- Stakeholders and Partners Overview
- Local Governments in Greater New Orleans
- State and Regional Agencies
- Federal Agencies
Stakeholders and Partners Overview
FEMA helps communities repair and rebuild facilities damaged by disaster and works with applicants in an advisory and supportive role, as well as an inspection and enforcement role. Applicants are responsible for creating their own projects, and anyone who wants to get involved with a specific project must do so through the applicant.
FEMA will continue to provide opportunities for stakeholders to become involved in the Alternative Arrangements environmental review process through regular outreach mechanisms. An example of these mechanisms is meetings with the applicant and local officials to explain the Public Assistance (PA) Grant Program requirements, including Environmental and Historic Preservation compliance requirements and related environmental, social, economic, cultural, and historic consequences. Other existing venues for the involvement of stakeholders will be identified and used to the extent practical. Partners and stakeholders will help further develop appropriate outreach mechanisms to assess the potential for critical physical infrastructure projects to affect the human environment.
FEMA has identified several applicants and government agencies as partners and stakeholders in the Alternative Arrangements environmental review process. Contact information for each applicant or government agency can be obtained by clicking on the links at the bottom of this Web page. Others may be added as the Alternative Arrangements environmental review process continues.
Local Governments in Greater New Orleans
Below are links to local parish websites. Check back soon as parish specific pages are in development to provide links and information related to GNO Infrastructure Projects.
- Jefferson Parish
- Orleans Parish
- Plaquemines Parish
- St. Bernard Parish
- St. Charles Parish
- St. John the Baptist Parish
- St. Tammany Parish
State and Regional Agencies
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA)
In December 2005, the Louisiana State legislature established the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) as the single state entity with the authority to focus development and implementation efforts for comprehensive coastal protection.
Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP)
The Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) formerly known as Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (LOHSEP) leads, coordinates, and supports the emergency management system in order to protect lives and prevent the loss of property from all hazards. It ensures that the state is prepared to respond to, and recover from, all natural and man-made emergencies. The office provides leadership and support to reduce the loss of life and property through an all-hazards emergency management program of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry administers the laws, rules and regulations of the state regarding the growing, harvesting, processing, storing and sale of forest, crop and livestock commodities. The Department is involved in disaster response through the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, which is responsible for quarantines and other measures to protect Louisiana from the introduction and spread of injurious pests and plant diseases; conducting laboratory analyses of pesticides, pesticide residues, feeds, fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural minerals to ensure they meet all requirements of law and regulations; regulating the treatment, storage and disposal of pesticide wastes; and investigating and adjudicating those charged with pesticide violations.
Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
The Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism has developed a plan that addresses the rebuilding needs of the state— not only the areas directly impacted, but also those indirectly affected. This four-point plan addresses issues crucial to the recovery of Louisiana.
Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ)
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) is the leading state agency for environmental management and regulation. The Department addresses the emergency areas of wastewater treatment systems, solid and hazardous waste management, waste, open burning, air pollution sources other than open burning, asbestos cleanup, and more.
Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (LDHHS)
The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHHS) is responsible for protecting and promoting health and ensuring access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all Louisiana citizens. Through its LDHHS Emergency News service, the Department provides information on safety precautions for residents returning to their homes, contacts for hurricane victims, a nursing home evacuation search and other useful contacts.
Louisiana Governor's Office of Indian Affairs
To empower the Louisiana American Indian people with educational opportunities to ensure gainful employment and improved quality of life
Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA)
The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that is assisting in implementing the Governor's vision for the recovery of Louisiana. The LRA identifies and prioritizes the short- and long-term needs of the recovery. The Authority is seeking out local input as it plans and implements the recovery.
Lousiana AgCenter
It is the mission of the LSU Agricultural Center to play an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, sustaining rural areas and encouraging efficient use of resources through research and educational programs conducted by its experiment station and extension service.
The LSU AgCenter has an array of information to help people in their recovery from the multiple problems caused by a hurricane. These problems include the danger of disease from insects, other pests and flood waters as well as illness from contamination by flood waters. For information on cleaning up, rebuilding and recovering, visit:
www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/hazards_and_threats/recovery_assistance/
New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC)
The Regional Planning Commission (RPC) for Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany Parishes, is a 26-member board of local elected officials and citizen members appointed to represent the New Orleans area on regional issues. This board is supported by a commission staff with broad experience in a variety of areas including urban and regional planning, community development, economics, government, law, landscape architecture, transportation, geography and other disciplines. The RPC also staffs the metropolitan area transportation planning organization and provides member government agencies with economic and demographic statistics.
Federal Agencies
Advisory Counsel on Historic Preservation (ACHP)
he mission of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is to promote the preservation, enhancement, and productive use of our Nation's historic resources, and advise the President and the Congress on a national historic preservation policy.
Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ)
The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) coordinates federal environmental efforts and works closely with agencies and other White House offices in the development of environmental policies and initiatives. CEQ oversees federal agency implementation of the environmental impact assessment process and acts as a referee when agencies disagree over the adequacy of such assessments. Congress established CEQ within the Executive Office of the President as part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additional responsibilities were provided by the Environmental Quality Improvement Act.
Department of Energy (DOE)
The Department of Energy (DOE) is leading a comprehensive response effort to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Even before Katrina came ashore, the Department began its work to restore the many significant portions of our nation’s energy infrastructure affected by the storm. DOE will continue to work to help bring life-saving and life-sustaining electricity back online, while working with oil companies and refineries to mitigate any disruption in the supply of gasoline, diesel, or natural gas.
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides disaster response and recovery services from the Centers for Disease Control, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). ATSDR is a federal public health agency that serves the public by using the best science, taking responsive public health actions, and providing health information to prevent harmful exposures and diseases related to toxic substances. Another DHHS resource is found at the DHHS Hurricanes Health Library.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Directorate for Preparedness works with state, local, and private sector partners to identify threats, determine vulnerabilities, and target resources where risk is greatest, thereby safeguarding our borders, seaports, bridges and highways, and critical information systems. The Department also has the lead responsibility for disaster response under the National Response Plan.
A component of DHS , the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepares the nation for hazards, manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, and administers the National Flood Insurance Program.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
HUD's mission is to increase home ownership, support community development, and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.
Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Restoring endangered and threatened species to a secure status in the wild is a key objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Service consults with other federal agencies when significant federal actions may have an impact on threatened and endangered wildlife and plants, and provides lists of federally designated threatened and endangered species by state.
Department of Justice (DOJ)
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Environment and Natural Resources Division, represents federal agencies in litigation concerning the protection, use and development of the nation’s natural resources and public lands, wildlife protection, Indian rights and claims, cleanup of the nation’s hazardous waste sites, enforcement of environmental pollution statues, the acquisition of private property for federal use, and defense of environmental challenges to government programs and activities. One of the Division’s primary responsibilities during disaster response and recovery is to enforce federal civil and criminal environmental laws, including regulations governing pollution control and environmental justice.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been assigned the responsibility for disaster response under Emergency Support Function 10 (ESF #10-Hazardous Materials) of the National Response Plan. As a leading partner in the Federal Response Plan, EPA efficiently and effectively assists state and local governments when disaster strikes. ESF #10 provides for a coordinated response to large-scale releases of hazardous materials by incorporating the response mechanisms of the National Oil and Hazardous Materials Pollution Contingency Plan (NCP). The Director of EPA's Chemical Emergency Preparedness and Prevention Office serves as the chairman of ESF #10 and also is EPA's representative to the interagency policy level coordinating body, the Catastrophic Disaster Response Group. The Director ensures the Agency has carried out the proper planning and preparedness activities and is ready to respond to a major disaster.
EPA also leads the Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice. The Interagency Working Group provides guidance to federal agencies on criteria for identifying disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority populations and low-income population and coordinates with, provides guidance to, and serves as a clearinghouse for, each federal agency on environmental justice issues. The EPA Region 6 Office of Environmental Justice and Tribal Affairs is leading the agency’s involvement in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
FEMA Section 106 Notices for Louisiana
A website set up by FEMA and a planned public meeting give residents a chance to state their opinions on the St. Frances Church issue. Holy Cross wants to demolish the church to rebuild using federal funds; however, FEMA regulations state that funds can’t be used to adversely affect historical buildings – St. Frances is considered historically and architecturally significant.
Small Business Administration (SBA)
The Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster recovery mission is to help people recover from disasters and rebuild their lives by providing affordable, timely and accessible financial assistance to homeowners, renters and businesses. The governor of a disaster-stricken state can ask for a Presidential disaster declaration or an SBA Administrative declaration, depending upon the severity of the disaster. A Presidential declaration makes many federal and state programs available, including SBA loans. An SBA declaration makes only SBA loans available. If the President declares the area for Individual Assistance, SBA offers physical and economic injury loans in the declared counties and economic injury loans only in contiguous counties.
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
Under its Emergency Response mission, the Corps of Engineers responds to more than 30 Presidential disaster declarations in a typical year, plus numerous state and local emergencies. Emergency responses usually involve cooperation with other military elements and federal agencies in support of state and local efforts. The Corps conducts its emergency response activities under two basic authorities: the Flood Control and Coastal Emergency Act, and the Stafford Disaster and Emergency Assistance Act. Under the Flood Control and Coastal Emergency Act, the Corps provides disaster preparedness services and advanced planning measures designed to reduce the amount of damage caused by an impending disaster. Under the Stafford Act, the Corps supports the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency in carrying out the National Response Plan, which calls on 30 federal departments and agencies to provide coordinated disaster relief and recovery operations.