Snow Removal  Assistance is eligible  for Federal  assistance  provided that:

 The snowfall is of record or near  record

 The response is beyond  the State and local government capabilities

 The action  is necessary to save lives, protect public health and safety, and protect improved property

Other circumstances, such as heavy snowfall over an extended period of time, severe winds and extraordinary drifting, extraordinary ice formations, and  the  cumulative  effect of snow on the  ground may warrant  assistance when the snow depth is a near-record amount.

Snow removal assistance will be provided for a continuous 48-hour time period to address  the most critical emergency needs.  The 48-hour period may begin at a time other than when the storm actually began. The applicant will designate the beginning of its 48-hour  period.

Emergency protective measures, as described in 44 CFR, Section 206.225 are eligible for assistance following a major disaster or emergency declaration. It is assumed that the most critical needs will be addressed during the 48-hour period. Therefore, all snow plowing, salting, sanding, and related emergency work performed during the 48-hour period are eligible. The provisions of 44

CFR, Section 206.228 (a)(4) on Force Account Labor Costs apply.

At the time of publication of this Digest, FEMA is preparing to change the eligibility criteria  for snow removal assistance.

When the President declares an incident as a Snowstorm or specifically authorizes snow assistance in a declaration for a Severe Winter Storm, FEMA provides PA funding for impacts related to snow, but the assistance is limited.204 See Appendix H: Snow Assistance, for detailed information.

(a) Limited Time Period

Snow-related activities are eligible for a continuous 48-hour period to address the most critical emergency needs. Each Applicant designates the beginning of its 48-hour period. However, a State agency that conducts snow-related activities in multiple locations throughout a State, such as a Department of Transportation, may use different 48-hour periods for different locations.

Once FEMA approves a project for the Applicant’s designated 48-hour period, the Applicant cannot change its selected period.

If the Applicant awards a contract for periods greater than the 48-hour period, PA funding is limited to the costs incurred during the 48-hour period.

The FEMA Assistant Administrator of the Recovery Directorate may extend the eligible period by 24 hours in counties, parishes, or Tribal Government areas where the snowfall exceeds the historical record snowfall by at least 50 percent.

(b) Eligible Work

Eligible work includes:

• Snow-related activities (for limited time as discussed above):

o Snow removal

o Snow dumps

o De-icing

o Salting

o Sanding of roads and other eligible facilities

• Other emergency protective measures (not restricted to the limited time), including but not limited to, search and rescue and sheltering

Limited snow-related activities necessary to carry out emergency protective measures, such as clearing snow in the immediate area of a downed power line, are eligible outside of the limited time period and in counties declared but not designated for snow assistance.

204 44 CFR § 206.227.

For Severe Winter Storm Declarations that do not specifically authorize snow assistance, FEMA only provides PA funding for limited snow-related activities that are necessary to perform otherwise eligible work. For example, snow removal necessary to repair downed power lines is eligible, while normal snow removal from roads is not eligible.

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