Congress reps appeal FEMA’s denial of $1.5M reimbursement for 2020 Carmel Fire repairs

Central Coast congressional representatives are pushing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to reconsider its denial of more than $1.5 million in reimbursements for damage caused by the 2020 Carmel Fire. 

U.S. Reps. Jimmey Panetta, D-Monterey, and Zoe Lofgren, D-Santa Clara, sent a letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell on Friday appealing the agency’s decision to deny Monterey County’s claim for reimbursement because of what FEMA said were violations of the federal Endangered Species Act.