This bill, titled the "Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act," authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator to waive or reduce specific environmental and historic preservation requirements. These waivers apply to projects involving property acquisition , structure demolition , or relocation that receive assistance under various hazard mitigation programs, including those from the Stafford Act and the National Flood Insurance Act. The purpose of these waivers is to streamline and accelerate the implementation of critical hazard mitigation efforts. Before exercising this waiver authority, the Administrator must conduct a consultation, lasting no more than 30 days, with appropriate State and local officials. Key considerations for granting a waiver include the project's role in community recovery, the potential for serious environmental issues, and the historic preservation value of the property. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress for five years, detailing the reasons for waivers, their impact on expediting projects, and recommendations for additional waiver authority from other environmental or historic preservation requirements.
This bill, titled the "Expediting Hazard Mitigation Assistance Projects Act," authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator to waive or reduce specific environmental and historic preservation requirements. These waivers apply to projects involving property acquisition , structure demolition , or relocation that receive assistance under various hazard mitigation programs, including those from the Stafford Act and the National Flood Insurance Act. The purpose of these waivers is to streamline and accelerate the implementation of critical hazard mitigation efforts. Before exercising this waiver authority, the Administrator must conduct a consultation, lasting no more than 30 days, with appropriate State and local officials. Key considerations for granting a waiver include the project's role in community recovery, the potential for serious environmental issues, and the historic preservation value of the property. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress for five years, detailing the reasons for waivers, their impact on expediting projects, and recommendations for additional waiver authority from other environmental or historic preservation requirements.