PUBLIC NOTICE
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PUBLIC NOTICE:
JEFFERSON PARISH
EXPLANATION AND
JUSTIFICATION FOR
LOCATING PROPOSED PROJECTS AND
ACTIVITIES IN A
FLOODPLAIN AND
WETLAND
For public comments please contact:
Address: Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. Suite 605
Jefferson La. 70123
Phone: (504) 736-6262
Email: JPCDprograms@jeffparish.net
EXPLANATION AND
JUSTIFICATION FOR
LOCATING PROPOSED
PROJECTS AND
ACTIVITIES IN A
FLOODPLAIN
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND REQUIREMENTS
State of Louisiana, Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) funding for HVAV improvements to various sites located in the floodzone and adjacent to wetlands, including:
Watson Community Center - 1300 S. Myrtle Street, Metairie, LA 70003
Harvey Community Center - 1501 Estalote Street, Harvey, LA 70058
Avondale Gym - 709 S. Jamie Boulevard, Avondale, LA 70094
Martin Luther King Playground Gym - 2400 Lester Avenue, Harvey, LA 70058
An additional 15 sites are located in the X Flood Zone. No impacts to the floodplain are anticipated because these are all interior upgrades to existing facilities.
No impacts to wetlands are anticipated because there are interior renovations to existing facilities. All sites are within levee protected areas. The following sites are located within 1,200 ft. of a wetland:
Watson Community Center, 1300 S. Myrtle Street, Metairie, LA 70003 700ft to wetlands.
Avondale Gym, 709 S. Jamie Boulevard, Avondale, LA 70094. 700ft to wetlands.
Simmons Community Center, 4008 U.S. Highway 90, Avondale, LA 70094 400ft to wetlands.
Kennedy Heights Gym, 248 Mission Court, Avondale, LA 70094. 1,000ft to wetlands.
Woodmere Community Center. 2485 Alex Korman Harvery LA 70058, 700ft to wetlands.
Funding Source and Amount: CDBG CV State OCD funds estimated at $1,000,000
In accordance with 24CFR58.5 and 24CFR55.20, the following procedure was followed to determine impacts on the floodplain and on wetlands as a result of proposed activities to be funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through Community Development Block Grant CORONA Virus - State of Louisiana CDBG funds. This procedure implements the requirements of executive Orders 11988 (Floodplains) and 11990 (Wetlands) in the decision making process (the 8-Step Processes) and thus the determination made by this procedure are a part of the Environmental Review Record (ERR) for this project as per 24CFR58.34.
STEP 1: DETERMINATION
In compliance with Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, and 24 CFR 55.20, it has been determined that these sites located in Jefferson Parish are in a floodplain with an estimated impact of less than 10 acres and adjacent to wetlands with an estimated impact of less than 10 acres. Therefore, the 8-step decision-making process was followed for floodplains and wetlands. The total project area in the floodplain and/or wetlands to be impacted is estimated at less than 20 acres.
STEP 2: PUBLIC REVIEW
An early public notification was made in the form of a newspaper ad making the public aware of the intent to proceed with proposed projects located within or affecting the floodplain and wetlands and providing the public with an opportunity for review and comment. No comments were received from the public during the comment period. No comments were received from other interested parties that were consulted and notified of the proposed activities. No significant impacts on the environment are anticipated due to the nature of the HVAC activities.
STEP 3: ALTERNATIVES
The following alternatives to locating in or affecting a floodplain were identified and evaluated:
1. Alternative sites located outside the floodplain
2. Alternative actions which serve the same purpose but have less impact
3. The no action alternative
Alternative sites located outside the floodplain:
Relocating the activities is not an option because these are HVAC upgrades to existing public infrastructure. Alternate sites would jeopardize the objective and intent of the activity, to the detriment of the community. The facilities already exist in the floodplain and adjacent to wetlands and no impacts to the floodplain or wetlands are expected.
Alternative Actions:
There are limited practical alternative actions that will serve the same purpose by making improvements to HVACs at existing facilities. The projects are designed to address the needs of the community at the locations specified. These facilities already exist in the community and no impacts to the floodplain or wetlands are anticipated.
No Action Alternative:
The no action alternative was considered and rejected because the activities are a response to needs that are a high priority for the community. These activities will provide upgraded air flow and reduce the spread of airborne viruses such as COVID-19. Without HVAC upgrades the users of the facilities and the wider community will not benefit from the improvements.
STEP 4: IMPACT DEFINITION
Jefferson Parish is an established urban county of approximately 430,000 persons with large developed areas in or near floodplains and wetlands. Numerous facilities already exist in the floodplain and adjacent to wetlands. The area has been established for many decades and there are tens of thousands of persons living within a square mile radius that will stand to benefit from these activities.
These activities will not directly or indirectly support further development of the floodplain or wetlands. The environmental impacts of these projects will be limited to those normally associated with construction within existing public buildings and the sites combined are less than 20 acres in the floodplain and adjacent to wetlands. The activities have no anticipated impact on water resources, fish and wildlife, historic and cultural resources, or agricultural and farmlands. Adverse environmental impacts are not anticipated. These activities will have an overall beneficial impact on the community.
STEP 5: IMPACT MITIGATION
The activities being undertaken are consistent with the planning, zoning, and construction guidelines of Jefferson Parish, the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development, the States Office of Community Development and HUDs CDBG CV programs.
STEP 6: RE-EVALUATION OF ALTERNATIVES
This project was re-evaluated to determine if any other sites or no action: alternatives could be undertaken. The result of the re-evaluation was that the improvements to HVACs as specified were determined to be the only practical alternative.
No adverse impacts were identified in Step 4 and the design and engineering of the HVACs will meet all requirements for floodplains and wetlands and coastal use authorizations. Adverse health and financial impacts to the manmade environment are not anticipated.
STEP 7: FINDINGS AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION
A copy of this newspaper notice making the public aware of the reasons for carrying out these proposed activities within or affecting the floodplain and wetlands will be incorporated into the Environmental Review Record and maintained by the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development.
STEP 8: PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION
It is expected that these activities and any other required measures will be implemented by utilizing the various funding sources listed (CDBG-CV/State OCD) and/or other Parish funds. All Parish, State and HUD operating procedures will be followed by the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development.
For More Information and a copy of the Environmental Review Record for this activity please contact the Jefferson Parish, Department of Community Development at Address: 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. Suite 605, Jefferson La. 70123, Phone: (504) 736-6262.
Public Comments will be accepted through August 19th, 2022.
Nicole A. M. Fontenot, Esq. Director
Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development
1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Suite 605
Jefferson, Louisiana 70123
(504) 736-6262 (Office)
(504) 736-6425 (Fax)
nfontenot@jeffparish.net
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE
In accordance with provisions of the American with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, as amended, Jefferson Parish shall not discriminate against individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs or activities.
If you require auxiliary aids or devices, or other reasonable accommodation under the ADA Amendments Act, please submit your request to the ADA Coordinator at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance or as soon as practical. A seventy-two (72) hour advanced notice is required to request Certified ASL interpreters.
ADA Coordinator
Office of Citizens with Disabilities
1221 Elmwood Park Blvd., Suite 210
Jefferson, LA 70123
(504) 736-6086
ADA@jeffparish.net
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