FEMA Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for The Florida Department of Environmental Protection for repairs to State Parks due to damages by Hurricane Irma (DR-4337-FL PW 08554). 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 September 9, 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: 

Florida Department of Environmental Protection

Project Title(s): 

PA-04-FL-4337-PW-08554 (PA-GM 44573); District 5 100% Completed

Location of Proposed Work: 

Fort Zachary Taylor State Park: (24.545852, -81.810309) and (24.546282, -81.808370)

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park: (27.473122, -80.28995)           

Floodplain: 

The Project is located in the VE Zone, otherwise known as Coastal High Hazard Area, per Monroe County FIRM Panel # 12087C1516K dated 02/18/2005 and St. Lucie County FIRM Panel #12111C0118K dated 02/19/2020. The Fort Pierce Inlet State Park project is also located in wetlands with classification E1UBL (Estuarine and Marine Deepwater) as mapped by the National Wetlands Inventory, accessed 06/03/2025.

Proposed Work and Purpose:

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has restored structures and facilities back to their pre-disaster function, capacity, and footprint by repairing the damaged components. The repairs included installing the electric feeder underground at the concession building and replacing drywall and windows at the park manager residence at the Fort Zachary Taylor State Park. Riprap and sand were installed at the jetty located in the Fort Pierce Inlet State Park.   

Project Alternatives:

The alternative that has been considered is the no action alternative. This alternative is not feasible as the area would remain vulnerable to flood risk, including property damage and hazards to human life and safety. With the no action alternative, the parks would not be restored and would not continue to promote recreational space use, which would negatively impact the community. Alternate locations were not considered as the parks are functionally dependent upon their location within the floodplain. 

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, 3005 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 or by emailing FEMA-R4EHP-FLORIDA@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line, “Public Comment for DR-4337-FL PW 08554, The Florida Department of Environmental Protection” at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.