DRAFT FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT MATTE PROPERTY TEMPORARY SCHOOL CAMPUS PROJECT ERATH, VERMILION PARISH, LOUISIANA FEMA-1607-DR-LA As a result of damages from Hurricane Rita on September 24, 2005 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was authorized under Presidential disaster declaration (FEMA-1607-DR-LA) to provide Federal assistance to designated disaster areas in Louisiana. Section 403 of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMA to provide priority assistance to schools whose facilities are damaged by catastrophic events. There is insufficient classroom space available for academic instruction in Erath, and the practice of sharing time at undamaged schools is only appropriate for a very limited time period. In response to this need, FEMA is proposing to build a temporary emergency school campus for the City of Erath in Vermilion Parish at the Matte Property. In order to implement its PA Program in a timely and effective manner, FEMA proposed an expedited process to assess the potential environmental impacts of building emergency facilities. A draft Environmental Assessment (EA), dated January 31, 2006, was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the President’s Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and FEMA regulations for NEPA compliance (44 CFR Part 10). The EA’s purpose is to analyze and document the potential environmental impacts of the proposed group housing site. It serves as a vehicle to document compliance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations, and to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The EA is hereby incorporated by reference. The Matte Property is approximately 4.5 acres and is located on North Road in Erath, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana. FEMA contractors have been tasked with constructing a new school campus of 28 modular structures on land owned by the Vermilion Parish School Board. A driveway and parking area with 96 spaces will accompany the school. Details of the campus construction were covered in the draft EA. At this time, the occupancy of the facility is expected to last for three years. When the need for temporary school facilities has ended, FEMA expects that the buildings would be hauled from the site to suitable locations elsewhere (to be determined on a case-by-case basis). The site would then be seeded and restored to previous conditions, to the extent practicable, and/or used by the landowner in a manner consistent with parish zoning classification. The public comment period for the Draft EA is from February 3-5, 2006, with public notice published in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser and on FEMA’s web site at http://www.fema.gov/ehp/docs.shtm. FINDINGS FEMA has made the following determination from the information contained in the Matte Property Temporary Campus EA: The above described action will not result in any significant adverse impacts related to geology, soils, hydrology, floodplains, wetlands, water quality, air quality, vegetation, wildlife, state and federally listed threatened and endangered species, cultural resources, socioeconomics (including minority and low income populations), safety, security, noise, hazardous materials, toxic wastes, traffic, or transportation. The proposed alternative is not anticipated to have the potential for significant cumulative effects when combined with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future actions in accordance with 44 CFR Part 10.8 (d)(3)(x). The following summarizes much of what is outlined in the mitigation column of Table 1 of the EA and are the conditions that must be met as part of implementing this proposed project: 1. Construction contractors are required to obtain and comply with all applicable local, parish, state and federal laws, ordinances and permits (or waivers, if issued). This may include, but is not limited to, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permits, stormwater construction permits (e.g., a Louisiana Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit), Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals permits, Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality permits, and meeting codes and standards for utility hookups, housing, and the National Fire Code. 2. Preparing (clearing and grading) of the proposed temporary emergency housing site will require removal of sod and may increase short-term soil erosion. Appropriate erosion control measures will be used during construction, including the use of Best Management Practices (e.g., installation of silt fences and straw bales), to reduce soil erosion and sedimentation. If fill is stored on site, the contractor is required to appropriately cover it to prevent erosion. Area soils and rock cover for roads will be covered and/or wetted during construction to minimize dust. 3. In order to convey stormwater runoff, the contractor will be required to design drainage features so that flows will not flood the campus or surrounding properties during storm events. The drainage system will be required to meet local and parish requirements, including the acquisition of easements, if applicable. All permit conditions will be incorporated into the project design and implementation. 4. In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, if unanticipated historic or cultural materials are discovered during construction, all construction activities shall immediately cease within 100 feet of the materials until their cultural affiliation and ultimate disposition are determined in consultation with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office, FEMA Environmental Liaison Officer and other interested parties. Contact Mr. Duke Rivet, Archaeology Manager, Louisiana Division of Archaeology, Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism, telephone: 225-342-8170. 5. If necessary, the following noise reduction measures should be considered: (1) restricting the 24-hour schedule to the first two weeks of construction, (2) using a 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. construction schedule, (3) completing construction closest to adjoining residents first, and (4) completing noisier activities during the day if a 24-hour schedule is used. 6. If any hazardous materials are found during construction or Park occupation, all hazardous materials shall be remediated, abated, or disposed of as appropriate, and otherwise handled in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. 7. The contractor shall post appropriate signage and place fencing, including a safety fence around the perimeter of the site, to minimize potential adverse public safety concerns. Appropriate signage and barriers should be in place prior to construction activities in order to alert pedestrians and motorists of project activities and traffic pattern changes. 8. Once the temporary housing need has ended, the site would be seeded and restored to previous conditions to the extent practical and/or used by the landowner in a manner consistent with local zoning. This may include a requirement to use native species to revegetate the site. Informal consultation with state and federal resource agencies will ensure that the project does not adversely impact regional species diversity. CONCLUSIONS Based upon the incorporated EA, and in accordance with Presidential Executive Orders 12898 (Environmental Justice), 11988 (Floodplain Management), and 11990 (Wetland Protection), FEMA has determined that the proposed action, implemented with the conditions and mitigation measures outlined above, will not have any significant adverse effects on the quality of the natural and human environment. As a result of this FONSI, an Environmental Impact Statement will not be prepared (44 CFR Part 10.8) and the proposed action alternative as described in the EA may proceed. APPROVE: ___________________________________________________ Donald R. Fairley, REO Date Regional Environmental Officer FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA ___________________________________________________ Jose Rodriguez Date Public Assistance Officer FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA ___________________________________________________ Scott Wells Date Federal Coordinating Officer FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA FEMA-1603/1607-DR-LA Matte Property Emergency Temporary Campus Site Finding of No Significant Impact January 31, 2006 Page 3 U.S. Department of Homeland Security FEMA Region 6 800 N. Loop 288 Denton, Texas 76209-3698