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Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Tool (RVAT)
Risk and Vulnerability Assessment Steps Environmental AnalysisExtended Discussion | Interact with Data | Print Version Why would I do this analysis?The purpose of this analysis is to identify environmental resources that may be impacted by secondary hazards and target both the secondary hazard sites and the environmental resources for hazard mitigation activities. Environmental resources may be impacted when a primary hazard (e.g., hurricane, earthquake, wildfire, etc.) triggers additional hazards such as toxic releases or hazardous spills.
Read the extended discussion for detail information on the environmental analysis.
Examples of Environmental Resources:
Examples of Secondary Hazard Sites:
Give me an example of something I might do in this analysis.First, identify potentially hazardous sites in your community. Then, identify which of those hazardous facilities are located within high hazard areas (locations where primary hazards most often occur). Next, prioritize these hazardous facilities by identifying which ones are in closest proximity to vulnerable environmental resources. Target these sites for vulnerability assessments. Conduct detailed structural assessments on all public-sector sites to identify potential mitigation actions.
Vulnerability Analysis Activities:To prioritize which facilities pose the biggest threats, you can perform in-depth structural and operational analyses on the selected facilities, collecting data such as structural integrity, construction type and quality, age, size, and other pertinent information. Also identify the types of materials contained at or discharged from the facilities, as well as what impacts the materials might have on environmental resources. What are my steps?
What data will I need?Primary Hazards:
Secondary Hazards:
Environmental Resources:
Other:
Where can I obtain these data and information?
Who do I need to work with? What agencies can help me locate the necessary data and information?To access many of these governmental and organizational Web sites, view the Links page. A complete list of agencies and stakeholders is also available. Local (county or municipality level) — Local Environmental Offices, Reserves, Waste Water Facilities, Planning, Parks and Recreation, Local Businesses and Hazardous Materials Factories, and others. Regional (state level) — State environmental offices, Department of Natural Resources National (federal level) — EPA, Department of Transportation, NOAA, and others Interact with the DataFollow this link to view and interact with data pertaining to the Environmental Analysis. |
Environmental
impacts are important to consider because they not only jeopardize habitats and
species, but they can also threaten public health (e.g., water quality), various
economic sectors (e.g., tourism and fishing), and quality of life (e.g., access
to natural landscapes and recreational activities). For example, flooding (a primary
hazard) can result in contamination (a secondary hazard) whereby raw sewage, animal
carcasses, chemicals, pesticides, hazardous materials, etc. are suspended and
transported through sensitive habitats, neighborhoods, and businesses. These circumstances
can result in major cleanup and remediation activities, as well as natural resource
degradation.
For
private-sector facilities, establish partnerships with each facility and educate
key facility personnel on potential hazards and ways to mitigate and prevent future
losses. Also contact staff at the environmental resource sites about the potential
impacts to their sites. Work with these individuals to develop plans on how to
lessen the damage in the event of secondary hazard impacts.