11 Jul 2014

Gov. Branstad takes additional action related to ongoing weather events

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

Issues disaster proclamation for seven counties, temporarily suspends certain transportation weight restrictions, asks FEMA to conduct damage assessment

(DES MOINES)  - Today, Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for seven counties in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather beginning June 26, 2014, temporarily lifted certain transportation weight restrictions and requested the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct assessments in 20 counties impacted by the June 26 and continuing storms.

The counties included in today's disaster proclamation are Audubon, Grundy, Ida, Jasper, Keokuk, Poweshiek and Washington. The governor's proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms.

Also today, Gov. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency to temporarily suspend Iowa Department of Transportation weight restrictions in Plymouth and Sioux counties.

The proclamation will temporarily lift certain transportation restrictions on the movement of loads related to the repair of damage sustained to the railroad operated by D & I Railroad and owned by the State of South Dakota. The damage was caused by the June 14, 2014, and continuing severe storms. The suspension of weight provisions applies to loads transported on Iowa Highway 3, Iowa Highway 10 and Iowa Highway 12 in Plymouth and Sioux counties and excludes other Iowa roadways and interstate systems. D & I Railroad provides shipping service to multiple area companies, including agriculture and ethanol producers.

In addition, the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) made a request today to FEMA to conduct damage assessments in 20 counties impacted by the June 26 and continuing storms. The damage assessments, which will primarily cover public infrastructure, will be conducted jointly by FEMA, HSEMD and local officials. Results of the damage assessments could be used to determine if a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration is warranted. Damage assessments will be conducted in the following counties: Audubon, Black Hawk, Butler, Cedar, Des Moines, Grundy, Hamilton, Hardin, Ida, Iowa, Jackson, Jasper, Johnson, Jones, Lee, Linn, Louisa, Mahaska, Muscatine and Poweshiek.

This is the fourth such request that HSEMD has made to FEMA to conduct damage assessments as a result of June severe weather.

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08 Jul 2014

Gov. Branstad issues disaster proclamations for three more counties

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Today, Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Polk County in addition to a proclamation of disaster emergency issued yesterday for Scott and Shelby counties.  This is in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather beginning June 26, 2014.

The governor's proclamations allow State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms.

In addition, yesterday's proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for Scott and Shelby counties.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

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07 Jul 2014

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS: REGISTER FOR XSTREAM CLEANUP TODAY!

By Brandy Walvaert

QUAD-CITIES?Xstream Cleanup, presented by Group O and Riverboat Development Authority, is seeking hundreds of volunteers to clean up about 40 sites in the Quad-Cities area on Saturday, August 9 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Registration is open online at www.xstreamcleanup.org.

Cleanup sites are located in Bettendorf, Buffalo, Davenport, LeClaire and McCausland, Iowa; and Milan, Moline, Rock Island and Silvis, Illinois.

Volunteers can choose to participate in light-duty or heavy-duty cleanup, storm-drain marking, or invasive plant removal. Removal of invasive plants is a bigger part of the cleanup this year because these harmful species negatively affect water quality in the Quad-Cities and beyond.

No previous cleanup experience is necessary, and supplies will be provided. A parent or guardian must accompany volunteers under the age of 18.

All volunteers registered by July 23 are guaranteed to receive a free T-shirt.

Xstream Cleanup is made possible by generous support provided by the following: Riverboat Development Authority, Group O, Alcoa, Triumph Community Bank, Iowa American Water, Rock Island County Waste Management Agency, Eastern Iowa Grain Inspection and Weighing Service, Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Wallace's Garden Center, Sears Seating, MidAmerican Energy, McCarthy Bush Corporation, DHL Global Forwarding, Alter Metal Recycling, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Quad Cities, Mel Foster Co., Midas Auto Systems Experts, Eagle View Group? Sierra Club, Radish Magazine, and Quad City Conservation Alliance.

For more information or to register, visit www.xstreamcleanup.org.

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03 Jul 2014

Gov. Branstad issues disaster proclamation for six more counties

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES) - Today, Gov. Terry E. Branstad issued two proclamations of disaster emergency for a total of six counties in response to flooding and severe weather.

The first proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from flooding and severe weather beginning on June 26, 2014. Counties included in the proclamation are:  Clinton, Des Moines, Hardin, and Lee.

The proclamation also activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for three counties:  Clinton, Hardin and Lee.

In addition to this, Gov. Branstad issued a second proclamation of disaster emergency for two counties in response to the ongoing severe storms beginning June 13, 2014. Counties included in the proclamation are: Crawford and Shelby. The governor's proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of the storms.

The proclamation also activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for three counties: Cedar, Clay and Emmet.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

 

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02 Jul 2014

Gov. Branstad issues disaster proclamation for six counties

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

DES MOINES - Today, Governor Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for Black Hawk, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, Louisa and Muscatine counties in response to flooding and severe weather beginning June 26. The governor's proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms.

In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for eight counties: Black Hawk, Iowa, Jackson, Johnson, and Muscatine; and Cedar, Jones and Linn counties, which were declared to be under a disaster emergency on Monday, June 30.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

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01 Jul 2014

Gov. Branstad, HSEMD Dir. Schouten to survey storm damage

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department Director Mark Schouten will survey storm and flood damage today, Tuesday, July 1, 2014, in Fairfax, Cedar Rapids, Anamosa and Jackson County.

Media outlets unable to join the tour may follow the Governor's social media accounts for photos, videos and updates.

Twitter: @TerryBranstad

Facebook: www.Facebook.com/TerryBranstad

YouTube: www.YouTube.com/GovernorBranstad

The following tour is open to the media. Please note all times are approximate. Follow @TerryBranstad on twitter for live updates regarding location and arrival times.

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

11:40 a.m. Gov. Branstad, Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten tour storm damage in Fairfax, Iowa

Collapsed bridge approach near Fairfax

US Hwy. 151, near mile post 22.

 

12:45 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten tour storm damage at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids

Mercy Medical Center

701 10th Street SE

Cedar Rapids, IA

Note: Follow @TerryBranstad on Twitter to find exact location within hospital.

 

1:15 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten hold media avail in Cedar Rapids

Mercy Medical Center

701 10th Street SE

Cedar Rapids, IA

Note: Follow @TerryBranstad on Twitter to find exact location within hospital. 

 

2:15 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten tour storm damage in Anamosa

Jones County Courthouse

500 W. Main Street

Anamosa, IA

 

4 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten tour storm damage and flooding at farms in Jackson County

Tour will commence at Otter Creek Station

Intersection of Bellevue-Cascade Road and Highway 61

Note: Follow @TerryBranstad for updated information

 

4:45 p.m. Gov. Branstad, Iowa HSEMD Director Mark Schouten hold media avail in Maquoketa

NOTE: Media Avail to occur immediately following the tour of Zwingle farms; follow @TerryBranstad for updated information

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For more information please visit www.IowaFloodCentral.Tumblr.com or www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov
30 Jun 2014

Governor Branstad issues disaster proclamation for five counties

By Tim Albrecht

DES MOINES - Today, Governor Terry E. Branstad issued a proclamation of disaster emergency for five counties in response to the ongoing flooding and severe weather beginning June 26. Counties included in the proclamation are: Adair, Cedar, Guthrie, Jones and Linn.

The governor's proclamation allows State resources to be utilized to respond to and recover from the effects of these storms.

In addition, the proclamation activates the Iowa Individual Assistance Program for two counties: Adair and Guthrie.

The Iowa Individual Assistance Program provides grants of up to $5,000 for households with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or a maximum annual income of $39,580, for a family of three. Grants are available for home or car repairs, replacement of clothing or food, and for the expense of temporary housing. Original receipts are required for those seeking reimbursement for actual expenses related to storm recovery. The grant application and instructions are available on the Iowa Department of Human Services website. Potential applicants have 45 days from the date of the proclamation to submit a claim.

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For more information please visit www.IowaFloodCentral.Tumblr.com or www.homelandsecurity.iowa.gov.
23 Jun 2014

Branstad, Reynolds, Iowa HSEMD update Iowans on flooding across the state

By Office of the Governor of the State of Iowa

(DES MOINES)  - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today were joined at their weekly press conference by Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department (HSEMD) Director Mark Schouten to brief Iowans regarding the flooding situation occurring across the state.

In the past week, Gov. Branstad has issued disaster declarations for the following counties due to flooding and storm damage: Buena Vista, Cedar, Cherokee, Clay, Dickinson, Franklin, Hancock, Ida, Kossuth, Lyon, Osceola, Palo Alto, Plymouth, Pocahontas, Sac, Sioux, Woodbury and Wright. Last week, Branstad and Schouten visited Lyon and Sioux counties to survey flood damage.

"Director Schouten and I had the opportunity to visit the communities of Rock Rapids and Rock Valley last week, and while the damage was significant, I was moved upon hearing of the outpouring of support the communities are receiving," said Branstad. "By issuing proclamations of disaster for these counties, state resources are being made available to help in relief efforts, but citizens across Iowa should rest assured that the state stands ready to continue its aid and will work to assess eligibility for assistance from the federal government."

Some of the resources that have been provided to date through Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management include :

  • Buena Vista County

o   40 road barricades

  • Cedar County

o   Inmate assistance for debris removal

  • Franklin County

o   One 3-inch pump

o   Eighty clean-up kits

  • Hancock County

o   Seventy-five clean-up kits

o   Pumps for the City of Klemme

  • Lyon County

o   Pumps for the communities of Rock Rapids and George

o   Established a shelter in Rock Rapids for displaced residents

o   Traffic control support for Rock Rapids

  • Plymouth County

o   20,000 sandbags

o   Pump for the City of Akron

  • Pocahontas County

o   10,000 sandbags to protect the power utility substation in Rolfe

  • Sioux County

o   250,000 sandbags

o   Five loads of sand from Iowa Department of Transportation to Rock Valley

o   Urban Search and Rescue Team provided lights for use in sandbagging efforts and assisted in the evacuation of 16 people

o   Six pumps for City of Rock Valley

o   Established a shelter in Rock Valley for displaced residents

o   30 road barricades

o   The Department of Inspections and Appeals provided evacuation assistance to the residents of Hope Haven in Rock Valley.

"Governor Branstad and I, in conjunction with the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department and other relevant state agencies, will continue to ensure Iowans in flood-affected communities receive the assistance they need to respond to and recover from the flooding," said Reynolds. "Flooding and flood recovery tend to last longer than other disaster situations, but Governor Branstad and I are committed to assisting Iowans in every way we can throughout the process."

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of northwest Iowa as a band of strong storms passed through the state beginning on Monday, June 16, 2014, and continued through the last week. The Governor's Office and Iowa HSEMD re-launched Iowa Flood Central to provide Iowans and the press flood-related updates and resources.

"The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department, along with our partner agencies, will continue to assist and support the many communities impacted by this spring's flooding and severe weather," said department director Mark Schouten. "Right now, we are also working with local government officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assess the extent of the damage and determine if it warrants a request for federal disaster aid."

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20 Jun 2014

Western States Land Commissioners Association Applauds Introduction of ACE Act

By Andy Hogue

Washington DC -- The Western States Land Commissioners Association (WSLCA) applauds the introduction of the Advancing Conservation and Education Act of 2014 (ACE) by Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The act ? crafted by WSLCA and its members ? will enhance funding of public education and improve management of Federal conservation lands by streamlining the removal of state institutional and school trust lands from within Federal conservation areas. "The ACE Act will allow states to manage trust lands as intended by Congress ? to generate funding for our schoolchildren across the nation," stated WSLCA President, Kathy Opp.

WSLCA has been working with its 23 member states, the Western Governors' Association, the Wilderness Society, Congress, and others to craft the ACE Act. It will allow states to remove school trust lands and minerals that are trapped inside congressionally and administratively designated conservation areas such as national parks, wilderness areas, and national monuments.

The broadly supported ACE Act will allow states to efficiently exchange these trapped assets for federal lands where generation of income for public education is appropriate. Upon statehood, lands were granted to states in trust for the specific purpose of generating income for public education and other state institutions. When federal conservation lands surround state lands, the ability to manage the land for income and provide funding for education suffers. This new authority will also enhance some of our nation's most prized conservation lands by ensuring our national parks, wilderness, and other conservation areas do not contain state holdings within their borders, thus fulfilling the purpose of the conservation lands.

Established in 1949, WSLCA is comprised of 23 Western and some not so Western states that share the common mandate of managing trust lands on behalf of schoolchildren and other designated beneficiaries in our states on a bi-partisan basis. WSLCA's member states manage more than 447 million acres of lands, submerged lands, and minerals with combined trusts amounting to over $271 billion, which generated more than $3.8 billion for public schools in 2012.

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18 Jun 2014

Braley, Joined by Davenport, Bettendorf and Burlington Mayors, Writes Vilsack for Ash Borer Resources

By Kirsten Hartman

30 mayors from across Iowa sign letter to ensure Iowa has same resources as other states dealing with invasive beetle

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Bruce Braley (IA-01) today wrote Secretary Vilsack to ask that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) allow Iowa to receive the same amount of funds that other states have received as they combat the emerald ash borer?an invasive species that could potentially cause billions of dollars in damage in Iowa.

Mayors from 30 Iowa municipalities, representing over 900,000 Iowa residents, have signed on to Braley's letter including mayors Bill Gluba of Davenport, Shane McCampbell of Burlington, and Bob Gallagher of Bettendorf.

"Communities all over our state are, or soon will be, dealing with costs associated with the ash borer?and these mayors know firsthand that these pests don't just harm trees, they harm city budgets as well," Braley said. "Resources were available to communities in other states when they were battling the ash borer infestation and I'm going to do everything possible to ensure that Iowa is treated fairly."

 

"The city of Davenport has aggressively begun surveying and treating ash trees across our city, but this preparation comes at a significant cost," Davenport Mayor Bill Gluba said. "Federal resources would ensure we can survey, treat, and remove infected ash trees to protect our city and its residents from the effects of the ash borer."

States that found cases of the beetle in years past were given resources to aid in the mitigation and removal of infected trees, but federal funding has since been drastically cut, leaving states like Iowa with limited resources to combat the problem.

"We hope that you will work to expand efforts to control and eradicate the emerald ash borer, and restore funding for this effort," Braley's letter reads.

Iowa is home to over 3 million ash trees. Each infected ash tree must be removed to maintain safety on public and private land, costing roughly $1000 for the removal and disposal of each tree.

The ash borer has now been confirmed in more than 20 states. Just days ago, Johnson county became the tenth Iowa county to identify the ash borer. The first infestation in Iowa of the emerald ash borer was found in Allamakee County in 2010 and has since spread to Des Moines, Black Hawk, Cedar, Jefferson, Union, Bremer, Wapello, Jasper, and Johnson counties. It is widely expected to spread to other parts of the state in the near future.

In February, Braley introduced legislation restoring funding to a program that helps combat the emerald ash borer. His legislation also funded two grant programs that would be available to communities facing significant costs from tree removal.

In March, Braley wrote a letter to congressional leaders urging that the funding be included in the 2015 appropriations bills.

The letter to Secretary Vilsack signed by Braley and the 30 mayors can be found HERE.

 

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