Disaster recovery

8/13/2007 -- MINNEAPOLIS (NNS) -- As crews move forward in recovery efforts of the I-35 bridge collapse, multiple agencies are working together to make the job move smoothly.

“The overall coordination and support we’ve received from local, state and federal authorities have been absolutely tremendous,” Hennepin County Sheriff, Richard W. Stanek said. “The efforts that folks have been putting forth have been non-stop.”    » read more »

August 9, 2007 -- During an Aug. 8 survey of the site of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse in Minneapolis, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty expressed his gratitude to the Navy for its support of search and recovery efforts.

Pawlenty visited the site with Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Donald C. Winter, and thanked Winter for the assistance the Navy is providing in support of state, federal and local agencies involved in the effort.    » read more »

State and local agencies exceed half-way mark for debris removal

08/09/2007 -- Governor Schwarzenegger today commended the efforts of local and state officials and contract debris removal employees for exceeding the half-way mark for debris clean-up efforts following the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe. Of the 259 properties destroyed by the wildfire, 141 have been cleared.    » read more »

8/8/2007 -- MINNEAPOLIS (NNS) -- Navy Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 2 from Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek arrived in Minneapolis Minn., Aug. 6 and spent their first full day, Aug. 7, working with local authorities canvassing the wreckage from the I-35 bridge collapse.

“MDSU-2 is here to assist at the Department of Transportation’s request. They asked for assistance from the Department of Defense,” said Capt. Rich Hooper, director of ocean engineering supervisor of salvage and diving, Naval Sea Systems Command.    » read more »

August 8, 2007 -- MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Department of Defense has deployed a Defense Coordinating Element to the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to assist with last week's I-35 bridge collapse.    » read more »

On Monday, August 6, 2007, the President signed into law:

H.R. 3311, which authorizes additional funds for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the Interstate I-35 bridge located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that collapsed on August 1, 2007, and waives the limitation on emergency relief funds for those emergency repairs and reconstruction.

Source: White House

August 2, 2007 -- JEFFERSON CITY – Following last night’s bridge collapse in Minnesota, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt directed transportation officials to immediately inspect all bridges of similar design in Missouri. In addition, officials at the Missouri Information Analysis Center (MIAC), a state of the art cooperative resource Blunt created, have been in contact with Minnesota officials to evaluate risks and impact to the Mississippi River and state shorelines.    » read more »

Orders State agencies to necessary assistance to help local, state and federal units of government

August 2, 2007 -- Saint Paul - Minnesota Governor Pawlenty signed an emergency executive order today declaring a peacetime emergency and activating the State Emergency Operations Center. The Governor has directed all State agencies to provide necessary assistance to help local, state and federal units of government respond and recover from the collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge spanning the Mississippi River in Minneapolis.    » read more »

BATON ROUGE, July 26, 2007 - Today Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, in conjunction with Louisiana Economic Development (LED) and sports developer Jerry Lowrie, announced plans for a $100 million multi-purpose motor sports racing facility to be built in Tangipahoa Parish near Kentwood, La. Dubbed Louisiana International Speedway (LIS), the project is expected to generate between 600 and 800 jobs and break ground this summer.    » read more »