Further funding approved to address storm damages

Joan Marie Aylward, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, is pleased to announce the approval of over $2.2 million in funding to carry out repairs to municipal infrastructure and personal property caused by the storm surge which occurred in January of this year. To date, $4,671,100 has been approved. Some of the projects now receiving approval include:

In the towns of Channel-Port aux Basques, Peter�s River, and Trepassey, 18 claims for personal damages have been approved for a total $68,946.

In the Town of Fortune $393,637 has been approved to finance the replacement of armour stone and the replacement of creosote cribbing with gabion baskets. In Garnish, $82,588 will fund the reconstruction of an armour stone protective sea wall.

In the Town of Lamaline, $772,614 has been approved in order to finance a number of projects, including the replacement of wood retaining walls with wire gabion baskets and restoration of the slipway and cribwork.

In Marystown, $114,640 has been approved to finance road repairs reconstruction of gabion retaining walls and bank stabilization projects.

In Seal Cove, Fortune Bay, $531,645 has been approved for repairs to the breakwater.

In St. Vincent�s-St. Stephen�s-Peter�s River an allocation of $215,982 will finance the reconstruction of a section of Fisherman�s Road.

"The task of completing a detailed assessment of damages and determining eligibility of claims for assistance under the Disaster Financial Assistance Agreement is nearing completion," said the minister. "With these projects, much of the municipal infrastructure and residential property damaged in the storm will be restored to pre-disaster conditions." The funding is cost-shared by the province and the federal government through the Disaster Financial Assistance Agreement.

Media contact: Lynn Hammond, Communications, (709) 729-4250.

2000 08 15                             10:55 a.m.