U.S. DHS upholds FEMA decision to relocate damaged buildings at the University of Iowa
On Wednesday, Oct. 24, Iowa HSEMD received word that U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials had reaffirmed the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) previous decisions to replace the University of Iowa’s Hancher Voxman Clapp and Art Building East facilities.
Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds issued the following joint statement: “We are pleased that this long-standing Federal policy dispute has been settled, as resolution was long-overdue. Thankfully, common sense has prevailed. We appreciate the Iowa congressional delegation’s active involvement in this issue and FEMA leadership’s openness to discuss our concerns throughout their policy dispute with the DHS Office of Inspector General.”
University of Iowa President Sally Mason said: “This final action...clears the way for construction.... Our students and campus can now move forward with certainty that they will have the facilities they need.”
HSEMD Administrator Mark Schouten, said, “I am thankful that FEMA’s previous guidance to replace these facilities has been upheld. This decision...avoids potentially serious and expensive complications that would have flowed from repairing buildings that have sat vacant for more than four years, including mold removal and foundation stabilization measures.”
Hazard Mitigation Team Meeting Set for Nov. 15
The next meeting of the State Hazard Mitigation Team will be Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012, from 2-4 p.m. at the Iowa Closeout Center, 7900 Hickman Road, Suite 500. Please find the agenda and directions to the ICC here:
