PUBLIC NOTICE
FEMA NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 
DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
WHARTON HALL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT
LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE 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 (NEPA).  The purpose of the EA and FONSI is to assess the effects on the human and natural environment from the proposed drainage improvements along McKinley Street, Boucher Drive, and in Girard Park on the University of Louisiana- Lafayette Campus, a proposed action for which FEMA is considering providing funding assistance.  

The draft EA evaluates a No Action Alternative and the Proposed Action stated above. The 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 public review and comment period.

The location of the site is at the University of Louisiana- Lafayette campus in Lafayette Parish, Louisiana. The proposed action involves removing a large section of the existing storm drainage pipe along McKinley Street and replacing it with a new storm drainage system of increased size. In two relatively small sections the existing drainage system will be left in place to function alongside the new, proposed drainage system. Some subsurface drainage will also be installed and extend part of the way up Boucher Drive towards Hebrard Boulevard.

The proposed scope of work also includes installing some new subsurface drainage in Girard Park. Furthermore, the applicant proposes installing junction boxes, ten culverts, and twelve manholes in addition to this new, proposed piping.  All new piping for this project would be installed at a depth between 3 feet and 10 feet in the ground.
 
A draft EA evaluates the proposed action’s potential impacts on the human and natural environment.  It summarizes the purpose and need, affected environment, and potential environmental consequences associated with the proposed action and alternatives.  

The draft EA and draft FONSI are available for review at the Edith Garland Dupe Library, located at 400 E. Saint Mary Blvd., Lafayette, LA, from August 5 through August 24 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m Monday thru Thursday and from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday.  The library will be closed on the weekends.  The documents can be downloaded from FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/ea-region6.shtm .  The comment period will end at 08/24/11 at 4 pm. Comments may be mailed to: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY--FEMA E/HP—Wharton Hall Drainage Project 1 Seine Court, 4th Floor New Orleans, LA 70114. Comments may be emailed to: FEMA-NOMA@dhs.gov or faxed to: 504-762-2353.  Verbal comments will be accepted or recorded at 504-762-2361.  If no substantive comments are received, the draft EA and associated Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) will become final and this initial Public Notice will also serve as the final Public Notice for work in the floodplain in accordance with 44 CFR Part 9.12.