Cal EMA News Blog

Friday, April 8, 2011

Cal EMA News Blog

FEMA’s Green Book Ensures Conformance with Environmental and Historic Preservation Laws

Posted: 08 Apr 2011 04:16 PM PDT

*The following news release was issued by Cal EMA and FEMA on Friday, April 8, 2011.*

Pasadena, CA- As public agencies in Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Tulare counties begin planning winter storm recovery projects funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) they will consider environmental and historic matters as well as contracting issues.

To be eligible for FEMA funding, the applicant must comply with various federal, state and local environmental and historic preservation laws and executive orders before recovery work begins. These laws and orders include the National Environmental Policy Act, the Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts and Executive Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management), 11990 (Wetland Protection) and 12898 (Environmental Justice).

Understanding the importance of protecting the habitat of threatened and endangered species and the significance of historic buildings and places could be a part of the recovery planning process as much as understanding the project’s authorized scope of work.

Projects funded by FEMA and Cal EMA to clean up damage and rebuild infrastructure following the severe winter storms, flooding, mud flows and debris flows that occurred between December 17, 2010, and January 4, 2011, will be guided by a “Green Book.”

The Green Book is a FEMA guide designed for the 12 counties included in President Obama’s Major Disaster Declaration. It is referenced by all FEMA and Cal EMA personnel and applicants for Public Assistance (PA) grants, and is intended to familiarize federal, state, tribal and local officials with the environmental and historic preservation requirements that may apply to their recovery work. It integrates the enhancement of the environment and protection of historic properties into the recovery process.

Just as work funded by PA grants is evaluated by FEMA project specialists for technical and financial considerations, most projects also are given a review by environmental and historic preservation specialists.

The Green Book catalogs plants, reptiles, invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals and amphibians found in the 12 declared counties that are federally listed as threatened or endangered species. Among those on the list are the coastal California gnatcatcher in San Diego County, the vernal pool ferry shrimp in Madera County, steelhead in Santa Barbara County, the San Joaquin kit fox in Kings County and the ash grey paintbrush in San Bernardino County.

It also identifies properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Mariposa County Court House in Mariposa County, Brea City Hall and Park in Orange County, Riverside Municipal Auditorium and Soldier’s Memorial Building in Riverside County, Felicita County Park Prehistoric Village Site in San Diego County and the Santa Barbara County Court House in Santa Barbara County.

To help California-based applicants in their efforts to comply with federal and state environmental and historic preservation laws, Cal EMA provides technical assistance and training on the environmental and historic review process.

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

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CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Friday, April 8, 2011

Cal EMA News Blog

Cal EMA News Blog

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