Chapter 7 › XIII.K Hazardous Materials

Will FEMA pay to clean up hazardous materials released by the disaster?

FEMA term

Hazardous materials (pollutants and hazardous substances)

Short answer

Yes. Separating, handling, stabilizing, pumping, cleaning up and disposing of hazardous materials are eligible, along with short-term testing to eliminate the immediate threat. Testing for long-term cleanup is not.

What FEMA requires

Comply with federal and state environmental requirements, get permits, notify agencies, and use certified hazardous waste specialists.
EPA (inland) and the Coast Guard (coastal) have their own authority to respond to oil and hazardous substance releases.
Hazardous material removal can be Category A when part of overall debris operations; otherwise it is Category B.

Documentation

Permits, agency notifications, test results, manifests and disposal records.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Call EPA or the Coast Guard early. If they have authority over the release, FEMA may not fund your cleanup of it.

Govstar summarizes FEMA’s Public Assistance Program and Policy Guide in plain language and links to the official text. Govstar is independent and not affiliated with FEMA. This is general guidance, not legal advice.