FEMA partners with USDA to offer restoration plans for wildfire victims
In September 2022, the Federal Emergency Management Agency opened three claims offices because of the Hermit's Peak Calf Canyon fire.
In a phone conference, FEMA leaders announced a partnership with the USDA and its Natural Resources Conservation Service to offer restoration plans.
“Any producer in the burn scar area in the Hermit's Peak/Calf Canyon area is eligible for this. The only place in our system that we do not provide assistance is in a subdivision that is completely covered with concrete,” Xavier Montoya with the U.S. Department of Agriculture said.
The FEMA claims officer says this plan will include things like clearing debris, repairing fencing and livestock wells, and adding flood prevention measures. It will also include cost estimates.
“Plans will be developed by certified planners here in New Mexico, and they may be developed faster and in more detail than what's available on the private market,” Angela Gladwell, the FEMA claims officer, said.
FEMA said there are two ways to request restoration plans through the FEMA claims office or directly through the USDA office.
“This compensation program is unique to FEMA. It's very different from our traditional forms of disaster assistance. And it operates very differently in that we're,” Gladwell said. “From the way that our partnership was designed is so that those plans can be taken, including the pricing that's being developed as part of them and submit them through the claims office as part of the compensation package for them to receive payment from the claims office.”