Draft Tiered Site-Specific Environmental Assessment North Shoreline Channel Cameras Towers, Texas Port Security Grant Program Project # 2009-PU-T9-K049 IJ#7 (9133) April 2012 Federal Emergency Management Agency Department of Homeland Security 500 C Street, SW Washington, DC 20472 Background In accordance with 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for FEMA, Subpart B, Agency Implementing Procedures, Part 10.9, a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Grant Programs Directorate Programs was prepared and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued in July 2010, pursuant to Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, as implemented by the regulations promulgated by the President’s Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ; 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). This Tiered Site-Specific Environmental Assessment (SEA) is being prepared in accordance with the July 2010 PEA. The focus of this Tiered SEA is on those areas of concern requiring additional discussion or analysis that are beyond the scope of the PEA. I. Purpose and Need Port of Corpus Christi, City of Corpus Christi, Texas has applied for Port Security Grant Program funding under application number 2009-PU-T9-K049 IJ#7 (9133). The purpose of this program is to provide for activities which help to enhance the security and safety of ports in the United States. The Port of Corpus Christi is one of the top four U.S. strategic seaports for the Department of Defense for deploying combat forces overseas. Port facilities are used to receive military equipment by truck and rail, stage temporarily in secure paved open storage areas, and then load onto military or chartered commercial ships. Since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, over 100 vessels have called at the port with over 45,000 pieces of equipment trans-loaded using over 10,000 railcars and 6,000 trucks. Military deployments continue through the Port of Corpus Christi as forces are rotated in and out of Iraq. The port’s Inner Harbor also serves as home port for Military Sealift Command’s (U.S. Navy) Large Medium Speed Ro-Ro ships. These modern 952-foot long vessels, which cost over $300 million each to construct, are layberthed in a reduced operating status at the port for most of the year when not needed for military deployment operations. There are currently no intruder deterrence or detection devices in a remote area at the upper end of the inner harbor channel. With the recent addition of a paved public roadway along the north side of the channel, this shoreline has become more accessible. No fencing or lighting to deter intruders exists in the area. The Port of Corpus Christi needs to improve maritime domain awareness by providing continuous surveillance along 3.5 miles of unprotected shoreline. This is important because the shoreline is a potential direct route for terrorist attack on the oil and chemical dock facilities along the inner harbor channel. II. Alternatives Two project alternatives are proposed in this SEA: 1) No Action and 2) Preferred Action Alternative- Construction of security cameras towers. Under the No Action Alternative, the proposed security cameras towers would not be constructed. As a result of this alternative, Port of Corpus Christi would be potentially vulnerable to Improvised Explosive Devices or Weapons of Mass Destruction. The Port of Corpus Christi would also not be able to maintain security of the daily port operations. The Preferred Action Alternative is the construction of six new 60-foot high camera poles, each with 2 fixed view detection cameras and 1 Pan/Tilt/Zoom interrogation camera to provide 24-hour surveillance. All cameras will be color/thermal to provide 24-hour surveillance. Each camera pole foundations will be 36 inches in diameter and 35 feet deep. The power poles will be 2 feet in diameter and 6 feet deep. The fiber optic cable and power to serve the camera poles from the paved roadway will be directional drill 3 feet deep and 6,400 feet in length. The fencing will be 410 linear feet, 12 inches wide, and 3 feet deep (maximum). The cameras will be connected to an existing security command center via a secure port owned fiber cable and integrated into an existing video analytics system for automatic target identification and tracking. An 8-foot high security fence will enclose each camera pole location. Overhead electrical power lines on power poles will be installed along an existing paved roadway to serve the cameras. The proposed six camera poles will be located Pole # 1 (27.844464, -97.517106); Pole # 2 (27.842208, -97.511069); Pole # 3 (27.835147, -97.501442); Pole # 4 (27.830514, -97.492681); Pole # 5 (27.823903, -97.483258); and Pole # 6 (27.820564, -97.474153). The construction of the security cameras towers will improve the security along this remote, undeveloped, unfenced and unilluminated area. III. Environmental Impacts Discussion of the environmental impacts associated with the No Action Alternative is included in the July 2010 PEA. This document incorporates the PEA by reference. The PEA can be found in FEMA’s electronic library at http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=4143. FEMA’s environmental planning and historic preservation review reveals that all environmental areas of concern are appropriately accounted for in the PEA with the exception of floodplain impacts. Table 1 provides a summary of the findings for the environmental areas of concern that FEMA typically reviews. Table 1: Summary of Other Environmental Areas of Concern Area of Concern: Historic properties No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: FEMA made the determination of No Historic Properties Affected by the installation of six camera poles and fiber optic cable because there are no identified archaeological resources located within the project parcel. It is unlikely that any intact resources would be identified due to the substantially disturbed nature of the parcel. There are no known archaeological sites located within the project area, nor are there any nearby properties listed as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, or individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, nor as part of a designated historic district. There are no buildings within the viewshed of the proposed pole locations. In response to a letter submitted by FEMA dated July 18, 2011, the State Historic Preservation Office (Texas Historical Commission) indicated on August 9, 2011 that No Historic Properties Affected, Project May Proceed (Appendix C). Area of Concern: Endangered and threatened species and critical habitat No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: No effects. Area of Concern: Migratory birds No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: No effects. Area of Concern: Water quality No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: No effects. Area of Concern: Coastal resources No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: Based on a review of Coastal Coordination Council General Concurrence #5, FEMA has determined that the Proposed Action Alternative is deemed consistent with the goals and policies of the Texas Coastal Management Program and consistency review procedures as implemented by the Texas General Land Office. Area of Concern: Wetlands No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: No effects. Area of Concern: Low-income and minority populations No Action: No effects. Preferred Action: Low income and minority populations are near project area. However, the proposed site improvements are anticipated to have beneficial impacts to the community. In compliance with FEMA regulations implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, FEMA is required to carry out the Eight-step decision-making process for actions that are proposed in the floodplain per 44 CFR §9.6. Executive Order 11988 requires federal agencies “to avoid to the extent possible the long and short term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of the floodplain and to avoid direct or indirect support of floodplain development wherever there is a practicable alternative.” This Eight-step process is applied to the proposed North Shoreline Channel Camera Towers Project. The entire project area is within the 100-year floodplain of the Port of Corpus Christi Inner Harbor Channel and the associated Nueces Bay. The steps in the decision making process are as follows: Step 1 Determine if the proposed action is located in the Base Floodplain The proposed project involves the construction of six new 60-foot high camera poles, each with 2 fixed view detection cameras and 1 Pan/Tilt/Zoom (PTZ) interrogation camera to provide 24 hour surveillance along the north shore of a remote area at the upper end of the inner harbor channel. FEMA has determined that the Preferred Action Alternative is located within an A21 and A24 zone, an area of 100-year flood; base flood elevations and flood hazards factors determined, as depicted on FIRM Community Panels 4854940284C and 4854940303, both with an effective date March 18, 1985 (Appendix A). Step 2 Early public notice (Preliminary Notice) A public notice for the proposed North Shoreline Channel Camera Towers Project will be published in the regional newspaper, The Corpus Christi Caller Times, as part of the notice of availability for this SEA. Step 3 Identify and evaluate alternatives to locating in the base floodplain The Port of Corpus Christi and the associated proposed security camera towers must be located adjacent to the road to provide effective security. Therefore, no practicable alternative outside of the floodplain exists. Step 4 Identify impacts of proposed action associated with occupancy or modification of the floodplain Impact on natural function of the floodplain The proposed North Shore camera poles would not affect the functions and values of the 100-year floodplain nor would they impede or redirect flood flows due to their small footprint. The camera poles will be located in a partially developed area with existing infrastructure. The proposed fiber optic cable and power lines will have no effect on the floodplain because they will be installed below ground. Therefore, these features should not result in an increased base discharge or increase the flood hazard potential to other structures. When compared to the extensive floodplain area, the proposed security fence that will enclose each of the six camera poles have little potential to impact the floodplain. These fences are required to maintain the security of the camera poles. Impact of the floodwater on the proposed facilities The proposed North Shore camera poles will be designed to minimize impacts from flooding. The proposed fiber optic cable and power lines will not be affected because they will be installed below ground. However, there is a potential that the proposed security fences could be damaged by flooding, if debris collects on the fencing. Step 5 Design or modify the proposed action to minimize threats to life and property and preserve its natural and beneficial floodplain values In order to reduce the impact identified in Step 4 of flood hazards on the proposed new facilities, the security camera towers will be designed to be compliant with FEMA recommendations for construction in flood hazard areas. 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 on this project. No staging of equipment or project activities shall begin until all permits are obtained. Step 6 Re-evaluate the proposed action Per the discussions above, the proposed site will be appropriately designed for the 100-year floodplain. The proposed project is intended to maintain the security of a road; therefore, there is no alternative location outside the floodplain. The proposed action will not aggravate the current flood hazard because the project would not impede or redirect flood flows. The project will not disrupt floodplain values because it will not change water levels in the floodplain. Therefore, it is still practicable to construct the proposed project within the floodplain. Alternatives consisting of locating the project outside the floodplain or taking “no action” are not practicable. Step 7 Findings and Public Explanation (Final Notification) In accordance with 44 CFR §9.12, Port of Corpus Christi must prepare and provide a final public notice 15 days prior to the start of construction activities. Documentation of the public notices are to be forwarded to FEMA for inclusion in the permanent project files. Step 8 Implement the action Port of Corpus Christi will incorporate into the design necessary mitigation efforts for building within a 100-year floodplain. As a result of this Eight-step process, FEMA has determined that the Port of Corpus Christi security camera towers are in compliance with 44 CFR §9.6 because there are no practicable alternatives outside the 100-year floodplain. IV. Mitigation 1. Significant change, addition, and/or supplement to the approved scope of work which alters the existing use and function of the structure, including additional work not funded by FEMA but performed substantially at the same time, will require re-submission of the application prior to construction to FEMA for re-evaluation under the National Environmental Policy Act. 2. Port of Corpus Christi must conclude the consultation with the local floodplain administrator and obtain required permits prior to initiating work. All coordination pertaining to these activities and applicant compliance with any conditions should be documented and copies forwarded to the state and FEMA for inclusion in the permanent project files. 3. In accordance with 44 CFR §9.12, Port of Corpus Christi must publish a public notice 15 days prior to the start of construction activities. Documentation of the public notice is to be forwarded to FEMA for inclusion in the permanent project files. In addition, Port of Corpus Christi will be required to comply with the conditions that are stated in the PEA FONSI, dated July 7, 2010, for the Proposed Action Alternative (see Appendix B). V. Agencies Consulted (see Appendix C) * State Historic Preservation Office, Texas Historical Commission VI. Public Comment The public was notified of the availability of the Draft SEA through the publication of a public notice on April 26, 2012 in Corpus Christi Caller Times. The Draft SEA document was also made available for public review on the FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/ea-region6.shtm or the Port of Corpus Christi Authority website at www.portofcorpuschristi.com. A physical copy of the document can also be viewed at the Port of Corpus Christi Authority located at 222 Power Street, Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Monday through Friday during the hours of 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. A 15-day public comment period will commence on the initial date of the public notice. FEMA will consider and respond to all public comments in the Final SEA. VII. List of Preparers Kevin Jaynes, CHMM, Regional Environmental Officer, FEMA Region VI Alan Hermely, EHP Specialist, FEMA Region VI Appendix A Figures and Photographs This Appendix has been redacted because it contains Sensitive Security Information that is controlled under 49 CFR parts 15 and 1520. No part of this record may be disclosed to persons without a ‘‘need to know’’, as defined in 49 CFR parts 15 and 1520, except with the written permission of the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration or the Secretary of transportation. Unauthorized release may result in civil penalty or other action. For U.S. government agencies, public disclosure is governed by 5 U.S.C. 552 and 49 CFR parts 15 and 1520.” Appendix B Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) For Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the Evaluation of FEMA’s Grant Programs Directorate Programs Appendix C Agency Consultation