U.S. Department of Homeland Security Louisiana Recovery Office 1 Seine Court New Orleans, Louisiana 70114 DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT STORAGE PAVILION AND CAPITAL EQUIPMENT CREOLE, CAMERON PARISH, LOUISIANA FEMA-1607-DR-LA Introduction As a result of damages from Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was authorized under Presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-1607-DR-LA) to provide Federal assistance to designated disaster areas in Louisiana. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (PL 93288) Section 406 authorizes FEMA’s Public Assistance (PA) Program to provide financial and other forms of assistance to State and local governments to support response, recovery, and mitigation efforts following Presidentially declared disasters. 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 the construction of a storage pavilion and the purchase capital equipment, and to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The Cameron Parish Waterworks District #7 (the Applicant) proposes to develop an approximate one acre site (termed “Proposed Storage Pavilion Site”) adjacent to and on the west side of Creole Highway Highway/Louisiana Highway 82. This development would include constructing an approximately 1500 square foot open pavilion to store the capital equipment purchased, which will be used to service the needs of the community in the event of another disaster. The new development will replace the former storage shed on the same site the damaged by Hurricane Rita in September 2005. The alternatives considered include 1) No Action 2) Construct a Storage Pavilion and Purchase Capital Equipment and 3) Reconstruction at Original Sites. Activities would include, where necessary, site clearing, grading, driveway construction, and placement of appurtenant utilities (electricity) for the site. Per the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.), and associated environmental statutes, a Draft EA has been prepared to evaluate the action’s potential impacts on the human and natural environment. This Draft EA summarizes the purpose and need, site selection process, affected environment, and potential environmental consequences associated with the proposed action. Proposed Action The proposed action includes the construction of a storage pavilion on the same site as the previous storage shed and the purchase of capital equipment. Findings FEMA has evaluated the proposed project for significant adverse impacts to geology, soils, water resources (groundwater, wetlands and floodplains), coastal resources, biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, traffic, safety, hazardous materials and environmental justice. During the construction period, short-term impacts to soils, water quality, transportation, air quality, and noise are anticipated. All short-term impacts require conditions to minimize and mitigate impacts to the proposed project site and surrounding areas. 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: * Prior to initiating any work, Cameron Parish will need to coordinate with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) Coastal Zone Management Department for an approved Coastal Use Permit. Cameron Parish must ensure that contractors follow permit requirements, conditions, and construction procedures and standards during construction work. Projects may be coordinated by contacting LDNR at 1-800-267-4019. * FEMA Public Assistance grant funded projects carried out in the floodplain or affecting the floodplain must be coordinated with the local floodplain administrator for a floodplain development permit and the action must be undertaken in compliance with relevant, applicable and required local codes and standards and thereby, will reduce the risk of future flood loss, minimize the impacts of floods on safety, health, and welfare, and preserve and possibly restore beneficial floodplain values as required by Executive Order 11988. * If during the course of work, archaeological artifacts (prehistoric or historic) or human remains are discovered, the applicant shall stop work in the vicinity of the discovery and take all reasonable measures to avoid or minimize harm to the finds. The applicant shall inform their Public Assistance contacts at FEMA, who will in turn contact FEMA HP staff. The applicant will not proceed with work until FEMA HP completes consultation with the SHPO. In addition, if unmarked graves are present, compliance with the Louisiana Unmarked Human Burial Sites Preservation Act (R.S. 8:671 et seq.) is required. The applicant shall notify the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction where the remains are located within twenty-four hours of the discovery. The applicant shall also notify FEMA and the Louisiana Division of Archaeology at 225-342-8170 within seventy-two hours of the discovery. Failure to comply with these stipulations may jeopardize receipt of FEMA funding. * The applicant must follow all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations and requirements and obtain and comply with all required permits and approvals prior to initiating work. Conclusion The results of these evaluations, as well as consultations and input from other federal and state agencies, are presented in the EA. The Section 106 review process will need to be completed, including public participation, upon finalization of this EA and FONSI. Based on the information analyzed, FEMA has determined that the implementation of the proposed action would not result in significant adverse impacts to the quality of the natural and human environment. In addition, the proposed project does not appear to have the potential for significant cumulative effects when combined with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions. As a result of this FONSI, an EIS will not be prepared (per 44 CFR Part 10) and the proposed project as described in the EA may proceed once finalized. Public Review and Comment The EA can be viewed and downloaded from FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/ea-region6.shtm. The EA was also made available for public review at the Mid-City Branch of the New Orleans Public Library at 3700 Orleans Avenue (in the American Can building), New Orleans, LA. A legal notice was posted in the local newspaper October 13, 2011 through October 17, 2011. No substantive comments were received; therefore the Draft EA will become final and the initial Public Notice will also serve as the final Public Notice. Approval: ___________________________________________________ Katherine Zeringue, Environmental Liaison Officer Date Louisiana Recovery Office FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA ___________________________________________________ Joe Threat, Director Date Louisiana Recovery Office FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA Storage Pavilion and Capital Equipment Purchase Draft Finding of No Significant Impact FEMA-1607-DR-LA September 2011 Page 3