U.S. Department of Homeland Security Missouri Joint Field Office FEMA 1961-DR-MO FEMA 1980-DR-MO 1512 Heriford Road Columbia, MO 65202 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT EMERGENCY TEMPORARY HOUSING PROJECT AIRPORT TEMPORARY HOUSING SITES, JOPLIN, JASPER COUNTY, MISSOURI FEMA-1980-DR-MO As a result of damages from severe storms and tornados on May 22, 2011, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was authorized under a Presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-1980- DR-MO) to provide Federal assistance to designated disaster areas in Missouri. Section 408 of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) Program to provide emergency temporary housing for disaster victims whose homes are uninhabitable. There are insufficient rental units available to house displaced disaster victims. The use of hotel rooms, shelters, or staying with family/friends is only appropriate for a very limited time period. In response to this need, FEMA is proposing to build emergency disaster group housing for residents in the vicinity of Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri. In order to implement its IA Program in a timely and effective manner, FEMA utilized an expedited process to assess the potential environmental impacts of building emergency temporary housing for displaced disaster victims. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the President’s Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and FEMA regulations for NEPA compliance (44 CFR Part 10). The EA’s purpose is to analyze and document the proposed alternative’s potential environmental impacts, serve as a vehicle to document compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The EA is hereby incorporated by reference. The Joplin Airport temporary housing site is located at 24740 Missouri171, Joplin, Missouri, which is in the west central portion of Jasper County, Missouri and within the limits of the city of Joplin. This site is bordered on the north by McArthur Boulevard, (Highway 171) and it is seven (7) miles north of Interstate 44 and is accessible via Highway 43 and Highway 71. The proposed group housing site consists of approximately 60 acres on the 115-acre parcel owned by the City of Joplin. USACE contractors have been tasked with constructing a new manufactured home park site (hereafter “Site”) for approximately 500 manufactured home units. At this time, site occupancy is expected to not exceed 18 months. Utilities on the site will include potable water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, telephone, and electricity. The contractor will ensure that the new utility infrastructure is compatible with capacity needed for the remainder of the city. Access to the site from surrounding roads along with internal circulation will also be designed in coordination with applicable city and county staff. Site preparation will require grading to create appropriate building pads, road grades, and to shed storm water to appropriate locations. Best management practices (BMPs) will be implemented to reduce or eliminate runoff impacts during proposed construction activities and reduce the potential for soil erosion after construction. When the temporary housing need has ended, FEMA expects that the manufactured homes will be hauled from the site, to suitable locations elsewhere (to be determined on case-by-case basis). The site will then be seeded and restored to previous conditions and/or used by the landowner in a manner consistent with county zoning classification. The public comment period for the Draft EA was from June 22 to June 24, 2011 with notice published in the Joplin Globe, the Jasper County Citizen and on FEMA’s web site at http://www.fema.gov/ ehp/docs.shtm. The Public Notice notified residents of the proposed project, the availability of the Draft EA, and the opportunity to comment. FINDINGS FEMA has made the following determinations from the information contained in the Airport Site Temporary Housing Project EA: The above described action will not result in any significant adverse impacts related to geology and soils; hydrology and floodplains; wetlands and jurisdictional waters of the U.S.; water quality; air quality; vegetation and wildlife; state and federally listed threatened and endangered species; cultural resources; socioeconomics (including minority and low income populations); safety and security; hazardous materials and toxic wastes; and traffic and transportation. The proposed alternative has been reviewed and, to the best of our knowledge, does not have the potential for significant cumulative effects when combined with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions in accordance with 44 CFR Part 10.8 (d)(3)(x). The following summarizes what is outlined in the EA’s Mitigation Actions section and are the conditions that must be met as part of implementing this proposed action alternative: 1. Use of best management practices (e.g., installation of silt fences and straw bales) will be required to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation. If fill is stored on site, the contractor is required to appropriately cover it to prevent erosion. 2. The construction contractor would be required to apply for and obtain all applicable storm water permits or waiver from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. 3. In order to convey storm water runoff, the contractor will be required to design drainage features so that flows will not flood site residents or surrounding properties during storm events. The drainage system will be required to meet local and county requirements, including the acquisition of easements if applicable. 4. Area soils would be covered and/or wetted during construction to minimize dust. 5. If fill is stored on site as part of unit installation or removal, the contractor will be required to appropriately cover it. 6. During the site construction and occupancy, rock cover for roads and housing pads would be periodically wetted and/or treated to minimize dust as needed. 7. In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, if unanticipated historic or cultural materials are discovered during construction, all construction activities shall immediately cease within 100 feet of the materials until their cultural affiliation and ultimate disposition are determined in consultation with the Missouri State Historic Preservation Office, FEMA Environmental Liaison Officer and other interested parties. 8. If necessary, the following noise reduction measures should be considered: (1) restricting the 24-hour schedule to the first two weeks of construction; (2) using a 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. construction schedule; (3) completing construction closest to adjoining residents first; and (4) completing noisier activities during the day if a 24-hour schedule is used. 9. If any hazardous materials are found between start of construction and final site closure, all hazardous materials shall be remediated, abated, or disposed of as appropriate, and otherwise handled in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Alternatively, the site could be abandoned in view of finding another site that better meets the identified project purpose and need. 10. Contractor to provide for 24-hour security services at the Park during construction, if needed. 11. Contractor will coordinate with the City traffic engineer to ensure traffic infrastructure can service the increased traffic volume. The contractor and City will implement traffic control measures, as necessary. 12. To minimize worker and public health and safety risks from project construction and closure, all construction and closure work will be done using qualified personnel trained in the proper use of construction equipment, including all appropriate safety precautions. Additionally, all activities will be conducted in a safe manner in accordance with the standards specified in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OHSA) regulations and the USACE safety manual. 13. The contractor will post appropriate signage and fencing to minimize potential adverse public safety concerns. Appropriate signage and barriers should be in place prior to construction activities in order to alert pedestrians and motorists of project activities and traffic pattern changes. 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. APPROVAL: ___________________________________________________ Kenneth G. Sessa Date Environmental Officer, FEMA Region VII