PUBLIC NOTICE

FEMA NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 
DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
PEEBLES/GRAND MARAIS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RELOCATION
IBERIA PARISH, LOUISIANA


Interested parties are hereby notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 
has prepared a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) and draft Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act.  The purpose of 
the EA and FONSI is to assess the effects on the human and natural environment of 
constructing an elementary school on a new site in Iberia Parish to replace the Peebles/
Grand Marais Elementary Schools, a proposed action for which FEMA is considering providing 
funding assistance.  The damages to Peebles Elementary School were caused by Hurricane Rita 
on September 24, 2005, the same day on which Presidential Disaster Declaration 
FEMA-1607-DR-LA was signed for this event.

The purpose of the draft EA is to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated 
with construction of the new elementary school to accommodate students from Peebles and 
Grand Marais Elementary Schools.  The draft EA evaluates a No Action Alternative and the 
Proposed Action, which is construction of the new elementary school.  The draft FONSI will 
be FEMA’s finding that the proposed action will not have a significant effect on the human 
and natural environment, if no additional substantive information is discovered during the 
comment period.

The Iberia Parish School Board has applied to FEMA for an improved project.  The improved 
project involves using funds for the repair of the original Peebles Elementary School from 
damages caused by Hurricane Rita to construct an elementary school on a new site.  The 
original Peebles Elementary School would not be repaired for use as a school.  The new 
school would replace, and accept approximately 560 students from, both Grand Marais and 
Peebles Elementary Schools.

The proposed action involves the construction of a new 66,778 square foot school building 
to serve students in pre-kindergarten through sixth grade. The location for the proposed 
new elementary school is a 15-acre parcel northwest of the intersection of US 90 and Parish 
Road 211 (Darnell Road) in New Iberia, Iberia Parish, La.  The proposed structure is to be 
rough-face cinder blocks with exterior brick veneer and a metal roof.  The foundation would
be a post tension concrete slab. Water service would require connection to existing lines 
located approximately 1.5 miles from the site.  Currently, the school board is considering 
two options for management of wastewater from the school:  1) the construction of a wastewater 
treatment plant and lift station on the school campus, with treated effluent discharged to a 
drainage ditch; and 2) the connection to an existing municipal wastewater treatment system 
through the construction of 2,200 feet of sanitary sewer lines.  

A draft EA was written to evaluate the proposed action’s potential impacts on the human 
and natural environment.  The draft EA summarizes the purpose and need, site selection process, 
affected environment, and potential environmental consequences associated with the proposed 
action and alternatives.  

The public comment period will begin on April 9, 2007, and will end on April 23, 2007, at 5 p.m.  
Written comments on the draft EA and draft FONSI can be submitted to Howard R. Bush, 
Environmental Liaison Officer, via fax at (504-762-2871), U.S. mail (1 Seine Ct., New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70114), or email (Howard.Bush@dhs.gov).  

The draft EA and draft FONSI are available for public review at the following locations:  
(1) Iberia Parish Library, 445 E. Main Street, New Iberia, LA 70560, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 
Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. 
on Sunday; and (2) the Iberia Parish School Board facility, 1500 Jane Street, New Iberia, LA 70562, 
from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.), Monday through Friday.  
he draft EA and draft FONSI may also be downloaded from FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/
ehp/envdocuments.

If no substantive comments are received by the end of the comment period, the draft Environmental 
Assessment and associated Finding of No Significant Impact will become final and this initial Public 
Notice will also serve as the final Public Notice.  If substantive comments are received, they will 
be addressed as appropriate in the final documents.