Public Notice Regarding Section 106 Review of Proposed Demolition and Rehabilitation of Booker T. Washington High School - 1201 S. Roman Avenue, New Orleans, LA - Seeking Public Comment Marked aerial photograph showing the location of Booker T. Washington High School Booker T. Washington High School - 2005, FEMA The high winds and heavy rains of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish. In the aftermath of the hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as a part of its responsibilities under 36 CFR Part 800, the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. This notice applies to activities carried out by FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5152-5206. The Recovery School District is requesting that FEMA provide funds to rehabilitate the existing auditorium and the auditorium's entrance/lobby, and to demolish the remainder of the buildings, sidewalks and parking areas at the campus of Booker T. Washington High School, Orleans Parish, LA. The regulations at 36 CFR Part 800 require FEMA, as the funding agency, to identify if any of the properties proposed for demolition and rehabilitation are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places; to assess the effects the demolition and rehabilitation will have on historic properties; and to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. FEMA has identified that the Booker T. Washington High School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significant role in education, entertainment and ethnic heritage in New Orleans. FEMA has also determined the proposed demolition and rehabilitation project will result in adverse effects to the historic property and has initiated consultation to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate the adverse effect. Any member of the public is encouraged to provide views on how the project may affect historic properties and ways that these effects may be avoided, minimized, or mitigated. Comments may be submitted to FEMA for a 15-day period beginning on February 04, 2011 at www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106 or by regular mail. Mailed comments should be sent to: FEMA Mail Center: Historic Preservation: 1 Seine Court, 1st Floor Mail Room: New Orleans, LA 70114 If mailed, comments and requests must be postmarked by February 18, 2011.