I .S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA 415 N 15thStreet Baton Rouge, LA 70802 August 24, 2006 Johnny Gonzales GOHSEP PAO FEMA-1603-DR-LA 415 N. 15th Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 RE: Categorical Exclusion, Replacement and improvements to the Lacoste Pool House of the St. Bernard Parish School Board, Chalmette, Louisiana, PW#: 16692, FEMA-1603-DR-LA, PA ID: 087 04449-00 Dear Mr. Gonzales: The purpose of this letter is to notify you that the Public Assistance project, including the codes and standards upgrades for the replacement of the Lacoste Pool House for St. Bernard Parish School Board at 1100 East Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette, LA 70043 (N29.93996, W-89.95271) has been cleared under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The Code of Federal Regulations, 44 CFR Part 10, requires that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) take into account environmental considerations when authorizing or approving major actions. This project has been determined to be categoricallyexcludedinaccordancewith44 CFRPart 10.8(d)(2)(xii)(xv), fromtheneedtoprepare either an environmental impact statement or environmental assessment. No extraordinary circumstances in accordance with 44 CFR 10.8(d)(3) have been identified regarding this action. The Project Worksheet is attached. Particular attention should be given to the general comments and conditions before and during project implementation. Failure to comply with these conditions may jeopardize federal assistance including funding. The following conditions apply to this project: • If during the course of work, archaeological artifacts (prehistoric or historic) or human remains are discovered, the applicant shall stop work in the vicinity of the discovery and take all reasonable measures to avoid or minimize harm to the finds. The applicant shall inform their Public Assistance (PA) contacts at FEMA, who will in turn contact FEMA Historic Preservation (HP) staff. The applicant will not proceed with work until FEMA HP completes consultation with the SHPO. In addition, if unmarked graves are present, compliance with the Louisiana Unmarked Human Burial Sites Preservation Act (R.S. 8:671 et seq.) is required. The applicant shall notify the law enforcement agency of the jurisdiction where the remains are located within twenty-four hours of the discovery. The applicant shall also notify FEMA and the Louisiana Division of Archaeology at 225-342-8170 within seventy-two hours of the discovery. If this scope of work changes, this project will need to be resubmitted for further Section 106 review prior to ground disturbing activities taking place. Failure to comply with these stipulations may jeopardize receipt of federal funding. • All contents and equipment should, where possible, be elevated, relocated, or floodproofed to or above the advisory base flood elevation of 3 ft. above highest existing adjacent grade (HEAG). Johnny Gonzales August 24, 2007 Page 2 • Unusable equipment, debris and material shall be disposed of in an approved manner and location. In the event significant items (or evidence thereof) are discovered during implementation of the project applicant shall handle, manage, and dispose of petroleum products, hazardous materials and/or toxic waste in accordance to the requirements and to the satisfaction of the governing local, state and federal agencies. • This project potentially involves the disposal of metallic mercury containing electronic devices. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that these devices are recovered, recycled, reused or sequestered in accordance with the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) "Declaration of Emergency; Mercury-Containing Devices and Electronic Equipment as Universal Waste" letter dated October 3, 2005. • In accordance with the Formosan Termite Initiative Act, (LA R.S. 3:3391.1 thru 3391.13) the Louisiana Parishes of Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John the Baptist, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Washington are under quarantine. The movement of wood or cellulose material, temporary housing or architectural components (e.g. beams, doors and other wood salvaged from a structure) may not leave the quarantined parishes without written authorization from the Commissioner of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry or his Designee(s). Please note that this transmittal is a notification that this project has been cleared under NEPA only. This is not a notice of final approval or eligibility. Any change beyond the approved scope of work for this project will require additional environmental review by FEMA. . / Howard R. Bush * Environmental Liaison Officer FEMA-1603/7-DR Enclosures: 1. Project Worksheet 16692