Times-Standard - Obama declares disaster: Federal dollars on the way to help tsunami repair effort in Crescent City
”We're absolutely ecstatic to be a disaster,” said Crescent City Harbor Master Richard Young.
According to Young, the federal disaster declaration will reduce the burden on both the state and local governments to rebuild the demolished harbor that is the engine of Del Norte County's economic activity. The declaration, Young said, means the federal government will pay 75 percent of repair costs, with the state paying another 18.75 percent, leaving local entities paying only 6.25 percent of total repair costs.
Young said that Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel will be in Crescent City in a couple of weeks to start surveying damage to write a scope of work that will essentially be the blueprint for repairs. Obama's declaration Monday will also aid the harbor in Santa Cruz, which was battered by the same tsunami waves after a massive 9.0 earthquake struck off the coast of Japan.
Crescent City Councilman Richard Enea said state Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, D-Arcata, and state Sen. Doug LaMalfa, R-Butte, will be on hand Wednesday to tour the harbor and explain emergency recovery processes to local officials. Enea said one of the top priorities moving forward will be dredging the harbor entrance, which the tsunami filled with layers of sand and silt.
”The dredging has to be done,” he said. “It's impossible to get commercial fishing boats in here without it. We're just hoping we can get it done quickly.”
The dredging requires federal permits, Enea said, adding that he's hoping they can be expedited now that Obama has declared a disaster.
The councilman said anything that can be done to speed repairs of the harbor would be welcome, adding that the harbor district operates on a shoestring budget and is losing about $300,000 to $350,000 in annual income from moorings that were destroyed in the tsunami and, consequently, can't house boats.
Young said another positive in the declaration of emergency is it triggers a mechanism for advancing money for repairs to local agencies, meaning they don't have to wait for federal reimbursements. The harbor master said he's very grateful for the work of all the area's elected representatives, who he said have come through in a big way to help Crescent City recover.
”We're just really glad to have all their help and support,” Young said. “We're looking forward to repairing the harbor.”
North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, said he was pleased with the designation, but other coastal communities still need assistance.
”That's why I'm urging President Obama to issue disaster declarations for all affected areas so they can continue the process of rebuilding,” he said.