Proper Debris Management II

2 D I SAS T E R R ECOVE RY TODAY.COM On March 19, 2015 the FEMA Disaster Assistance Reform Act of 2015 (Bill H.R. 1471) was introduced to reauthorize the programs, policies and procedures of FEMA. The legislation was enacted to speed up and streamline recovery efforts, plus reduce costs. The act also provided reauthorization of FEMA to confirm accountability and Congressional oversight.4 Another significant change to the Public Assistance Program and how it is administered occurred when FEMA introduced the PA Redesign Playbook in June 2015. This new playbook utilizes Lean Management Principles5 whereby FEMA uses new processes and procedures in conjunction with new roles and responsibilities to administer the PA Program. As a result, much of the disasterrelated information and documentation required for PA funding will be needed earlier in the process (see Disaster Recovery Today Issue 4018 – Be Ready for the Next Disaster and the Public Assistance Process for guidance on pro-active preparation; https://tidalbasingroup.com/publications/ disaster-recovery-today/be-ready-for-thenext-disaster-and-the-public-assistanceprocess/). In January 2016 FEMA issued the first edition of the Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide (PAPPG)6 FP 104-009/2 whereby they combined all PA policy and procedures into one guide effective for all disasters declared after January 1, 2016. Recently FEMA again revised the PAPPG effective for all declarations after April 1, 2017. It is anticipated that the guide will be updated annually. SRIA authorizes Alternative Procedures for the PA Program as identified in section 428 of the Stafford Act. It is these amendments and policy changes, and how they apply to debris management that are discussed in this article. There were 17 provisions outlined in SRIA, most of which have been implemented as pilot programs. Guidance on the pilot program for debris removal was issued on June 28, 2013. This program is commonly referred to as the Debris Removal Program Alternative Procedures1 or Public Alternative Procedures Pilot Program for Debris Removal. Details on how this program affects recipients2 and subrecipients3 are explained later in the article. “The minimum requirements for debris removal work to be eligible did not change.”

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