Hayes requests support to extend FEMA deadline

New York State Assemblyman Jim Hayes, R-Amherst, has written to John Gibb, director of the New York State Emergency Management office, requesting support for a 12-month extension of the federal deadline for reimbursement of tree removal costs resulting from the October 2006 storm.

According to Hayes, the extension is necessary because "Amherst officials are urgently trying to save as many trees as possible that have been surveyed to be in damaged condition, but may stabilize, if given an additional chance to survive."

The town estimates that almost 8,000 trees are included in a category of "minimal to moderate risk" that could potentially survive if given additional time.

"State Emergency Management Office support for extending the reimbursement deadline would have the positive effect of helping to save more trees in Amherst and would ultimately result in less costs to the federal government and local taxpayers from unnecessary tree and debris removal," Hayes said.

"Town officials should be relieved of the pressure to remove trees - that may survive if given another year - or risk losing FEMA reimbursement for millions of dollars in estimated removal costs," Hayes said.

In his letter to Gibb, Hayes stated that "state officials can be of tremendous help to local residents and taxpayers, who want to preserve as many municipal trees in Amherst as possible, by supporting a FEMA reimbursement deadline extension to Oct. 2008."

Hayes had also written to U.S. Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-Clarence, and U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton to also enlist their support for a deadline extension from FEMA.