Bastrop Cty, TX, March 2, 2012 - An endangered Houston toad recovered from a debris pile after a wildfire
Archaeologists survey land near Bayou St. John in New Orleans.
This page provides Tribal, State, and Local Officials as well as residents with information on the Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Program in FEMA Region 6.
About R6 Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP)
The Region 6 Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) Office assists communities in responding to and recovering from disasters. Potential impacts to the environment and cultural resources must be considered when a community applies for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding through Public Assistance (PA), Hazard Mitigation Assistance, and the Grants Program Directorate.
FEMA is responsible for making determinations and consulting with other agencies to ensure compliance with all applicable environmental and historic preservation, laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. However, as federal grant recipients, you are responsible for compliance with any project requirements and for obtaining all necessary permits related to project implementation. We are here to help you understand and comply with the law, as well as assist in expediting the process for permits and clearances.
Projects requiring an environmental review must be documented and approved prior to initiating any construction or repair. Non-compliance with federal, state or local laws can delay and jeopardize reimbursement and issuance of federal funds.
We understand that the responsibilities you have in preparing for and recovering from disaster can be extensive, but early coordination on these issues encourages better planning and better projects. The documents below are provided to assist FEMA Region6 grant applicants navigate the EHP review process.
We are available to help you with all EHP requirements of the application process.
Please contact the Region 6 EHP Office at 940-383-7224.
Guidance
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) created a comprehensive national policy that requires federal agencies to undertake an assessment of the environmental effects of their proposed actions prior to making decisions. The Council on Environmental Quality published the following guide to inform citizens and organizations on their role in the NEPA process.
A Citizen’s Guide to the NEPA: Having Your Voice Heard - https://ceq.doe.gov/nepa/Citizens_Guide_Dec07.pdf
The National Historic Preservation Act defines the legal responsibilities of federal agencies with respect to the preservation and stewardship of historic properties. A key component of the Act is Section 106, which mandates that federal agencies take into account effects of their actions on historic properties. Section 106 encourages federal agencies to avoid and minimize adverse effects of their actions by taking into consideration the effects to historic properties. The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation published the following guide to inform citizens and organizations on their role in the Section 106 process.
Protecting Historic Properties: A Citizen’s Guide to Section 106 Review - //www.achp.gov/docs/CitizenGuide.pdf
Disaster Greensheets
The following Greensheets provide FEMA disaster recovery sub-applicants with guidance on the agency’s environmental and historic preservation review process. There are numerous environmental and historic preservation laws that may come into play when repairing disaster damaged infrastructure. Some projects will require consultation with appropriate state, federal, and/or tribal regulatory entities prior to approval of funding and initiation of construction. The information described here will help avoid any undue environmental and historic preservation roadblocks or funding delays.
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
EHP Fact Sheets
The following fact sheets describe the most common FEMA activity types that trigger EHP review. They include potential resource impacts, project information that assists in FEMA’s EHP review, timeframes for EHP review, and best practice case studies.
Minor Localized Flood Reduction and Drainage Improvement Projects
Perimeter Security Enhancements
Physical Security Enhancements
Placement of Temporary Housing Units (THUs) on Private and Commercial Sites
Property Acquisition and Structure Demolition for Open Space
Residential and Non-Residential Safe Rooms
Structural and Non-Structural Retrofitting of Existing Buildings and Facilities
Environmental Assessments
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is prepared for certain FEMA projects to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act. An EA is a concise public document that provides evidence and analysis for determining the extent of the impacts of a proposed action and reasonable alternative actions. FEMA will use the findings in an EA to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The following Region 6 EA writing tips will assist FEMA sub-applicants in preparing an EA that meets FEMA’s standards.
FEMA Region 6 Environmental Assessment Writing Tips: //www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/114284
Contact R6 EHP
Region VI EHP Office
Telephone: 940-383-7254