FEMA Seeking Public Comment for the NHPA/NEPA1 review of DPS-01 Drainage Upgrades and Green Infrastructure Project New Orleans, LA Map of Project Areas As part of FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, the City of New Orleans is requesting FEMA provide funds to construct the DPS-01 Drainage and Green Infrastructure project, bounded by S. Broad Street to the north, MLK Jr. Blvd/Melpomene Street to the east, Tchopitoulas Street to the south, and Louisiana Ave./Toledano Street to the west. The purpose of the proposed project is to reduce flooding, particularly in the Broadmoor and Central City neighborhoods, and to implement green infrastructure (GI) features to reduce runoff and create and enhance public landscape and park amenities. The Undertaking will upgrade the City's stormwater drainage infrastructure with water storage, infiltration, and filtration landscape features along with pipes and street upgrades. The project also includes water and sewer improvements in addition to reconstruction of streets, sidewalks and other elements within the existing right-of-way. This work may include remediation of contaminated soils; repair/replacement/alterations to existing curbs, gutters, and drainage inlet structures; repair/replacement of sidewalks, ADA-compliant handicapped ramps, driveway aprons, manholes, valves and/or hydrants; removal/replacement of streetcar rails; restoration of medians, parking, and bicycle lanes, removal, replacement, and/or improvements to water, sewer and drain pipes; clearing and grubbing/general excavation, root pruning and trenching, tree removal, tree trimming, seeding and fertilization, planting of trees, shrubs, and groundcovers. More information may be found at https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/185551. Federal regulations require FEMA, as the funding agency, to determine if properties that may be affected are historic (listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places); to assess the effects the project will have on historic properties; to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects to historic properties; and to evaluate the proposed action's potential for significant impacts to the human and natural environment. FEMA determined this project may adversely affect at least 5 known historic properties within the project area including 2 archaeological sites and three historic districts; Irish Channel, Lower Garden, and Central City. FEMA has also determined the project has the potential to adversely affect unrecorded historic properties. Throughout the development of the project design, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to avoid and minimize effects to historic properties by reducing the scope of work. Specifically, the City has avoided National Historic Landmark districts, relic street car tracks, and areas where substantial character defining features are found within the historic districts. 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. FEMA is requesting your input by February 14, 2020. Comments can be posted at this website: https://www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106 Or mail comments to: FEMA Mail Center/Environmental Historic Preservation 1500 Main Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Or email comments to: fema-liro-ehp-hma@fema.dhs.gov 1 High winds and heavy rains of Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish, LA. FEMA is issuing this public notice as part of its responsibilities under the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations, 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA) and the Council on Environmental Quality regulations, CEQ; 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508, implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This notice applies to activities carried out by the Hazard Mitigation Grant program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.§§5152-5206.