U.S. Department of Homeland Security Louisiana Recovery Office 1 Seine Court, 4th Floor New Orleans, Louisiana 70114 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT for the GRAND POINT BOURBON SUBDIVISION-LONGVIEW CANAL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT PAULINA, LOUISIANA FEMA-1603-DR-LA BACKGROUND The Town of Paulina in St. James Parish is located on the east bank of St. James Parish. The most southern point of proposed project is located approximately 0.85 miles north of the Mississippi River, and the most northern point of the project is located approximately 2.3 miles north of the Mississippi River. The original subdivision was constructed more than 25 years ago, and the increased runoff due to residential construction was not considered in the original design. The Grand Point Bourbon subdivision was constructed by a private developer before the Parish had laws requiring a drainage analysis and culvert permits that insure proper culvert size and installation. Since the construction of the subdivision, increased development in the basin has exacerbated the frequency, depth, range, and duration of the flood events to unacceptable levels. As a result, St. James Parish (Applicant) has requested federal funding through Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA)’s 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to construct drainage improvements to the Longview Canal and to remove and replace of seven undersized culverts within the Grand Point Bourbon Subdivision. In accordance with 44 CFR Part 10, FEMA regulations to implement the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), an Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared. The purpose of the EA was to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with construction of drainage improvements summarized above, and to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The need for the proposed action is to protect the Grand Point Bourbon Subdivision from flooding. The Grand Point Bourbon subdivision has one of the most severe localized flooding problems in the Parish. The proposed action would reduce the risk of future damage from flooding. The alternatives considered include: (1) No Action, (2) Elevation of the streets and flood-prone structures within the Grand Point Bourbon subdivision (Rejected), and (3) The proposed action, which involves widening of the Longview Canal on both sides of LA State Highway 3125 (north and south) to expand its drainage capacity and increase the channel’s ability to remove water. The Parish plans to purchase, but has not yet acquired, an additional 30 feet of right-of-way on the east side of the Longview Canal, to widen the channel by 20 feet and to provide access to the Parish for proper maintenance and grass cutting. This property would be purchased from Stone Oil Company. The Parish also proposes to remove seven existing undersized culverts within the subdivision and replace them with larger and more adequate culverts. FINDINGS FEMA has evaluated the proposed project for significant adverse impacts to geology, soils, water resources (surface water, groundwater, and wetlands), floodplains, coastal resources, air quality, biological resources (vegetation, fish and wildlife, Federally-listed threatened or endangered species and critical habitats), cultural resources, socioeconomics (including minority and low income populations), safety, noise, and hazardous materials. The results of these evaluations as well as consultations and input from other federal and state agencies are presented in the EA. CONDITIONS The following conditions must be met as part of the implementation of the project. Failure to comply with these conditions may jeopardize federal funds: * The LDEQ has stormwater general permits for construction areas equal to or greater than five acres.  It is recommended that the LDEQ Water Permit Division be contacted at (225) 219-3181 to determine whether the proposed improvements require one of these permits. The contractor is required to implement BMPs that meet the LDEQ permitting specifications for storm water discharge regulated under Section 402 of the CWA * The contractor would be responsible for keeping all excavated areas periodically sprayed with water, all equipment maintained in good working order, and all construction vehicles would be limited to 15 mph to minimize pollution/fugitive dust. * This project may require a Coastal Use Permit (CUP) from the LDNR. Determination of CUP requirements can be obtained through the submission of a completed CUP application to the LDNR. Projects may be coordinated by contacting LDNR at 225-342-7591 or 1-800-267-4019. * Prior to project implementation, the Applicant must coordinate with the USACE for any required permits and/or clearance. The proposed project will require a Department of the Army (DA) permit under Section 404 of the CWA from the USACE. All permit documentation should be forwarded to FEMA for retention in the project files. * Any changes or modifications to the proposed project would require a revised determination. Off-site locations of activities such as borrow; disposals, haul-and detour-roads and work mobilization site developments may be subject to the Department of the Army regulatory requirements and may have an impact to a Department of Army project. * If any solid or hazardous wastes, or soils and/or groundwater contaminated with hazardous constituents are encountered during the project, notification to LDEQ’s Single-Point-of-Contact (SPOC) at (225) 219-3640 is required.  Additionally, precautions should be taken to protect workers from these hazardous constituents. * The applicant must locate and mark the old oil/gas well, with LDNR assistance if necessary, so that it may be avoided during construction work. The LDNR Office of Conservation may be contacted at 225-342-5540 for assistance. This office should also be contacted if any unregistered wells if any type are encountered during construction work. For pipelines and other underground hazards, Louisiana One Call should be contacted at 800-272-3020 prior to commencing operations. * Prior to the proposed project implementation, the Applicant must contact is the St. James Parish Floodplain Administrator in order to ensure compliance with St. James Parish requirements for the NFIP and to ensure that all appropriate permits are obtained. * If a bald eagle or its nest is spotted within 1,500 feet of the project site during the months of October through mid-May, the applicant must cease construction activities and contact LDWF and USFWS immediately. All correspondence must be documented and remain in the project permanent files. * Construction traffic should be closely monitored and controlled as appropriate. All construction activities would be conducted in a safe manner in accordance with OSHA requirements. To alert motorists and pedestrians of project activities, appropriate signage and barriers should be used during construction. During construction activities, the construction site(s) would be fenced off to discourage trespassers. * If archaeological artifacts or features (prehistoric or historic) are discovered during the course of FEMA funded work at the project site, the Applicant must ensure that their Contractor stops work in the vicinity of the discovery and takes all reasonable measures to avoid and minimize harm to the discovery. The Applicant shall inform the GOHSEP and FEMA of the discovery, and FEMA would deploy an archaeologist to the location to conduct a site condition assessment. The Applicant would not proceed with work until FEMA has completed consultation with the SHPO on the treatment of the discovery. * In addition, if human remains are discovered during the course of FEMA funded work, the Applicant and the Applicant’s Contractor are responsible for immediately halting work within the vicinity of the human remains finding. The Applicant would immediately notify GOHSEP, FEMA, the local Police Department, and the local Coroner’s Office of the discovery. The local Coroner’s Office would assess the nature and age of the human skeletal remains.  If the Coroner’s Office determines that the human skeletal remains are older than 50 years of age, the Louisiana Division of Archaeology would take jurisdiction over the remains. Within twenty-four (24) hours, FEMA would notify the Louisiana Division of Archaeology (225-342-8170) of the finding. Within seventy-two (72) hours, FEMA would take the lead in working with the Louisiana Division of Archaeology and other interested parties, as necessary, to ensure compliance with the Louisiana Unmarked Human Burial Sites Preservation Act (R.S. 8:671 et seq.) and other applicable laws.  In addition, the Applicant must afford FEMA the opportunity to comply with the “Human Remains Policy” set forth by the ACHP.  CONCLUSIONS Based upon the incorporated EA, and in accordance with Presidential Executive Orders 12898 (Environmental Justice), 11988 (Floodplain Management), and 11990 (Wetland Protection), FEMA has determined that the proposed action implemented with the conditions and mitigation measures outlined above and in the EA will not have any significant adverse effects on the quality of the natural and human environment.  As a result of this FONSI, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared (44 CFR Part 10.8) and the proposed action alternative as described in the EA may proceed. APPROVALS Katherine Zeringue, Date FEMA Environmental Officer Louisiana Recovery Office FEMA 1603-1607-DR-LA ____________________________________________________ Joseph Threat Date Acting Executive Director Louisiana Recovery Office FEMA 1603-1607-DR-LA Grand Point Bourbon Subdivision-Longview Canal Drainage Improvement Project FEMA-1603-DR-LA Finding of No Significant Impact August 2011 Page 4