For release Thursday, April 20, 2006

 

Extension Announced for
Debris Removal & Demolition on Private Property  

            Parish President Kevin Davis announced this afternoon he is extending the time period for citizens of unincorporated St. Tammany Parish to apply to FEMA for the removal of structures that have been damaged by Hurricane Katrina and that also present an immediate threat to public health and safety.  The program will also remove debris that poses a threat to public safety.  Examples of debris that may qualify include leaning trees, hanging branches, and debris on the ground that might pose a threat to life or property. 

            To be eligible for FEMA assistance, the debris removal must meet one of the following criteria:

St. Tammany Parish has hired Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. (CDM) to expedite this process for residents in unincorporated St. Tammany Parish.   Friday, April 21st will the be last day to use the customer service offices located at the Northshore Harbor Center and the St. Tammany Parish Administrative Complex Council Chambers.  CDM will open a new customer service center on Saturday, April 22nd.  The center is located in the small trailer in the parking lot of the Parish Administrative Complex, 21490 Koop Drive.  The new customer service center will be open seven days a week from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. 

      For further information by telephone, call CDM at 985-898-3080 from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

            To begin this process, homeowners must sign a Right of Entry Form.  Forms will be available Monday, March 20th at the temporary Demolition Offices, at St. Tammany Parish libraries, and on line at www.stpgov.org.  The form must be returned to one of the temporary demolition offices or mailed to St. Tammany Parish Private Property Debris Removal Program
c/o CDM,  P.O. Box 1348, Slidell, LA 70459-1348.  St. Tammany Parish government and its contractor, CDM, are not responsible for any late, or non-delivered, mail. 

If you return your application in person, bring the following information with you, if available, to expedite your application processing:

  1. Proof of ownership – Act of Sale
  2. All insurance documentation, including flood insurance
  3. Any pictures or other evidence of damages to property

Property owners will complete a right of entry form, and a hold-harmless agreement.  Property owners must confirm that the property is not inhabited, and indicate whether any personal property that requires removal prior to demolition is on-site.  If the property owner does not have insurance, the owner will be required to complete a notarized affidavit indicating that the property is not insured. 

After the Right of Entry form and necessary documents have been received, applications will be reviewed by FEMA to determine your eligibility for this program.  St. Tammany Parish, and/or its contractor, does not make this determination.  This decision is made solely by FEMA.   

            Demolition activity will be limited to above-ground structures.  The removal will not include concrete slabs, driveways and footings.  FEMA will determine if any trees or vegetative debris constitute an immediate threat to lives, public health, safety or property. 

 If you live in a municipality, contact your city or town for information about your specific city.

Here are contact numbers and web addresses for some municipalities:

City of Slidell, 646-4330, www.slidell.la.us
City of Mandeville, 626-3144, www.cityofmandeville.org
City of Covington, 892-1873 

  ###