FLOOD04112

• County: Statewide
• Community: Nationwide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Desk Reference
• Date: 10/1/1999
• Prepared By: FEMA
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Historic FEMA Regulatory Floodplain Information

Section 8: Environmental Review

Consideration
of Extra-
ordinary
Circumstances
(Continued)

Environmental
Assessments
and
Environmental
Impact
. Statements

Coordinating
With Other
Agencies

Managing
States

NEPA
Compliance
Exception

e

Extraordinary circumstances address issues such as high public controversy, unusual
projects, or projects with a potential to affect critical or special status resources.

The levels of documentation required for various CATEXed actions are
shown in Job Aid 8-3. The REO is the approving official for CA TEXs.
The REO should be consulted regarding specific documentation
requirements and delegation of approval authority for certain levels of
CA TEXs.

'i'

Job Aid 8-3

If FEMA determines that a project does not qualify for a CA TEX, the FEMA Regional
Office, in coordination with the applicant and State, will prepare an analysis of impacts
called the Environmental Assessment (EA), to determine whether the proposed
project has potential to cause significant environmental impact.

If no significant impact is anticipated, FEMA will prepare a Finding of No Significant
Impact, signed by the REO in most regions.' If significant impact is anticipated, then
the State and FEMA will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement in coordination
with the FEMA Environmental Officer.

There are very specific EIS requirements identified in 44 CFR Part 10 and the Council
on Environmental Quality's regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508. An EIS is a much
more extensive evaluation of the impacts of the proposed project and all reasonable
altematives. Rigorous public involvement is required.

When an EA or EIS is prepared, FEMA coordinates affected Federal,
State, and local agencies and concemed groups. This coordination is
required by FEMA regulations 44 CFR 10.9(c), 10.10 and the Council
on Environmental Quality regulations 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508.

III

44 CFR 10.9(c)
and 10.10

e

In some cases, Managing States will undertake a greater role in the preparation of
EAs and EISs by conducting more extensive analysis and preparation of documents.
FEMA retains final approval authority.

IMth rare exception, actions initiated and/or completed without fulfilling the specific
documentation and procedural requirements of NEPA will not be considered for
funding. The rare exception might be actions that were initiated in an emergency
situation to prevent or reduce an immediate threat to life, health, properly, or severe
economic losses, if otherwise eligible.

The FEMA Regional Director will consult with the REO in such cases. Further
consultation with the FEMA Environmental Officer and the Council on Environmental
Quality may be necessary for a final decision.

IIn most regions, the REO has been delegated this authority; ifthere is no REO, then the FEMA EO at headquarters is the approving official for
EAs and E1Ss.

Page 8-4

e

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Desk Reference-Draft