Public healthFEMA rejects Michigan governor's request for more Flint money
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has again rejected a request from Michigan governor Rick Snyder for additional federal assistance to address the lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan’s water supply. The contamination disaster was caused by a Snyder-appointed city manager’s decision to shut down the city’s access to water filtration systems as a cost-cutting measure.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has again rejected a request from Michigan governor Rick Snyder for additional federal assistance to address the lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan’s water supply.
The Detroit News reports that FEMA sent a letter to Snyder’s office on Monday rejecting his appeal of a previous FEMA denial of federal funds for Flint. The agency said the funds Snyder requested were not appropriate for this situation.
“It is recognized that substantial costs have been incurred at the state and local levels in responding to the health concerns associated with the water contamination,” Elizabeth Zimmerman, FEMA associate administrator, said in the letter. “The assistance FEMA has provided and continues to provide is intended to address the immediate emergency needs.”
Snyder has taken a lot of heat for the disaster in Flint, a disaster caused by his administration-appointed city manager decision to shut down the city’s access to water filtration systems as a cost-cutting measure. Snyder said he was disappointed with FEMA’s decision, adding he will address the issue during a testimony before a congressional panel on Thursday.
