WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) announced three federal grants totaling more than $9.2 million to support state and local emergency response efforts to Superstorm Sandy. The funding, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), will reimburse Belmar and Marlboro Township for emergency debris removal costs and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management for costs associated with the public assistance program.

“This federal funding will help ensure that Belmar, Marlboro and our state emergency management agency aren't overwhelmed by the recovery costs from Superstorm Sandy,” said Senator Lautenberg, a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds FEMA. “These federal grants are an important start, and now more than $60 billion in emergency federal recovery aid has been signed into law, New Jersey and the region will be able to move more quickly in rebuilding and preparing for the next storm.”

Belmar, the Township of Marlboro, and the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management will receive the following federal funding:

Belmar

$4,062,468 to reimburse the township for emergency debris removal to clear roadways for emergency vehicles.

Township of Marlboro

$1,665,172.67 to reimburse the township for emergency debris removal to clear roadways for emergency vehicles.

The New Jersey Office of Emergency Management

$3,500,000 to reimburse the agency for disaster management and recovery coordination efforts.

On Tuesday, President Obama signed into law the Superstorm Sandy Supplemental Appropriations bill, which Senator Lautenberg co-authored as a member of the Appropriations Committee, bringing the total federal aid for Sandy victims to $60.2 billion. The bill includes $11.48 billion for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which supports the grants announced today. The legislation also includes funding to help homeowners, business, and communities recover and resources to rebuild coastal, transportation, and clean water infrastructure.

###