DR-4468-FL Public Notice 001

Notice Date

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair or replace facilities damaged by Hurricane Dorian occurring between September 1, 2019 and September 9, 2019. This notice applies to the Public Assistance (PA) project for dune restoration for the Town of Jupiter Island Blowing Rock dunes, implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207.

Under a major disaster declaration, FEMA-DR-4468-FL, signed by the President on October 4, 2019 and amended October 17, 2019 and October 21, 2019, Martin County, which includes the Town of Jupiter Island, was designated as adversely affected by the disaster and eligible for PA funding.

This public notice concerns activities pertaining to the dune restoration activities for the Town of Jupiter Island’s Blowing Rock dune system. The proposed project will replace sand lost from the dune system between FDEP monuments R-126 (26.974053, -80.0813608) on the north end and R-127.4 (26.971069, - 80.080741) on the south end, for an approximate length of 1,100 linear feet (LF). The Town of Jupiter Island is proposing to replace approximately 1,463 cubic yards (CY) of lost sand. Additionally, 4,000 CY would be added as part of the regular maintenance nourishment plan to restore the full profile of the dunes. The town will obtain beach compatible sand from Stewart Mine in Fort Pierce. Additionally, the hurricane caused significant loss of dune stabilization plants. Therefore, the Applicant also plans to replace approximately 1,468 sea oats during the sand replenishment activities.

FEMA has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA). An alternatives analysis was performed, which included the evaluation of the proposed action, repair to pre-disaster conditions, and the no action alternative. Further detailed descriptions of all alternatives may be reviewed in the EA conducted by FEMA or by contacting FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov for a copy. The draft EA is available for public comment and can be viewed on FEMA’s and the applicant’s website at the following locations:

https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-09/fema_enivironmental-assessment_dr-4468_florida_09- 17-2020.pdf

http://townofjupiterisland.com/

A hardcopy of the EA is available for review at Jupiter Island Town Hall, located at 2 Southeast Bridge Road, Hobe Sound, Florida, 33455; during the following hours Mon 9:00 AM-2:00 PM; Wed 9:00 AM- 2:00 PM; Fri 9:00 AM-5:00 PM.

The Endangered Species Act requires federal agencies to consult with United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for affects to federally listed threatened and endangered species. Existing Programmatic Biological Opinions with USFWS were utilized to minimize impacts to listed species by applying appropriate terms and conditions.

The Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) requires federal agencies to consult with the USFWS before approving any action involving permanent restoration of a facility or structure on or attached to a Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) unit. FEMA consulted with the USFWS and received concurrence regarding FEMA’s determination that the project meets the specific exemptions regarding nonstructural projects for beach re-nourishment that are designed to mimic, enhance, or restore natural stabilization systems.

The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effect of their undertakings on historic properties. FEMA performed consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and received concurrence for a determination of no historic properties affected. Tribal consultation letters were submitted to the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Muscogee

(Creek) Nation, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. Tribal consultation responses were received from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and the Seminole Tribe of Florida concurring with FEMA’s determination of no historic properties affected. No Tribal consultation responses were received from the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Miccosukee Tribe of  Indians of Florida, Poarch Band of Creek Indians and Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.

Presidential Executive Orders (EO) 11988 and 11990 direct federal agencies to avoid to the extent possible the impacts associated with the destruction and modification of floodplains and wetlands. Agencies are directed to avoid construction and development of floodplains and wetlands whenever there are practicable alternatives. Projects affecting the floodplain or wetlands are reviewed for opportunities to relocate and evaluated for social, economic, historical, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. The Blowing Rocks dune system in the Town of Jupiter Island are located within the coastal high hazard area, otherwise known as the VE zone, per Martin County Flood Insurance Rate map #12085C0527 H, dated 2/19/2020. The dunes are a functionally dependent facility providing open space uses for recreational activities and habitat for wildlife in addition to providing flood and storm protection to adjacent properties. If no action is taken to restore the dunes, the area would be vulnerable to higher wave action and further erosion. In addition, the area would suffer economic and social losses.

This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above-described action funded by the FEMA PA program. Interested persons may obtain information about this action by emailing FEMA- R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line, FL-4468-PW-00081, Town of Jupiter Island at the above address within 30 days of the date of this notice.

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