Document ID: FEMA-2010-0055-0001
Agency: fema
Document Type: Notice
Title: Recovery Policy, RP 9523.6, Mutual Aid Agreements for Public Assistance and Fire Management Assistance
Posted Date: 2010-09-10T04:00Z

[Federal Register: September 10, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 175)]
[Notices]               
[Page 55341-55342]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10se10-68]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Federal Emergency Management Agency

[Docket ID FEMA-2010-0055]

 
Recovery Policy, RP 9523.6, Mutual Aid Agreements for Public 
Assistance and Fire Management Assistance

AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is accepting 
comments on Recovery Policy, RP 9523.6, Mutual Aid Agreements for 
Public Assistance and Fire Management Assistance. This is an existing 
policy that is scheduled for review to ensure that Recovery Directorate 
policies are up to date, incorporate lessons learned and are consistent 
with current laws and regulations. The purpose of this proposed policy 
is to define the eligible costs incurred through mutual aid agreements 
and remove the unintended restriction on permanent work. The previous 
policy limited reimbursement for mutual aid costs to emergency work.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 12, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be identified by docket ID FEMA-2010-0055 and 
may be submitted by one of the following methods:
    Federal eRulmaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments. Please note that this proposed 
policy is not a rulemaking and the Federal Rulemaking Portal is being 
utilized only as a mechanism for receiving comments.
    Mail: Docket Manager, Office of Chief Counsel, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency, Room 835, 500 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472-
3100.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yolanda Gaston, Public Assistance 
Division, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C Street, SW., 
Washington, DC 20472-3100, yolandaL.gaston@dhs.gov, (202) 646-4543.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

I. Public Participation

    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket ID. Regardless of the method used for submitting comments or 
material, all submissions will be posted, without change, to the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov, and will 
include any personal information you provide. Therefore, submitting 
this information makes it public. You may wish to read the Privacy Act 
notice, which can be viewed by clicking on the ``Privacy Notice'' link 
in the footer of http://www.regulations.gov.
    You may submit your comments and material by the methods specified 
in the ADDRESESSES section above. Please submit your comments and any 
supporting material by only one means to avoid the receipt and review 
of duplicate submissions.
    Docket: The proposed policy is available in docket ID FEMA-2010-
0055. For access to the docket to read background documents or comments 
received, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://
www.regulations.gov and search for the docket ID. Submitted comments 
may also be inspected at FEMA, Office of Chief Counsel, Room 835, 500 C 
Street, SW., Washington, DC 20472-3100.

II. Background

    The purpose of this policy is to describe the criteria the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will use to determine eligibility of 
costs under the Public Assistance (PA) Program incurred through mutual 
aid agreements between applicants and other entities after major 
disasters and emergencies declared by the President pursuant to the 
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
    This policy was previously issued on August 13, 2007. The previous 
version indicated that mutual aid costs for permanent work was not 
eligible for Public Assistance funding. The significant change to the 
proposed policy is the allowance of mutual aid for permanent work. The 
primary reason of the limitation of mutual aid costs to emergency work 
is the assumption that mutual aid is provided for assistance with 
emergency work only. The intent of the policy was not to make emergency 
power restoration through

[[Page 55342]]

permanent repairs performed through mutual aid ineligible for Public 
Assistance funding. Further there is no restriction in FEMA regulations 
on mutual aid assistance for permanent work.
    FEMA seeks comment on the proposed policy, which is available 
online at http://www.regulations.gov in docket ID FEMA-2010-0055. Based 
on the comments received, FEMA may make appropriate revisions to the 
proposed policy. Although FEMA will consider any comments received in 
the drafting of the final policy, FEMA will not provide a response to 
comments document. When or if FEMA issues a final policy, FEMA will 
publish a notice of availability in the Federal Register and make the 
final policy available at http://www.regulations.gov.

    Authority:  42 U.S.C. 5121-5207; 44 CFR part 206.

    Dated: August 31, 2010.
David J. Kaufman,
Director, Office of Policy and Program Analysis, Federal Emergency 
Management Agency.
[FR Doc. 2010-22585 Filed 9-9-10; 8:45 am]
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