82 FR 56984 - Notice of Utilization of Streamlined Procedures for Environmental Assessments Associated With Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 230 (December 1, 2017)
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 230 (December 1, 2017)
| Page Range | 56984-56985 | |
| FR Document | 2017-25933 |
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 230 (Friday, December 1, 2017)] [Notices] [Pages 56984-56985] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2017-25933] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency [Docket ID: FEMA-2017-0035 ] Notice of Utilization of Streamlined Procedures for Environmental Assessments Associated With Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate AGENCY: Federal Emergency Management Agency; Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As a result of recent unprecedented hurricanes, disasters have been declared for areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. Due to the catastrophic damages caused by these hurricanes, FEMA must have a more efficient and streamlined procedure for achieving compliance under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) during multiple, simultaneous, recovery missions for the provision of disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. After assessing the scale of current recovery operations, and identifying the critical need for timely rebuilding of the affected communities, FEMA, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, determined that exigent circumstances exist. As a result of these exigent circumstances, FEMA may utilize the streamlined procedures outlined in this notice for those activities that require an Environmental Assessment. ADDRESSES: For access to the docket to read background documents, go to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov and search for the docket ID. Documents may also be inspected at FEMA, Office of Chief Counsel, Room 8NE, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Katherine Zeringue, [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a result of unprecedented damages from 2017 Hurricane Season, federal disasters were declared for multiple areas affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate. Due to the catastrophic damages caused by these hurricanes, it is critical that FEMA create a more efficient and streamlined procedure for NEPA compliance for multiple, simultaneous, recovery missions and the provision of disaster assistance under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 4121 et seq., including Individual Assistance, Public Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. After assessing the scale of the recovery operations, and the need for the timely rebuilding of all of the affected communities, FEMA, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), determined that exigent circumstances exist. As a result of these exigent circumstances, FEMA may utilize streamlined procedures for those activities that require an Environmental Assessment (EA) under NEPA. The streamlined NEPA procedures may include any or all of the following: (1) The public involvement process for EAs associated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate may be condensed to more efficiently complete NEPA review [DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev 1 Section V.C (7)]. Public review and comment periods may vary depending upon the urgency of the action. FEMA may provide for a 3-day comment period for the following actions:Group Housing Sites Interim and/or temporary facilities for: [cir] Hospitals and health care facilities; [cir] schools and day care centers; [cir] utilities and wastewater treatment plants; [cir] police and fire stations; [cir] government and court facilities; [cir] detention centers and jailhouses; and [cir] transportation facilities. FEMA may provide for a 14-day comment period for all other actions associated with Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate. Public comments to the EAs can be submitted via phone or email. Specific contact information will be provided in each individual EA. (2) FEMA may favor electronic media rather than other forms of media for notifications to the public because traditional media may no longer be available to affected communities, take longer to prepare, or add additional cost. Electronic notifications may reach a broader audience, since affected communities may be displaced or away from their traditional access points for local information (such as the U.S. Postal Service or local libraries that may be affected by the disaster). FEMA will continue use of the Unified Federal Review for notification to Other Federal Agencies that may have an interest in a relevant project. (3) Unless other action alternatives are readily available, FEMA may focus EA level analysis and documentation on the ``No Action'' and ``Proposed Action'' alternatives (40 CFR 1508.9, Sec. 102; 42 U.S.C. 4332). FEMA's action is often to approve or deny requests for federal disaster assistance, from affected communities. This means that FEMA's ``Proposal'' or proposed action occurs when FEMA is considering a grant application or application for assistance. (4) FEMA may discuss resource areas in detail only if it determines that there is a potential impact to the resources, rather than following the procedure outlined in FEMA Instruction 108-1 Section 3.4(C)(4) that requires FEMA to address in detail the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Executive Order 11988, Executive Order 11990, and Executive Order 12898 in its EAs regardless of the potential for impact to these resources. These streamlined procedures will supersede the requirement in FEMA's Instruction and allow FEMA to identify, and eliminate from detailed study, the issues that are not significant (40 CFR 1501.7). The above changes, along with other internal efficiencies that FEMA may employ to comply with NEPA, such as document templates and analysis and reference tools, will allow FEMA to balance concise environmental reviews with open communication and the opportunity for meaningful public input in the decision making process. It also allows the public the opportunity to participate in FEMA's NEPA process and receive timely assistance and grants. FEMA acknowledges that the [[Page 56985]] 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season is still underway, and it may be necessary to re-issue this notification in the future. The changes FEMA may employ for the recovery efforts for Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate do not affect the requirements of any other environmental or historic preservation laws, regulations, or executive orders. This notice addresses FEMA's requirements under DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01 Rev 1 Sections V. C (7) and VII M (1- 3) and provides the public with sufficient notice of FEMA's intent to expedite federal assistance by reducing typical, but not required, public input timeframes. The Streamlined Procedures for Environmental Assessments under NEPA is available for reviewing at www.regulations.gov under FEMA-2017-0035. FEMA and DHS will post this notice and will provide any updates to the public on its Web sites at: https://www.fema.gov/fema-national-environmental-policy-act-streamlined-procedures and https://www.dhs.gov/national-environmental-policy-act. Authority: The authority for the streamlined procedures for Environmental Assessments under the NEPA is derived from DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01 Rev 1 Section V. C (7). Dated: November 22, 2017. Brock Long, Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency. [FR Doc. 2017-25933 Filed 11-30-17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9111-46-P
![56984 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 230 / Friday, December 1, 2017 / Notices
performance of the agency, including exist. As a result of these exigent Æ transportation facilities.
whether the information shall have circumstances, FEMA may utilize the FEMA may provide for a 14-day
practical utility; (b) evaluate the streamlined procedures outlined in this comment period for all other actions
accuracy of the agency’s estimate of the notice for those activities that require an associated with Hurricanes Harvey,
burden of the proposed collection of Environmental Assessment. Irma, Maria and Nate. Public comments
information, including the validity of ADDRESSES: For access to the docket to to the EAs can be submitted via phone
the methodology and assumptions used; read background documents, go to the or email. Specific contact information
(c) enhance the quality, utility, and Federal eRulemaking Portal at http:// will be provided in each individual EA.
clarity of the information to be www.regulations.gov and search for the (2) FEMA may favor electronic media
collected; and (d) minimize the burden docket ID. Documents may also be rather than other forms of media for
of the collection of information on those inspected at FEMA, Office of Chief notifications to the public because
who are to respond, including through Counsel, Room 8NE, 500 C Street SW., traditional media may no longer be
the use of appropriate automated, Washington, DC 20472. available to affected communities, take
electronic, mechanical, or other FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. longer to prepare, or add additional
technological collection techniques or cost. Electronic notifications may reach
Katherine Zeringue,
other forms of information technology, a broader audience, since affected
Katherine.zeringue@fema.dhs.gov.
e.g., permitting electronic submission of communities may be displaced or away
responses. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: As a result
of unprecedented damages from 2017 from their traditional access points for
Dated: November 27, 2017. Hurricane Season, federal disasters were local information (such as the U.S.
Tammi Hines, declared for multiple areas affected by Postal Service or local libraries that may
Acting Records Management Program Chief, Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and be affected by the disaster). FEMA will
Mission Support, Federal Emergency Nate. Due to the catastrophic damages continue use of the Unified Federal
Management Agency, Department of Review for notification to Other Federal
caused by these hurricanes, it is critical
Homeland Security. Agencies that may have an interest in a
that FEMA create a more efficient and
[FR Doc. 2017–25934 Filed 11–30–17; 8:45 am] relevant project.
streamlined procedure for NEPA
BILLING CODE 9110–4512–P
compliance for multiple, simultaneous, (3) Unless other action alternatives are
recovery missions and the provision of readily available, FEMA may focus EA
disaster assistance under the Robert T. level analysis and documentation on the
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND ‘‘No Action’’ and ‘‘Proposed Action’’
Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency
SECURITY alternatives (40 CFR 1508.9, Sec. 102; 42
Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. 4121 et seq.,
including Individual Assistance, Public U.S.C. 4332). FEMA’s action is often to
Federal Emergency Management
Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation approve or deny requests for federal
Agency
Assistance. After assessing the scale of disaster assistance, from affected
[Docket ID: FEMA–2017–0035 ] the recovery operations, and the need communities. This means that FEMA’s
for the timely rebuilding of all of the ‘‘Proposal’’ or proposed action occurs
Notice of Utilization of Streamlined when FEMA is considering a grant
affected communities, FEMA, in
Procedures for Environmental application or application for assistance.
consultation with the Department of
Assessments Associated With (4) FEMA may discuss resource areas
Homeland Security (DHS), determined
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and in detail only if it determines that there
that exigent circumstances exist. As a
Nate is a potential impact to the resources,
result of these exigent circumstances,
AGENCY: Federal Emergency FEMA may utilize streamlined rather than following the procedure
Management Agency; Department of procedures for those activities that outlined in FEMA Instruction 108–1
Homeland Security. require an Environmental Assessment Section 3.4(C)(4) that requires FEMA to
ACTION: Notice. (EA) under NEPA. The streamlined address in detail the Endangered
NEPA procedures may include any or Species Act (ESA), the National Historic
SUMMARY: As a result of recent all of the following: Preservation Act (NHPA), Executive
unprecedented hurricanes, disasters (1) The public involvement process Order 11988, Executive Order 11990,
have been declared for areas affected by for EAs associated with Hurricanes and Executive Order 12898 in its EAs
Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate may be regardless of the potential for impact to
Nate. Due to the catastrophic damages condensed to more efficiently complete these resources. These streamlined
caused by these hurricanes, FEMA must NEPA review [DHS Instruction Manual procedures will supersede the
have a more efficient and streamlined 023–01–001–01, Rev 1 Section V.C (7)]. requirement in FEMA’s Instruction and
procedure for achieving compliance Public review and comment periods allow FEMA to identify, and eliminate
under the National Environmental may vary depending upon the urgency from detailed study, the issues that are
Policy Act (NEPA) during multiple, of the action. FEMA may provide for a not significant (40 CFR 1501.7).
simultaneous, recovery missions for the 3-day comment period for the following The above changes, along with other
provision of disaster assistance under actions: internal efficiencies that FEMA may
the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief • Group Housing Sites employ to comply with NEPA, such as
and Emergency Assistance Act, • Interim and/or temporary facilities document templates and analysis and
including Individual Assistance, Public for: reference tools, will allow FEMA to
Assistance, and Hazard Mitigation balance concise environmental reviews
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Æ Hospitals and health care facilities;
Assistance. After assessing the scale of Æ schools and day care centers; with open communication and the
current recovery operations, and Æ utilities and wastewater treatment opportunity for meaningful public input
identifying the critical need for timely plants; in the decision making process. It also
rebuilding of the affected communities, Æ police and fire stations; allows the public the opportunity to
FEMA, in consultation with the Æ government and court facilities; participate in FEMA’s NEPA process
Department of Homeland Security, Æ detention centers and jailhouses; and receive timely assistance and
determined that exigent circumstances and grants. FEMA acknowledges that the
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![Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 230 / Friday, December 1, 2017 / Notices 56985
2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season is still This process is conducted in accordance OEC will use the information from the
underway, and it may be necessary to with 5 CFR part 1320. SCIP Template and Annual SCIP
re-issue this notification in the future. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, Snapshot to track the progress States are
The changes FEMA may employ for identified by docket number DHS– making in implementing milestones and
the recovery efforts for Hurricanes 2017–0059, by one of the following demonstrating goals of the NECP, as
Harvey, Irma, Maria and Nate do not methods: required through the Homeland Security
affect the requirements of any other • Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:// Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 572. The SCIP
environmental or historic preservation www.regulations.gov. Please follow the Template and Annual SCIP Snapshot
laws, regulations, or executive orders. instructions for submitting comments. will provide OEC with broader
This notice addresses FEMA’s • Email: SCIP@hq.dhs.gov. Please capability data across the lanes of the
requirements under DHS Instruction include docket number DHS–2017–0059 Interoperability Continuum, which are
Manual 023–01–001–01 Rev 1 Sections in the subject line of the message. key indicators of consistent success in
V. C (7) and VII M (1–3) and provides • Mail: Written comments and response-level communications.
the public with sufficient notice of questions about this Information In addition, the SCIP Template and
FEMA’s intent to expedite federal Collection Request should be forwarded the SCIP Snapshot will assist States in
assistance by reducing typical, but not to DHS/NPPD/CS&C/OEC, ATTN: 1670– their strategic planning for interoperable
required, public input timeframes. The 0017, 245 Murray Lane SW., Arlington, and emergency communications while
Streamlined Procedures for VA 20598–0640. demonstrating each State’s
Environmental Assessments under achievements and challenges in
Instructions: All submissions received
NEPA is available for reviewing at accomplishing optimal interoperability
must include the words ‘‘Department of
www.regulations.gov under FEMA– for emergency responders. Moreover,
Homeland Security’’ and docket number
2017–0035. FEMA and DHS will post certain government grants may require
DHS–2017–0059. Comments received
this notice and will provide any updates States to update their SCIP Templates
will be posted without alteration at
to the public on its Web sites at: https:// and SCIP Snapshot to include
http://www.regulations.gov, including
www.fema.gov/fema-national- broadband efforts in order to receive
any personal information provided.
environmental-policy-act-streamlined- funding for interoperable and
Comments submitted in response to
procedures and https://www.dhs.gov/ emergency communications.
this notice may be made available to the
national-environmental-policy-act. Statewide Interoperability
Authority: The authority for the public through relevant Web sites. For
this reason, please do not include in Coordinators (SWICs) will be
streamlined procedures for responsible for collecting this
Environmental Assessments under the your comments information of a
confidential nature, such as sensitive information from their respective
NEPA is derived from DHS Instruction stakeholders and governance bodies,
Manual 023–01–001–01 Rev 1 Section personal information or proprietary
information. If you send an email and will complete and submit the SCIP
V. C (7). Snapshots directly to OEC through
comment, your email address will be
Dated: November 22, 2017. automatically captured and included as unclassified electronic submission.
Brock Long, part of the comment that is placed in the The SCIP Template and Annual SCIP
Administrator, Federal Emergency public docket and made available on the Snapshot may be submitted through
Management Agency. Internet. Please note that responses to unclassified electronic submission to
[FR Doc. 2017–25933 Filed 11–30–17; 8:45 am] this public comment request containing OEC by each State’s SWIC in addition
BILLING CODE 9111–46–P any routine notice about the to being able to submit their respective
confidentiality of the communication SCIP Template and Annual SCIP
will be treated as public comments that Snapshot via email to SCIP@hq.dhs.gov.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND may be made available to the public OEC streamlined its annual SCIP
SECURITY notwithstanding the inclusion of the reporting process to obtain standard
routine notice. data to understand progress and
[Docket No. DHS–2017–0059] challenges in emergency
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
communications planning. OEC
Statewide Communication specific questions related to collection replaced the lengthier Annual Progress
Interoperability Plan Template and activities, please contact Richard Report with the SCIP Snapshot as a
Progress Report Tenney at 703–705–6281 or at SCIP@ reporting mechanism for States and
AGENCY: National Protection and hq.dhs.gov. territories for submitting SCIP progress,
Programs Directorate (NPPD), SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The DHS achievements and challenges. The data
Department of Homeland Security NPPD CS&C Office of Emergency collected is based on calendar year
(DHS). Communications (OEC), formed under reporting. The SCIP Snapshot also
ACTION: 60-Day notice and request for Title XVIII of the Homeland Security includes sections for States and
comments; revised collection, 1670– Act of 2002, 6 U.S.C. 571 et seq., is territories to report on the status of
0017. required, pursuant to 6 U.S.C. 572, to governance structures, progress towards
develop the National Emergency SCIP goals and initiatives, and overall
SUMMARY: The DHS NPPD Office of Communications Plan (NECP), which successes and challenges in advancing
Cybersecurity and Communications includes identification of goals, interoperable emergency
(CS&C) will submit the following timeframes, and appropriate measures communications.
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Information Collection Request to the to achieve interoperable This is a revised information
Office of Management and Budget communications capabilities. The collection. OMB is particularly
(OMB) for review and clearance in Statewide Communication interested in comments which:
accordance with the Paperwork Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Template 1. Evaluate whether the proposed
Reduction Act of 1995. and Annual SCIP Snapshot Report are collection of information is necessary
DATES: Comments are encouraged and designed to meet and support these for the proper performance of the
will be accepted until January 30, 2018. statutory requirements. functions of the agency, including
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Document Created: 2018-10-25 10:45:04
Document Modified: 2018-10-25 10:45:04
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice. | |
| Contact | Ms. Katherine Zeringue, [email protected] | |
| FR Citation | 82 FR 56984 |
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