PUBLIC NOTICE: JEFFERSON PARISH EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION FOR LOCATING PROPOSED PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES IN A FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND AND COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS Date of Notice: Friday June 1, 2018 Name of Responsible Entity (RE): Jefferson Parish, Department of Community Development Address: 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. Suite 605 Jefferson La. 70123 Phone: (504) 736-6262 EXPLANATION AND JUSTIFICATION FOR LOCATING PROPOSED PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES IN A FLOODPLAIN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND REQUIREMENTS Development of a 10 Unit (5 Duplex) using an estimated $500,000 in HOME Funds. Approximate Location: 1411-27 of Estalote Ave. in Harvey LA. 70058 Development of an estimated 6 Units (3 Duplex) using an estimated $400,000 in HOME Funds at 1561 West Chelsea and 1537 Abbey Road in Harvey LA. 70058 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 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through Community Development Block Grant and/or HOME programs. 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 site described above are partially located in a floodplain (covering less than three acres combined) and are within 1,200 ft. of a wetland. 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 are estimated at less than three acres. The projects are anticipated to have no significant impacts on the floodplains or adjacent wetlands. STEP2: 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 ending on May 11, 2018. The comments
received from other interested parties that were consulted and notified of the proposed activities are available as part of the Environmental Review Record. No significant impacts on the environment are anticipated. 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: The majority of the levee protected areas in Harvey are located in the X 500 year floodplain or AE 100 year floodplain. Relocating the development to non-floodplain/wetlands areas would jeopardize the objective and intent of the activity, to the detriment of the Harvey communities. Only a small portion of the AE floodplain is impacted and there are no adjacent wetlands. The sites in question are currently or were recently developed with residential buildings. These proposed activates involve the new construction of affordable housing units that are intended to serve low and moderate income residents, senior households and veterans. There are limited practical alternative actions that will serve the same purpose and resolve the current lack of quality and affordable assisted housing in these areas. The project is designed in a cost effective manner to address both the needs of the households to be assisted, as well as to meet the federal program requirements, while at the same time having the least potential adversely impacts on the floodplain and area wetlands. No Action Alternative: The "no action" alternative was considered and rejected because the activity is a response to documented needs that are perceived as a high priority by the community. This activity will provide future quality and affordable housing for residents. It was concluded that if the projects are not undertaken, the identified problems they are designed to be addressed will remain uncorrected, including residents remaining is lower quality, unassisted and unaffordable housing. STEP4: IMPACT DEFINITION Jefferson Parish is an established urban county of approximately 450,000 persons with large developed areas in or near floodplains and wetlands. The specific area in question is the Harvey community which is in a levee protected and urban area which is already substantially developed. The area has been established for many decades and there are approximately 10,000 persons living within a one square mile radius. This activity will involve housing exclusively and it is designed to alleviate existing deficiencies in quality and affordable housing. This activity will not directly or indirectly support further development of the floodplains or wetlands. The environmental impacts of this project will be limited to those normally associated with construction and residential units and will be minimal. Therefore, the activity will have no anticipated effect on water resources, fish and wildlife, historic and cultural resources, or agricultural and farmlands.
Adverse environmental impacts are not anticipated. This activity will address documented housing needs and will provide units at the recommended elevations for the area. Finally, the overall impact of the activity will be beneficial to the community. STEP 5: IMPACT MITIGATION The housing developers will receive preliminary and final clearances from the proper state and local agencies. The activities being undertaken are consistent with the planning, zoning, and construction guidelines of Jefferson Parish, the Jefferson Parish Community Development Department and HUD's CDBG and/or HOME 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 results of the re-evaluation was that the construction of these units at the site specified was determined to be the only practical alternative. No adverse impacts were identified in Step 4 and the design and construction of the housing units will meet all requirements for floodplains. 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, (HOME, private funds and or others), and that all operating procedures normally followed by the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development, Local, State and Federal guidelines will be adhered to. This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural notification requirements: The Intent to Request the Release of Funds and A Finding of No Significant Impact. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about June 22, 2018 the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12701 et seq.) as amended, to undertake two separate new housing activities in Harvey, (see above).
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environment Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Department of Community Development at the above address and may be examined or copied weekdays (9:00) AM. TO (4:30) P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development at the above address. All comments received by June 22, 2018 will be considered by the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing. RELEASE OF FUNDS The Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development certifies to HUD that Tamithia Shaw in her capacity as the Director of the Department of Community Development consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development certification received on or about June 22, 2018 or a period of fifteen days from its receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer or other officer of the Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development approved by HUD; (b) the RE has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58) and shall be addressed to HUD s New Orleans Field Office, at the Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 Poydras Street, 9th Floor, New Orleans, LA 70130, Phone: (504) 671-3001, email: LA_Webmanager@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Tamithia Shaw, Director Jefferson Parish Department of Community Development 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard Suite 605, Jefferson, Louisiana 70123 Telephone: (504) 736-6260 Fax: (504) 736-6425 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