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Announces Progress on Cameron Parish Temporary Housing Situation
 
November 20, 2008 -  Untitled Document

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Sen. David Vitter today announced a decision by FEMA officials regarding the placement of temporary housing units in hurricane-damaged Cameron Parish, but cautioned that there was still progress to be made to ensure that the needs of local residents are met.  FEMA had previously denied requests to provide mobile homes or park model trailers to local residents who sustained damage to their homes because agency flood zone maps put 80 percent of the parish in a high risk “V Zone.”  A significant portion of Cameron Parish residents make their living as fishermen and they say the FEMA housing units are too far from the coast. 
“During our initial conversation on November 7, I expressed to FEMA Administrator Paulison my concerns with this current policy,” Vitter said.  “These sorts of bureaucratic roadblocks are counterproductive and I believe that a six-month waiver of this federal rule is appropriate. These residents need to be near the coast, where they conduct their business. 
In a discussion today with Paulison, Vitter asked that this policy be revisited and FEMA agreed to conduct a survey of the parish to identify potential sites within the V Zone for the placement of trailers.
“I am pleased that he has agreed to give this situation the attention it deserves and a FEMA team will survey the parish to identify potential trailer sites that would allow local fishermen to remain near the coast,” added Vitter.
Vitter also announced that he has authored an amendment that would provide a more concrete solution to this situation and allow FEMA to place temporary housing units in lower Cameron Parish. Vitter plans to introduce the language as an amendment to the stimulus bill that Congress will consider in the coming days.
“The residents of Cameron Parish have been through some tough times over the past few years.  Fishing communities make up a large part of the parish and it is simply unacceptable to have these fishermen relocate to inland locations,” said Vitter.  “As these residents move forward with the recovery process, the last thing they need is this sort of pushback from a federal agency.  We should be helping them put their lives back together, not hindering the recovery process and endangering their livelihoods.”
Federal regulations prohibit FEMA from placing temporary housing units in areas likely to be damaged by hurricanes and FEMA’s designation of parts of Cameron Parish as a Velocity Zone, or “V Zone”, means that the risk of damage is too great for temporary housing units.  Vitter and officials from Cameron Parish contend that FEMA is using preliminary flood maps that have not been formally approved and are facing an appeal.  Today’s decision means that FEMA may allow for the placement of temporary housing units on sites within the V Zone.

Press Releases 
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November 2008 Press Releases All  
20th - Announces $7.5 Million Federal Funding in Louisiana Workforce Assistance
20th - Stands Against Auto Bailout in Senate Floor Speech
20th - Announces Progress on Cameron Parish Temporary Housing Situation (Currently Viewing)
20th - Introduces Guantanamo Detainee Bill
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