FEMA-4520-DR-WI Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to provide financial assistance to the State of Wisconsin, local and Indian Tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations under major disaster declaration FEMA-4520-DR-WI. This notice applies to the Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207.

The President declared a major disaster for the State of Wisconsin on April 4, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This declaration, numbered FEMA-4520-DR-WI, has authorized reimbursement through the Public Assistance Program for emergency protective measures (Category B) for all areas in the State of Wisconsin. Additional authorizations may be designated at a later date.

The Public Assistance Program is authorized by Section 403 of the Stafford Act. FEMA may provide financial assistance under the Public Assistance Program for the State of Wisconsin, local and Indian Tribal governments, and private nonprofit organizations to perform emergency protective measures in response to COVID-19. These actions may include the establishment of temporary medical facilities, enhanced medical /hospital capacity, temporary staging locations, and non-congregate medical sheltering. This will be the only public notice concerning these actions.

This public notice concerns activities that may affect historic properties, activities that are located in or affecting wetland areas or the 100-year floodplain, and critical actions within the 500-year floodplain. Such activities may adversely affect the historic property, floodplain or wetland, or may result in continuing vulnerability to flood damage.

Presidential Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 require that all federal actions in or affecting the floodplain or wetlands be reviewed for opportunities to relocate, and evaluated for social, economic, historical, environmental, legal and safety considerations. Where there is no opportunity to relocate, FEMA is required to undertake a detailed review to determine what measures can be taken to minimize future damages. The public is invited to participate in the process of identifying alternatives and analyzing their impacts through this notification. FEMA has determined that for certain types of emergency actions, including those actions to be funded under this disaster declaration, there may be no practicable alternatives outside the floodplain or wetlands.

The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effects of their undertakings on historic properties. Those actions or activities affecting buildings, structures, districts or objects fifty (50) years or older or that affect archeological sites or undisturbed ground will require further review to determine if the property is eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (Register). If the property is determined to be eligible for the Register, and FEMA’s undertaking will adversely affect it, FEMA may provide additional public notices. For historic properties not adversely affected by FEMA’s undertaking, this will be the only public notice.

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the civil rights of persons with disabilities. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by the federal government, federal contractors, and by recipients of federal financial assistance. Any recipient or sub-recipient of federal funds is required to make their programs accessible to individuals with disabilities. Its protections apply to all programs and businesses that receive any federal funds. This applies to all elements of physical/architectural, programmatic and communication accessibility in all services and activities conducted by or funded by FEMA. FEMA intends to comply with the Rehabilitation Act in all federally conducted and assisted programs in alignment with the principals of whole community inclusion and universal accessibility.

As noted, this may be the only public notice regarding the above-described actions under the PA program. Interested persons may obtain information about these actions or a specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Regional Environmental Officer, 536 S. Clark Street, Sixth Floor, Chicago, IL 60605, Duane.Castaldi@fema.dhs.gov, or by calling 312-576-0067. Comments should be made within fifteen (15) days of the date of this notice.