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 FACTILITY PROJECT ST. JOHN’S REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, 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. Assistance authorized by the statute is available to individuals, families, state and local governments, and certain nonprofit organizations. The purpose of this project is to assist St. John’s in constructing temporary medical facilities so health professionals can continue to provide vital medical and health related services and facilities to the residents of Joplin and the surrounding region and to relieve the burden that the loss of the hospital has placed on the remaining medical facilities in the region. In order to implement its PA Program in a timely and effective manner, FEMA proposed an expedited process to assess the potential environmental impacts of building emergency temporary facility for a hospital. An Environmental Assessment (EA), Monday July 18, 2011, 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. This site is bordered on the north by the existing temporary facilities described above, on the south by 32nd Street, to the west by Old 32nd Street/South Picher Avenue, and to the east by Jackson Avenue. It is generally due east, across Old 32nd St/South Picher Avenue (also known as St. John’s Boulevard) from the remaining St. John’s infrastructure. The Proposed Action would involve the development of a maximum of 31 acres of the site. Site preparation would require grading to construct building pads, roads, parking lots, helipads, walkways, and all utilities related to the infrastructure of the complex. Utility services including water, sewer, electric, and telephone would be extended to the site from adjacent areas. In addition, stormwater management facilities would be constructed in accordance with local, state and Federal requirements. Best management practices (BMPs) would be implemented to reduce or eliminate runoff impacts during proposed construction activities and to reduce the potential for soil erosion after construction. A safety fence would be installed and maintained around the site perimeter during construction. The facilities would include the development of temporary gravel pads or concrete footings for foundations, gravel and asphalt roadways, parking, walkways waterline installation, phone and cable, electric, and modular components for the structures. The contractor will ensure that the new utility infrastructure is compatible with the capacity needed for the remainder of the city and/or county. Access to the site from surrounding roads along with internal circulation will also be designed in coordination with applicable city and/or county staff. The estimated footprint sizes for specific features are: buildings/structures- 2.81 acres, helipad- 0.44 acre, parking-1.98 acre, and roads/walkways-3.21 acres. The existing 6.04 cleared/graded area would be fully utilized, thereby reducing the extent of further clearing that is necessary to construct the facilities. The public comment period for the Draft EA was from July 13 through July 17, 2011 with notice published in the Joplin Globe, the Jasper County Citizen, copies of the draft EA were also provided at the Joplin City Hall, located at 602 S. Main St. Joplin, MO 64801, Two FEMA Disaster Recovery Center Locations, DRC#6 602 S. Main St. Joplin, MO 64801 and DRC#7 3950 E. Newman Road Joplin, MO 64801 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 St. John’s Regional Medical Center 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