With debris continuing to be not only a hindrance to residents trying to get back to their homes, but also a major threat to public health and safety, the Federal Emergency Management Agency recently approved supplemental funding to St. John the Baptist Parish for debris removal from qualified private property areas.

This approval is critical to St. John’s recovery efforts as expediting the debris removal encourages residents to return to homes, establish possible temporary living arrangements and begin their repairs.

With Hurricane Isaac leaving tons of debris in its wake, FEMA continues to work with our parish to help eliminate this safety and health hazard. The massive piles of debris make it difficult for residents to place temporary trailers, it obstructs roadways, attracts unwanted rodents and serves as a constant reminder of the damage caused by the storm. It is important that we continue to work quickly to clear the remaining piles as soon as possible.

Eligible removal includes the clearance, removal and/or disposal of storm-generated debris such as trees, sand, gravel, building materials, wreckage, vehicles and personal property.

Supplemental funding under the Public Assistance program goes to the state and its agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Under the program, FEMA obligates funds to the state for 75 percent of eligible costs, while the applicant covers the remaining 25 percent. The state forwards the federal funds to the eligible local governments or organizations that incurred costs.

We are working with parish employees, debris contractors and FEMA to rid our neighborhoods of the mounds of debris left by Hurricane Isaac. Every day progress is being made, but we will not be satisfied until all of the debris is removed and our neighborhoods are restored. Over the last three weeks, more than 160,000 cubic yards of vegetative, construction and demolition debris have been collected in St. John Parish. This number is just over 60 percent of the total estimated amount of debris in the parish. Residents with questions or concerns about debris removal should contact removal contractor DRC’s emergency hotline at 504-256-1067 or visit 217 Belle Terre Blvd., Suite A, in LaPlace. A daily debris schedule can be found on the parish website at www.sjbparish.com.

Any residents in need of assistance in moving debris or just in need of help with the cleaning and gutting of their homes should call the parish’s volunteer assistance hotline at 985-359-0254. Residents can also visit the Volunteer Reception Center, located at 1929 W. Airline Highway, to get assistance or to get information about volunteering. The center is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.