Politics & Government

President Obama Signs Declaration for Santa Cruz Funding

Money is now available to repair or replace damaged docks

President Barack Obama formally declared Santa Cruz a disaster area today, meaning that local governments and nonprofits can get money for emergency work and repairs to buildings or docks damaged by the March 11 tsunami.

The measure includes Santa Cruz and Del Norte Counties.

“The President’s disaster declaration has given us all a big sigh of relief," said Congressman Sam Farr, in a press release. "The release of this emergency funding will help expedite the process to repair and rebuild damaged areas in the Santa Cruz Harbor.

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 "The harbor is a vital engine to the local economy, and with the continued coordination at all levels of government, I am confident the harbor will soon be back to full operation.”

Farr lobbied the president in a letter with fellow representatives Mike Thompson and Anna Eshoo, saying that damage total to the state was $48 million. Santa Cruz damage was about half of that.

Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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