FEMA PUBLIC NOTICE OF ALTERNATIVE ARRANGEMENTS
OSCHNER ALGIERS CLINIC
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA

The Department of Homeland Security and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) have established Alternative Arrangements (AA) to meet the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and CEQ regulations for implementing the procedural requirements of NEPA, for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grants to reconstruct critical infrastructure in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area (Federal Register, Vol. 71, No. 56, p. 14712, March 23, 2006).

Interested parties are hereby notified that FEMA has determined that the alternate project for the 	Ochsner Algiers Clinic qualifies for expedited NEPA review under the AA guidelines.  The Ochsner Clinic Foundation has prepared and submitted an application to FEMA for funding under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program being administered in response to FEMA-1603-DR-LA.  The Presidential Disaster Declaration, for this event was signed on August 29, 2005. 

The Ochsner Algiers Clinic structure, at 3401 Behrman Place, in New Orleans, was severely damaged by strong winds and storm surge waters resulting from Hurricane Katrina.  Rather than repair the existing facility, The Ochsner Foundation has determined that the public interest would be better served by an alternate project, which includes demolition of the existing structure, and construction of a new structure with upgrades for codes, standards, and floodplain requirements. 

The public comment period will be from FIRST DAY OF NOTICE to 15 DAYS FOLLOWING FIRST DAY OF NOTICE.  Written comments on the proposal may be mailed to:
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Environmental/Historic Preservation, Attn: Nick Knowles
1250 Poydras St., Box 43
New Orleans, LA 70113
or emailed to nicholas.knowles@dhs.gov, of faxed to FEMA’s Transitional Recovery Office in New Orleans at (504) 762-2871; and verbal comments will be accepted at (504) 762-2291 between 7:30 A.M. and 4:00 P.M.