U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA-160l/1607-DR-LA 41S N IStlt Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 FEMA August 12,2006 Johnny Gonzales GOHSEPPAO FEMA-1603-DR-LA 415 N. 15th Street Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 RE: Alternative Arrangements, Reconstruction of Critical Infrastructur~ in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, EOR1917 UNO-ATM Building 12810, Facility Planning and Control, State of Louisiana PW#: 12949, DR1603- LA, PA 10: 000-UXL4N-00 Dear Mr. Gonzales: The purpose ofthis letter is to notify you that the Public Assistance project for EOR1917 UNO-ATM Building 12810,2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana 70148 (30.0295 IN, 90.06513W), qualifies for the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Alternative Arrangements for the Reconstruction ofCritical Infrastructure in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area. Under the regular Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) NEPA review this project would have qualified for a Categorical Exclusion (CATEX) XV. However, due to the unprecedented number of grants requested that need to be processed in a short time, the potential cumulative effects, and potential environmentally-related socio-economic effects ofFEMA's funding in the New Orleans Metropolitan Area, FEMA has determined that this type ofaction may have significant impacts that cannot be reviewed under the normal Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security (DRS), and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) have adopted the Alternative Arrangements to address the basic elements ofNEPA under these circumstances. For more information visit www.fema.gov/planlehp/nomalindex.shtm. While the use of Alternative Arrangements meets NEPA compliance requirements, there are requirements of other Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) laws and Executive Orders that must be individually complied with. For the work described in this Project Worksheet (PW) the following conditions relating to those requirements apply: • This project is located within the Louisiana Coastal Management Zone. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources (LDNR) has determined that receipt offederal assistance is consistent with the Louisiana coastal resource program. Projects within the coastal zone may still requi~ a Coastal Use Permit (CUP) or other authorization from LDNR. Projects may be coordinated by contacting LDNR at 1-800-267-4019. Johnny Gonzales August 12, 2006 Page 2 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 ofwork for this project will require additional environmental review by FEMA. Sincerel? .", '1'6-tV h Ii " uz; onafcrR. ~ley,1-{iM Environmental Liaison Officer FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA Enclosures: Project Worksheet Cc: Oliver Mack, FEMA DPAO for Grants