FEMA PUBLIC NOTICE DRAFT SUPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE PROPOSED CONCH KEY WASTEWATER PROJECT The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received a grant application from the Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority (FKAA) to fund construction of a wastewater treatment system to serve Conch Key, Florida. The proposed project would be funded through FEMA 1249-DR Post Disaster - Unmet Needs funds, as noticed on August 6, 1999, in Vol. 64 No. 151 of the Federal Register. Matching funds will be provided through the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the FKAA and Monroe County. The purpose of the project is to improve the Conch Key service area’s wastewater treatment to meet State requirements (Chapter 99-395 Laws of Florida) by 2010, per the Monroe County Year 2010 Comprehensive Plan. FEMA has completed a Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Wastewater Management Improvements in the Keys, for various wastewater projects including Conch Key. A Programmatic Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) has been issued for the PEA. A Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the proposed action on Conch Key is now complete, which focuses on site/project specific issues. These documents were prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (PL 91-190) and associated environmental statutes, as implemented by FEMA’s regulations 44 CFR Part 10; and in accordance with Presidential Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management); as implemented in 44 CFR Part 9. Project Alternatives: Alternatives considered in the DSEA include: 1) No Action Alternative: The Conch Key service area continues to use its existing wastewater treatment systems and obtains funding from other sources to meet the State 2010 requirements and the Comprehensive Plan deadline; 2) Action Alternative 1: Implement the Monroe County Sanitary Wastewater Master Plan recommendation of building a community wastewater collection system and treatment plant on Conch Key; 3) Action Alternative 2: Install a wastewater collection system on Conch Key to convey wastewater to the existing Hawk’s Cay Wastewater Treatment Plant located on Duck Key, subject to FKAA/Monroe County acquiring ownership or beneficial use of the existing treatment plant from its current private owner. Notice of Draft Supplemental Environmental Assessment Available for Comment: The DSEA addresses the purpose and need of the proposed project, project alternatives considered, the affected environment, project and site-specific environmental consequences, and impact mitigation measures. Comments to the DSEA will be accepted from the affected public; local, state and federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and appropriately scope and evaluate the likely effects of the proposed Conch Key project alternatives on the physical, biological, and social/built environment. Comments should be made in writing and sent to the FEMA official listed below or given at the public meeting. Comments will be accepted no later than July 25,2003. The DSEA may be accessed as indicated below; the PEA and FONSI may also be accessed at these locations, however the comment period for the latter two documents has passed. * The DSEA may be viewed and downloaded at the following website: http://www.fema.gov/ehp/docs.shtm * A copy of the DSEA will be available for viewing at the following public repository - George Dolezal Branch Library, 3251 Overseas Highway, Marathon Public Meeting Notice: A public meeting has been scheduled for the DSEA. The purpose of the meeting is to present the DSEA, discuss the issues and gather information, and receive public comments. * JULY 15TH 6:30 to 9:30pm – Emergency Operations Center, Marathon Government Center 2798 Overseas Highway (Mile Marker 47.5), Marathon Point of Contact: Ms. Science Kilner, Lead Environmental Specialist FEMA Region IV 3003 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341 Fax: (770) 220-5440 science.kilner@dhs.gov