FEMA is authorized to provide assistance to state governments for emergency work, including debris removal and emergency protective measures, that must be done immediately to save lives, protect public health and safety, protect improved property, or eliminate or lessen an immediate threat of additional damage. As state government agencies, the Applicant and Recipient worked together to complete the removal of the derelict vessels. The work to identify the derelict vessels is eligible as debris removal activity to eliminate or reduce an immediate threat. The contract costs to assess waterway markers is work necessary to eliminate an immediate threat to public safety to ensure the waterway remained safe to use, as the waterway markers allow vessels to operate in the waterway safely.

The work to identify derelict vessels is an eligible debris removal activity and the waterway marker assessment is an eligible emergency protective measure. Therefore, the appeal is granted.

Stafford Act § 403 and 407. 44 C.F.R. § 206.201(b) PAPPAG, at 97 and 105.