DR 1800-001
Departmental
Emergency Programs Responsibilities
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Page
1 Purpose 1
2 Cancellation 1
3 Policy 1
4 Definitions 1
5 Authorities and References 5
6 Organization 7
7 Office of the Secretary 11
8 General Responsibilities 15
9 Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign 17
Agricultural Services
a
Farm Service Agency 17
b
Commodity Credit Corporation 19
c
Foreign Agricultural Service 20
d
Risk Management Agency 21
10 Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and 21
Consumer Services
a
Food and Nutrition Service 21
11 Under Secretary for Food Safety 22
a
Food Safety and Inspection Service 22
12 Under Secretary for Natural Resources and 23
Environment
a
Forest Service 23
b
Natural Resources Conservation Service 25
13 Under Secretary for Research, Education and 26
Economics
a Agricultural Research Service 27
b Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service 27
c Economic Research Service 28
d National Agricultural Statistics Service 29
14 Under Secretary for Rural Development 30
a Rural Business-Cooperative Service 30
b Rural Housing Service 30
c Rural Utilities Service 30
15 Under Secretary for Marketing and 31
Regulatory Programs 31
a Agricultural Marketing Service
b Animal and Plant Health inspection Service 32
16 Assistant Secretary for Administration 33
a Office of Crisis Planning and Management 33
b Office of Operations 36
c Office of Human Resources Management 36
17 Office of the Chief Economist 36
18 Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations 37
19 Office of the Chief Financial Officer 37
20 Office of the General Counsel
21 Office of Inspector General
37
22 Office of Communications 37
23 Office of the Chief Information Officer 38
24 Office of Budget and Program Analysis 38
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250
DEPARTMENTAL
REGULATION |
NUMBER: 1800-001 |
|
SUBJECT: Departmental Emergency
Programs Responsibilities |
DATE: March 28, 2001 |
|
OPI: Office of Crisis Planning and Management |
||
1 PURPOSE
This regulation outlines the domestic emergency programs responsibilities of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and designates the USDA Agencies for carrying out these responsibilities at the national, State, and county levels.
2
CANCELLATION
Departmental Regulation
1800-1, Departmental Emergency Programs Responsibilities, dated March 5, 1993,
is superseded by this regulation.
3
POLICY
It is the policy of USDA to
be prepared to respond swiftly in the event of natural disaster, technological,
national security, and other emergencies at the national, regional, State, and
county levels in order to provide support and comfort to the people of the
United States. Further:
a All USDA Agencies will comply with this policy and support
a coordinated emergency response structure within USDA to handle all types of
emergencies; and
b The appointed participants will be trained and ready to
respond.
4
DEFINITIONS
a Category "I" Agencies. Those USDA Agencies with essential functions
that must have a continuous emergency operational capability during national
security emergencies. They are:
(1) Agricultural Marketing Service
(2) Agricultural Research Service
(3)
Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Service
(4) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
(5) Farm Service Agency
(6) Food and Nutrition Service
(7) Food Safety and Inspection Service
(8) Foreign Agricultural Service
(9) Forest Service
(10) National Agricultural Statistics Service
(11) Natural
Resources Conservation Service
b Category
'II" Agencies. Those USDA
Agencies with functions that are essential and required to establish an
emergency operating capability.
However, that capability may not require continuous operation during
extreme national security emergencies.
They are:
(1) Economic Research Service
(2) Rural Business-Cooperative Service
(3) Rural Housing Service
(4) Rural Utilities Service
c Category
"III" Agencies and Staff Offices. Those USDA Agencies and staff offices with emergency functions
other than Category "I" or Category 'II." There is no
requirement to establish an emergency operating capability.
d County.
For the purpose of this regulation,
county means a county, parish or borough.
e Emergency.
A sudden, generally unexpected event which does or could do harm to people,
the environment, resources, property, or institutions. Emergencies range from relatively local
events to regional and national events and may be caused by natural or
technological factors, national security-related events or other emergencies.
(1) Natural Disaster. Any natural catastrophe, including
hurricane, tornado, storm, flood, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave,
tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide, mudslide, snowstorm,
drought, or other catastrophe in any part of the United States which requires
Federal emergency assistance to supplement State and local efforts to save lives,
protect property, and alleviate damage, hardship and suffering caused by the
event.
(2) Technological Emergency. Any events which are
primarily unintentional acts of humans such as radiological accidents,
hazardous materials accidents, biological emergencies, including the
introduction and spread of animal and plant pest diseases, explosions, fires,
darn failures, pollution, or any other incidents where Federal action is needed
to minimize the effects of the event.
(3) National Security Emergency. Any occurrence, including
natural disaster, military attack, technological emergency, or other emergency,
that seriously degrades or seriously threatens the national security of the
United States.
(4) Other Emergencies. Any events which are intentional
acts of humans such as arson, civil disorder, crime, insurrection, riots,
sabotage, terrorism including cyber terrorism, or any other incidents where
Federal action is needed to minimize the effects of the event.
f Emergency Programs. For the purpose of this
regulation, emergency programs will include all programs of USDA essential to
meet the needs of the nation for any one or a combination of emergencies as
defined above. Nothing herein should be
construed as limiting USDA Agencies in carrying out disaster assistance program
as may be authorized by law.
g Federal Response Plan. The Federal Response Plan (FRP) is based on the fundamental
assumption that a significant disaster will overwhelm the capability of State
and local governments to carry out the extensive emergency response operations
that will be necessary to save lives and protect property. Consequently, resources of Federal
Departments and Agencies will be used to provide assistance to the State. Under
the Federal Response Plan, Federal Departments and Agencies having various
authorities and resources have been assigned primary and support (Agency)
responsibilities.
h Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan. The Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan
(FRERP) dated May 1, 1996, is a current response document and is separate from
the Federal Response Plan. The FRERP
may be activated as a separate plan and may or may not relate to the FRP
depending on the nature of the overall situation.
i Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Plan. This plan establishes a coordinated response
by USDA agencies and offices to a peacetime emergency involving chemical
warfare agents and, provides for assistance to State and local governments, and
other Federal agencies, in protecting human, plant and animal life and welfare,
the environment and property from the effects of chemical warfare agents. This Plan applies to peacetime accidents or
incidents occurring in the Continental United States (CONUS) where chemical
warfare agents under civilian or Department of Defense jurisdiction cause
extensive or serious contamination.
j Continuity Of Operations. Continuity of Operations (COOP) is a policy of the United States
Government to have in place a comprehensive and effective program to ensure
continuity of essential Federal functions under all circumstances. A viable COOP Plan should be maintained at a
high level of readiness;
operational within 12 hours
after activation; sustainable for 30 days; and, take maximum advantage of
existing agency field offices for emergency relocation sites.
k Emergency Operations Center. The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) is the
USDA focal point for all emergency management and coordination at the national
headquarters, and is managed by the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and
Management also known as the USDA Emergency Coordinator.
5 AUTHORITIES AND REFERENCES
a National Security Act of 1947, as amended.
b Military Selective Service Act, 50 U.S.C. App. 451 et
seq.
c Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended (50
U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.).
d Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
Assistance Act, Public Law No. 93-288, as amended (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
e Agricultural Credit Act of 1978, (7 U.S.C. 1921. et
seq.).
f Strategic and Critical Materials Stockpile Act, as
amended
(50 U.S.C. 98f).
g Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act, as amended
(15 U.
S.C. 714, et seq.)
h Executive Order 12148, Federal Emergency Management,
July 20, 1979, as amended by Executive Order 12673, Delegation of Disaster
Relief and Emergency Assistance Functions, March 23,1989.
i Executive Order 12472, Assignment of National Security
and
Emergency Preparedness
Telecommunications Functions, April 3, 1984.
j Executive Order 12656, Assignment of Emergency
Preparedness Responsibilities, November 18, 1988.
k Executive Order 12657, Federal Emergency Management
Agency Assistance in Emergency Preparedness Planning at Commercial Nuclear
Power Plants, November 18, 1988.
l Executive Order 12742, National Security Industrial
Responsiveness, January 8, 1991.
m Executive Order 12919, National Defense Industrial
Resources Preparedness, June 7, 1994.
n Defense Priorities and Allocation System, 15 CFR
Part 700.
o Federal Response Plan, (For Public Law 93-288, as
amended), April 1998.
p Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan, May 1,
1996.
q Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 56, Managing
Complex Contingency Plans, dated May 1997.
r Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 62,
Protection Against Unconventional Threats to the Homeland and Americans
Overseas, dated May 22,1998.
s Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 63, Critical
Infrastructure Protection (CIP), dated May 22, 1998.
t Presidential Decision Directive (PDD)67. Enduring Constitutional Government and
Continuity of Government Operations, dated October 21, 1998.
6 ORGANIZATION
Responses to all emergencies
are handled by key personnel in existing, nationwide structures. For clarification purposes, this section is
divided into a structure for natural disaster, technological and other
emergencies, and a structure for national security emergencies.
a Natural
Disaster, Technological, and Other Emergencies Structure
(1) USDA
Emergency Operations Center
(a) The Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
will be managed by the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and Management
(OCPM), at the national headquarters with support from the Chief Economist,
USDA Agencies and the Agency Emergency Programs Contacts. Agency personnel will be temporarily
assigned to the Emergency Operations Center during and after a disaster or
until the situation is under control.
In addition, Agencies will provide information, as required, to the
Emergency Operations Center in order for status reports to be prepared for the
Secretary of Agriculture and senior staff.
(b) The
Emergency Operations Center will provide support to USDA agency representatives
as appropriate to effectively respond to an emergency.
(c) Emergency Response Teams are a part of the Federal Response Plan at the regional level. It is the principal interagency group that supports and coordinates the Federal response. USDA is represented on the Emergency Response Teams by the Forest Service and Food and Nutrition Service.
(2) USDA State Emergency
Boards. The Farm Service Agency
State Executive Directors serve as Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency
Boards. The 9 USDA Agencies providing
primary and alternate personnel to the USDA, State Emergency Boards are: Farm
Service Agency, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Cooperative State
Research, Education and Extension Service, Food and Nutrition Service, Food
Safety and Inspection Service, Forest Service, National Agricultural Statistics
Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Rural Development
mission area agencies. The USDA State
Emergency Board members are usually located within the State in which they
serve. In the event of an emergency,
the Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards, will be responsible for
providing leadership at the State level.
(a) Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards, will:
-
Maintain
liaison and coordination with State
government officials on
emergency programs.
- Keep the Senior USDA Emergency Coordinator, OCPM, advised
of the emergency situation and USDA response activities.
- Support the USDA representatives on the Emergency Response
Teams.
- Provide emergency programs guidance to County Emergency
Boards.
(b) Members, USDA State Emergency Boards, will:
- Assist the Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards, in
carrying out USDA emergency programs responsibilities.
- Provide USDA services and coordinate assigned
responsibilities to meet the emergency situation.
- Support the USDA representatives on the Emergency Response
Teams.
(3) USDA County Emergency
Boards. County Emergency Boards are
composed of USDA Agency representatives operating within their respective
jurisdiction. The Farm Service Agency
County Executive Directors serve as the Chairpersons, USDA County Emergency
Boards. The three USDA Agencies
providing personnel to the USDA County Emergency Boards are: Farm Service
Agency, Cooperative State Research, Education & Extension Service and Natural
Resources Conservation Service. If
there is a U.S. Forest in the county, Forest Service would also serve on the
County Emergency Board. Generally, USDA
County Emergency Board members are located within the county in which they
serve; however, there are exceptions.
For example, a board member may also be assigned responsibility for an
adjacent county.
(a) Chairpersons,
USDA County Emergency Boards. will:
- Maintain
liaison and coordination with county government officials on USDA emergency
programs.
- Keep
the USDA State Emergency Boards advised of the emergency situation and USDA
response activities.
- Support
the USDA State Emergency Boards.
b) Members, USDA County Emergency Boards, will:
- Assist
the Chairpersons, USDA County Emergency Boards, in carrying out the USDA
emergency programs responsibilities.
- Provide
USDA services and coordinate assigned responsibilities to meet the emergency
situation.
- Provide
support to the USDA State Emergency Boards.
b National Security Emergency Structure
(1) USDA National Emergency Management
Team. Agency personnel from
selected Category 'I' Agencies are designated for assignment to the National Emergency
Management Team, that functions at the headquarters level during a national
security emergency.
(2) USDA State Emergency Boards. A USDA State Emergency Board (SEB) has
been established in each State, Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands. The SEB's were established as a result of
Executive Orders 10480 and 11490, the Defense Production Act of 1950, the
Federal Civil Defense Act of 1950, Federal Preparedness Circulars 11 and 14,
and Departmental Regulations. The
responsibilities include coordination of USDA emergency activities at the State
level. In a national security
emergency, they would relocate to their designated State Emergency Operations
Center, if available, otherwise to the Farm Service Agency State office.
(3) USDA County Emergency Boards. A USDA County Emergency Board has been
established to cover every county in the United States, Puerto Rico and the
Virgin Islands. In a national security
emergency, they would
relocate to their designated
county Emergency operations Center, if available, otherwise to the Farm Service
Agency County office.
7 OFFICE
OF THE SECRETARY
a Natural
Disaster, Technological, and Other Emergencies (Except National Security
Emergencies). The Secretary of
Agriculture will:
(1) Provide
emergency food stamp allotment benefits in officially designated disaster areas
upon request by the State agency. The
State's request must demonstrate need for the program and grocery stores must
be open and operating.
(2) Assist
in reallocation of donated food and supplies from USDA and Commodity Credit
Corporation stocks in leased State warehouses, local schools and other outlets
to emergency care centers eligible to receive donated commodities.
(3) Assist
Rural Utilities Service-financed rural electric and telecommunications
cooperatives and companies with technical assistance or loan assistance when
necessary for restoration of service.
(4) Provide
disaster assistance through authorized USDA programs.
(5) Make
payments to farmers for crops covered by insurance through the Risk Management
Agency.
(6) Assist
farmers and others to develop disaster recovery plans.
(7) Control
and eradicate diseases and arthropod pests of plants, livestock, and poultry.
(8) Provide fire protection on or
adjacent to national forests, and assist in the suppression of fires in other
rural areas.
(9) Assure the safety and
wholesomeness of meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products, and egg
products.
(10) Procure food for emergency use.
(11) Mobilize USDA-controlled emergency
food, feed and water safety testing facilities throughout the country by
temporary diversion of people and equipment f3rom research laboratories.
(12) Support the following federal
response plans as appropriate: Federal Response Plan, Federal Radiological
Emergency Response Plan, Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Plan and the
Continuity of Operations Plan.
(13) Make payments to producers not
covered by catastrophic risk protection for losses caused by a natural disaster
under the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
b National Security Emergencies. The Secretary of Agriculture is assigned
responsibilities under Executive Order 12656.
The following is quoted from Part 3, Executive order 12656:
The Secretary of Agriculture
shall:
(1) Develop plans to provide for the
continuation of agricultural production, food processing, storage, and
distribution through the wholesale level in national security emergencies, and
to provide for the domestic distribution of seed, fe4 fertilizer, and farm
equipment to agricultural producers;
(2) Develop plans to provide food and
agricultural products to meet international responsibilities in national
security emergencies.
(3)
Develop plans
and procedures for administration and use of
Commodity Credit Corporation inventories of
food and
fiber resources in national
security emergencies;
(4) Develop plans for the use of
resources under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture and, in
cooperation with the Secretaries of Commerce, Defense, and the Interior, the
Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the heads of other Government
entities, plan for the national security emergency management, production, and
processing of forest products;
(5) Develop, in coordination with the
Secretary of Defense, plans and programs for water to be used in agricultural
production and food processing in national security emergencies;
(6) In cooperation with Federal,
State, and local agencies, develop plans for a national program relating to the
prevention and control of fires in rural areas of the United States caused by
the effects of enemy attack or other national security emergency;
(7) Develop plans to help provide the
Nation’s farmers with production resources, including national security
emergency financing capabilities;
(8) Develop plans, in consonance with those of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Interior, and the Environmental Protection Agency, for national security emergency agricultural health services and forestry, including:
(a) Diagnosis and control or eradication of diseases, pests, or
hazardous agents (biological, chemical, or radiological) against animals,
crops, timber, or products thereof;
(b) Protection,
treatment, and handling of livestock and poultry, or products thereof, that
have been exposed to or affected by hazardous agents;
(c) Use and handling of crops, agricultural commodities, timber,
and agricultural lands that have been exposed to or affected by hazardous
agents; and
(d) Assuring the safety and wholesomeness, and minimizing losses
from hazards, of animals and animal products and agricultural commodities and
products subject to continuous inspection by the Department of Agriculture or
owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation or by the Department of Agriculture;
(9) In consultation with the Secretary of State and the
Director, Federal Emergency Management Agency, represent the United States in
agriculture-related international civil emergency preparedness planning and
related activities.
Support Responsibility. The Secretary of Agriculture shall assist the Secretary of
Defense in formulating and carrying out plans for stockpiling strategic and
critical agricultural materials.
c Delegation of Office of Crisis Planning and Management
Authority and Responsibility.
The Assistant Secretary for
Administration has been designated the senior
preparedness officer for USDA by the Secretary of Agriculture, to direct and
name emergency programs under natural disaster, technological national security
and other emergencies. The Secretary of
Agriculture has designated the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and
Management (formerly Director, Disaster Management and Coordination Staff), as
the Senior USDA Emergency Coordinator to centralize the planning and
coordination of all USDA emergency preparedness programs.
8 GENERAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
The heads of Category "I" and
Category "II" Agencies will:
a Coordinate
emergency program actions, correspondence and participation in emergency-related
activities, exercises, and conferences.
Communication and coordination should be maintained with the Director,
Office of Crisis Planning and Management, when representing USDA on natural
disaster, technological, national security and other emergencies.
b Designate
an Agency Emergency Programs Contact and provide the name to the Director,
Office of Crisis Planning and Management. The Agency Emergency Programs Contact
will serve as liaison between the Agency head and the Director, Office of
Crisis Planning and Management. Each
Agency Emergency Programs Contact must hold a Top Secret security clearance.
c Provide
personnel support to the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and Management, in
the management and operation of the Emergency Operations Center during and
after emergencies, as required.
d Assist
the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and Management, in the development and
preparation of reports, regulations, handbooks, directories, and related
activities.
e Develop
standby emergency plans to respond to any type of emergency. Plans will be developed in accordance with
assigned USDA emergency programs responsibilities.
f Coordinate
all emergency plans and programs with the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and
Management and with other USDA Agencies having related responsibilities.
g Provide copies of all emergency-related plans and programs
for review and concurrence by the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and
Management, before implementation.
h Assist the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and
Management, in developing and manning an adequate emergency operating records
system to support emergency assignments at the national, regional, State, and
county levels.
i Implement and administer emergency plans after a
declaration by the President of a mai7or natural disaster, technological
emergency, or other emergency; a proclamation by the President of a natural
security emergency; or an enactment of legislation by the Congress declaring a
national security emergency.
j Establish and document a line of succession to include one
or more field officials. Provide the original document to the Director, Office
of Crisis Planning and Management, for prepositioning at the headquarters and
Emergency Operating Facilities.
k Designate, when requested, personnel to serve on the
National Emergency Management Team, ensuring that each has an appropriate
security clearance. Provide a list to the Director, Office of Crisis Planning
and Management.
l Designate, when requested, personnel to serve on the
Emergency Response Teams, USDA State and County Emergency Boards, and
participate in conferences, training sessions, and exercises.
m Provide support and assistance to the Director, Office of
Crisis Planning and Management in the preparation and conduct of training
programs and exercises associated with natural disaster, technological,
national security and other emergencies.
n Provide funds, develop plans, and train personnel to
implement emergency programs in accordance with assignments.
9 UNDER SECRETARY FOR
FARM AND FOREIGN AGRICULTURAL
SERVICES
The Under Secretary for Farm
and Foreign Agricultural Services will administer functions to meet both domestic
and international needs relating to agricultural production, food processing,
storage, and wholesale distribution; water to be used for agricultural
production and food processing; distribution of seed, livestock and poultry
feed, fertilizer, and farm equipment; rehabilitation and use of food resources,
agricultural and related agribusiness facilities; farm credit and financial
assistance programs, Commodity Credit Corporation resources, foreign
agricultural intelligence; and other foreign agricultural matters in an
emergency, to the extent specifically authorized by law.
a Farm
Service Agency will:
(1) Develop
and administer, when authorized by law, plans for controlling agricultural
production through adjustment, acreage control, or incentive payment programs
to meet both domestic and international responsibilities in an emergency.
(2) Develop
and, when authorized by law, administer emergency plans and controls covering:
(a) Food
processing, storage, and wholesale distribution.
(b) Distribution
and use of seed.
(c) Manufacture,
distribution, and use of livestock and poultry feed.
(d) Domestic
mixing, distribution, and use of fertilizer.
(e) Domestic
distribution of farm equipment and repair parts.
(f) Defense Emergency Loans.
(3) Develop and administer plans, with the Forest Service and
Natural Resources Conservation Service, for the Priority use of water for
agricultural production and food processing within the emergency water plans
developed by the Department of Defense, United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(4) Maintain a computerized listing of the primary food, feed,
and seed processing, storage, and wholesale distribution facilities, and major
fertilizer producers, mixers, blenders, and storage facilities for use in
analyzing the capability of those industries to supply food and food
requirements.
(5) Assess the effects of an emergency incident on agricultural
production and related production resources, including seed, feed, fertilizer,
farm equipment, energy, and labor.
(6) Assist State and local governments in the development of
emergency plans for food and agriculture to assure continuity with Federal
guidelines.
(7) Provide information to food processing, storage, and
wholesale distribution industries and agricultural resource industries during a
national security emergency.
(8) Prepare priorities and allocations requirements and handle food
claim received by USDA and file claimancy requests for food processors and
wholesale distributors, and agricultural production when shortages cannot be
corrected at State and local levels.
(9) Adjust regular program to provide emergency assistance when
necessary.
(10) Provide support, as required, to the Federal Response Plan at
the national and regional levels.
(11) Develop plans and
programs related to mobilization preparedness and, as appropriate, represent
USDA at meetings, conferences, and workshops, on mobilization preparedness and
related activities.
(12) Act as the custodian for the emergency
operating records for both the USDA State and County Emergency Boards at the
Farm Service Agency State and County offices and respective Emergency
Operations Centers.
(13) Provide emergency credit to farmers, ranchers, and aquaculture
operators in support of agricultural production programs.
(14) Assist with technical expertise and support on credit
arrangements of all USDA emergency programs, other than agricultural production
and CCC loans and guarantees.
b Commodity Credit Corporation will:
(1) Barter surplus agricultural commodities for strategic and
critical materials to the extent such materials are required to meet emergency
needs.
(2) Perform the following services and functions during a
national security emergency to the extent specifically
authorized:
(a) Make reimbursable disbursements for the Farm Service Agency,
for emergency agriculture production loans when mail services or other
disbursing activities are disrupted.
(b) Guarantee payment or make emergency
loans, through Rural Development, to critical firms to continue:
- Processing, storage, and distribution of food through
the wholesale level.
- Processing
and distribution of seed.,
- Manufacturing and distribution of livestock and poultry
feed.
- Mixing
and distribution of fertilizer.
- Distributing
farm-equipment and repair parts.
- Distributing other supplies essential for agricultural
production.
- Providing related services necessary to meet food and
agricultural needs.
c Foreign Agricultural Service will:
(1) Acquire and analyze information related to food and
agricultural commodities in foreign countries.
(2) Assemble and prepare analyses, in cooperation with the
Department of State, of food availabilities and requirements for allies and
make recommendations regarding allocations.
(3) Assemble and present Canadian food availabilities and
requirements, in cooperation with the Canadian Government whenever food
allocations are made.
(4) Assist in carrying out any foreign trade
controls that may be assigned.
(5) Support the activities of international emergency
organizations.
d Risk
Management Agency will:
(1) Provide
for indemnity payments to farmers through reinsured companies for crops
affected by a natural disaster and were also insured under the Federal Crop
Insurance Program.
10 UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD NUTRITION AND CONSUMER SERVICES
The Under Secretary for Food,
Nutrition, and Consumer Services will administer the function of distributing
agricultural commodities and food stamp benefits.
a
The Food and Nutrition Service will:
(1) Provide
emergency food stamp allotments and/or commodity assistance to households in
officially designated disaster areas upon receipt of a request from the State
agency that demonstrates need for the program.
Emergency food stamp allotment issuance may not be authorized until
grocery stores are open and operating.
(2) Authorize
the use of USDA-donated foods for emergency mass feeding during domestic
emergency and repatriation activities.
(3) Provide
liaison with the Agricultural Marketing Service and Farm Service Agency on
procurement of food.
(4) Maintain
a record of current inventories of USDA-donated food held in State-owned or
commercial warehouses.
(5) Provide leadership to
the Federal Response Plan under Emergency Support Function #11, Food, and
support to other Emergency Support Functions, as required, at the national and
regional levels.
(6) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards, two copies
of records and procedures for operating Food and Nutrition Service emergency
programs. Emergency records will be
filed at the State Farm Service Agency office and Emergency Operations Center.
11 UNDER SECRETARY FOR FOOD
SAFETY
The Under Secretary for Food
Safety will administer the functions relating to the inspection for the safety
and wholesomeness of meat and meat products, poultry and poultry products and
egg products.
a Food Safety and Inspection Service will:
(1) Inspect meat and meat products and poultry and poultry
products and egg products in slaughtering and processing plants, subject to
continuous inspection by the Food Safety and Inspection Service to assure their
safety and wholesomeness.
(2) Assist the Food and Drug Administration in the inspection of
other food products to assure their safety and wholesomeness.
(3) Develop plans and procedures for radiological emergency
response in accordance with the FRERP.
(4) Provide support as required, to the Federal Response Plan at
the national and regional levels.
(5) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards two copies
of records and procedures for operating Food Safety and Inspection Service
emergency programs. Emergency records
will be filed at the State Farm Service Agency Office and Emergency Operations
Centers.
(6) FSIS is the Lead Agency for nuclear emergencies.
12 UNDER SECRETARY FOR
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT
The Assistant Secretary for Natural
Resources and Environment will administer functions concerning agricultural
lands, water (except for agricultural production and food processing, which is
assigned to the Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services),
national forest system and other forests, forest products, State and private
forestry, and rural fire prevention.
a Forest
Service will:
(1) Prevent and control fires in rural areas in cooperation with
State, local and native governments and appropriate Federal Departments and
Agencies.
(2) Determine damage to national forests and other forests
resulting from an emergency.
(3) Plan and implement, when necessary, emergency protection and
utilization of national forest timber, range, water (except as noted under the
Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service), and related
resources.
(4) Plan and implement emergency production and utilization of
timber and timber products in cooperation with other Federal Departments and
Agencies and State forestry organizations.
(5) Determine and report requirements for equipment, personnel,
fuels, chemicals, and other materials needed for carrying out assigned
activities.
(6) Conduct research in support of emergency operations relating
to the management and utilization of forest resources and rural fire
protection.
(7) Detect, evaluate, and suppress forest insect and disease
outbreaks on national forests, all other Federal lands and, in cooperation with
State Agencies, on State and private lands.
(8) Install emergency measures for runoff retardation and soil
erosion prevention on national forest and safeguard life and property on and
downstream from watershed lands suddenly damaged by fire, flood, and other
disasters. Assist State Foresters, or other State or local agencies, in
installing emergency measures in approved projects on other forest lands.
(9) Furnish personnel and equipment for search and rescue work and other emergency measures on national forests and on other lands where a temporary lead role, will reduce suffering or loss, of life.
(10) Determine which Forest Service facilities, including access to
sanitation and water supply, are suitable for emergency housing or relocation
of evacuees.
(11) Keep the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and Management,
apprised of all activities relating to National and Regional Response Teams for
Oil and Hazardous Substance Pollution.
(12) Provide leadership to the Federal Response Plan under Emergency
Support Function #4, Firefighting, and support to the Emergency Support
Functions, as
at the national and regional levels.
(13) Allocate and assign radio frequencies for use by Agencies and
staff offices of USDA. Operate
emergency radio
communications systems in support of local,
regional, and national firefighting teams.
(14) Develop and administer plans, with the Farm Service Agency and
the Natural Resources Conservation Service, for the priority use of water for
agricultural production and food processing within the emergency water plans
developed by the Department of Defense, United States Army Corps of Engineers.
(15) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards, two copies
of records and procedures for operating Forest Service emergency programs. Emergency records will be filed at the State
Farm Service Agency offices and Emergency Operations Centers.
b Natural Resources Conservation Service will:
(1) Provide technical assistance to individuals, communities, and
governments relating to:
(a) Proper use of land for agricultural production.
(b) Application or restoration of conservation practices or
measures necessary to control or reduce erosion and runoff and improve water
quality.
(c) Suitability, conservation, disposal, and control of
agricultural water in rural areas including water supply forecasting, emergency
flood rehabilitation, and protection for highways.
(2) Provide assistance in determining the extent of damage to
agricultural land and water, estimating the types of emergency work needed.
(3) Assist local and state sponsors to install emergency measures
in approved projects within authorized programs.
(4) Provide information and materials (soil maps and reports) on
watershed projects, river basin studies, and resource conservation and
development projects.
(5) Provide available Agency equipment for use during an
emergency.
(6) Provide support to the Federal Response Plan under Emergency
Support Function #3, Public Works and Engineering, at the national and regional
levels.
(7) Develop and administer plans, with the Farm Service Agency
and the Forest Service, for the priority use of water for agricultural
production and food processing within the emergency water plans developed by
the Department of Defense, United States Army Corps of Engineers subject to
existing private water rights or allocations for environmental related
purposes.
(8) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State and County Emergency Boards, two copies of records and procedures for operating Natural Resources Conservation Service emergency programs. Emergency records will be filed at the State and county Farm Service Agency offices and Emergency Operations Centers.
13 UNDER SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION
AND ECONOMICS
The Under Secretary for
Research, Education and Economics will administer informational and educational
services, conduct agricultural research, coordinate research conducted by
cooperating State research institutions, administer program to estimate suppres
of agricultural commodities and evaluate requirements thereof, coordinate
damage assessment, maintain food and agricultural statistics, and coordinate
energy programs.
a
Agricultural Research Service will:
(1) Identify the informational requirements that can be obtained
through agricultural research and take the steps necessary to satisfy those
requirements.
(2) Develop and carry out all necessary research programs and
provide technical support for emergency programs and activities in the areas of
planning, prevention, detection, treatment, and management of consequences.
(3) Conduct market quality and facilities research on matters
relating to emergency responsibilities.
(4) Provide technical support for the development of guidance
information on the effects of radiation, biological, and chemical agents on
agriculture.
(5) Develop and maintain a current inventory of Agricultural
Research Service controlled laboratories that can be mobilized on short notice
for emergency testing of food, feed, and water safety.
(6) Provide technical support for the development of guidance
information on the most efficient procedures for producing, processing,
storing, and distributing agricultural commodities under emergency programs.
(7) Provide biological, chemical, and
radiological safety support for USDA.
b Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension
Service will:
(1) Coordinate use of land-grant and other cooperating State
college and university services in carrying out all emergency programs
responsibilities.
(2) Encourage research by these institutions to support all
emergency programs responsibilities.
(3) Administer informational and educational services covering:
(a) Farmers, other rural residents, and the food and agricultural
industries on emergency needs and conditions.
(b) Vulnerability of crops and livestock to the effects of
hazardous agents (biological, chemical, and radiological).
(c) Technology for emergency agricultural production.
(4) Maintain a close working relationship with local news media
through the Cooperative Extension System.
(5) Provide guidance on the most efficient procedures to assure
continuity and restoration of an agricultural technical information system
under emergency conditions.
(6) Provide support as required to the Federal Response Plan
under Emergency Support Function #5, Information and Planning, at the national
and regional levels.
(7) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State and County Emergency Boards
two copies of records and procedures for operating Cooperative State Research,
Education and Extension Service emergency programs. Emergency records will be filed at the State and county Farm
Service Agency offices and Emergency Operations Centers.
c Economic Research
Service will:
(1) Evaluate requirements for agricultural
commodities in cooperation with appropriate USDA Agencies.
(2) Determine the economics of production capacity and adjustment
potentials for agricultural commodities.
(3) Analyze the economics and background data on needs for and
substitution possibilities of domestic and foreign farm production inputs and
marketing services.
(4) Recommend basic food allocations for major food claimants on
the basis of estimates of supplies and requirements.
(5) Review economic stabilization proposals affecting food and
agriculture and recommend a USDA position relative to economic stabilization
and rationing.
(6) In cooperation with the Rural Business-Cooperative Service
and other Agencies, analyze the rural development problems and opportunities in
affected rural regions as part of the process of developing strategies to
respond to the effects of an emergency.
d National Agricultural Statistics Service will:
(1) Obtain and supply official, objective
USDA statistics on the condition, production, supply, and inputs relative to
agricultural commodities.
(2) Develop procedures for emergency damage
assessment at the State, regional and national levels.
(3) Coordinate the national level damage
assessment on resources for which USDA is responsible.
(4) Provide for objective review of county and State levels, USDA
Damage Assessment Reports in support of the USDA State Emergency Boards.
(5) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State Emergency Boards, two copies
of records and procedures for operating
National Agriculture Statistics Service emergency
programs. Emergency records will be filed
at the State Farm Service Agency offices and Emergency Operations Centers.
14 UNDER SECRETARY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT
The Under
Secretary for Rural Development will administer rural credit, and financial
assistance programs, including emergency assistance pursuant to section
9b(2)(b).
a Rural
Business-Cooperative Service
The Rural
Business-Cooperative Service will, in cooperation with other government
Agencies at all levels: promote economic development in affected rural areas by
developing strategies that respond to the conditions created by an emergency;
provide financial aid for needed community facilities; and provide business
development assistance.
b Rural
Housing Service
The Rural Housing Service will
administer loan and grant programs for housing and community facilities to aid
the development of rural communities.
The agency will assist the Department of Housing and Urban Development
by providing living quarters in unoccupied rural housing in an emergency
situation.
c Rural Utilities Service will:
(1) Assist Rural Utilities Service (RUS) financed rural
electric and telephone cooperatives and companies with technical assistance or
loan assistance when necessary for restoration of service.
(2) Provide guidance and assistance to RUS water and
waste disposal borrowers and eligible applicants.
(3) Provide support to the Federal Response Plan under Emergency
Support Function # 1 2, Energy, at the national level.
Note: RUS electric, telecommunications, and water
and waste disposal programs are on-going programs, not disaster assistance or
emergency programs.
15 UNDER SECRETARY FOR
MARKETING AND REGULATORY PROGRAMS
The Under Secretary for Marketing
and Regulatory Programs will administer functions relating to the protection of
livestock, poultry, crops, and products thereof, from diseases, pests, and
hazardous agents (biological, chemical, and radiological); utilization or
disposal of livestock and poultry exposed to radiation; grading and
certification of food quality; reporting of price and volume information of
agricultural commodities on commercial markets; procurement of food; and
petitioning for reduced freight rates for the movement of feed and livestock
following an emergency.
a Agricultural
Marketing Service will:
(1) Procure food commodities.
(2) Collect, compile and disseminate price and volume information
on agricultural commodities on commercial markets.
(3) Assure the wholesomeness of agricultural products and
commodities owned by the Commodity Credit Corporation.
(4) Develop specifications, write contracts, and perform
acceptance activities of food.
(5) Grade and certify food commodities for
quality.
(6) Assist in obtaining railroad freight rate reductions to
facilitate the movement of feed supplies to areas affected by an emergency, or
livestock from such areas to other areas where adequate pasture of forage
exists.
b Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will:
(1) Protect livestock, poultry, crops, biological resources, and
products thereof, from diseases, pests, and hazardous agents (biological,
chemical, and radiological). Assess the
damage to agriculture of any such introduction.
(2) Coordinate the utilization and disposal of livestock and
poultry exposed to hazardous agents (biological, chemical and radiological).
(3) Coordinate activities to protect the purity, safety, potency,
and effectiveness of veterinary biologics in interstate commerce.
(4) Regulate interstate movements of imported animals and plants
and their products and make inspections at ports of entry.
(5) Determine the report requirements for equipment, chemical and
other materials needed to support assigned programs.
(6) Cooperate with officials of the U.S. Customs Service and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service to facilitate the clearance of returning
noncombatant evacuees through ports of entry and the return of military
personnel through preclearance or other clearance procedures.
(7) Provide support, as required, to the
Federal Response Plan at the national and regional levels.
(8) Furnish Chairpersons, USDA State
Emergency Boards two copies of records and procedures for operation of Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service emergency programs. Emergency records will be filed at the State
Farm Service Agency offices and Emergency Operations Centers.
16 ASSISTANT
SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION
As noted in Section 7c, the
Assistant Secretary for Administration, in addition to directing and
coordinating USDA administrative management and support services, also serves
as the senior preparedness officer for USDA and has been delegated authority by
the Secretary of Agriculture to direct and manage emergency programs for
national security, natural disaster, technological, and other emergencies. The Assistant Secretary for Administration
has further delegated to the Director, Office of Crisis Planning and
Management, authority to direct and manage the emergency programs operations.
a Office of Crisis Planning, and Management will:
(1) Provide the primary contact to the Federal Emergency
Management Agency and all other Federal Departments and Agencies on national
security, natural disaster (with the exception of Food and Nutrition Service
and the Forest Service), or technological, and other emergencies.
(2) Provide leadership, guidance, direction, coordination, and
support of all USDA emergency programs and related activities.
(3) Provide guidance to USDA Agencies in carrying out their
emergency assignments.
(4) In accordance with Federal Preparedness Circular (FPC) 65,
provide USDA-wide guidance and direction to ensure that the Headquarters USDA
maintains a viable COOP Plan to assure continuity of essential departmental
functions under all circumstances that may disrupt normal operations. Planning must be maintained at a high level
of readiness, with and without warning, operational within 12 hours after
activation, sustainable up to 30 days, and take maximum advantage of existing
agency field infrastructures for emergency relocation sites. Elements of a COOP Plan are: (Refer to FPC
65 for further details)
a. Essential Functions and the personnel and resources needed
to perform them during an emergency.
b. Delegations of Authority are maintained and prepositioned at
designated sites for making policy decisions.
Any limitations to authorities are clearly stated. Circumstances under which delegated
authorities become effective are clearly indicated as well as when they
terminate.
c. Orders of Succession need to be established and maintained
for key leadership positions and geographical dispersion is encouraged. Orders
of Succession should be by position title, rather than by name.
d. Alternate Facilities must be designated and prepared to
support operations in a threat-free environment for up to 30 days. Facilities may be part of an agency
infrastructure or from external sources.
e. Interoperable Communications is the key to the success of an
agency's operations at an alternate site.
It is dependent upon the availability and redundancy of critical
communications systems. Agencies should
explore the entire spectrum of communications media available to ensure the
ability to communicate internally and externally.
f. Vital Records and Databases must be
protected and readily available.
Electronic and hard copy documents, references, records, and information
systems needed to support essential functions must be pre-positioned at
alternate sites. Agency personnel must
have access to and be able to use these records and systems in conducting their
essential functions.
g Tests, Training and Exercises are essential to demonstrating
and improving the ability of agencies to execute their COOP Plans. Ensures that effected personnel are trained
to perform their emergency duties.
(5) Provide for the maintenance of emergency operating facilities
and emergency operating records, and assurance of their continued state of
readiness.
(6) Assure that each member of the National Emergency Management
Team has an appropriate security clearance.
(7) Provide guidance and direction to the Chairpersons, State
Emergency Boards, and, as appropriate, the Chairpersons, County Emergency
Boards, with regard to emergency programs.
(8) Represent USDA in agriculture-related
international civil emergency planning and related activities.
(9) Provide the primary USDA representation
on antiterrorism activities.
(10) Assign specific emergency responsibilities and, as appropriate,
request USDA Agencies to represent USDA at selected meetings.
(11) Manage the Emergency Operations Center.
(12) Provide overall leadership and coordination of the USDA
emergency response structure in support of the Federal Response Plan at all
levels.
b Office of Operations will:
(1) Provide staff support for space management, supply and property
management for emergency office space and fallout shelters.
(2) Provide transportation for the National Emergency Management
Team to assigned emergency operating facilities, when required.
(3) Provide physical security at the national headquarters complex.
c Office of
Human Resources Management will:
(1) Provide leadership, policy guidance, program formulation, and
management direction relating to personnel matters.
(2) Establish procedures for readiness and postattack actions
covering recruitment, appointment, and staffing.
(3) Advise employees, who do not have emergency assignments, of
actions to take if their regular duty stations are not in operation due to a
national security emergency.
17 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
ECONOMIST
The Chief Economist, in
support of the Senior USDA Emergency Coordinator, will execute an internal review
process for crop and livestock loss estimates for analytical consistency. Differences among agency assessments will be
reconciled by the Chief Economist and the Senior USDA Emergency Coordinator
prior to submission to the Secretary.
18
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR CONGRESSIONAL
RELATIONS
The Assistant Secretary for
Congressional Relations will provide liaison between USDA and the
Congress. The Office of
Intergovernmental Affairs will provide liaison between USDA and other federal
agencies, with regional, state, and local officials, and will coordinate with
congressional relations on matters affecting agriculture.
19 OFFICE OF THE CHIEF
FINANCIAL OFFICER
The Office of the Chief Financial Officer will
provide policy guidance on fiscal matters
relating to emergency assignments made to the Secretary of Agriculture, and
establish procedures to finance emergency program activities for administrative
and project costs. The Chief Financial
Officer will:
a maintain the payroll, administrative payments, financial
accounting; and,
b maintain other administrative functions.
20 OFFICE
OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL
The Office of the General Counsel
will provide legal advice, review, and assistance on emergency programs related
actions and elements of proposed legislation relating to emergency program
responsibilities.
21 OFFICE
OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Office of Inspector General
will, as appropriate, recommend improvements in planning, development, and
execution of emergency programs and provide security for designated officials.
22 OFFICE
OF COMMUNICATIONS
The Office of Communications
will provide policy direction, review, and coordination of all information
programs; maintain the flow of information, and provide liaison between USDA
and the mass communication media, State and local governments, and the public;
and participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency Joint Information
Center during emergencies.
23 OFFICE OF THE CLIEF
INFORMATION OFFICER
a Provide USDA representation to the National Communications
System (NCS) Committee of Principals in support of Executive Order 12472.
b Coordinate telecommunications priority services which cannot
be restored by normal procedures with the NCS.
c Provide secure telephone communications policy guidance and
assistance to USDA Agencies and staff offices nationwide under guidelines
identified by the National Security Agency (NSA).
d Coordinate emergency relocation of USDA's major computer
centers.
24 OFFICE OF BUGET AND
PROGRAM ANALYSIS
The Office of Budget and Program
Analysis will provide policy guidance on budget matters covering all emergency
program assignments made to the Secretary of Agriculture, including procedures
for budgeting and funding of administrative and project costs.
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