American Rivers’ Statement on Administration’s Latest Executive Order Undermining FEMA
Contact: Hawk Hammer, National Communications and Media Director, Hhammer@americanrivers.org
Washington D.C– Following the Trump administration’s latest Executive Order-Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness- undermining the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), American Rivers issued the following statement:
“This executive order muddies the waters of federal disaster response and concerningly, diminishes the role of FEMA to protect communities from floods, dam failures, and wildfires,” said Eileen Shader, senior floodplains director for American Rivers. “Most states and communities are ill-prepared to respond to disasters on their own without investment and unified leadership from the federal government. FEMA, while certainly in need of fixing, plays a vital role and saves lives.”
Among the impacts of the executive order:
- It would likely result in less federal investment in helping communities prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters like flooding, water supply challenges and wildfire by shifting from an from an “all-hazards approach” to a “risk-informed approach”.
- While it does not attempt to eliminate FEMA as has previously been considered, it reduces the role of the federal government to respond to disasters and limiting support and coordination provided to states.
- It paves the way for a reduction in natural disaster declarations.
- It provides a runway for diminishing disaster mitigation investments.
About American Rivers
American Rivers is championing a national effort to protect and restore all rivers, from remote mountain streams to urban waterways. Healthy rivers provide people and nature with clean, abundant water and natural habitat. For 50 years, American Rivers staff, supporters, and partners have shared a common belief: Life Depends on Rivers. AmericanRivers.org