FEMA PUBLIC NOTICE PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received grant applications to fund the construction of several wastewater treatment systems in Monroe County, Florida. Much of the proposed project funding would be provided through FEMA 1249-DR Post Disaster - Unmet Needs funds, as noticed on August 6, 1999, in Vol. 64 No. 151 of the Federal Register. Matching funds will be provided through the Florida Division of Emergency Management and local government applicants. FEMA hereby publishes the following notice, pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (PL 91-190) and associated environmental statutes, as implemented in FEMA’s regulations 44 CFR Part 10; and in accordance with Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) as implemented in 44 CFR Part 9. Grant Applicants: Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and Islamorada, Village of Islands Notice of Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Comment: A Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DPEA) has been prepared and is available for public comment. This DPEA will broadly address the purpose of and need for wastewater improvements in the Florida Keys, alternative wastewater management options that might be considered for such improvements, and the potential environmental consequences and impact mitigation measures associated with those options. It should be noted that this document is not project or site specific. A separate, supplemental environmental review document will be prepared for each actual project. A draft of these supplemental documents will also be released for public comment after they are prepared. The DPEA may be accessed as follows: * The DPEA may be viewed and downloaded at the following website: http://www.fema.gov/ep/assess.shtm The website also provides an online opportunity to comment on the DPEA. * A copy of the DPEA will be available for viewing at the following public repositories: - May Hill Russell Public Library, 700 Fleming Street, Key West - Big Pine Key Branch Library, 213 Key Deer Boulevard, Big Pine Key - George Dolezal Branch Library, 3251 Overseas Highway, Marathon - Helen Wadley Branch Library, Mile Marker 81.5 Overseas Highway, Islamorada - Key Largo Branch Library, 101485 Overseas Highway, Key Largo Public Meeting Notice: Two public meetings have been scheduled for the DPEA. The purpose of these meetings is to present the DPEA, discuss the issues and gather information, and receive public comments. These two meetings will cover the same content. Separate, later public meetings are planned for each actual project to present its site-specific environmental review document. Public meeting materials may be accessed in advance at the above FEMA website. Interested parties may also access a web survey at this website. * OCTOBER 8th 6:00 to 9:30pm – Key Largo Branch Library, 101485 Overseas Highway (Tradewinds Shopping Center, Mile Marker 101), Key Largo * OCTOBER 9th 6:00 to 9:30pm – Marathon Government Center 2798 Overseas Highway (Mile Marker 47.5), Marathon 30-Day Comment Period: Public comments concerning the DPEA will be accepted from the affected public; local, state, and federal agencies; and from other interested parties in order to effectively consider and appropriately evaluate the likely environmental impacts of the proposed projects. Comments can be provided at the public meeting, offered online at the FEMA website shown above, or can be made in writing, and sent to the FEMA official listed below between September 20 and October 18. Point of Contact: Ms. Science Kilner, Lead Environmental Specialist FEMA Region IV – Federal Insurance and Mitigation Division 3003 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341 Fax: (770) 220-5440