Federal Emergency Management Agency Semi-Annual Report on the Louisiana Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Programmatic Agreement (LA HMGP PA) Louisiana Recovery Office July 31, 2013 Introduction FEMA is providing this report pursuant to Stipulation XV of the Louisiana State-Specific Programmatic Agreement Among the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP);Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer of the Department of Culture Recreation & Tourism (SHPO); Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (ACTT); Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana (CTL); Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO); Jena Band of Choctaw Indians (JBCI); Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI);Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF); and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) Regarding FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (LA HMGP PA), executed January 31st, 2011. The Jena Band of Choctaw Indians signed the LA HMGP PA on February 8, 2011. Tribes that are recognized as Participating Tribes in the document and have not yet signed the LA HMGP PA include: The Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas (ACTT), the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana (CTL), the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO), the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI), and the Seminole Tribe of Florida (STF). These Tribes have still been consulted per the terms of the LA HMGP PA. Other Consulting Parties who have signed the LA HMGP PA as Concurring Parties are the Office of Community Development-Disaster Recovery Unit, Calcasieu Parish, Jefferson Parish, Saint Tammany Parish, the City of New Orleans, and the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans FEMA is producing this Semi-Annual Report in accordance with Stipulation XV which states: FEMA will prepare and distribute copies of its semi-annual reports for its actions to implement the LA HMGP PA on the last business day of January and July each year by e-mail to the Consulting Parties. The Semi-Annual Report will include, but not be limited to summary data on: The number of residential properties funded under the PTMs to date (Stipulation XV.B.i). The number of non-residential properties that went through the Standard Review process (Stipulation XV.B.ii). Any adverse effects or potential adverse effects addressed through STMs or project-specific MOAs (Stipulation XV.B.iii). Summary of public input fielded and outreach measures fielded during the six-month reporting period (Stipulation XV.B.iv). Summary of the execution of STMs, PTMs and treatments under any project-specific MOAs (Stipulation XV.B.v). In Accordance with Stipulation XV.C, FEMA is providing Consulting Parties 30 days to comment on the Semi-Annual Report. Comments should be addressed to Gail Lazaras via e-mail at gail.lazaras@fema.dhs.gov or via phone at 504-762-2133. If any relevant comments are received, FEMA may convene a meeting or telephone conference call of the Consulting Parties to discuss these comments within 60 days of submittal. If it is determined that a meeting is necessary, FEMA will further notify Consulting Parties. Methodology The numbers and information provided in this report are applicable to the reporting time period of February 1, 2013 through July 31, 2013 unless otherwise noted. The summary data was extracted from internal tracking databases maintained by FEMA's Environmental and Historic Preservation Unit and HMGP Program as well as tracking sources from the Office of Community Development. In some instances the reconciliation of projects takes several weeks. Therefore, FEMA has not received complete information that is reflective of all funding activities through July 31, 2013; this information will be captured in future reports. Data Stipulation XV.B.i: The number of residential properties funded under Programmatic Treatment Measures to date Projects funded under Programmatic Treatment Measures (PTM) include HMGP Limited Exception properties (including Pre-Effective Date and Grace Period Undertakings), Post-Grace Period Undertakings, and all residential properties submitted via Large-Scale Sub-Grantee applications. The total number of projects funded under PTM as of May 31, 2013* is 9,291. * The reconciliation process for projects funded under the PTM takes 6 - 8 weeks; therefore, FEMA is unable to report on projects funded through July 31, 2013. The data for the remaining reporting period (June 1, 2013 - July 31, 2013) will be captured in a future report. Stipulation XV.B.ii: The number of non-residential properties that went through the Standard Review process The Standard Review process applies to Undertakings submitted through traditional applications, which include residential properties, commercial properties, private non-profit properties and all public properties that do not meet the criteria to be considered Pre-Effective date Undertakings or Archaeological Exclusion properties*. The Standard Review is used for Undertakings that do not meet the Programmatic Allowances set forth in the LA HMGP PA. FEMA HP reviewed a total of 6 Undertakings for non-residential properties using the Standard Review Process between February 1 and July 31, 2013. Stipulation XV.B.iii: Adverse effects or potential adverse effects addressed through Standard Treatment Measures (STM) or project-specific Memorandum of Agreements (MOA). Note this applies to STM and/or MOA executed during the reporting period. FEMA executed a project-specific MOA on May 10, 2013 to resolve the adverse effects resulting from the elevation of 2217 Yscloskey Highway within a recorded archaeological site; the work performed met the criteria of a pre-effective date undertaking. FEMA coordinated with the Office of Community Development, SHPO, and the Chitimacha Tribe of Louisiana to prepare the scope of work for the archaeological investigation at Bayou Yscloskey per Stipulation II of the MOA. Stipulation XV.B.iv: Summary of public input and outreach measures Per Stipulation XV.D, FEMA posted the January 31, 2012 Semi-Annual Report to the CRT website between January 31 and February 28, 2013 for public review and comment. No comments were received. See reporting under Stipulation XV.B.v for more information on the Programmatic Treatment Measures associated with Community Education and Outreach Measures (Stipulation XII.D.2). Stipulation XV.B.v: Summary of the execution of Standard Treatment Measures (STM), Programmatic Treatment Measures (PTM), and treatments under any project-specific Memorandums of Agreement FEMA acted to fulfill treatment measures as described in MOA, STM and PTM to mitigate adverse effects to historic properties through the following activities: The MOA executed for Bayou Yscloskey in the current reporting period is described above, under Stipulation XV.B.iii. FEMA is currently addressing adverse effects to historic properties through implementation of the 1st Amended Memorandum of Agreement Among FEMA, the City of New Orleans, Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer of the Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Regarding the Elevation/Wind Retrofit of Residential Structures, Orleans Parish, LA (CNO-Elevations MOA as amended_ NEMIS #1603-0073 & #1607-0107. FEMA produces a separate report regarding the execution of all treatment measures resulting from the CNO-Elevations MOA as amended per Stipulation I.I of this agreement. STM for the Reconstruction/Elevation & Hardening of Eight (8) Sewerage Pump Stations, New Orleans, Louisiana; Photographic Recordation and Historic Narrative, submitted to consulting parties on 7/18/2012. Note that the adverse effect is the demolition of SPS 6 & 8 as contributing elements to Mid-City and Parkview National Register Historic Districts, respectively. FEMA delivered archival copies of the photographic recordation and historic narrative to SHPO, University of New Orleans and the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board in June 2013, fulfilling all treatment measures associated with this STM. Upon confirmation of completion of the Undertaking, FEMA will terminate this agreement. FEMA and GOHSEP addressed some adverse effects to historic properties through PTM and the following outline summarizes these efforts during the reporting period and/or to date: PTM, Stipulation XII.D.1, SHPO Liaison Position The Liaison has been working with FEMA, FEMA's contractor staff and the SHPO since February 2012 on the resurvey of existing National Register Historic Districts (NRHD) in New Orleans (PTM, Stipulation XII.D.4.b). Survey of all specified NRHD was completed during this reporting period. The Liaison is currently processing the survey data for transmittal to SHPO and the Historic District Landmarks Commission and working on considerations for changes to spatial and temporal boundaries of these districts per Stipulation XII.D.4.b.i-iii. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.2.a, Interagency Agreement between SHPO and GOHSEP The Interagency Agreement between GOHSEP and SHPO received approval from the Office of Contractual Review on August 13, 2012. The summaries of Stipulations XII.D.2(a) and (b), below, describe the actions taken to implement this agreement. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.2.a, Community Education, Outreach & Preservation Workshops for Built Environment and Archaeology Programs SHPO has procured the server required to house and make accessible the data resulting from the CEO endeavor. SHPO has also hosted five "Sustainability and Historic Preservation" workshops. These workshops were held in Alexandria, Lake Charles, New Iberia, New Orleans and Slidell in June and July 2013. SHPO is also beginning development on the "Mitigation Virtual Demonstration Home" booklet and video. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.2.b, Update State Multi-hazard Mitigation Plan to include information on cultural resources and historic preservation topics. GOHSEP, in coordination with SHPO, completed the amendment of the 2011 State Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan was amended by the addition of an appendix containing the cultural and historic information called for under this Stipulation of the LA HMGP PA. The draft of the appendix was sent to all Consulting Parties on March 1, 2013. Comments and suggestions were provided by FEMA and SHPO. GOHSEP considered all relevant comments before finalizing the document. The final draft was sent to FEMA Region VI Planning for inclusion in the 2011 State Plan. GOHSEP is also providing all Consulting Parties with a copy of the final document. The 2014 State Hazard Mitigation Plan is currently being developed. All information contained in the cultural and historic preservation appendix to the 2011 Plan is being inserted into the appropriate places throughout the new Plan. SHPO provided GOHSEP a list of 50 historic properties in Louisiana, which represents just a sampling of the State's historic properties. We are currently conducting informal risk assessments on these properties, and the 2014 State Plan will include a map of Louisiana showing all 50 sites, aerial photos, ground photos, a narrative on each site, and the results of our risk assessments. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.3, Analysis and Reporting of Existing Archaeological Collections for Outreach Materials FEMA and SHPO are currently reviewing drafts of the following reports and expect to finalize these reports during the upcoming reporting period. Prehistoric Collections: To date, the draft report entitled, The Tchefuncte Culture and the Early Woodland Period in Coastal Louisiana was received by FEMA. This report presents the two year effort to analyze six archaeological collections namely: 1) the WPA excavations at the Tchefuncte site (16ST1), 2) the Louisiana Archaeological Society excavations at the Tchefuncte site (16ST1), 3) the WPA excavations at Lafayette Mounds (16SM17), 4) the WPA and CWA excavations at the Little Woods site (16OR1-4), 5) the artifact collections from the 1975 excavation at Bayou Jasmine (16SJB2), and 6) the midden and feature samples from the Bayou Jasmine collection (16SJB2). FEMA submitted this report to SHPO and Participating Tribes, per the LA HMGP PA, on July 26, 2013. FEMA is currently reviewing the draft of this report and its recommendations. Historic Collections: To date, the draft report entitled, Analyses of the Archeological Collections from Three Sites in New Orleans: 400 Chartres Street (160R467), Costa (160R62), and Dufour-Baldwin (160R126) was received by FEMA. This report presents the results of analyses of three sites excavated between 1979 and 2005 by the University of New Orleans archeological field schools or a joint effort of the Greater New Orleans Archaeological Program and Earth Search, Inc. The report includes analysis of the remaining historical artifacts from all three sites and macrobotanical examination of materials recovered from floatation of soil samples from 400 Chartres Street. The artifacts and cultural materials were entered into an AccessTM database, one for each site, and all glass and ceramic artifacts underwent analysis through Minimum Vessel Count, economic scaling, mean dating, diachronic and synchronic distribution, and functional analyses. Additionally, background research for each site included chain-of-title research and comparison to other temporally related sites in the New Orleans area. FEMA submitted this report to SHPO and Participating Tribes, per the LA HMGP PA, on June 24, 2013. FEMA is currently reviewing the draft of this report and its recommendations. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.4.a, Digitization of Standing Structures Surveys and National Register Files Scanning efforts are on going, including geo-coding of select documents that is expected to be completed within the next reporting period. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.4.b, Resurvey Existing National Register Historic Districts Resurvey of all seven National Register Historic Districts (NRHD) is complete including: South Lakeview, Gentilly Terrace, Esplanade Ridge Extension, Holy Cross & Extensions, Irish Channel, Bywater & Extensions and Uptown. Recommendations regarding geographic and temporal boundary alterations are in progress. FEMA expects transmittal of data, photos and recommendations regarding boundaries to be complete in the next reporting period. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.4.c, Prepare National Register District Nomination for Edgewood Park FEMA is currently revising the nomination to incorporate SHPO comments and expects to submit the final draft to SHPO in the next reporting period. PTM, Stipulation XII.D.4.d, Archaeological Testing of Parks FEMA and SHPO are currently reviewing drafts of the following reports and/or expect to finalize these reports during the upcoming reporting period. Fontainebleau State Park: To date, the draft report entitled, Phase I/II Archaeological Investigations of Portions of Fontainebleau State Park in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana has been submitted. This report presents the results of a Phase I field inventory and Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) testing on portions (totaling 420 acres) of Fontainebleau State Park. In summary, Phase I inventory located five new archaeological sites (16ST245, 16ST246, 16ST247, 16ST250, and 16ST251) and Phase II testing revealed that archaeological site 16ST232 and Locus 01-01 of archaeological site 16ST86 are NRHP-eligible under the criteria outlined in 36 CFR 60.4 (a-d). FEMA submitted it to the SHPO and Participating Tribes, per the LA HMGP PA, on April 25, 2013 and SHPO provided comments on the report via letter on May 31, 2013. FEMA, in consultation with SHPO, is currently reviewing the NRHP recommendations from the archaeological contractor and has not made final NRHP determinations. City of New Orleans Parks: To date, the draft report entitled Phase I archaeological Survey and Cultural Resources Inventory of 30 Parks in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana has been submitted. This report presented the results of Phase I investigation of 30 New Orleans City parks (totaling 83 acres) and made recommendations that 25 parks are not eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), one park is eligible for listing on the NRHP, and four parks were identified as needing further work in order to make eligibility recommendations. FEMA submitted this report to SHPO and Participating Tribes, per the LA HMGP PA, on June 16, 2013. FEMA is currently reviewing the NRHP recommendations from the archaeological contractor and has not made final NRHP determinations. New Orleans City Park: To date, the draft report entitled, Phase I Cultural Resources Survey of Portions of New Orleans City Park and Phase II testing and Evaluation of Sites 16OR626 and 16OR19 in New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana and Analysis of 1976 Archaeological Collection From Fort St. John/Spanish Fort (Site 16OR19) has been submitted. This report presents the results of a Phase I field inventory and Phase II National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) testing on portions (totaling 161.92 acres) of City Park New Orleans, LA. In summary, Phase I inventory located 10 new archaeological sites (16OR626, 16OR638, 16OR639, 16OR640, 16OR641, 16OR642, 16OR643, 16OR644, 16OR645, and 16OR646) and Phase II testing revealed that archaeological sites 16OR19 and 16OR626 possibly possess those characteristics that would make them NRHP-eligible. FEMA submitted this report to SHPO and Participating Tribes, per the LA HMGP PA, on June 10, 2013. FEMA is currently reviewing the NRHP recommendations from the archaeological contractor and has not made final NRHP determinations. Stipulation IX: Section 106 review procedures specific to archaeological historic properties, also known as Archaeological Exclusion Properties (AEXP) AEXP are defined as properties located within, adjacent to, or within 100 meters of the boundaries of an archaeological site recorded with SHPO and that is previously determined as NR-eligible or of undetermined eligibility. The following table provides a summary of FEMA's efforts to identify, evaluate, assess and treat effects for AEXP for the reporting time period. The total number of properties identified as AEXP as of July 31, 2012 is also included for reference. Stipulation Reference Description # of Properties Identified Date(s) of FEMA determination Response from Consulting Parties, if applicable IX.D.1 Total number of properties identified as AEXP as of 7/31/2013 145 Identified during previous reporting periods n/a IX.D.1 Number of AEXP identified within the reporting timeframe 2 In draft n/a IX.D.1 AEXP previously identified and then removed due to errors in location information 0 n/a n/a IX.F Finding of No Historic Properties Affected 0 n/a n/a IX.H Finding of No Adverse Effect 1 In draft n/a IX.I Strategies to avoid or minimize Adverse Effects 0 n/a n/a IX.J Finding of Adverse Effect 1 In draft n/a Stipulation II.G: Update to Contact Information FEMA has been notified of several changes to the name, address, e-mail address or phone number of respective Consulting Party point-of-contact, see attached Appendix A as revised.