Debris operations must adhere to legal requirements at the Federal, State, and local levels. Applicable Federal laws include the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) requiring public disclosure before work is initiated.

Section 316 of the Stafford Act allows for statutory exclusions (STATEXs) from NEPA for emergency actions and the restoration of projects to predisaster conditions. These exclusions generally apply to debris removal, clearance of roads, and demolition of unsafe structures.