Environmental Resources

Information by State  Print version   What's New OSWER Vision Newsletter From EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER). OSWER Vision is a comprehensive, quarterly newsletter created to provide readers with an overview of OSWER’s program updates. more... | Letter From the OSWER Assistant Administrator | Subscribe Related Information   Environment News   Staff Contacts   HQ Environmental Clearance Officers   Environmental Officers Address List   Environmental Questions & Answers   Cooperating Agency Agreements

The following resources are useful in preparing assessments of potential environmental impact and in environmental planning in general. Some of the sources link to official federal web sites while others identify where one can search for the information.

EPA Envirofacts Warehouse: The U.S. EPA Envirofacts Warehouse contains environmental information for the entire Environmental Protection Agency across the United States, such as toxins information, air and water permit quality sites.

Historic Preservation: Historical preservation involves (1) the location of federally designated historic properties and areas and (2) the location of potentially historic places. For a database of places which are already designated as historic sites, click here for the National Register Collection, as well as other topical area links. For potentially historic places, consult the following: local permit records, visual surveys, or historic maps.

	Flood Hazard Mapping: The location of lands within designated 100-year floodplains are mapped by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For more information on FEMA floodplain maps.
	Wetlands: The location of wetlands are available from a number of sources including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Agriculture Soil Conservation Service, and the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service. For wetlands information from the U.S. Department of the Interior.
	Endangered Species: The location of endangered species habitats may be found by contacting either the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service, for maps and inventories, or appropriate state agencies and conservation groups.
	Ground Water: The location of aquifers and surface bodies of water may be subject to impact from development or redevelopment. Contacts include the local water department or authority, the U.S. Geodetic survey maps, and the local or state department of natural resources.
	Designated Farmlands: The location of prime agricultural land may be determined using maps available from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, as well as U.S. Census Urbanized Area maps and USGS topographic maps.
	Toxic Hazards: The location of toxic sites may be found in the U.S. EPA's list of sites declared toxic under CERCLA and RFCRA. For other possible polluted sites, site inspections and building and use permit records as well as Sanborn Co. maps show previous land uses which could have left toxic residues.
	Coastal America: The Coastal America partnership is an action-based initiative comprised of federal, state, local and nongovernmental agencies with responsibility for coastal ecosystem resources. It's purpose is to bring together the talents and resources of government agencies to protect, preserve, and restore America's Coastal heritage for current and future generations. The partners are committed to a national effort of sustainable solutions and ecosystem management that would extend to coastal communities throughout the nation.
	Coastal Barriers: The location of Coastal Barrier Islands are also found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency electronic maps. For additional information on these islands and how to obtain a map for the FEMA Map Service Center. Coastal Barrier Islands information may also be obtained by contacting the Coastal Barriers Branch at the U.S. Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service at (703) 358-2201.
	Air Quality Areas: The location of areas designated by U.S. EPA as polluted under the Clean Air Act are documented in the U.S. EPA Nonattainment Area List, which should be available at state environmental protection offices or regional U.S. EPA offices.
	Noise Generators: The location of site and noise generators near sites which are noisy include major roads, railroads, industrial plants, etc. Traffic maps and land use maps from highway departments, planning agencies, railroads, and airport authorities may document such noise generators.
	Natural Hazards: The location of known natural hazard areas includes unstable soil, seismic hazards, etc. There are a number of sources in locating these dangers: U.S. Geodetic Survey maps, special seismic maps, U.S. Department of Agriculture soil maps, state and local government soil and hazard maps, and the U.S. Department of the Interior. For general natural hazards information for the U.S. Department of the Interior Information on Natural Hazard.
	Airport Clear Zones: The location of flight path areas subject to possible airplane crashes is documented by local military and civilian airports and airport authorities.
	Explosive Hazards: The location of explosive hazards and their potential explosive impact zones may be found in a number of sources including land use maps, special surveys, arial photos, local use permits, and special local, state, and federal transport permits.
	Seismic Hazards: The U.S. Geological Survey has announced several new products related to the USGS national seismic hazard maps. Many new features have been added to the maps' Internet Web site. For example, users can now look up the seismic hazard in any part of the continental U.S. by zip code, and the Survey has added a custom mapping feature, through which the user can specify latitude and longitude bounds and produce customized hazard maps of the selected area. Additionally, large versions (24"x36") of the national and western U.S. seismic hazard maps can be ordered using forms available from the Web site.
	Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing(PATH): PATH is a public/private partnership created to develop, demonstrate, and deploy the technologies that will bring about the next generation of American housing and work to improve the existing housing stock. The goal of the Partnership is to accelerate the creation and widespread use of advanced technologies in order to improve the quality, durability, environmental-efficiency and affordability of tomorrow's homes.
	American Heritage Rivers: In his 1997 State of the Union Address, President Clinton announced the American Heritage Rivers initiative to help communities revitalize their rivers and the banks along them--the streets, the historic buildings, the natural habitats, the parks--to help celebrate their history and their heritage. In early 1998, the President will select ten American Heritage Rivers. According to the needs they identify, communities along these rivers will receive special assistance. American Heritage Rivers is an umbrella initiative designed to more effectively use the federal government's many resources. This includes links to the "Surf Your Watershed" website to learn more about the watersheds in your geographic area.
	U.S. State & Local Gateway: Internet links to U.S., State and local home page which identifies State governments, national organizations and Federal agencies home page dealing with Environmental matters and concerns.
	Environmental Maps: is a free Internet service that combines information on HUD's community development and housing programs with EPA's environmental data.