1. What can I expect when my residence is restored?
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will bear the cost to completely remediate your-property and restore it, to the extent practicable, to the same condition it was in immediately prior to commencement of the Corps’ FUSRAP activities. Interior work may include, but is not limited to, re-installing or replacing furnaces and hot water heaters, finishing walls, and replacing items such as toilets. Exterior restoration may include, but is not limited to, backfilling, seeding, sodding, landscaping, rebuilding, repair, or replacement on the property. The work will be done by professionals, and will comply with applicable building codes and regulations.

2. Who decides how my home is restored?
Corps of Engineers representatives will meet with you to discuss restoration options. The Corps will request your preferences on comparable interior items such as paint and/or wallpaper colors, carpet or other floor coverings, and on comparable exterior items such as trees, plants, and shrubs, and fencing. Your preferences will become the basis for the work. The condition of your home was documented by videotape prior to your relocation. The Corps is required to restore your property, to the extent practicable, to the same condition documented.

3. Can I use restoration as an opportunity to remodel or otherwise redecorate my home?
No. The Corps of Engineers is not permitted to make improvements to your property unless required to comply with applicable building codes and regulations. Although the Corps is committed to honoring homeowner preferences to the extent practicable, restoration is limited to re-installing or replacing pre-existing materials with comparable equivalents.

4. Can I expect any out-of-pocket expenses associated with restoration?
No. The Corps of Engineers will bear the cost directly to completely remediate your property and restore it, to the extent practicable, to the same condition it was in immediately prior to commencement of the Corps’ FUSRAP activities. This includes expenses for improvements, if necessary, to comply with applicable building codes and regulations.

5. How will you replace my 20-year-old trees?
There is a certain amount of latitude on choosing replacement items such as the number of trees, plants, and shrubs. However, replacement of adult trees may not be practicable. In such cases, the Corps will provide trees, plants, and/or shrubs of an equivalent variety. Corps of Engineers representatives will meet with you to discuss restoration options prior to starting the work. In addition, if necessary, the Corps will consult with professional landscape architects to determine the appropriate size and number of replacement trees, plants, and/or shrubs.

6. Will I receive any payment as part of restoration activities?
No. The Corps of Engineers will restore your property, to the extent practicable, to fhe same condition it was in immediately prior to commencement of the Corps’ FUSRAP activities. The Corps has determined that payment of cash settlements in lieu of restoration is not an appropriate use of funds allocated for administration and execution of FUSRAP.

7. If during cleanup activities, the Corps determines that my storage building is contaminated and must be disposed of, what reimbursement will be offered?
If personal property such as storage buildings, motorized equipment and tools are not able to be successfully decontaminated, the Corps of Engineers will replace those items with comparable ones. If structures require demolition, new ones of comparable quality will be built.

8. What can I expect during the restoration process?
An independent contractor will verify that remediation of your property has been successfully completed and meets the applicable cleanup standards of appropriate regulatory agencies. Corps of Engineers representatives will then meet with you to discuss restoration options prior to starting the work. Homeowner preferences will be documented in writing and will be honored to the extent practicable. Youwill be kept informed on the progress of the work. When the restoration is complete, you will be asked to tour your home to inspect the completed work. All additional work you deem necessary will be noted on a checklist during that tour. Your home will be cleaned by a professional cleaning service and treated by an exterminator prior to your return.

9. When will I be notified by the Corps of Engineers that I can return to my home?
You will be kept informed on the progress of restoration activities. Thus, once restoration activities are underway, the Corps can provide you with an approximate return date. Corps representatives will call you at least two weeks before you may return to your primary residence. Dates for packing and moving will be scheduled just as they were prior to your relocation. Arrangements will be made for the subsequent pickup of rental furniture from your temporary residence.

10. Will the same individual who provided my relocation assistance also handle my move home?
Yes, the same Corps of Engineers team will work with you. The Corps assigns Relocation Specialists to provide comprehensive relocation assistance. Your Relocafion Specialist will manage your relocation from start to finish. Specialists are available to answer any questions you may have.

11. Is there a document I can get saying that my property has been remediated?
After remediation of your property is complete, you will receive a letter confirming that the radiological sampling and analysis of your property has been performed by an independent contractor, and that remediation of your property has been successfully completed and meets the applicable cleanup standards of the appropriate regulatory agencies. You should receive this letter within six months after you move back into your home.

12. Is there a warranty for the work?
Yes. Corps of Engineers subcontractors warrant their work for one year. The Corps’ prime contractor will enforce the warranty obligations of subcontractors. If the warranty period has expired, homeowners may choose to submit a claim to the Corps which will be evaluated in accordance with the provisions of the federal Tort Claims Act.

13. Will there be any additional expenses associated with the remediation or restoration of my home?
It is expected that complete remediation of FUSRAP vicinity properties will directly affect property values in the area. This may have some bearing on future tax assessments. In addition, borough building officials will view the restoration work.

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