JOINT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL PUBLIC NOTICE The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management have received the following application for Federal grant funding. Final notice is hereby given of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) consideration to provide funding in the form of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Funds will be provided in accordance with Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations.
Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990 FEMA is required to consider alternatives to and to provide public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority or low-income populations.
Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions.
Applicant: City of Fort Pierce
Project Title: HMGP-4283- DR-FL Hurricane Matthew
Application 4283-117, City of Fort Pierce, North 17th Street, Drainage Improvements
Location of Proposed Work: The area affected by this project consists of homes in the following locations: The project is located on North 17th Street, from Orange Avenue to Avenue D, Fort Pierce, 34950, Florida. The project begins on North 17th Street (Latitude 27.447283, Longitude -80.341469), and ends on North 17th Street (Latitude 27.453094, Longitude -80.341658).
Proposed Work and Purpose: The scope of work of this project is proposed to include the installation of pipes, drain inlets, manholes, connection of new piping to existing drainage structures, and roadway re-construction/upgrade, along North 17th Street, along Orange Avenue, Avenues B, C, and D, to protect residences, businesses and local governments. All activities are part of stormwater conveyance improvements for flood abatement, and shall be in strict compliance with Federal, State and Local Rules and Regulations.
Project Alternatives: The alternatives to the project that have been and will be considered are 1) the no action alternative and 2) A feasible alternative to the proposed project would be the canal expansion of Moore’s Creek which would increase the storage capacity to store stormwater run off. Improvements include: replacement of an existing bridge, canal bank stabilization, and widening of the creek. These alternatives to the proposed project are not viable because under Alternative 1) Repetitive flooding is not alleviated and the needs of the community would not be served; and Alternative 2) As an alternative project, several negative impacts will occur with this alternative, such as expropriation and tax loss. Ten owners will lose their house and land. It causes economic loss, social and psychological disruption for the affected individuals and their families, and therefore not practicable.
Comment Period: Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100. These are due within 30 days of this notice. The State will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed. Interested persons may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting:
Jack Andrews, City Engineer (772) 467-3773 Jandrews@city-ftpierce.com
Teresa Sanders, State Environmental Specialist (850) 815-4521 Florida Division of Emergency Management email: Teresa.Sanders@em.myflorida.com