Newhouse, McMorris Rodgers Urge President Biden to Support Colville Disaster Recovery
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) urged President Joe Biden to approve a Major Disaster Declaration for the Colville Confederated Tribes (CCT). If approved, Public Assistance would be made available to remove debris, rebuild roads and bridges, and address recovery efforts on the Colville Indian Reservation in the wake of extreme wildfires earlier this year.
"The Colville Indian Reservation sustained damage from five uncontrolled fires that burned between July and September. The Chuweah Creek and Summit Trail Fires grew quickly and merged with smaller fires. When they were finally contained, another storm system passed through the region and ignited additional blaze on Reservation lands," the lawmakers wrote.
They continued, "Despite full mutual aid response from surrounding fire districts, the CCT lost major power and communications infrastructure, primary homes, outbuildings, and vehicles and equipment. Now, much of the Reservation is at risk of flooding and erosion."
They concluded, "The damage sustained is beyond the capacity of the CCT to address on its own. [We] request that the CCT's request for a Major Disaster Declaration and aid from Public Assistance Programs receive full and fair consideration."
NOTE: Approval of a Major Disaster Declaration would allow funds from the Public Assistance Program to be used for debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, as well as parks, recreational, and other facilities.
You can read the full letter here and below.
Dear President Biden,
We are writing in support of the Colville Confederated Tribes' (CCT) recent request for a Major Disaster Declaration, following extreme fire and straight-line winds that led to extensive damage on the Colville Indian Reservation from July 12, 2021 through September 24, 2021.
Due to the severity and magnitude of the disaster and damages, the CCT has requested assistance from all categories within the Public Assistance Program, including debris removal, emergency protective measures, roads and bridges, water control facilities, public buildings and contents, public utilities, as well as parks, recreational, and other facilities.
We are in full support of this request and ask that it receive full and fair consideration.
The Colville Indian Reservation sustained damage from five uncontrolled fires that burned between July and September. The Chuweah Creek and Summit Trail Fires grew quickly and merged with smaller fires. When they were finally contained, another storm system passed through the region and ignited additional blaze on Reservation lands. Despite full mutual aid response from surrounding fire districts, the CCT lost major power and communications infrastructure, primary homes, outbuildings, and vehicles and equipment. Now, much of the Reservation is at risk of flooding and erosion.
The damage sustained is beyond the capability of the CCT to address on its own. Again, we request that the CCT's request for a Major Disaster Declaration and aid from Public Assistance Programs receive full and fair consideration.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Liz Payne (Liz.Payne@mail.house.gov) or Stephanie McBath (Stephanie.McBath@mail.house.gov) in our offices.
###