Thursday, Oct 20 2011 3:38PM
Bylas has suffered from repeated flood damage over the years in its current location, resulting in damage to both residential, public, tribal and commercial properties.
Alan Stephens, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development State Director, recently presented a certificate for $6,822,660 in loans and grants to Terry Rambler, San Carlos Apache tribal chairman, for the relocation of Bylas, Arizona, according to The Arizona Silver Belt.
Bylas has suffered from repeated flood damage over the years in its current location, resulting in damage to both residential, public, tribal and commercial properties. The damage was severe enough to render homes unfit for habitation, and repair costs have been high for individuals.
Out of the funds represented by the certificate, $4,054,660 are grants to the San Carlos Apache Tribe to help pay for the cost of constructing new water and wastewater infrastructure, an elementary school, parks, churches, administrative offices, public services and other necessities. The remainder is a loan to the tribe.
The town is being rebuilt in an entirely new location out of the path of flooding. This large project requires a great deal of new construction in order to create what is effectively a new town to replace the old one and allow its residents to live in safety without the crushing economic burden relocation would otherwise impose.
Without such assistance, moving the town would likely have been impossible, or at least resulted in a further disadvantaged lifestyle in the new location, the paper reports.
For further reference, check out this source:
Arizona Silver Belt