18 Minn. counties receive federal disaster declaration

President Obama approved a major disaster declaration on Monday for over a dozen Minnesota counties affected by spring flooding.

The declaration provides $11.1 million in federal disaster aid to state and local governments and non-profits for emergency work, building repairs, and other expenses.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty had requested the declaration on March 9, citing $14.8 million in estimated damages.

"We're grateful this spring's flooding was largely contained," Pawlenty said in a statement released Monday. "But the extremely high waters still caused some damage, particularly in Red River Valley."

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Under the terms of the declaration, the federal government will cover 75 percent of the damages. Pawlenty said he plans to propose legislation to have the state cover the remaining $3.7 million.

The federal money will fund emergency work and the repair or replacement of facilities in 18 counties and in the Tribal Nation of the Upper Sioux Community.

The counties include: Big Stone, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa, Clay, Kittson, Lac Qui Parle, Marshall, Norman, Polk, Redwood, Renville, Scott, Sibley, Traverse, Wilkin, and Yellow Medicine.

The declaration also provides funding for counties and tribes throughout the state to pay for hazard mitigation projects.