Summer storms that caused
extensive damage on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota won't result in federal assistance.
The
Oglala Sioux Tribe asked the
Federal Emergency Management Agency for a disaster declaration but was denied, KNBN NewsCenter1 reported. A letter posted by the station shows that FEMA does not consider the damage to be worthy of federal assistance.
Residents shared photos and stories with Indianz.Com that showed significant damage. One young family lost their mobile home to the storms in late July. Others had windows blown out and saw property damage.
The tribe has 30 days to appeal from the September 18 denial letter, which was signed by FEMA Administrator William "Brock" Long, who has come under fire for alleged misuse of government resources. He has agreed to reimburse the federal government for the costs of his activities, which cost taxpayers $151,000, The Washington Post reported.
Read More on the Story
Pine Ridge denied FEMA assistance after severe weather damage
(Indian Country Today September 26, 2018)
Brock Long’s improper use of FEMA staff, SUVs included Hawaii pineapple plant tour, investigation says (The Washington Post September 26, 2018)
FEMA denies disaster assistance to Oglala Sioux Tribe
(KNBN NewsCenter1 September 22, 2018)
FEMA Chief Brock Long Must Reimburse U.S. for Misuse of Agency Vehicles
(The New York Times September 22, 2018)
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