Initial Notice

Billing Code 9111-23-P

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-1859-DR]

Docket ID FEMA-2008-0018

American Samoa; Major Disaster and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the Territory of American Samoa (FEMA-1859-DR), dated September 29, 2009, and related determinations.

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 29, 2009.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Peggy Miller, Disaster Assistance Directorate, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW, Washington, DC? 20472, (202) 646-3886.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:? Notice is hereby given that, in a letter dated September 29, 2009, the President declared a major disaster under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.? 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act), as follows:

I determined that the damage in certain areas of the Territory of American Samoa resulting from an earthquake, tsunami, and flooding beginning on September 29, 2009, and continuing, is of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant a major disaster declaration under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. (the ?Stafford Act?). Therefore, I declared that such a major disaster exists in the Territory of American Samoa.

In order to provide Federal assistance, you were hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal disaster assistance and administrative expenses.

You were authorized to provide Individual Assistance and assistance for debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B) under the Public Assistance program in the designated areas, Hazard Mitigation throughout the Territory, and any other forms of assistance under the Stafford Act that you deem appropriate subject to completion of Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs), unless you determine that the incident is of such unusual severity and magnitude that PDAs are not required to determine the need for supplemental Federal assistance pursuant to 44 C.F.R. 206.33(d).? Direct Federal assistance is authorized.

Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance is supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance will be limited to 75 percent of the total eligible costs.?

Further, you were authorized to make changes to this declaration to the extent allowable under the Stafford Act.

The time period prescribed for the implementation of section 310(a), Priority to Certain Applications for Public Facility and Public Housing Assistance, 42 U.S.C. 5153, shall be for a period not to exceed six months after the date of this declaration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Kenneth R. Tingman, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer for this declared disaster.

The following areas of the Territory of American Samoa have been designated as adversely affected by this declared major disaster:

The Territory of American Samoa for Individual Assistance.

Debris removal and emergency protective measures (Categories A and B) under the Public Assistance program for the Territory of American Samoa. Direct Federal assistance is authorized.

All islands within the Territory of American Samoa are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program.