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For over 30 yrs Bamaco's
environmental personnel have been steadily protecting the environment and
saving the planet all for people like you. Bamaco’s far superior
environmentalists are ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. Bamaco
follows strict guidelines provided by FEMA:
Frequently Asked Questions
Environmental Responsibilities
www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/index.shtm
Q: How does FEMA prevent hazardous materials from spreading during debris
removal?
A: FEMA ensures that debris management operations comply with State and
Federal Clean Air Act requirements. Debris is carefully inspected prior to
removal. Hazardous materials are segregated and disposed of in designated
landfills, which are federally regulated. Non-hazardous debris is recycled
whenever possible. Debris from building demolitions that cannot be recycled
is transported to construction landfills. Debris consisting of trees and
vegetation is either chipped for mulch or burned in incinerators.
Q: How does FEMA take environmental considerations into account during
cleanup and restoration efforts?
A: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires Federal agencies
to consider the environmental impacts of their proposed actions, and
reasonable alternatives to those actions, as part of the decision making
process. NEPA’s “emergency procedures,” as well as those of other
environmental laws, enable FEMA to ensure regulatory compliance without
delaying the delivery of disaster assistance to individuals and communities.
Q: How does FEMA oversee these environmental programs in areas affected by
disasters?
A: FEMA deploys environmental specialists in hazardous materials,
endangered species, wetlands, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA),
and other issues to affected areas to ensure environmental compliance in
recovery efforts. An Environmental/Historic Preservation Advisor in the
Joint Field Offices (JFOs) oversees environmental operations in affected
States.
Q: How is FEMA addressing environmental health issues, and particularly,
their impact on low-income and minority populations?
A: FEMA is responsible for compliance with Environmental Justice Executive
Order #12898 and is careful to assure that emergency response and
recovery operations, such as establishing temporary housing and removing
debris, do not have disproportionately high adverse impacts on the health
and safety of low-income and minority populations. Of particular concern is
the potential exposure to toxic materials, unclean water, or unhealthy
conditions.
Q: How do FEMA’s environmental responsibilities compare to those of the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Coast Guard?
A: FEMA’s environmental responsibilities relate specifically to activities
funded under the Robert T. Stafford Act. The EPA and Coast Guard have
distinct environmental missions.
The EPA provides technical assistance regarding management of contaminated
debris. It also conducts environmental testing to determine levels of
hazardous substances. For example, the EPA is collecting and analyzing air,
water, and soil data to determine potential contamination levels in New
Orleans. FEMA is coordinating the data with the U.S. Department of Health &
Human Services (HHS), and State and local public health officials. Local
jurisdictions use these Federal analyses to determine which areas are safe.
The mission of the U.S. Coast Guard is to protect the public, the
environment, and U.S. economic interests in the nation’s ports and
waterways. For example, the U.S. Coast Guard has been working to restore
services to merchant mariners in the New Orleans area. The EPA and U.S.
Coast Guard have also responded to oil and hazardous substance spills in the
disaster area.
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