Federal Emergency Management Agency
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA)
for the Andrews County Tower Site
Andrews County, Texas
Homeland Security Grant Program
Project # 2010-SS-T0-0008 (9711)

Interested persons are hereby notified that Permian Basin Regional Planning Commission (PBRPC) has applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Homeland Security Grant Program for funding to assist with the construction of a communication tower located in Andrews County. The PBRPC proposes to construct a 480-foot guyed wire telecommunications tower with associated equipment in Andrews County, Texas. The proposed tower will be located approximately 20 miles northeast of Andrews, Texas on Highway 115 in Andrews County, Texas (Latitude: 32.503778, and Longitude: -102.278250). The proposed tower will improve the interoperability and reliability of the communications system within Andrews County and the surrounding counties.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 and the implementing regulations of FEMA, a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared to assess the potential impacts of the proposed action on the human and natural environment. The Draft EA summarizes the purpose and need, alternatives, affected environment, and potential environmental consequences for the proposed action. The Draft EA is available for comment and can be viewed and downloaded from FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/ea-region6.shtm. The Draft EA can also be viewed at the Andrews County Library, located at 109 N.W. 1st Street, Andrews, Texas 79714, Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, closed on Sundays. 

The comment period will end 15 days from the initial notice publication date of November 13, 2011. Written comments on the Draft EA can be mailed or faxed to the contact below. If no substantive comments are received, the Draft EA will become final and a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will be issued for the project. Substantive comments will be addressed as appropriate in the final documents.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region VI
c/o Alan Hermely
800 North Loop 288, Denton, TX 76209
Fax: 940-383-7299