Norton Calls on FEMA and DHS to Honor Public Comment Commitment (10/4/07)
Norton Calls on FEMA and DHS to Honor Public Comment
Commitment on Controversial Plan for National Disasters
October 4, 2007
Washington, DC-The Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter Norton wrote to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator R. David Paulison, requesting a 30-day extension of the period for public comment on requirements in the National Response Framework (NRF), a plan to make the country safe in the event of natural or terrorist disasters, after the agency declined to give assurances that Paulison would honor his commitment to extend the comment period. In the letter, Norton formally requested that FEMA extend the public comment period, set to end a week from today, an additional 30 days. Quoting from a September 11th hearing, Norton, chair of the subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, challenged Paulison to honor the commitment he made at the subcommittee hearing to extend the comment period if comments were still coming in. FEMA already has received a record number of public comments on the plan.
During the hearing there was blistering criticism of the Framework from experts, state and local emergency managers, and academic witnesses, raising serious, unanswered questions that still must be settled. Of special concern, was criticism that the NRF ignores the important role of on-the-ground first responders who must implement the plan in the event of disasters. Norton wrote, "Considering the wholesale criticism of the document before and since, our Committee was surprised to learn that neither FEMA nor the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), on its own, sought to respond to the criticisms by welcoming more public participation through the comment process. The importance of the document to the nation and respect for the affected public demand every effort to be responsive to public concerns."
As a result of issues and problems raised at the hearing, Norton subsequently asked the General Accountability Office to review and analyze the NRF, particularly whether the document follows the requirements outlined in the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006. In response to the failures of Hurricane Katrina, Congress mandated that DHS develop a comprehensive framework for federal response in a major disaster. The full text of Norton's letter follows.
October 4, 2007
R. David Paulison
FEMA Administrator
Washington, DC
Dear Administrator Paulison:
I am writing concerning continuing problems identified in seeking public comments and participation in the National Response Framework (NRF) process.
At the September 11, 2007 hearing of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, "Readiness in the Post-Katrina and Post-9/11 World," on the NRF, an unusually large number of concerns were expressed about the document, particularly a lack of transparency and participation in its development. At that hearing, and subsequent to it, you heard deep concerns from Members of Congress, state and local officials and the media about the opportunities for participation by important stakeholders and others in production of the NRF, notwithstanding the clear language and intent of the Post Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act. Considering the wholesale criticism of the document before and since, our Committee was surprised to learn that neither FEMA nor DHS, on its own, sought to respond to the criticisms by welcoming more public participation through the comment process. The importance of the document to the nation and respect for the affected public demand every effort to be responsive to public concerns.
In light of the concerns that have been raised about the need for public participation, I specifically asked you at that hearing, "If more time is needed than 30 days, would FEMA be prepared to allow more time for comments?" In response you stated, "Yes, if we're getting -- still getting a lot of comments at the end of the 30 days, we'll, obviously, extend that period."
FEMA has received over 250 comments on the NRF, which we understand is one of the largest dockets in FEMA history. As of today, despite the fact that we are at the end of the comment period, these comments have not yet been posted to the docket. Perhaps this delay is a function of the administrative or logistical difficulties of handling so many comments. However, in light of the large number of comments coming at the end of the comment period, I am formally requesting, on behalf of our committee, that you stand by your public commitment and extend the public comment period for an additional 30 days, and that a notice to this effect is published in the Federal Register.
Because this letter relates specifically to a matter that is currently open for public comment, please consider this letter a formal comment on the National Response Framework, and place a copy in the docket, FEMA-2007-0007.
Sincerely,
Eleanor Holmes Norton