undeclared events; and
* Frequency of disaster events over recent time period.
* For Public Assistance only -- Per-capita impact for FY2008 - $1.24 for States; $3.11 for Counties
So why has there still been no release of federal funds? I suspect the answer lies in an innocuous reference in FEMA's description of the process:
In a catastrophic disaster, and if the governor requests, federal resources can be mobilized through theU.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for search and rescue, electrical power, food, water, shelter and other basic human needs.
It is the long-term Recovery phase of disaster which places the most severe financial strain on a local or state government. Damage to public facilities and infrastructure, often not insured, can overwhelm even a large city.
A governor's request for a major disaster declaration could mean an infusion of federal funds, but the governor must also commit significant state funds and resources for recovery efforts.
Please note that last clause: "but the governor must also commit significant state funds and resources for recovery efforts."
In other words, to obtain federal financial assistance, the governor of the affected state has to ante up state monies toward the relief effort, as well. And not just a nominal amount - "significant state funds and resources."
Now, why do I have the sneaking suspicion that this is the bottleneck preventing federal aid from getting to the S.D. reservations, despite their desperate need for assistance?
Well, folks - this is not acceptable. And it's time do something.
What follows is a list of officials at all levels with responsibility for this situation. Please take five minutes to call or e-mail; if you call, please follow-up at least by e-mail, and preferably by snail mail, if you have time.
TALKING POINTS
- Be direct, but be polite. Do not accuse anyone of racism, incompetence, or corruption; that's the surest way to get ignored.
- State your case matter-of-factly. Let them know that you know the process involved in getting a disaster declaration, as well as much-needed relief it will make available.
- Ask why there seems to have been no disaster declaration so far. Note the following:
Aside from one passing reference in a DPS press release, there is no other reference anywhere online (on or off the South Dakota state Web site) to any sort of disaster declaration, nor to any steps taken by the governor to obtain one.
Despite reports that FEMA is "assessing" Cheyenne River," people need help now. There are ways to expedite the funding; why has this not been done?
- Ask what can be done to expedite the declaration and the influx of federal resources.
- Ask what you can do to help - i.e., who the person on the other end of the line thinks is the most likely candidate to get the ball rolling.
- Thank that person, and let him/her know that you'll be following up with this and other agencies/officials.
E-MAILS/LETTERS
I had planned to include a template for e-mails and letters, but this post is already far too long (as usual). If people feel like they need a template to use in drafting their own, let me know in comments and I can post something there.
CONTACTS
Herewith, the long-awaited contact list:
STATE ELECTED OFFICIALS
SOUTH DAKOTA EXECUTIVE BRANCH
Mike Rounds (R)
Office of the Governor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
605.773.3212
Web contact form
Dennis Daugaard (R)
Lt. Governor
Note: Daugaard's Web site applet doesn't function properly, so I can't access his contact information.
SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
State Senate
Julie Bartling (D), District 26 (includes Mellette, Todd, & Tripp Counties)
P.O. Box 256
Burke, S.D. 57523-0256
605.775.2937
Jim Bradford (R), District 27 (includes Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 690
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-0690
605.867.5369
Ryan Maher (D), District 28 (includes Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey & Ziebach Counties)
P.O. Box 237
Isabel, S.D. 57633-0237
605.466.2389
State House of Representatives
Larry Lucas (D), District 26A (Rosebud Reservation; Mellette & Todd Counties)
P.O. Box 182
Mission, S.D. 57555-0182
605.856.2439
Kim Vanneman (R), District 26B (Rosebud Reservation; Tripp County)
31148 269th St.
Ideal, S.D. 57541
605.842.2751
Ed Iron Cloud, III (D), District 27 (Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 172
Porcupine, S.D. 57772
(No phone listed)
Kevin Killer (D), District 27 (Pine Ridge Reservation; Jackson & Shannon Counties)
P.O. Box 322
Pine Ridge, S.D. 57770-0322
605.454.8105
Dean Schrempp (D), District 28A (Cheyenne River Reservation; Dewey & Ziebach Counties)
P.O. Box 62
Lantry, S.D. 57636
605.964.6541
STATE AGENCIES AND OFFICIALS
South Dakota Department of Public Safety (This is the state emergency management agency)
Tom Dravland, Secretary
118 West Capitol Avenue
Pierre, S.D. 57501
605.773.3178
E-mail: DPSinfo@state.sd.us
FEDERAL AGENCIES (DHS/FEMA)
Department of Homeland Security
Janet Napolitano, Secretary
Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
Operator Number: 202-282-8000
Comment Line: 202-282-8495
Federal Emergency Management Agency
W. Craig Fugate, Administrator
U.S. Department of Homeland Security | Federal Emergency Management Agency
500 C Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20472
Disaster Assistance: (800) 621-FEMA
TTY (800) 462-7585
FEMA Tribal contacts:
Steven M. Golubic
FEMA Tribal Liaison
Office of External Affairs
Desk: 202-646-4264
Fax: 202-646-3397
Email: steven.golubic@dhs.gov
Linda Straka
E-mail: Linda.Straka@dhs.gov
Telephone: (301) 447-1162
Tribal Region VIII contacts:
Jeanine Petterson, Division Director
E-Mail: jeanine.petterson@dhs.gov
Telephone: (303) 235-4830
Cathy Brock, Secretary
E-Mail: catherine.brock@dhs.gov
Telephone: (303) 235-4830
Tony Mendes, Mitigation Disaster Cadre Contact
E-Mail: tony.mendes@dhs.gov
Telephone: (303) 235-4790
CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEES ON INDIAN AFFAIRS
From Kimberley's diary:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee
Address: 838 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2251 Fax: (202) 228-2589
Email: comments@indian.senate.gov
Web site: http://indian.senate.gov
Member contact information:
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Byron L. Dorgan (DEM-ND) Committee Chair
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Daniel Inouye (DEM-HI)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Kent Conrad (DEM-ND)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Daniel Akaka (DEM-HI)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Tim Johnson (DEM-SD)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Maria Cantwell (DEM-WA)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Jon Tester (DEM-MT)
http://congress.org/...
Sen. Tom Udall (DEM-NM)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Al Franken (DEM-MN)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. John Barrasso (REP-WY) Ranking Member
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. John McCain (REP-AZ)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (REP-AK)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Tom Coburn (REP-OK)
http://www.congress.org/...
Sen. Mike Crapo (REP-ID)
http://congress.org/...
Sen. Mike Johanns (REP-NE)
http://www.congress.org/...
H/T tommurphy
OBAMA ADMINISTRATION
President Barack H. Obama
202.456.1414
Web contact form
Vice President Joseph Biden
202.456.1414
Web contact form
Kimberly Teehee (Cherokee Nation), President Obama's Senior Policy Advisor for Native American Affairs. No direct number available; call the White House switchboard, 202.456.1414, during regular business hours, to be connected.
AND REMEMBER: NO BUCK-PASSING! Get them on record saying what they will do - no excuses!
I will probably be updating links in the diary throughout the day, but they will be only minor edits. To all of you, chi miigwech for everything you've done and continue to do.