Environmental-Historic Preservation

• Environmental Directory –This Environmental Directory (Directory) contains summaries of applicable state and federal laws and regulations for project work associated with Public Assistance (PA) Grant Sub-awards associated with presidentially declared and gubernatorial proclaimed disasters. The purpose of this Directory is to provide an understanding of the environmental compliance requirements of both disaster protocols. The environmental regulations summarized herein are intended to convey a general understanding of their purpose only, for reference purposes. For detailed requirements and a list of regulations applicable to your project, please contact your local, state, or federal lead agency.

• Guidance for Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) for Emergency and Permanent Work- December 2023

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• Endangered Species Act Fact Sheet –There is a federal and a California Endangered Species Act (ESA) whose purposes are to conserve and sustain the habitats of and special status terrestrial, avian, and aquatic species. Special status species for either act is classified as either threatened (likely to become endangered in the future), or endangered (in danger of extinction throughout all or a portion of its range). Each ESA allows for the protection of “candidate species,” species for future consideration. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) administer the federal and state ESAs, respectively, in accordance with their 2015 Memorandum of Agreement.

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• Environmental Justice Fact Sheet – When assessing a project’s potential environmental justice impacts, two questions must be asked:
  • First, does the affected community include minority and/or low-income populations?
  • Second, are there projected adverse impacts to the community?

  Are the impacts disproportionately affecting minority and/or low-income members of these communities? If your answer to both questions is “yes,” mitigation measures or other methods to address these effects should be developed as part of the project.

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• Stream Erosion Fact Sheet – Streambank erosion occurs when heavy rainstorms increase their volume and velocity beyond the stream’s capacity. This results in floods that transport sediments, soils, and uprooted vegetation downstream impacting adjacent property owners.

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• Wetlands Protection Fact Sheet- Wetlands provide habitat for wildlife, recreational opportunities, flood protection, and improve water quality by filtering sediment. Wetlands also provide a home for many special status aquatic and terrestrial species protected by the Federal and California Clean Water and Endangered Species Acts.

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• EHP Applicant Guidance
• Environmental and Historic Preservation Jurisdictions Map
• EHP Tracking Questionnaire
• Work In Water Quick Guide

Under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (NHPA), historic properties are buildings, structures, sites, objects, and traditional cultural properties that are at least 50-years old (with exceptions).

• Historic Properties Fact Sheet

There are many aspects of disaster debris management following an earthquake, wildfire, and flood events. These are summarized in the Debris Management Fact Sheet and include: debris types, environmental laws associated with removing and disposing of them, and how the process can be streamlined.

Debris Management Resources Factsheet

• CDFW Lake and Streambed Alteration Program
• FEMA EHP Region IX Supplemental Environmental Assessment to the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Recurring Activities in Arizona, California, and Nevada

CA State Water Boards Programs:

• Water Boards Emergency Management Program
• General Waste Discharge Requirements for Disaster-Related Waste
• California Storm water Multiple Applications and Report Tracking System