(MCT) — TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has made his first formal request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency to fully reimburse state and local governments for the cost of debris removal and emergency protection measures in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.

“It has become clear that the financial burden and economic hardship still confronted by our state and communities threatens the ability to continue debris removal operations at the existing cost-share ratio,” Christie said in a letter to FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. The letter, dated Nov. 30, was made public Monday by Christie’s office.