FEMA Streamlined Procedures for Environmental Assessments associated with Harvey, Irma, Maria, Nate
As a result of recent unprecedented hurricanes, disasters have been declared for areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. Due to the catastrophic damages caused by these hurricanes, it is critical that FEMA have the ability to utilize a more efficient and streamlined procedure for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance for multiple, simultaneous, recovery missions and the provision of disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §4121 et seq., including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. After assessing the scale of the recovery operations, and the need for the timely rebuilding of all of the affected communities, FEMA, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, determined that exigent circumstances exist. As a result of these exigent circumstances, FEMA may utilize streamlined procedures outlined in this notice for those activities that require an Environmental Assessment. The streamlined procedures may include any or all the following:
1) The public involvement process for EAs associated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate may be condensed to more efficiently complete NEPA review [DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Revision 01) Section V.C.(7)]. Public review and comment periods may vary depending upon the urgency of the action. FEMA may provide for a 3-day comment period for the following actions:
- Group Housing Sites
- Interim and/or temporary facilities for:
- hospitals and health care facilities;
- schools and day care centers;
- utilities and wastewater treatment plants;
- police and fire stations;
- government and court facilities;
- detention centers and jailhouses; and
- transportation facilities.
FEMA may provide for a 14-day comment period for all other actions associated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate. Public comments to the EAs can be submitted via phone or email. Specific contact information will be provided in each individual EA.
2) FEMA may favor electronic media rather than other forms of media for notifications to the public because traditional media may no longer be available to affected communities, take longer to prepare, and add additional cost. Electronic notifications may in fact reach a broader audience since communities may be displaced from the normal means of traditional media delivery (such as USPS and local libraries affect by storms). FEMA will continue use of the Unified Federal Review for notification to Other Federal Agencies that may have an interest in the project.
3) Unless other action alternatives are readily available, FEMA may focus EA level analysis and documentation on the “No Action” and “Proposed Action” alternatives (40 CFR 1508.9, Sec. 102; 42 U.S.C. 4332). FEMA’s action is often to approve or deny requests for federal disaster assistance, from affected communities. This means that FEMA’s “Proposal” or proposed action occurs when FEMA is considering a grant application or application for assistance.
4) FEMA may discuss resource areas in detail only if it determines that there is a potential impact to the resources, rather than following the procedure outlined in FEMA Instruction 108-1 Section 3.4(C)(4) that requires FEMA to address in detail the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Executive Order 11988, Executive Order 11990, and Executive Order 12898 in its EAs regardless of the potential for impact to these resources. These streamlined procedures will supersede the requirement in FEMA’s Instruction and will allow FEMA to identify and eliminate from detailed study the issues that are not significant (40 CFR 1501.7).
The above changes, along with other internal efficiencies that FEMA may employ to comply with NEPA, such as document templates and analysis and reference tools, will allow FEMA to balance concise environmental reviews with open communication and the opportunity for meaningful public input in the decision making process. It also allows the public the opportunity to participate in FEMA’s NEPA process and receive timely assistance and grants. FEMA acknowledges that the 2017 Hurricane season is not over and that FEMA may need to re-issue this notification in the future.
These changes that FEMA may employ for the recovery efforts for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate do not affect the requirements of any other environmental or historic preservation laws, regulations or executive orders.
This website will provide the public updates to the procedures and provide updated links to FEMA’s disaster websites so that the interested and affected public are afforded the opportunity to review FEMA proposals that require an EA.
Link to Federal Register Notice
Hurricane Harvey:
Hurricane Irma:
South Carolina (DR-4346-SC): (TBD)
Seminole Tribe (DR-4341-Seminole FL): (TBD)
Georgia (DR-4338-GA): (TBD)
Florida (DR-4337-FL): (TBD)
Puerto Rico (DR-4336-PR): (TBD)
U.S. Virgin Islands (DR-4335-USVI): (TBD)
Hurricane Maria
U.S. Virgin Islands (DR-4340-USVI): (TBD)
Puerto Rico (DR-4339-PR): (TBD)
Hurricane Nate
(TBD)
Related Resources
- The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
- The White House’s Council on Environmental Quality
- DHS Directive Implementing NEPA
- DHS Instruction Manual Implementing NEPA
- Click here for more information on FEMA’s Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation program