Two Weeks Left to Submit Comments Online About Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Regulations; Three Public Meetings Remain

SANTA FE, New Mexico – The public comment period remains open online until Jan. 13, 2023, if you would like to provide feedback on the process to implement the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Assistance Act.

The Act provides compensation for those impacted by the fire. Compensation may cover eligible losses, including personal injury, loss of property, business loss or financial loss. FEMA’s Interim Final Rule guides the claims process and describes necessary documentation, evaluation criteria and compensation available for those impacted by the fire and subsequent flooding.

The rule also provides additional guidance for appeal rights, arbitration and judicial review. FEMA published the interim regulations in the Federal Register on Nov. 14, 2022, which opened a 60-day window requesting public comment on the rule.

You can submit your comments online and review information posted about the Act by visiting regulations.gov/ and typing in FEMA-2022-0037 in the search bar at the top of the screen where it says, “Search for dockets and documents on agency actions.”

Attend a public meeting if you prefer to give your comments in person.

Three public meetings have already been held to collect information and three more remain. There is no need to register in advance. When you arrive to the meeting, put your name on a list to sign up to speak. ASL and Spanish will be available.

Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023

Peñasco Independent School Complex

13 School Road

Peñasco, NM 87553

5:30 – 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)

Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023

Mora High School

10 Ranger Road

Mora, NM 87732

5:30 – 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)

Monday, Jan. 9, 2023

New Mexico Bank & Trust Community Room

1st National Place

Angel Fire, NM 87710

5:30 – 7 p.m. (doors open at 5 p.m.)

Submitting your comments online or at an in-person meeting is an opportunity for your feedback to shape the final regulations.

About the Hermit’s Peak Fire Assistance Act: On Sept. 30, President Joe Biden signed the Hermit’s Peak Fire Assistance Act to provide funding to compensate New Mexicans and Tribal Nations impacted by the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. The funding may cover eligible loss including personal injury, loss of property, business loss or financial loss. For more information, visit fema.gov/disaster/current/hermits-peak. For information in Spanish, visit fema.gov/es/disaster/current/hermits-peak.