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Debris from Hurricane Sandy is processed at Jacob Riis Park in Queens, N.Y. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers worked to clean and sort debris into piles for recycling or disposal.

State and local officials responsible for disaster planning and management should always keep abreast of changes in the Stafford Act, especially those related to reimbursement. Debris removal, for example, is one of the most expensive operations in a disaster recovery effort. To keep costs down, FEMA introduced four new alternative procedure pilot projects that offer financial incentives for localities to improve debris management and save the community money.

Changes to The Stafford Act: Debris Removal & Recycling Incentives

The Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 (SRIA) amends Title IV of the Stafford Act (Major Disaster Assistance Programs), representing a major attempt to push back against the rising cost of disaster recovery and spend disaster recovery funds more effectively. It was touted by FEMA as “the most significant legislative change to [its] substantive authorities since the enactment of the Stafford Act.”

Among 17 other alternative procedures for FEMA’s Public Assistance program, SRIA includes four specific debris removal alternative procedures:

• Accelerated Debris Removal–Increased Federal Cost Share (Sliding Scale): FEMA reimburses 85 percent of costs incurred during the first 30 days, 80 percent during the next 60 days, and 75 percent for the following 90 days. After 180 days, reimbursement is no longer provided without the approved request for an extension.
• Recycling Revenues: Applicants may retain revenues received through recycling eligible disaster debris. They may only use these funds for approved recovery-related projects, but it serves as another means to increase the amount reimbursed.
• Straight Time Force Account Labor: When subrecipients use their own labor forces to perform all or part of debris removal operations, FEMA will reimburse, at the appropriate cost share level, the base and overtime wages for existing employees and hiring of additional staff.
• Debris Management Plans: Communities with a pre-existing debris management plan approved by FEMA will receive a one-time 2 percent increase in debris removal reimbursement levels.

Local communities do not have to — and ideally should not — wait for a federally declared disaster event and an invitation from FEMA to participate in the pilot program. Successful participation is an incentive that rewards local communities for planning ahead, and then successfully executing those plans.

FEMA pilot programs were first implemented following the Oklahoma tornadoes in May 2013. Although the original timeframe has expired, FEMA has confirmed to IBTS that the programs have been extended and will continue to be extended as long as necessary.

Tips for Local Governments: Using FEMA’s Alternative Procedures

1. Create or update a FEMA-approved debris removal plan using the IBTS OnHAND Debris Management Plan Wizard. In addition to making you eligible for the one-time 2 percent increase in reimbursement level, this will help ensure a more rapid response and a higher level of FEMA reimbursement.
2. Before a disaster hits, plan ahead for debris recycling. Identify potential customers for recyclable material like scrap metal and woody debris. See IBTS’ Debris Recycling Guide and debris recycling tips for more information on debris recycling.
3. Train and certify key local personnel to be debris monitors during disaster recovery. This saves the community money and increases the level of local involvement. See more IBTS tips for accelerating debris removal.

Relevant legislation, policy or regulation: 

Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013. Pub. L. 113-2, div. B, Jan. 29, 2013