?COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE
OF FUNDS
Date of Notice: 12/14/2023
Mr. Joe Dupont
Certifying Officer
President, Cameron
Parish Police Jury
P.O. Box 1280
Cameron, LA 70631
Phone: (337) 775-5718
Project Name: Mermentau Basin Inundation Relief Project
Location: LA Hwy 82 and Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, Cameron and Vermilion Parishes, Louisiana (Latitude: 29.678711 N; Longitude: -92.600876 W)
HUD Grant Number: B-18-DP-22-0001
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Cameron Parish Police Jury.
REQUEST FOR
RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about 1/5/2024, Cameron Parish Police Jury will submit a request to the Louisiana Office of Community Development (LOCD) for the release of Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Disaster Mitigation (CDBG-DR/MIT) Louisiana Watershed Initiative funds made available under the Further Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (Public Law No: 115-123); in Federal Register Docket No. FR-6109-N-02, to undertake a project known as Mermentau Basin Inundation Relief Project for the purpose of reducing prolonged periods of inundation to relieve flooding stress from five (5) parishes (Cameron, Vermilion, Acadia, Evangeline, and Lafayette) within the Mermentau Basin during high rainfall, flooding, and disaster events. The project is located within the lower Mermentau Basin and part of the plan is to divert water into the marsh areas that will benefit from the freshwater, nutrients, and sediment before flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.
The proposed infrastructure improvements for this project are as follows:
Element 1 is the enhancement/upgrades/repairs to the existing East End Lock structure on the Rockefeller Refuge.
Element 2 is the installation of four (4) new water control structures on the Rockefeller Refuge and dredging of Joseph Harbor Canal.
Element 3 include the drainage improvements designed to increase the flow of water south to and across LA Highway 82, through Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge, and into the Gulf of Mexico. Project elements include replacement of one (1) existing 54” reinforced concrete pipe with three (3) new 48” reinforced concrete pipes, mechanical dredging and excavation of five drainage channels, rehabilitation of existing drainage structures under LA Highway 82, and earthen terrace construction.
The estimated total amount of HUD funding for this activity is $25,400,000.
FINDING OF NO
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Cameron Parish Police Jury has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. The Environmental Review Record (ERR) for the project is on file at Cameron Parish Police Jury office located at 148 Smith Circle, Cameron, LA 70631 and may be examined or copied during the hours 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM from Monday through Friday until 1/4/2024. If you need to make contact by phone, call Kara Bonsall at (337) 775-2800 or e-mail: kbonsall@cameronpj.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Cameron Parish Police Jury by e-mail to kbonsall@cameronpj.org. All comments received by 1/4/2024, will be considered by Cameron Parish Police Jury prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CERTIFICATION
Cameron Parish Police Jury certifies to LOCD that Mr. Joe Dupont in his capacity as the President of Cameron Parish Police Jury 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. LOCD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Cameron Parish Police Jury to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO
RELEASE OF FUNDS
LOCD will accept objections to its release of fund and Cameron Parish Police Jury certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual 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 of Cameron Parish Police Jury; (b) Cameron Parish Police Jury 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 development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by LOCD; 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to LOCD at Murilo.Martins@la.gov or mail to LOCD at:
Patrick Forbes
Executive Director
Office of Community
Development
617 N. Third Street, 6th floor
Baton Rouge LA 70802
Potential objectors should contact LOCD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mr. Joe Dupont
Certifying Officer
President, Cameron Parish
Police Jury
RUN: Dec. 14 (D 14)