Governor Perdue Announces $2.2 Million Federal Funding Grant
Chatham County receives FEMA grant for pre-disaster mitigation

ATLANTA (April 18, 2008) – Today Governor Sonny Perdue announced that Chatham County has been awarded $2.2 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program to acquire and demolish the Chatham County Public Works buildings and return the site to open space.

   "Funding hazard mitigation programs reduces risks to the population and surrounding structures," said Governor Sonny Perdue.
"This project will also enhance the area by providing additional green space for Chatham County."

   The project includes the acquisition of the conservation-use easement.
The site will be returned to "green" space as part of the county's open-space floodplain management program. Historic floodplain areas in Chatham County include its canals, and areas that are already green spaces such as the Bacon Park Golf Course and Lake Mayer. These areas lessen flood damage by allowing flood waters to spread over a large area reducing both the velocity of flooding and peak flows downstream.

   "Chatham County has an active hazard mitigation program, and we are happy to help the county prevent future flood damage through this grant," said FEMA Region IV Regional Administrator Phil May. "By making our communities safer in the first place, we make great strides toward reducing the need for federal post-disaster recovery funds."

   The Pre-Disaster Mitigation program provides funds to states, territories, Indian tribal governments, communities, and universities for hazard mitigation planning and the implementation of mitigation projects prior to a disaster event. This is accomplished by funding cost-effective measures such as elevating, acquiring or relocating flood-prone structures. The grants are awarded on a competitive basis.

   The 75 percent federal share totals $1,663,192, with the remaining 25 percent provided by the county.

   "The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) submitted the grant application on behalf of the county and will administer the award.
Fortunately, the Chatham County acquisition project was one of those approved through the national competitive process," said GEMA Director Charley English.

   GEMA is the lead state agency for coordination of emergency and disaster response activities. For more information, visit www.gema.ga.gov .