President Biden Approves Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Biden declared that an emergency exists for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and has ordered federal assistance to supplement the tribe’s response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Tropical Storm Henri beginning on August 20, 2021, and continuing.
 
The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts, which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population. This will also provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe for the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe.
 
Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency. Emergency protective measures, limited to direct federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support, will be provided at 75 percent federal funding. 
 
James R. McPherson has been named as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.