Federal Emergency Management Agency
PUBLIC NOTICE
Notice of Availability of the Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA)
for the Proposed St. Charles Parish DHS/EP EOC Communications Tower
Saint Charles Parish, Louisiana
Port Security Grant Program
Project # 2010-PU-T0-K035 (11749)

Interested persons are hereby notified that Saint Charles Parish has applied to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Port Security Grant Program for funding to assist with the construction of a proposed two hundred fifty (250) foot new communications tower, with a lightning rod, any antennae, or other devices mounted to the structure resulting in a maximum height of two hundred seventy-five (275) feet. The proposed communication tower will be located at 15026 River Road (LA Hwy. 18) in Hahnville, Louisiana along the Mississippi River (29.96361 Latitude; -90.40472 Longitude). The site of the proposed tower is on land currently owned by St. Charles Parish. This communications tower will enhance the interoperable communications among all first responder disciplines during times of natural or man-made disasters.

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 Saint Charles Parish East Regional Library, 160 West Campus Drive, Destrehan, LA 70047 between June 11, 2012 and June 26, 2012 during the hours of 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Monday through Thursday and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday and Saturday.

The comment period will end 15 days from the initial notice publication date of June 11, 2012. 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