Heritage Emergency National Task Force
Midwest Flooding Conference Call
July 2, 2008
Larry Reger of Heritage Preservation convened the call and requested updates on damage from flooding by state, as well as information on current funding and response initiatives. Midwest states on the call included Iowa, Missouri, and Wisconsin.
FEMA Update. Alan Aiches from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) noted that environmental and historic preservation staff in the field are continuing to identify and assess cultural resources in the affected areas.
Iowa. Barbara Mitchell, Iowa Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) reported that the city of Cedar Rapids has retained an architectural historian to work with the city’s historian to begin documentation of historic properties proposed for demolition. Four of the 48 properties are in a listed historic district. She also clarified damage reports from Charles City: the historic suspension bridge is in the water but has not been swept away as originally thought, and engineers are working on getting it out of the water. The Frank Lloyd Wright house in Charles City had 3-4 feet of water but is structurally sound.
Rod Scott of the Iowa Historic Preservation Alliance noted the need to assess damage to an unknown number of structures on farmsteads throughout Iowa. Potential involvement of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) was explored. Jan Thorman, Department of the Interior’s Environmental Protection Specialist, explained that the USDA, although assessing crop damage in the affected states, is not responsible for assessing cultural or historic resources after a disaster. After a discussion of various programs that might provide assistance, representatives of the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and Iowa State Historic Preservation Office agreed to talk further about what options are available.
Cyndi Sweet from the Iowa Museum Association said that donated salvage supplies have begun to arrive at Brucemore, including a vanload from the Iowa Historical Society. Updates on recovery will continue to be posted at www.iowamuseums.org.
Missouri. Mark Miles, Missouri SHPO, said that they are receiving damage reports but that overall the state’s cultural resources are in good shape.
Wisconsin. Claudia Jacobson of the Wisconsin Federation of Museums noted that the Mid Continent Railroad Museum is in the recovery phase.
Funding Initiatives. Larry Reger reported that the Association of Midwest Museums has established a Flood Relief Fund to collect monetary donations for affected institutions. Details can be found at www.midwestmuseums.org/relief_fund.html.
Laura Word of the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) reiterated the availability of Flood Assistance Grants, which can provide up to $20,000 to affected institutions. The first awards will be announced in the coming weeks. More information is available at www.neh.gov/Flood_Assistance.html.
Kristen Harbeson of the National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) said that the organization still needs specific damage figures from affected states (including tribes) to help them formulate the request for the supplemental appropriations bill. Information should be forwarded to Elizabeth Belleville at belleville@sso.org.
Gordon Hendrickson, Iowa State Archivist, highlighted the need for ongoing emergency funding to support collections emergencies.
Response Efforts. Eryl Wentworth of the American Institute for the Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) announced that the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has provided funding for the deployment of certified emergency responders and salvage supplies. She also noted that affected institutions should call AIC (202-661-8068) for assistance so that an assessment of supplies needed can be made.
With support from the NEH and IMLS, Heritage Preservation has made the water damage segment of the Field Guide to Emergency Response available as a streaming video on the Task Force Web site and is publicizing its availability to regional news media.
