-RAM Douglas County v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency et al, No. 3:2009cv00544 - Document 42 (D. Nev. 2011)

Court Description: ORDER GRANTING 25 Motion for Reconsideration. Signed by Judge Robert C. Jones on 3/16/2011. (Copies have been distributed pursuant to the NEF - DRM)

Download PDF
' : : I E v. . ' ) p i j . ' ; ( 2 ( 3 i i j ! ' 4 : . 5 ' 6 UNI TED STATES DISTRICT CO URT 7 DI STRICT O F NEVAD A . ! : : 8 DOUGLAS cot 'v mr 9 pj i(f, a n ir I 0 vs , 11 ! ' FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEM ENT l AGENCY et . 2 aI, ' E i l 3 i 1 5 3:9- v- 544- - M 0 c 00 RCJRA ORDER ' 1 4 ! De e n s f nda t . ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Thi ca earssou oft Fe r Emege yMa ge ntAge y s( FEMA ) s s ie t he deal r nc na me nc ! ; : 1 is a e ofal edl d e tve fo m a . Pl n ifDou asCo y ha f ld a M oton f 6 s u nc l eg y ef c i l od ps ai tf gl unt s ie i or i ' l Re onsd ai ( No. )i r pon et teCour' dimis loft c us ofa ton,For 7 c ierton ECF 25 n es s o h ts s sa wo a es ci -RAM Douglas County v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Fede...y Management Agency et al i Doc. 42 18 t r he easonsgi her n,t Cour gr s t moton. ven ei he t ant he i ' 19 1. FACTS AND PRO C EDU R AL H I STO R Y 2 0 Un rt Natona FlodIs a eAct($ A',FEMA i ch r dwihcrai food de he i l o n urnc t NFI ' ) s age t e tng l 21 i n ur c r ema . e42U. C.jj401 41 .FEMA dee n baefoodee ton t s an e at ps Se S. 4, 01 tnnies s l lvai s o 2 ce et s map S 4 C. R.j5 1 W il Cr gFu t i aFEMA Admi srt , d 2 rat hee s. ee 4 F. 9.. li am ai gae s nitaoran : 23 W ilam R.Bl on Jr i t Chi ofFEM A ' Engi i M anagementBr li ant . s he ef S neerng anch. 24 FEM A began i tgatng tood I s i D ougl Count i I e 2003 oreary 2004. nves i i l evel n as y n at l i i ! 25 ( Complj4, t 1 20 ECFNo.1.OnAprl4, .I Sep. 7, 09, ) i 2008,FEMA is e pr sona Flod su d ovii l o i i ! I I Dockets.Justia.com ' ' l Is an eRaeMa (: RM' f Dou asCount (#.l .FEMA publs disbaefood n ur c t ps çFI ' or gl ) y./ j5) ihe t s l @ 2 el i det m i i i t Feder Regit . I alo pu ihe t e d t nni tons i t evaton er natons n he al ser t s bls d h e e na i n he ! 3 Nev Appeal a new s ada , paperpubls i Car on Ciy,N evada,on M ay 27 and June 3,2008. ihed n s t ! 4 ( .Dimis Ex. ECFNo.11.Afe t sc pu i ton,Pl ntf ha ni t ( )da s Mot s s, 3, ) tr he e ond blcai ai if d ney 90 y : 5 t ap al o FEM A . The ls da Pl n ifc d ha e a pe e wa Se e be l orSe e be 2 o pe t a t y ai tf oul v p al d s pt m r , pt m r ! 6 i t LaborDay holday wer excl f he i e uded. H ow ever w hen Pl ntf asked FEM A engi , ai if neerErc i ! 7 Si m ons when t appealperod w oul expie, Si m onsi or m he i d r m nf med Pl ntf t t I tday i ai if hat he as t ' 8 c da al Sepemb 3.( c r l De . 2, No.l ) oul ppe was t er Musaela cl! ECF 6. 9 Pli ife nd d ap o ma ey $ 00 t ob an s t r t rvi FEM A' mod s antf xpe e pr xi t l 30, 0 o t i ofwa e o e ew S el I : i . ! ' I an tnsoft a ofd lr hii con ula st r viw FEM A' d er na i .( 0 de hous nds ola s rng s tnt o e e S et mi tons Compl . ll ! 6,l) Pli ifs n a a pe t FEMA onSe emb r3, ! 2 . antf e t n p alo pt e 2008met t FEMA safi wih tf n I J nuay 2009t dic si.(J.jl -8 .TheFEM A sa fde i dt a Pli ipss gge td 2 a r o s us t f j7 ) t f clne o dopt antf u se : ; l c rci s (d.l .OnAprl2, 3 ore ton .1 j8) i 2009, FEMA s n Pl nifal tri or n Pli ift t e t aitf ete nf mig antf ha l 4 FEM A beleved isori nalm apsw er t mos accur e and r i t gi e he t at espondi t Pl ntf crtci s. ng o ai ips ii sm : i ' l Th I tri or d Pli ift a iha sxt ( da t r s on (d.! 9 . 5 e ete nf me antf h t t d i y 60) ys o e p d, 1 ) i ! . 1 6 i l Pan if loc na tdFEMA vaem ai and t ephone and event l agr t m eetw ih 7 litf as o tce i l el ualy eed o t i 18 FEM A on Augus 4, 2 t r ol t is swi t map .f ! l .Ho e r o J y 23, ' t 009 o es ve he sue t he s (#. 0) w've, n ul h E ! l9 2009,FEM A isued isGnaldet m i i I t r di t FI . The I t i or ed s t er naton eter egar ng he RM eter nf m I 20 Pl ; i l Ma 2 n y 009,Pl n ifr s nde t FEM A , ai c l n n ispr pos d map . ai tf e po d o ag n hale gi g t o e s - antf t tisonl r i ngpr e sfrc esi t ma swa tmel j di a rviw.f. i if ha t y emani oc s o ont tng he p s i y u cil e e (# zl j jj j ) . ; i i 22 Despie FEM A , fnaldet m i ton l t t pa te at de t Au t4, t si er na i eter he ris ten d he gus 2009 j 23 me tng.Ac or n t Pl n if FEMA sa fa e t tFEM A' ma ha d iincisa d ei c dig o aitf, tf gr ed ha S ps d efce e n ! 24 t FEM A had notpr l coor nat w ih Pl ntf . Pl ntf r hat opery di ed t ai if ai if equesed t FEM A r ci t hat es nd , ' ! 1 25 isGna deer nai butidi no rs ndt t trqu t(d ! 1 . t l t mi ton, t d t e po o ha e es.1. 2) i i i : I j g oj j ugq w y I i ! . ' ! I i I ! i ! . 1 OnSe e rl 2009 Pli ifs dFEMA,Fug t,a Bl t f ij nci a ptmbe 7, , antf ue ae nd anon or nu tve nd ! i ! 2 d art yr ifun teAdmi srtv Prc rsAc (f 'ont eec us ofa ton: ecl aor el der h e nitaie o edue t ( APA' hr a es ci ) k ' 3 (/X2)Vi ai soft Pr e al quiemensofNFI a d()Vi ai ofte I olton he oc dur Re r t A; n 2 oltons h : i ! 4 Su sa tv Re urme t o NF A.Dee d n mo e t ds s .Th Co r g a tdtemo i b tnie q ie ns f I fn a t v d o imis e u t rne h t on i ! E 5 i p tdimisn t Grtt c ussofa tonbe au et aitf a ttdjta t Cour n ar, s s ig he s wo a e ci c s t nif dmile h t he pl t ! 6 cannotr ew f pr evi or ocedur def s.'(eeOrerl 5 J e9 20l ECFNo. ) The al ect 'S d 2:-6, un , 0, 20 . l 7 Cour r us t di i t t r causeofacton,becaus Pl ntf aleged f l e t tm el t ef ed o sm ss he hid i e ai ips l aiur o i y ! 8 a ea wihi FEMA wasnotaj idi i lb r an i a yc s tmewa e t yt l pp l t n urs ctona a, d n n a e i s qui ol abl ed 9 and/ wai because Pl ntf had Gl t appealw ihi t tm e lm i r es ed t hi by or ved ai if ed he t n he i i t epr ent o m , ï . : 1 FEM A ,a d FEM A ha a c pt d a c s de e t e a l ge y I t a al Fi ly,t Co t 0 n d c e e nd on i r d h le dl a e ppe . na l he ur E l r e t a t t r c s ofa i s vie t eRul I ( ( )c ln Pl ntf a kst Cou t l uld h t he hid au e cton ur v d h e 2 b)6 hale ge. ai if s he r : I t r 2 o econsderisdim i aloft Gr tt o caus ofacton. i t s ss he s w es i i ! 1 1 3 1 LEG AL STAND ARD S i : 1 4 A motont al ora ndaj gme mus bema wihi t nt ei ( )da of i o t cr me ud nt t de t n we y- ght 28 ys 1 1 e r ofj men.Fe R. v.P.5 e.Hee t Cour e ee t or ronJ e9, 0 5 nty udg t d. Ci 9() r,he t ntrd he de un 20l , ; r 1 a Pl n ifGl t e pr s tmoton t re da lt ro J ne 22, 0, Th r f e t 6 nd ai tf ed h e en i hit en ys a e n u 201 e e or he i E ( 1 mo i t r c ieri tmel u erRul 5 e an wilbec sde e un rt tr ea 7 ton o e onsd s i y nd e 9() d l on i r d de ha ul s 1 o e t Rul 60 b) Am.lon ksdrEr tr ,l .v NLAm.Cont.Cor ,2 F. 8 8 ppos d o e ( . r wor eco s nc . r p. 48 3d 92, 1 8 -99( hCi. 1 (çA)I i f rc i rton'i te e asamoto t atror 9 98 9t r200 ) $( moton or e onsdeai s ratd in o le 20 a ndj gme und Fe er Rul ofCi lPr e eRul 59()i ii fl wihi t da ot me ud nt er d al e vi oc dur e e ft s ied t n en ys - ! ! 21 e r ofj men.ll nty udg t' . ' 22 1 . 11 A NALYSI S 23 Pl n ifar st a t Cour e r d w h i wr t t tPl n ifha a it d i is ai tf gue h t he t re en t o e ha ai tf d dm te n t i i I E : : ( 24 25 . l O n De mb 1 200 3t tmet GI aRul 59 e motonwa extnd d t t nt ei t ce er , 9 he i o e e () i s e e o we y- gh d .Compar Fe R. v.P. e ( 9)wihFe R.Ci P.5 e (01 . ays e d. Ci 59() 200 , t d. v. 9() 2 0) Page 3 of ll ' ! i i i ' @ : : . . 1 opposii t FEM A ' det m i i coul onl be r ewed f s t i and not ton hat S er naton d y evi or ubsantve, : 2 pr ocedur ,err s. Pl ntf ar al or ai if gues t i neverm ade s a br conces on,and t i onl hat t uch oad si hat t y ! ! 3 ar gued t i i had sued bas s el on a l ofdue pr hat f t ed ol y ack ocessw ihi t N FI s t n he A chem e,t he ! 4 Co tw o d no b abl t i vald e t FI ,bu i i i f c s n ba ed on s bs a tve ur ul t e e o n i at he RM t t s n a t ui g s u tni ! i ' ; 5 er or and t pr r s, he ocedur eror tar r evant. ..becaus t i erw i w ih t subsantve al r s s c el . e hey nt t ne t he t i i . 6 defci es . . . .'( .sOpp' l 2 , i enci 'Pl' n 0:-2 Feb. 2 0,ECFNo.1 ) Pl ntf ap ast b 2, 01 3 . ai if pe r o e i r : i ! r ' E E 7 corect Pl ntf alo not t i waspr ed t brng a cons iutonalpr r . ai if s ed hat t epar o i tt i ocedur due pr s al oces . 8 cai it Cour rquie a ndmen oft Co ait( el I n. . l m fhe te rd me t he mpl n.Se d. 0 4) 9 l 0 I t rm oton t dim i ,Def n hei i o s ss endant ar s gued t N FI ' wai t t gover ent s hat A S ver o he nm ' s ri i oveegn mmuni ap isonl t a j c tonoft d ni oftoodi urnc cl msa b s t ple y o dudiai y he e al l ns a e ai nd a e I i ' 1 to dee t nd tr n t n, o tepo e ue ue t arv a sc d cso s(e Mo. I lo lvai eemiai sn th rcd rs sd o rie t p h e iin .S e t o o ; l Dimis6: 3 2 s s l i - 1 J n.1 ,201 ECFNo.11.Th APA is fofc s ,pemisj di a rviw 8, a 9 0, ) e tel, oure r t u cil e e . ! j l b e on'a en y f l et a debyt epr e alr quie nt oft eAPA,isown e bing 3 as d Cg c aiur o bi h oc dur e rme s h t na i i 14 act orisow n r atonsj'r dl soft l ofa specii gr ofr ew i t r evant , t egui i ' egar es he ack fc ant evi n he el 2 l e a l gsaue Al e C. n J. W il m T. yo , miitaieLz 5 5( de . 5 n bi ttt. f d Ama , r& la Ma t n Ad nsr tv t 0 2 d n r i w I i ' 1 2 )(oot tsomitd) Stl, sDee ansc rcl noe r e ofa c pr e esi 6 001 f noe te . ila fnd t ore ty td,eviw gen y oc dur s 1 I ; ( : , l notper il wher agcncy acton i com m it t agency dicr i by l , 5 U . C, 7 m ted e i s ted o s eton aw S. j l j7 la() o wh r terlv n e a l gsaueK rcu es j diile iwj j7 1a( ) 8 0 ()2, r et h ee a t n bi ttt t e ld l) u ca rve ' 0 () l, n p j l Dee d nste ag e ta terlv n e a l gsaueh r ( A)peld s u ca rve 9 fn a t h n ru d hth ee a t n bi ttt ee NFI rcv e jdiile iw. n l 20 oe e nt b s d t sar n ont eçlmie wai rors r i i f nda s a e hi gume t h ti td ve ove egn mmuniy a t elgiltve t nd l e sa i a i ; 2l hit y oft N FI ....' sor he A ' i ! 22 Def endant wer i r . The Cour di nota esst s ar enti t orgi or s e ncor ect t d ddr hi gum n he i nal der j 23 bu dimis d t etrtt c us ofa ton b s on isi e r tton t tPl n ifha c c ed t s s e h ' s wo a es c i a ed t ntm ea i ha aitf d on ed i l ' i . 2 tep it I terrso s t tepeet t nfrrc n ieain Deedat sil ru ta 4 h on. n h i ep ne o h rsn moi o eo sd rto , fn ns tlag e h t o ! j 25 Pl n ifh c e d t poi .Up cl e i pe ton Pli ifdo snota pea t ha aitf as onc de he nt on os r ns c i , antf e p r o ve i i E i I i Pa 4 of ll ge j ' ! ; ; ï ' ' j 1 conceded t poi ,and even i Pl ntf had adm it t i di notbeleve i FEM A ' he nt f ai if ted hat t d i t S i 2 pr e alir a oc dur regul i i 3 notc r lng Subec ma- j idit c nn b wave an NFI i e p mi rviw ontoli j t ter urs ci a ot e i d, d A nde d er t e e t on s rte c dberviwed, pl ntm s( sak n)a si i t srgadi iis oul e e a ai i mit e dmison n hi e r s . j i ' 4 o FE Sp o e rstee n e . e Co u i V n u e LL v JC.Wi leFe n 5 2F.d f MA' rc due h ru d r S e lmba e tr, C . . l f d', 6 3 d ! ! i 5 290( h Ci ) c r.de e s n Colmbi Ve tr , LC v FEMA,I 0S. . 8( 09) 4t r , c / nid ub om. u ' nu e L . a 3 Ct41 20 . . ! : 6 1 i 7 pr os d deer iatonsofb s too ee ton i t Fe r Re se i vi ai ofa op e t m n i a e l d lva i s n he de al gitr n olton i E 8 pr son o N FI , 4 U. C.j41 a ,a d t dititc t h ef eva a e FEM A' ovii f A 2 S. 04() n he src our t er or c t d S ! I 9 det m i i See i at291 er natons. d. -92. The Cour ofAppeal r s notbas on a I of t s ever ed, ed ack E 1 E . I . I Col n umbi Vent t pl ntf compl ned ofFEM A' f l e t tm el publsh notce of a ure, he ai if ai S aiur o i y i i 1 j idi i , butba e onlc ofprj dieunde teAPA. ei a 294-9 (iig5U. C, 0 urs cton sd ak eu c rh Se d. t 5 ctn S. : , , ll j7 ()F)(e rn rviwi c t t a y#t r eofprj di a er ).Alh 06(2( ) rquiig e e ng ours o ppl he ul eu cil ror ) toughi t 1 di notdiecty addr t ques i t Col bi Vent cour neces iy accept t t 2 d r l ess he ton, he um a ure t sarl ed hat he ! E 1 diti c t( dt Cou t Appe l is f h dj idi i t rviw FEMA' a ton un r 3 srct our an he r of as tell a urs cton o e e S ci s de ! 1 N FI f 4 A b i rprce alir l iis b c s ha s hj rs ci be nlc ng,rs tt t o dur reguarte , e aue d uc u iditon e a ki eor o he l prj di al r r ei j706( ( woul h ebe nnet rn e sr no posi e 5 eu ci eror ul n 2)F) d av e ihe ec say r sbl. 1 I 6 4 I f Lj ci r e ofGn a mi srtv dcemiai s 4 U. C.941 g) Thi i 7 or iudi aleviw al d nitaie tr n ton . 2 S. 04( . s s i NFI ex iil i orort $htsop ofr ew'ofS h tr7ofTil 5'(h APA) A plcty nc p aes ç c e evi ' ç ape t c te ' te I i l pe ieywh teCou i V nue c ut p l dterl o peu iil ro i rs ligte 8 rcsl y h lmba e trs o ra pi h ue f rjdca errn eovn h e I 19 pr ocedur chalenge i t cas See 562 F. at294. Def al l n hat e. 3d endant ar t N FI onl alows s gue hat A y l I ! ' 20 a e sb s don t tch c a d s e tfca urc ofb s tood lv dee mi ton . e pp al a e he e nial n cin ii cc a y a e l e el tr na i s Se ; ! i 2l j4l 4( .Th t hnia a s en ii a c a y oft too map i e cty wha Pli if 0 b) e ec c l nd ci tfc c ur c he l d s s xa l t antf ' 22 diput I i aggreved notonl by t r ul,butal by t aleged I ofr r pr s es. t s i y he es t so he l ack equied ocedur e 23 used t come t t r t Thi i pr um abl w hatPl ntf means when i says ispr o o hat esul. s s es y ai if t t ocedur al i 1 i 24 grevances ar Si elw i 'w ih iss t i grevance. Def i e çnt l ntd' t t ubs antve i endant atem ptt es s t o cape t he i 2 p o e ua rq i me t o NFI a dteAPA i ma igs c s b tn ied tr n t sb 5 r c d rl e ur ns f A n h e n kn u h u sa t eemiai y v on ; I Pa 5of ll ge i i i . : 1 i er etng N FI t mean t no due pr nt pr i A o hat ocessw hat oeveri r r and t Pl ntf m ay s s equied, hat ai if ; I 2 onl c l n t e s s a e oft e d t r i ton diec l . I ot rwor ,a c di t y hale ge h ub t nc h e e m na i r ty n he ds c or ng o 3 Def endant ,FEM A m ay t aly i e t pr s ot l gnor he ocedur r r ent s l asi get t ans er al equiem s o ong t s he w 4 ri ,and a pl ntf may onl chalenge t ans erdiecty. Butbot t p oc dur lno i e an ght ai if y l he w r l h he r e a tc d 5 comm entr r ent i N I and t i equiem s n FA he ncom or i oft A PA ' sandar ofr ew woul aton he St ds evi d 6 be sum l usage i Def f endant ar s gumentw er corec . Th Col a V u ec tpe mitd ( t e r t e umbi entr our r te bu i I ! ! l i ; 7 utmaeyd ne o teme i )ap o e ua c aln eu d r h n tc rq ie nso l tl e id n h rt rc d r l h l g n e t e o ie e urme t f i s e 8 j4I 4()be a eteun ryi gre nc ,a h e, onc r dtetc c an s e tfc 0 a c us h del ng iva e s er c ene h e hnial d cinii K t 9 a urc oftood ma . e56 F.d 29 29 ( Col a Ve ur h sno s cc a y l ps Se 2 3 0, 4 umbi nt e a t hown t ti ha t 1 s frdprj di asars t FEMA' dee tv pu iai ' .I oh wors ia easta 0 ufee eu ce e ulof S fcie blc ton.) n ter d ,t pp r h t ' I s l a t s bs a e oft e c 1 o ong s he u t nc h ompl ntc e nst t chni la s en i c a c a y ofba e ai onc r he e ca nd ci tt c ur c i s 1 to d er i to ,a opp e t s 2 l od et m na i ns s os d o omc ot rki o gre n ,t n t f lp opl of he nd f i va ce he he ul an y l j idci t decdepoc dur!deecs a l s unde tepr e a rquie nsofNFI 3 urs iton o i r. e a f t- teat r h oc durl e rme t A E l is f i r 4 t el- n eachi such a det m i i apples. I pr ng er naton i f ocedur com pl nt wer dialowed al ai s e s l j 1 u d rNF A atg te,h Colmba V n uec u t udsmpyh v n tdti a dn t 5 n e I l eh r te u i e tr o rwo l i l a e oe hs n o o p r I a esedtepr e alc antun rt r eo prj caler . eeI 6 ddr s h oc dur ompli de he ul f eudii rorS W. ! I7 The Col umbi Vent cour consi ed no diectAPA chalenge,buta chalenge t t a ure t der r l l hat he 18 pr ocedur ofN FI is fwer notcom pled w ih. I t scas Pl ntf sbrng a diectAPA es A t el e i t n hi e, ai if i r 19 chalenge t FEM A ' pr l o S ocedur . A cour oft Dit ctofNew J s hasr ed i an es t he sri er ey ul n 2 unpu ihe c eta t r i noj iditonund rteAPA t e et npoc durlvi ai of 0 bls d as h t hee s urs ci e h o ntrai r e a oltons ! 1 2l N FI by FEM A . Se Cnl o A e y.fMonmout v FEMA, 09- (AP , h. No, 769 J ) 2009WL 3l 33l a * 51 , t 4 l ! 2 ( N..Sep. 2009 .Tha c traone t tbe a ewave o s er g i 2 D J t24, ) t our e s d ha c us i r f ov ein mmunjymu tbe t s , i 1 i ! I I 23 e i ta N FI e i il wai d i onl a t ch l e t b e tood el va i xplci nd A xplcty ve t y s o al eng s o as l e ton 2 de e m i ton , t r wa n j idi i t rviw FEMA' deemi t un rt APA. e 4 t r na i s hee s o urs ct o e e on S tr nai ons de he Se 2 i Butx ll is fi por es t 's orr ew ' pr ded i t ApA r r ol ng 5 d rA tel ncor at he 'cope evi - ovi n be or es vi . Page 6 of 11 ' j ' j ' i i i E ! I i j l c le s b s d on ba e to elva i de e m i a i s Se 42U. C. 41 g) Th APA i ha lnge a e s l od e ton t r n ton . e S. j 04( . e n 2 t ncla l pe misr viw f pr dur ir gulrte .The e or t er e an e ablngsaut ur e ry r t e e or oce al re a iis r f e, h elv t n i t t e i ! : 3 i t sc s @ Fl d sn ap art ' ecl j cale e 'oft pr e esusd i n hi a e A) oe ot pe o s ude udii rviw' he oc dur e n pr i ! 4 r eachi base t ng lood el i . j7 ()1.Agai Pl nif aeno at igt itodu ea evatons 0la() n, aitfs r t temptn o nr c l i 5 c le ba e ona s t tveis e b yondt es opeofpe misbl r viw un rNFI ha lnge s d ubsan i s u e h c r si e e e de A. i I 6 NFI ceryl tjdca rve t matr aiigo t f aefo dee aind tr n t n A lal i s u iile iw o t s rsn u o b s lo lv t eemiai s mi e o o ! . ; i 7 Bu itesbtneo' egivneiatcncl o siniialerno sbs t o tfh usac fh r ac s eh ial rcet cl roeu ael d t e y f y o 1 8 ee ain tes o eo rve o tepo e uerq rdi ma igs c d tr n to sa p as lv t ,h c p f e iw f h r c d r e ui n kn u h eemiain p e r o e i ' : 9 t be t undert A PA,as i o hat he ncom or ed by N FI i addii t any addii at A, n ton o tonalpr ocedur e E I r quie byNFI is f Se 42 U. C.j41 4( . I ot rwor ,a tAPA cai ' s don 0 e rd A tel. e S. 0 g) n he ds n ' l m'ba e ! ! 2 l a l e e r si m a ng a b s too el a i de er i a i i aN FI c ai . Thi m i be l leg d r or n ki a e l d ev ton t m n ton s A lm s ght 12 whatt Ei h Cicui m eantw hen i afi m ed di i alofa s at A PA cl m i a bas he ght r t t fr sm ss epar e ai n e- i i I fo dee ainc s wh r ' FAIpo ied a a e u t Ig le d . S eGra Rie 3 lo -lv to ae ee t I rvd t) n d q ae e a rme y' e et vr % ' ; I Ali 4 lance v. FEM A, 1 F,d 98 98 ( t Ci 20I ( t 5 U. C. 704; U. C. 6 5 3 5, 9 8 h r 0) cii . ng S. 9 42 S. I E : 1 j41 g). 5 04( ) I 6 A dm it y,t consr i oft APA t herw ih N FI i difcul and com pl tedl he tucton he oget t A s fi t ex, ! ! 17 becaus N FI explcil r er t and i por est A PA i pl e A i ty ef s o ncor at he n aces,t A PA i t n i i ty he n ur mplcil ; 1s r er t enablng act such asN FI and t r r ent ofdue pr ef s o i s A, he equiem s ocessar r el easy t e ar y o : l e r c f om l sa i l ngu geev i t a en e ofs h c os -et en es Bu i Cong e s 9 xta t r egi ltve a a en n he bs c uc r s r kr c . t f rs ! 20 i e d t tt e cl i e r m e f gre nc sove b s tood el va i de e m i to nt nde ha he x us v e dy or i va e r ae l e ton t r na i ns i ! 2I woul begoven byt pr e rlsa dar i NFI , and notal by t e i t A PA ,i d red he oc dua tn ds n A so hos n he t I 22 s s exceedi y odd t i w oul explcil pr de i N FI is ft tt Sscope ofr ew' eem ngl hat t d i ty ovi n A t el ha he t evi ' 23 i t dititcou t st spr dc by(heAPAI'Se 54I4( . W h epr e rsrquie n he src r wa t ovi d t a . e 0 g) ' er oc due e rd ! 2 b NFI c n l t t to erq i db teAP to eof I mu t o to b c u ete 4 y A o fi wi h s e ur y h A,h s NF A s c nr l e a s h c h e i I 25 s fc contol t gener , bu wh eteprc rsrqui dbyNFI an t APA c n pecii r s he al t er h o edue e r e A d he a ! i i I I I ! i Page 7 of 11 ' I i : : ; i ! ; i j j : i l coexit 94l g i betr dasma ngt m c s, 04() s s ca ki he umultve. ai 2 I m o n t di m ist e pr e al ol i cl i s b s d o t e a gum t t tFEM A ' n vi g o s s h oc dur vi aton a m a e n h r nt ha S 3 decsonwa c ii s ommitdt isdicei bylw,Defnda sr idont I saiehit yo te o t srton a e nt ele he egiltv sor f 4 NFI Unde t AP , :t e empi )i a plc bl i tos rr i tn swh eSttt ae A. r he A t he x ton s p ia e n h e ae nsa ce er saues r t ' i ! 5 dr wn i s c br dt mst ti agi nc et e e i no lw t a y.' Ciie t Pr s r e a n u h oa er ha n ve as h r s a o ppl '' tz ns o e e v I ! ï 6 Overon Par , I .v vol ' 01 U. 402, 0(1 )( otn S, p. 7 75 a 26 t k nc . pe,4 , S. 41 971 qu ig Re No. 9- 2, t ! , ' ! 7 ( 9 ).tse ton 701a ( ma sicl rt tçevi i n t beha i tos rr 1 45) t ci ) ()2) ke t ea ha r ew s oto l d' n h e ae 8 cicum st r ances wher t r evants at e :sdr n s t a coul woul have no m eani ul e he el t ut i aw o hat ' t d ngf 9 sa ar ag n twhi t j dg t a en y' e er s ofdicrton,'Licol v Vi l508U. tnd d ais ch o u e he g c s x cie s ei '' n n . gi, S. l l I I(993)( tngHe ke v Chane 47 U. 8 l 8 (985) Thequ tonteeor 0 82, 9 1 quoi c lr . y, 0 S. 2 , 30 1 ). esi h rf e l1 i whet N FI i dr s her A s awn so br y t t Cour hasno meani uls andar agai whi t oadl hat he t ngf t d nst ch o ! E 1 j dgeFEM A' e r s ofdicei i t sc e. 2 u S xecie srton n hi as E l 3 ' y 1 r ew f pr 4 evi or ocedur ir arii undert A PA ,and t t ofN FI makes i cl t t al regul tes he he ext A t ear ha i 1 FEMA, d cii ar s j c t rviw un rteAPA a age er matr 42U. C.941 4( 5 s e sons e ube to e e de h s n al te S. 0 g) : i q TheColmbi Ve u ec t s me t tFEMA' aci und NFI wer s j c t u a ntr ourasu d ha S tons er A e ube to . 1 (; ya lan a ive b a Gn d e nai ofteDie t up a nitatvea e , 6 ç An ppel t ggre d y ny al etnni ton h rcor on dmi sr i pp al ' l7 as pr ded by t ss i may appealsuch det m i i t t Unied St esdit i cour f ovi hi ecton, er naton o he t at s rct t or l8 t di rctw ihi whi t com m uniy i I ed notmor t si y daysaferr ptof he sti tn ch he t s ocat e han xt t ecei I ' i l notce ofs det m i i . The s 9 i uch er naton copeofr ew by t cour s lbe as pr ded by chapt 7 evi he t hal ovi er i I 2 0 i ofTil 5.)' deer n whehe arviw ofac aitc eni FEMA' alg te '.To t mie t r e e ' ompl n onc r ng S le ed ' ; ' ! 2I prce r eror i bardb j701a() t Coutmus e netepariulrpr ed a o dual r s s re y ()2,he r t xami h tc a oc url 22 er t)ale da deemi whehe t ena i saut ( A)orrgultonspa sd rors lge nd tr ne t r he blng tt e NFI e ai se ' ! i 1 i 1 2 purua tt ipr deame n ulsan r agans whi t j FEMA' a tons 3 s n o t ovi anigf t dad i t ch o udge S ci . 2 4 I teGrtc us ofa ton, Pli ifalge t tFEMA fie t a r t 41C. R. n h s a e ci antf le s ha ald o dhee o . F. 2 j 6 lan 66. Se ton66.()rquie : 5 j 6 d 5. ci 1c e rs . I : i i I ! i I p g 8o l ae f l . i E . . . k I i ! ! I The Feder I ur al ns ance A dm i sr ororhi del e shal: nitat s egat l i 2 () p cfcl rq ethth c mmu i sb tet e t aac n enn 1S e iial e u state o nt u mip ri n d t o crig y y n i i 3 food hazar ,t l ds loodi experence, anst avoi pot i hazar estm at ng i pl o d ental ds, i e ofhit i and pr pectve econom i i pacton t comm uniy,and such sorcal os i cm he t ' i 4 ote a oprae daa ( riul l i s h daa wil ne e stt a h r ppr it t patc ary f uc t l c s iae modiia i ofab etoo el ton) fc ton as l d eva i . 5 () tylc l fiilo tepo rs of uvy, tde,n et ain, 2 Noi o a ofcas fh rges s re ssu is iv si to s f g : i and of pr pectve Gndi os i ngs,al w ih dat and m et ong t a hods em pl oyed i n r eachi s concl ons:and na uch usi I l ' 6 '' ' ' ' ' ' . 2 7 ( Enc a el al semi tonofs v , t e , ndi si ton s 3) ourg oc dis nai ureyssudis a nve tgai s o i 8 t i er ed per hat nt est sonsw ilhave an opporuniy t brng r evantdat t t l t t o i el a o he atenton oft com m uniy and t t Feder I ance Adm i sr or, t i he t o he al nsur nitat ; ! 9 : ! 10 . ll ' r ew ofFEM A' a tonsh e i Im ie t deer ni whehe s r que twa ma f t evi S c i er s i t d o t mi ng t r ome e s s de 8r he I2 DouglsCou yc a nt ommu t t s mitedaaieni di s e ton()1,wh he Dou a niy o ub t h t d tGe n ubsci c( ) et r gls ! : 44 C . F. j66.() l.4) Th ei ac iea ea R. Ic( ). . er s onsd rbl mountofdicei h e.Th s op of . ( s rton er e c e ! : ( Ca l outt r pon i l isf c s t tonan c di tons tf t 4) r' y he es sbii e or on ula i d oor nai e orh t i j66. oft spa t n 5 hi r. l3 ' Count offci swer notfed i s y i al e ii n ome manneroft pr es oft i tgatons,and whet he ogr s he nves i i her . 14 ! 15 ! ' FEM A encour aged disem i i oft i tgaton. Secton 66. r r s naton he nves i i i 5 equies: I6 ()Cona ts l b mad wiha m p it omcil ofac a tc hal e e t pp rae as ommuni i whih a t n c y pr oposed i tgaton i underaken, and w ih t sat coor natng agency. nves i i s t t he t c di i : l 7 . I I 8 : l 9 i 7 20 i : : : i . 21 2 2 ! ! ( i ! ()S b sino if r to fo tec mmu i c n enn tesu ys al e c u miso f n o main rm h o nt o c r ig q td h lb y . ( )Ap rj it of casofte c mmu t s alb f l ifr d o ()Th d jo rae t il h o ni h l e ul n ome f 1 e i y y r s on l ltesplce on t m by t Pr a ( t a i sr tvepr e e e p sbili a d he he ogr m, 2) he dm nita i oc dur s f l db t Fe rlEmege yMa ge n Age y,3)t c olowe y he dea r nc na me t nc ( he ommuniy' r e t s ol i e t bls n el a i s and ( t r s i lte of t commu t i i n sa ihig ev ton , 4) he e ponsbiiis he niy f t p'r i pat orcontnuest par i pat i t Pr am . a tci es i o tci e n he ogr 23 24 i j l i t t at n i oft ec o ht te ton h ommu t an t t Fe r I ur nc Ad l sr t . niy d o he de al ns a e m nitaor encour aged. 1 ' ( Loc dis mi ton ofte i e an naue oft i si ton s lbe b) al se nai h ntnt d tr he nve tgai hal e c u a e s ta itrse p riswi h v a o p tnt t b ijr lv n d t n o rg d o h tneetd at l a e n p or i o rn ee a t aa e l u y 25 () f r tec mme c me t a i ta Flo Is rn eSu y teCCO o oh r e Beoe h o n e n of n ni l o d n ua c td ,h i r te FEM A r es atve, oget epr ent i t herw ihar es atveoft or zaton underaki t epr ent i he ganl i t ng t st shal m eetwih of i al oft com muniy.Thest e coor natng agency he udy, l t fci s he t at di i s alb n i doft sme tn a dma atnd. t sme tn t l a ofii s h l e otGe hi eig n y te Athi eig,he oc l fcal s albei or dof( )Th daewhe t esudywilc h i nf me 1 e t nh t l ommen ez 2)t en t ea c ( h a ur nd Page 9 of ll . : j . . ' ! i j i i ! 1 2 p pos oft su , ()ae si ve ( tema ' i whihtesud s alb ur e he t dy 3 ra nvol d,4) h nne n c h t y h l e r u ra n,()t g er prnci est b ap i ,a ()t i e du eoft ndetke 5 he en al i pl o e pl nd 6 he ntnde s he ed da a ob ane Th c t t i d. e ommuniy s lb i or d i wrtn i an oft e sx t hal e nf me n iig f y h i I 1 3 p e e igi msaeo wi b c a g datrhsiiil eiga dd rn tec u s rc dn t r r l e h n e fe t i nt me t n u ig h o re e l a n o teo g n su y f h n oig td . E 4 ( Th c 0 e ommuniys albei or di wrtngofa itn d. Gcai t t t h l nf me n ii ny ne de modi ton o he i i j 5 com m uniy' Gnal food el i det m i i or t devel ent of new t s l evaton er natons he opm el i i addii ar oft com m uniy asar tofanew st orr udy. evatons n tonal eas he t esul udy est ! : i I i i Suc i or tont t c h nf ma i o he ommuni wilicldet daas tf t i pa a aph( ) t l n u he t e orh n r gr e y 6 7 of t s secton. A tt di eton of t Regi hi i he scr i he onalAdm i stat i each FEM A ni r or n Re onal fi e, me i ma be h d t a ompls t sr quie e . gi O fc a etng y el o cc ih hi e r m nt 44 C . F. j66. Sub eci ( )t ou ( a a t rquienot ng mor t n i ale d R. 5. s tons a hr gh d) ppe r o e r hi e ha s r a y 8 ! ; p I rquie byj66..Subeci ( rquie apr-nvetg i me tngb we s FEMA e rd 1 s ton e) e rs ei siaton ei et en ome I 0 r es atve and Dougl Count ofi al r di t r aw i ofFI S atw hi epr ent i as y fci s egar ng he edr ng RM , ch ! me i cet n i or toni dicu s Subsci ( rquieswrte n iiai ofan etng rai nf mai s s sed. e ton 9 e r itn otfc ton y ; i ll ! : 1 2 i ended m odiicaton t Dougl Count sfi tood el i det m i i nt t i o as y' nal l evaton er natons. FEM A has ! dicei wheh t hol as e ton( me i i p tont wrte noiiai s rton tero d ubsci 9 etng n ddii o itn tfc ton. i i ! l3 ; 1 4 ' ' i Pl i ifale est r e pr c r vi a i s i is Gr tc us ofa ton. Fis ,i aleges a ntf l g h e o edu al olton n t s a e c i rt t l 1q i i ' . s h a ale ton un t A PA . The e i a m e ni ulsa r i t e r ul ton a c di uc n l ga i der he r s a ngf t nd d n h eg a i s c or ng 17 t w hi t Cour can det m i w het FEM A dis i ed t r r 'nf m aton. FEM A o ch he t er ne her s em nat he equied i or i , j . wa notdismi tdt DouglsCounyofii s ( Compl!2l.TheCoutma rviw s se nae o a t fcal.See . ) r yee l 6 . I vi a i sofjj66.( )2)an 66.( , c s i or tona t up n ive tgai olton Ic ( d 5 b) be au e nf ma i bout he comig n si ton ' ' '' ' ' 1 8 . . , hasdicr i i det ni t m et and tm i ofdi em i i butt Cour can r ew s eton n enni ng he hod i ng ss naton, he t evi l 9 20 ' ' . wh te tet p o if r to rq ie t b dse n tàwa dismiae i s mefs in eh r h y e f n omain e urd o e is miae s se n td n o a ho . ' Se ond, ai ifalg svi ainsofjj66.c()a 6 5/)b c s FEMA fie t s i' c Pl ntf le e olto ()1 nd 6. e au e ald o olct i 2l ! iputfo tec n rm h ommuniy.( eComplj2l.Agan,t Cour c nr e unde teAPA t Se .l ) i he t a eviw rh ' ; 22 l ' 23 w het FEM A solcied i her i t nputf om t com m uniy i s e m anner Thid,Pl ntf aleges r he t n om . r ai if l . FEM A f l t hol t r r pr i tgaton m eetng w ih Dougl Count om ci sunder aied o d he equied e-nves i i i t as y al l 24 I i 25 l i j66. e.Th Cour c nd tr newhehe s hame tngo urda wheh rt rquied 5() e t a eemi t r uc ei cc re nd te he e r . i or i wasdicus . These r atonsar notSdr n so t a cour w oul have no nf maton s sed egul i e t aw hat t d : I i ! ; i Pg 1 o I ae 0 f l ' ; E ! i i ! ! i l mea ngulsa r a ns whi t j eteag nc sex r s ofdicei 'Se kc , 0 ni f tndad gai t ch o udg h e y' ecie srton. c /r 47 ' i ' 2 U. a 8 FEM A h sdic e i i how i c re ou t es r quie n s butt Cou tc n S. t 30. a s r ton n t aris t h e e r mi t, he r a i : ! 3 det mieobeci ywheheriha care t m o wihou dit bi tea c sdicei . er n j tvel t t s rid he ut t t sur ng h gen y' srton I ! 4 l I 5 NFI $Upona alb a y c A:$ ppe y n ommuniy .. (l e Die t s l e ol s a ea by t . th r cor halr s ve uch pp l I E E ! It s n he econd caus ofacton, Plitf alg savi ainof p o e ua rq ie n o e i anif l e olt e o a rc d r le urme t f 6 c s t ton wihofi al oft lc g e nme ti ol d, by adm i statve hearng,orby on ula i t fci s he o al ov r n nv ve ni r i i I ' 7 subm isi oft confi i dat t an i s on he lctng a o ndependents entfc body orappr i e Feder ci ii oprat al i i 8 a nc f a c '42U. C. 41 4() Thi s ci ofNFI rquie teDie t ,up ge y or dvie. ' S. j 0 e . s e ton A e rs h rcor on 9 appeal t consul w ih Dougl Count of i al hol an adm i s r i hearng,ort s i t ,o t t as y fci s, d nitatve i o ubm t he ! l confi i dat t an i 0 lctng a o ndependents enttc body orappr at f alagency. Pl ntf aleges ci ii opri e eder ai if l l 1 t tFEMA f ldt rs vePl nipsa e i a yfs o beor is n isGna 1 ha aie o e ol aitf pp aln n a hin f e suig t l ! i 1 d 2 i '' . etr nai (eeCo . 25 .TheCoutc alodeer n wh he t mi mum emi ton.S mpl! ) r an s t mie et r he ni i i i i 1 ! i i : i ! l r r 3 equiement wer s i i her s e atsfed e. I 4 I sum m ar , t Cour ha j rs ci t r e Dee nt' ct und NFI an t n y he t s u iditon o eviw fnda s a i ons er A d he I APA ,and i t ef e r 5 t her or econsi st m oton t di is i t sr d, Def der he i o sm s n hi egar endant di notfl s d ie l frs mmayj d me ti teatr aie s teCout ln tp ro m s c a a ay i a t i 6 o u r u g n n h l n t ,o h e v r wi o ef r u h n n lss t hs l 17 tm e. i : ( I 18 CO NC LU SI N O ' l 9 I I HEREBY ORDERED tatt Moi f Re on i rton( No.25 i TS h he ton or c sdeai ECF )s 1 : 20 G RAN TED. i j ! ! i ! l p j ! 2l ! l I I SO O RD ERED . T S 25 . 22 Dat t s I bday ofM ar , 2011. ed hi 6t ch 23 ' 2 4 . Ro ' . . T c 'JON ES Unied ae DititJ ge t ts src ud I ! I I p g l o-l ae l t I : I I E .

Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.