Greater New Orleans (GNO) Infrastructure Projects

Stakeholders and Partners

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.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 14-Aug-2007 06:30:53 EDT