The Associated Press
Washington Gov. Gary Locke and Tammy Doherty, acting regional director for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, applaud the work of earthquake disaster relief workers at a Tuesday briefing on FEMA relief efforts.

Congress usually OKs whatever aid is requested

Federal government pays most of cost to repair public property

MIKE MADDEN, GANNETT NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON -- In the wake of last week's earthquake, federal money is flowing to Washington state to help residents, businesses and governments with everything from temporary housing and low-cost repair loans to new roads and renovations to public buildings.

A day after the quake, President Bush declared a major disaster in six counties near Puget Sound, enabling relief programs that will see the federal government pick up 75 percent of the cost of most repairs, said FEMA spokeswoman Mary Margaret Walker, who was dispatched to Olympia as part of a 170-person field office.

Though FEMA has about $2.5 billion budgeted for disaster cleanup this year, Congress rarely hesitates to give the agency more money if needed, effectively meaning that Washington state will get whatever help it needs to recover from the quake.

"We don't really allocate funds for any particular disaster; we just spend whatever is necessary based on the needs," Walker said.

Bush's disaster declaration means residents or businesses in affected counties -- King, Kitsap, Lewis, Mason, Pierce and Thurston -- are eligible for federal money to pay for temporary housing if they need it, as well as grants to cover short-term repairs to their properties.

The Small Business Administration also provides low-cost loans to assist with longer-term repairs, Walker said.

By Tuesday, 2,742 homeowners or businesses had registered for some form of assistance through FEMA's Olympia headquarters, with 1,759 applying for temporary housing because their homes were badly damaged, officials said.

FEMA had already paid out $260,856 in emergency housing and short-term repair grants, Walker said. If need be, displaced residents can use FEMA money for up to 18 months.

The bulk of the damage from the quake seems to have hit roads and public facilities, like the state Capitol and Sea-Tac International Airport, Walker said.

The federal government pays for 75 percent of the cost to fix public property, with state and local governments splitting the rest, said Rob Harper, a spokesman for Washington Emergency Management.

State officials have been pleased with how quickly FEMA got to work, Harper said. "It's fast. They've been very quick on their response."

Other federal agencies, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Internal Revenue Service, have also been involved in the relief effort.

The IRS will let taxpayers claim losses from the quake and speed up refunds for the disaster area.

The Olympian Copyright 2000

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