Chapter 10 › I.D Navigating the EHP Compliance Process

How can we get through the EHP review faster?

FEMA term

Navigating the EHP compliance process

Short answer

Give EHP a complete, clear scope of work with maps, photos and site plans; get permits before construction; share any permits you already hold, which can speed the review; keep and attach all agency correspondence; and follow permit conditions and best management practices, then document that you did.

What FEMA requires

Provide a complete and clear scope of work to minimize clarification requests.
Provide maps or sketches, photos, site plans and descriptions of pre-disaster conditions and the proposed or completed work.
Obtain necessary permits and authorizations before construction.
Provide pre-existing permits and authorizations; FEMA may be able to expedite review based on them.
Keep copies of all correspondence with federal or state agencies about permits and attach them to the grant application.
Follow permit and authorization conditions and best management practices, and verify conditions were met if the work is complete.

Documentation

Maps, sketches, photos and site plans of pre-disaster conditions and the work; existing permits and authorizations; copies of all correspondence with federal and state agencies, attached to the grant application; and records showing permit conditions and best management practices were met.

Watch out · Govstar practitioner advice

Get permits before you build. Starting construction without required permits or authorizations puts the funding for that work at risk, and after-the-fact fixes are slow and uncertain.

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.