PUBLIC NOTICE

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland

To: All interested Agencies, including LDEQ, USFWS, USDA, LASHPO, USEPA Region 6, LDWF, LADOTD, LDENR, OCM, Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana, Coushatta Tribe of Louisiana, Jena Band of Choctaw Indians, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that The City of New Iberia under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under CDBG-DR B-18-DP-22-0001 is located in a wetland, and The City of New Iberia will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the wetland and the potential impacts on the wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and/or Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is 2014 Jane Street in New Iberia, Iberia Parish, Louisiana. The extent of the wetland was determined by a preliminary jurisdictional determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dated July 7, 2025. The palustrine wetland identified in the preliminary jurisdictional determination is composed by eight individual areas. The total area of wetland impacts is 0.11 acres. The wetland is beneficial for storm water detention in the project area. The wetland does not have any intrinsic values (e.g. recreational, educational, scientific, historic, and cultural). The City of New Iberia proposes to construct a detention pond, clear and snag a portion of the M-10 canal, and install an improved drainage pipe to alleviate existing flooding problems in the Acadian Acres subdivision near the intersection of Juarez Street and Monterey Street. The proposed detention pond is approximately 3.4 acres, with a depth of approximately 8-feet. The property for the proposed detention pond is owned by the City of New Iberia. A proposed 72-inch diameter reinforced concrete drainage pipe (RCP) would replace an existing culvert 42-inch diameter RCP within a construction servitude adjacent to Juarez Street.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in wetland and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the [floodplain/wetland]. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about wetland can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by City of New Iberia at the following address on or before August 7, 2025. [A minimum 15 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 16th day after the publication]. City of New Iberia, 457 East Main Street, Suite 300, New Iberia, LA 70560. and (337) 369-2331, Attention: Lanie Kerlegon, City Clerk. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM at the address indicated above. Comments may also be submitted via email at lkerlegon@cityofnewiberia.com.

Date: 7/16/2025

The cost of this notice is $180.90.

The Daily Iberian: July 19, 2025

PROPOSED ACTIVITY