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Bilirakis: Flood Relief on Its Way to Pasco

GusBillirakis|thCongressionalDistrict|Politics

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis said FEMA has approved a $1.56 million grant for flood management in the Forest Hills neighborhood. An estimated additional $4.6 million of FEMA funds has also been tentatively approved for Pasco flooding projects.

PASCO COUNTY – U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Pasco, said the first in a series of FEMA grants to fund flood control projects in Pasco County has been approved.

This first project will allocate $1.56 million in federal funding for flood management in the Forest Hills neighborhood, located in southwestern Pasco County. This neighborhood experiences chronic flooding stemming from significant rainfall events and extends from Forest Hills into Country Estates. The neighborhood suffers from minimal topographic relief and generally insufficient conveyance.

The project is designed to provide a 100-year protection for structures. Construction will be completed in strict compliance with federal, state and local regulations.

Bilirakis said the Forest Hills project is the first of several FEMA grants designed to alleviate flooding in Pasco. An estimated additional $4.6 million of FEMA funds has also been tentatively approved for other Pasco flooding projects. More details about those projects will be available in the near future.

“After each of the last several tropical storms and significant rain events, I have personally visited the homes of some of my constituents in Pasco who have experienced significant flooding,” Bilirakis said. “Their losses were devastating. Despite local government having jurisdiction, I agreed that the magnitude of the infrastructure needs warranted partnership at the federal, state and local level.

“I promised that I would continue to work on their behalf and I have been honoring that commitment. I started by bringing in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who funded a needs assessment; thereafter, I have continued to seek and advocate for every possible available federal revenue source that could be targeted for this worthwhile endeavor.

“These funds will make a big difference in the lives of my constituents. It will mean not having to live in unsanitary conditions for weeks due to improper drainage and not having to completely start their lives over again every time there is a serious rain storm. I will continue to fight to help others in our community who face similar circumstances. My goal is to help ensure that the hard earned tax dollars of my constituents return to our community for their benefit.”

Bilirakis represents Florida’s 12th Congressional District, which includes all of Pasco and northern parts of Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

For information about Bilirakis, go to bilirakis.house.gov.

Gus Bilirakis | Flooding | Pasco Flooding | FEMA | Tampabay News

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