Law change brings disaster declaration for tribes
Web Producer: Taylor Higgins
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama has issued a disaster declaration for the Navajo Nation, the second American Indian tribe to receive one after a law change in January.
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians of North Carolina was first to get a disaster declaration after a change to the Stafford Act that was part of the $50.5 billion emergency assistance package for Superstorm Sandy victims. Obama signed that bill into law Jan. 29. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians got its declaration March 1.
A severe freeze Dec. 15 until Jan. 21 cost the Navajo Nation in Arizona an estimated $5.2 million. Storms led to landslides and flooding in January, causing an estimated $3 million in damage for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
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