State may not appeal FEMA

By PHIL WATSON Staff Writer

Earlier this month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency rejected Gov. Mark Sanford's request for federal disaster relief in the wake of the Jan. 6 train accident and chlorine gas spill that killed nine and temporarily displaced thousands in Graniteville.

The state has until March 11 to appeal FEMA's decision, but most likely will not.

In a letter sent to President George W. Bush through FEMA on Jan. 11, Sanford asks that a state of emergency be declared in South Carolina so federal emergency and disaster assistance can be received.

"...Federal assistance is necessary to save lives, protect property, public health, and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of disaster. The state and local governments have already incurred significant costs related to this incident. I am specifically requesting public assistance for Aiken County," Sanford wrote in the letter.

A Feb. 9 letter from FEMA Under Secretary Michael Brown told Sanford the agency didn't think the Graniteville derailment and chemical spill warranted an emergency declaration.

"It appears that the vast majority of the response efforts required for evaluation, investigation, and remediation fall under the jurisdiction of the state, Norfolk Southern Railway, and other federal agencies. Therefore, this situation does not warrant supplemental Federal Assistance," Brown said in the letter.

The letter says the state has 30 days to appeal FEMA's decision. South Carolina Emergency Management Division spokesman John Legare said he doubts that will happen.

"At this time I don't know of any plans for an appeal," Legare said.

Sanford's press secretary Will Folks won't say much about appealing the decision, either. He said that although FEMA rejected Sanford's request for assistance, other options could still be explored.

"The congressional delegation is hopeful they will be able to identify other sources of funding," Folks said.

Shortly after Sanford sent the letter, another letter supporting his request was sent to FEMA by Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint, and Republican representatives Joe Wilson and Gresham Barrett.

The four lawmakers hoped their letter would help strengthen Sanford's case for an emergency declaration from FEMA.

Copyright © 2003, The Aiken Standard