Feds to locals: pay premium if don't use ACE to contract debris removal
Tags: st bernard parish, army corps of engineersFrom this:
The federal government next month will start requiring local governments to pay a premium if they decide to bypass the U-S Army Corps of Engineers when contracting for hurricane-related debris removal.
Starting November 27th, local authorities who hire their own contractors to remove debris will have to pick up 10 percent of the cost.
Parishes that agree to use private contractors hired by the Corps of Engineers still will be eligible for 100 percent reimbursement from the federal government.
The decision rankled officials in Saint Bernard Parish, which signed a contract in early September to have Unified Recovery Group handle debris removal.
Saint Bernard Council President Joey DiFatta says his parish doesn't have enough revenue to afford even a 10 percent share, yet it does not want to part ways with a company it believes is performing well.
