FEMA Public Assistance Appeal: Debris Removal – Support Documentation

PA ID# 153-03950-00; City of Bellevue

Conclusion: The Applicant did not document its work such that FEMA can separate the costs of eligible work along the improved trail from the ineligible debris removal performed in Lot 473.  Accordingly, the appeal is denied.

Headnote 1: 44 C.F.R. § 206.224 permits Public Assistance funding for debris removal when it is necessary to: 1) eliminate immediate threats to life, public health, and safety, or 2) eliminate immediate threats of significant damage to improved public or private property.  Debris removal from natural, unimproved land, such as heavily wooded areas and unused areas, is not eligible. The Applicant removed all vegetation from Lot 473.  The Applicant’s work removing hanging limbs and trees leaning over the improved Daniel Trail is potentially eligible, but its documentation does not distinguish between this eligible work and ineligible work removing debris from unimproved areas of Lot 473.  Therefore, because FEMA cannot distinguish between eligible and ineligible work, FEMA cannot fund the debris removal work in Lot 473.

Link: https://www.fema.gov/appeal/356206