[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 9, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 1114]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00233]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Internal Agency Docket No. FEMA-3603-EM; Docket ID FEMA-2023-0001]


Virgin Islands; Emergency and Related Determinations

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an 
emergency for the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands (FEMA-3603-EM), 
dated November 18, 2023, and related determinations.

DATES: The declaration was issued November 18, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dean Webster, Office of Response and 
Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street SW, 
Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-2833.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that, in a letter 
dated November 18, 2023, the President issued an emergency declaration 
under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the Stafford Act), as 
follows:

    I have determined that the emergency conditions in certain areas 
of the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands resulting from elevated 
levels of lead and copper in the water supply beginning on October 
25, 2023, and continuing, are of sufficient severity and magnitude 
to warrant an emergency declaration under the Robert T. Stafford 
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq. 
(``the Stafford Act''). Therefore, I declare that such an emergency 
exists in the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands.
    You are authorized to provide appropriate assistance for 
required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the 
Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public 
health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a 
catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, you are 
authorized to provide assistance for emergency protective measures 
(Category B), including direct federal assistance, under the Public 
Assistance program to provide water, other necessary related items 
such as filters and testing, and technical assistance necessary to 
identify and address immediate threats to public health and safety 
for 90 days from the start of the incident period.
    Consistent with the requirement that Federal assistance be 
supplemental, any Federal funds provided under the Stafford Act for 
Public Assistance will be limited to 75 percent of the total 
eligible costs. In order to provide Federal assistance, you are 
hereby authorized to allocate from funds available for these 
purposes such amounts as you find necessary for Federal emergency 
assistance and administrative expenses.
    Further, you are authorized to make changes to this declaration 
for the approved assistance to the extent allowable under the 
Stafford Act.

    The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice 
that pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator, Department 
of Homeland Security, under Executive Order 12148, as amended, Lai Sun 
Yee, of FEMA is appointed to act as the Federal Coordinating Officer 
for this declared emergency.
    The following areas of the territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands 
have been designated as adversely affected by this declared emergency:

    The island of St. Croix for emergency protective measures, 
including direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance 
program limited to assistance to provide water, other necessary 
related items such as filters and testing, and technical assistance 
necessary to identify and address immediate threats to public health 
and safety for 90 days from the start of the incident period.

    The following Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Numbers 
(CFDA) are to be used for reporting and drawing funds: 97.030, 
Community Disaster Loans; 97.031, Cora Brown Fund; 97.032, Crisis 
Counseling; 97.033, Disaster Legal Services; 97.034, Disaster 
Unemployment Assistance (DUA); 97.046, Fire Management Assistance 
Grant; 97.048, Disaster Housing Assistance to Individuals and 
Households In Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas; 97.049, 
Presidentially Declared Disaster Assistance--Disaster Housing 
Operations for Individuals and Households; 97.050, Presidentially 
Declared Disaster Assistance to Individuals and Households--Other 
Needs; 97.036, Disaster Grants--Public Assistance (Presidentially 
Declared Disasters); 97.039, Hazard Mitigation Grant.

Deanne Criswell,
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2024-00233 Filed 1-8-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-23-P