LIVINGSTON, La. (AP) — Livingston Parish will seek arbitration after an audit of the Federal Emergency Management Agency's denial of millions of dollars for Hurricane Gustav debris removal found that the federal agency failed to meet its deadlines in responding to the parish's appeals.

The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security did not address whether FEMA was correct in determining $63 million worth of work in Livingston Parish was ineligible for reimbursement.

Instead, the audit focused on three instances in which FEMA took longer than its regulations allow to respond to Livingston's appeals on monitoring work, leaners and hangers, and waterways.

Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks said Monday the audit findings give the parish an opportunity to seek arbitration over the unpaid claims.

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