Environmental and historic preservation (EHP) review is an important component of the federal assistance application process and benefits from close coordination between federal agencies and you, as an applicant. Federal agencies and applicants have similar roles in EHP reviews that involve information gathering, conducting analyses, and other documentation activities. Additionally, multiple funding agencies can provide assistance for the same project or group of projects. When this is the case, there may be opportunities to combine EHP reviews or otherwise share EHP information to reduce the burden on you and agencies. This page will help you to better understand how to coordinate with federal agencies to complete EHP reviews for your disaster recovery project.
After you have spoken to agency program staff and submitted your application, use the following questions to find information about how you can help expedite the environmental and historic preservation reviews for your project.
You should only fill out one agency form gathering environmental and historic preservation information for your project. Alert other agencies if you have already done so.
Visit the UFR Library for tools available to support Environmental and Historic Preservation reviews for disaster recovery projects.
What is My Role Throughout Disaster Recovery Planning and Disaster Recovery?
Your primary role is to provide information to the agencies from which you are seeking federal assistance or permits about your proposed disaster recovery project and its potential to affect natural and cultural resources.
- Notify each funding agency you are working with of all sources of funding sought or obtained for a proposed project, and provide copies of any existing EHP-related documentation relevant to a proposed project (this may include EHP-related documentation prepared for past or related projects).
- You should attend at least one applicant briefing and at least one funding agency program meeting after a disaster. Applicant briefings are held by the state, tribe, and/or Native Hawaiian organization to inform you of available assistance and eligibility requirements. Funding agency program meetings are an opportunity for you to learn about the necessary paperwork and steps to apply for federal assistance and the associated EHP reviews.
- Work with funding agency EHP Practitioners and staff to consider reasonable alternatives early in the development of your project that will allow you to consider options that may achieve the same results with minimal EHP review.
- Use the Applicant Checklist in Appendix D of the Applicant Guide to walk you through the application process and how to incorporate EHP reviews into project planning.
- Use the Project Information Request Checklist in Appendix C of the Applicant Guide to assist EHP Practitioners by providing accurate and complete project information.
Once your assistance has been awarded or approval has been granted, you must implement all applicable conditions and requirements related to your project (e.g., best management practices, monitoring of site conditions, or EHP mitigation).
What Are the Common EHP Requirements For My Project?
There are more than twenty federal EHP requirements (including laws, regulations, and Executive orders) that may be applicable to disaster recovery projects.
- Appendix B of the Applicant Guide lists and summarizes the typical federal EHP requirements that may be applicable to disaster recovery projects.
- Appendix E of the Applicant Guide provides additional detail on federal EHP requirements (e.g., consultation, permit, and approval requirements) applicable to funding agencies and describes the role of the funding agency, resource/regulatory agency, and applicant.
- UFR Fact Sheet for Applicants is a two-page fact sheet that provides an overview of EHP requirements and the UFR Process. The fact sheet also describes how applicants can support expedited EHP reviews and the UFR Process.
What Do I Need to Provide to Expedite the Review Process For My Project?
Typically, funding agencies request the following information regarding disaster recovery projects: purpose and need; location; property considerations; description of project scope of work; general documentation; photographs; funding sources; and permits. Appendix C of the Applicant Guide provides more details on each type of information typically required. Coordinate with your funding agencies to understand what information is specifically required, as additional information may be requested depending on your project’s scope of work.