Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for the FL Department of Environmental Protection park repairs due to Hurricane Irma (DR-4337-FL PW 04979). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance (PA) Program.

An initial disaster-wide Public Notice was published October 6, 2017 for Hurricane Irma. Comments and other information received were fully evaluated by FEMA along with evaluation of social, economic, environmental, and safety considerations. This notice serves as a project-specific final notice for FEMA’s funding action located within the floodplain.

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. This action complies with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Responsible Entity: FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program

Applicant: FL Department of Environmental Protection

Project Title(s): PA-04-FL-4337-PW-04979; 44556 – District 4

Location of Proposed Work: Caladesi Island State Park Ferry Waiting Area and Ranger Residence; GPS Coordinates: (28.031702, -82.819477), and (28.020158, -82.820821).

Floodplain: The project is located in Zone VE per Pinellas County FIRM Panel #s 12103C0062G + 12103C0064G dated 09/03/2003.

Proposed Work and Purpose: The FL Department of Environmental Protection’s Caladesi Island Ferry Waiting Area, and Ranger Residence were damaged as a result of Hurricane Irma. To restore the facilities to its pre-disaster function, the applicant removed and replaced roofing elements such as shingles, fascia, soffit, asphalt rolled roof, and metal roofing.

Project Alternatives: The no-action alternative was considered. This alternative is not feasible as the area could incur further damages. With the no action alternative, continued negative impacts on residents and the community may be experienced as the ranger residence is home to those who oversee park management and law enforcement, and the ferry waiting area promotes the recreational use of the park. Alternate locations were not considered as the entire park is located in the floodplain, and areas located outside of the VE zone are inhabited by mangrove forests.

Comments: This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above-described action funded by the FEMA PA program. Interested persons may submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 4, 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, or by emailing FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line FL-4337-PW-04979, FDEP at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.