Summary of ABA Section, Division, and Forum efforts in connection with Hurricane Katrina

Summary of Contributions and Fundraising Activities by ABA Entities

Section Blanket Authority
The ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources (SEER) has carefully considered the need for legislation that authorizes or creates broad exemptions or waivers of federal or state environmental laws to address the consequences of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and natural disasters of comparable impact. Several pending legislative proposals now pending in Congress seek to exempt activities from federal environmental laws. Based on SEER's comprehensive review of these pending legislative initiatives and the more than 50 existing exemptions to environmental requirements currently on the books, SEER has concluded that broad exemptions or waivers are not necessary and may in fact pose more harm that good. Linked below are several documents: SEER's request for blanket authority (which was approved on November 18, 2005); a detailed set of comments supporting the Section's views (which is in the form or a "white paper" on this subject); an overview of existing statutory exemptions; and the Section's Resolution opposing federal legislation along the lines outlined above. White Paper

Keystone, Colorado
March 9-12, 2006

Hurricane Katrina: It’s an Ill Wind that Blows No Good
Robert E. Holden, Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans, LA
Nancy Brechtel, Liskow & Lewis, New Orleans, LA

Picking Up After a Hurricane Katrina: The EPA Response in Mississippi
Jimmy Palmer, U.S. EPA, Region 4, Atlanta, GA

Mississippi’s Response to Katrina’s Unrivaled Destruction
Anthony J. Topazi, Mississippi Power Company, Gulfport, MS

October 6, 2005, 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm EDT
Debris and Waste Removal – Immediate Steps
Listen to experts who are currently involved in response activities.
Listen to the Program (Free)

November 29, 2005, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
Second in the Series: Permitting and Compliance in Restart Mode
The panel of professionals with experience from past disasters and as first responders to Katrina, will dialogue on dealing with this second level issue.
Listen to the Program (Free)

February 2, 2006, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
Third in the Series: Health Impacts of Katrina & Rita: The Lingering Aftermath
Our panel is composed of professionals with experience from past hurricanes and other natural disasters. Juxtaposing the effects on the environment with the health of the citizens from the impacted areas, the panel will identify and discuss the intersection of potential negative effects.
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February 7, 2006, 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm EDT
Fourth in the Series: Challenges to Redevelopment after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
This panel features people actively leading the response to these challenges in the hardest hit areas. They will discuss the problems and the solutions proposed so far and try to give an outlook for the future.

The Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources of the American Bar Association through its Special Task Force in response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita is committed to contribute its expertise to those who are responding to this disaster; to ensure that the goals of environment, energy, and resources law are not compromised; and to preserve the knowledge gained in order to aid those who may, in the future, need such resources.