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FEMA Helps Mississippi Preserve Important Architectural Properties

BILOXI, Miss. — As part of an innovative agreement between federal, state, local and tribal officials, 29 historic properties lost during Katrina have been commemorated with cast aluminum markers.

“We thought it especially important to have sketches of the destroyed buildings on the markers,” said Kenneth P’Pool, deputy state historic preservation officer of the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. “It gives people an appreciation of what was lost. Some of these illustrations are the last examples of architectural styles on the Coast.”

The wooden Church of the Redeemer was a prime example of the Carpenter Gothic style. The engraving of a bell tower in front of it depicts one from a newer church built in 1891. The bell tower was the only part of that structure to survive Hurricane Camille in 1969.

It is a challenge for communities to protect historic properties during and after a disaster. They need to protect the health and safety of citizens – for example, by removing large amounts of disaster debris in a timely manner – while preserving the integrity of a historic site.

The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effects their projects may have on historic properties. The agencies must review background information and consult with the State Historic Preservation Officer, Tribal Historic Preservation Officer and other knowledgeable sources. In many cases, further surveys and studies are needed to make a final determination on how or if to proceed. The review process can take several weeks—even months, which may not be in the interest of public safety.

To expedite removal of massive amounts of debris after Hurricane Katrina for public health and safety, FEMA entered into an agreement with several agencies to streamline the process. Partners included the Mississippi State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI); Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) and Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).

Using GPS data, FEMA’s Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation program surveyed historic districts, properties and archaeological sites in the lower Mississippi counties most affected by Katrina and created a database that will help emergency management officials in future disasters.

They also updated listings for the National Register of Historic Places, and found 58 archaeological sites that had not previously been identified.

“So much damage was done by Katrina that there was a great need to clean up the debris, but little time to enter into the proper consultation required by the National Historic Preservation Act,” said P’Pool.

“We now have a much better handle on the numbers, locations and types of historic properties and

where they’re distributed around the Gulf Coast. Having that knowledge provides us with an opportunity to make a much more rapid response in assessing damage to specific historic properties in the future.”

“It’s very rewarding to be part of an agreement that can be used as a model for other states,” said Cyril Baxter Mann, deputy environmental liaison officer for FEMA’s Historic Preservation program.

For its work after Katrina, FEMA received the Chairman’s Award for Federal Achievement from the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, in coordination with SHPO and other partners, for its innovative effort in creating the digitized database of historic properties.

In addition, for the Katrina recovery, FEMA’s EHP program reviewed more than 17,000 recovery projects for potential environmental and historic preservation issues. It also reviewed more than 13,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program applications for placement of in-ground shelters.

For more information on this agreement and FEMA archaeological specialists at work: view this video.

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FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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FEMA Helps Mississippi Preserve Important Architectural Properties

New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Named to National Register of Historic Places

DENTON, Texas — The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in partnership with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) are pleased to announce the new listing of New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places. The listing, approved by the National Park Service in late September, marks a major milestone for the community and those involved in the nomination process.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, FEMA surveyed the city of New Orleans to comply with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act which requires FEMA to consider the effects of its program grants on historic properties.

During the process, FEMA collaborated with community members, preservation organizations and the State Historic Preservation Officer to document the richness and cultural heritage of the city. In doing so, it became clear that many neighborhoods and districts might be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. In order to be considered, a property’s significance and integrity are reviewed and evaluated.

During the survey, FEMA identified Edgewood Park as a notable historic neighborhood that clearly met many of the eligibility requirements for consideration. The Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requested that FEMA officially nominate Edgewood Park to the National Register as one of the mitigation measures specified in the Hazard Mitigation Programmatic Agreement as a public benefit to the neighborhood, the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.

FEMA conducted extensive research and documentation over several years utilizing a team of historic preservation specialists and historic architects. SHPO provided feedback and input and a final nomination document was prepared and submitted in July 2014 to the state’s national Register Review Committee.

Developed in 1909, Edgewood Park appealed to residents due to its streetcar accessibility, bucolic nature, high natural elevation, new drainage systems, cement sidewalks and a short commute to downtown New Orleans.

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, some buildings in the southern end had floodwaters up to the eaves but the neighborhood, now nine years later, has recovered and retained its historical integrity. Today, Edgewood Park features many early to mid-20th century architectural styles.

“Edgewood Park’s official designation on the National Register of Historic Places is first and foremost, honorary, and it is a great privilege to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places,” said Jessica G. Richardson, National Register Coordinator for the Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation. “Additionally, there are benefits associated with listing on the National Register including eligibility for certain Federal and State tax incentives, a Restoration Tax Abatement Program, and the ability to apply for grants when they are available,” continued Richardson. “Edgewood Park’s listing on the National Register does not restrict the use of a property.”

FEMA continues to collaborate with local and state officials, community members and preservations groups to ensure that all revitalization projects comply with federal and state laws by exploring ways to avoid, minimize and offset any negative effects to properties listed on the National Register.

For more information on this district and the wealth of historic resources in the State of Louisiana, visit SHPO’s website at http://www.crt.state.la.us/cultural-development/historic-preservation/index. or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Louisiana-Office-of-Cultural-Development/….

You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources. For more information, visit http://www.nps.gov/nr/.

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New Orleans’ Edgewood Park Named to National Register of Historic Places

One Year After Historic Colorado Flooding: Disaster Unified Review Team Expedites Environmental Recovery

DENVER – One year after devastating historic flooding, a team of specialized recovery partners is working together in a unified approach to environmental and historic preservation. The top objective of the team is to help expedite long-term recovery in the Centennial State – and in ways that will also benefit recovery after future disasters.

As part of their ongoing partnership in recovery with the State of Colorado, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) branch initiated a Disaster Unified Review Team (DURT). The team was developed as a think tank of local, state and federal partners working to identify measures for creating an easement for environmental and historic resource preservation regulatory requirements. The main priority of the DURT is to enhance and simplify the creation, review and maintenance of environmental and historic preservation documents.

FEMA Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Dan Alexander established the role of the Environmental and Historic Preservation Advisor to lead the team, which is comprised of federal and state partners, including the: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDoT); Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA); Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW); Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB); Federal Highway Administration (FHWA); Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS); State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); U.S. Department of the Interior (DoI); U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA); U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS); and U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).

“This kind of unified approach we are taking is critical to a full, successful recovery here – and our mission will go a long way in helping to lay the groundwork for recovery after future disasters in any community,” said Federal Disaster Recovery Coordinator Alexander. “When multiple agencies work hand-in-hand, sharing an engaged role in the recovery process, a whole community naturally grows, and the momentum that is built can help better sustain recovery for the long-term.”

All of the partner agencies are involved on multiple levels. Some highlight potential upcoming hurdles or challenges, while others facilitate environmental data exchange or contribute technical advisory support.

The team has already made great strides in its top priority, which is to harmonize records for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. In one initiative, an online GeoPlatform was established as a secure utility for sharing geospatial data among DURT partners. The tool is called the DURT Viewer. It is being used to depict project areas and classifications among various partners and agencies. This includes project locations, descriptions, impacted areas, dollar amounts and revisions. This project information is then overlaid with environmental and historic resource data, which is also being shared. Using the shared data allows for greater efficiency in identifying areas with high federal grant program investment. This aspect is critical in streamlining areas with the greatest need for NEPA documentation, or other higher level environmental focus.

The team is also focused on Programmatic Environmental Assessments (PEAs). PEAs can help expedite funding for disaster-related debris in streams, and repair of roads, bridges, trails and other elements of the infrastructure. For instance, in the town of Jamestown, Colo., review is underway to assess disaster-related repairs and expansion or relocation of damaged infrastructure. The document that has been produced by FEMA’s EHP branch will remain on file where it will be retrievable to help cover baseline NEPA documentation in the event of future disasters in the town of Jamestown. The PEA for roads, bridges and trails was written to address damage caused by the 2013 flooding, but can be applied to future events in Colorado. It is intended to help streamline the ability of local municipalities to qualify for federal funding, while at the same time promoting the development of more resilient projects.

The unified approach of the DURT team is just one of the many highlights of the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act, which President Obama signed into effect on January 29, 2013.

The DURT team will continue to meet monthly as steady progress in recovery continues in Colorado.

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One Year After Historic Colorado Flooding: Disaster Unified Review Team Expedites Environmental Recovery

The Role Of FEMA’s Environmental And Historic Preservation Unit In A Disaster

TRENTON, N.J. — From Liberty State Park in North Jersey to Lucy the Elephant at the Shore, the state has a wealth of historic sites along the coast that have weathered the whims of Mother Nature for many years. Some, like Lucy, are more than 100 years old.

These important historic sites require protection both before and after a disaster, when any damage that has occurred needs to be repaired in a historically and environmentally sound way.

FEMA’s Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation Cadre (EHP) plays a critical role in helping municipalities and agencies understand the importance of compliance with environmental and cultural regulations so they may make informed planning decisions when repairing or rebuilding a damaged historic site.

EHP provides expertise and technical assistance to FEMA staff, local, state and federal partners, and applicants who are tasked with the challenge of preserving historic, cultural and natural aspects of our national heritage. They help applicants understand what is required under the law and how best to meet these requirements.

FEMA’s goal is to ensure that when FEMA funding is to be made available for the restoration of historic sites, all applicable federal, environmental and cultural statutes are identified and met.

The EHP program integrates the protection and enhancement of a state’s environmental, historic and cultural resources into FEMA’s mission, programs and activities.

Typical environmental and historic preservation laws and executive orders that may apply to an historic restoration project include the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and floodplains, wetlands and federal executive orders such as Environmental Justice. Also included are state historic preservation offices.

In a continuing partnership with local and state governments, FEMA seeks, through funding grants, to help states recover from a presidentially declared disaster and EHP is careful to advise all applicants to recognize environmental concerns in order to avoid project delays and permit denials while preserving and minimizing effects on New Jersey’s environmental and historic resources.

Follow FEMA online at www.fema.gov/blog, www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Also, follow Administrator Craig Fugate’s activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema.

The social media links provided are for reference only. FEMA does not endorse any non-government websites, companies or applications.

The Role Of FEMA’s Environmental And Historic Preservation Unit In A Disaster