Hurricane Response Guide for Environmental Public Health Professionals
Statute
Purpose
Compliance Requirements Requires decision-makers to be informed; Mandates public disclosure of environmental and historic considerations before work is initiated.
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Requires Federal agencies to integrate environmental values into their decision making processes by considering the environmental impacts of their proposed actions and reasonable alternatives to those actions. Regulates facilities that generate, transport, treat, store, or dispose of hazardous waste.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Disposal of disaster-generated debris when hazardous and toxic waste are present. Consultation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or National Marine Fisheries Service when debris removal involves a known habitat of threatened or endangered species. Debris removal in CBRS units is an eligible cost if it eliminates an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety, or protects improved property. FEMA consults with State His-toric Preservation Officers (SHPOs) and Tribal Historic Preservation Officers (THPOs) for the identification and evaluation of historic properties. This includes historic buildings and archaeological sites. Consultation may need to be completed prior to beginning work for a variety of projects including demolition and temporary housing. EO 11988 addresses Floodplain Management; EO 11990 addresses Wetland Protection; Debris management sites cannot be placed in a floodplain. The location of proposed debris management sites and final debris sites must be checked to ensure that water quality will not be affected adversely; EO 12898 addresses Environmental Justice.
Endangered Species Act (ESA) Prohibits Federal actions that cause unnecessary harm to threatened or endangered plant and animal species.
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)
Protects the barrier islands, identified as Coastal Barrier Resource System (CBRS) units.
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA)
Requires Federal agencies to consider the effects that a project or action may have on historic properties.
Executive Orders (EO) 11988, 11990, and 12898
EO 11988 and 11990 preserve or restore the natural and beneficial values served by floodplains and wetlands; EO 12898 requires Federal agencies to evaluate actions for areas with disproportionately high minority and/or low-income populations and adverse effects on minority or low-income populations.
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