?Public Notice
Floodplains and Wetlands Notices
Early Public Review Notice
Project Name: Cameron Parish Police Jury’s 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
The Cameron Parish Police Jury intends to carry out an action (Mermentau Basin Inundation Relief Project) which may affect or be affected by the 100-year flood-plain and wetlands and seeks to involve the public in the decision-making process as required by Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The objectives of the Mermentau Basin Inundation Relief Project is to reduce 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. Pursuant to Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, the Cameron Parish Police Jury has determined this area to be in the 100-year floodplain.
The proposed infrastructure improvements for this project are as follows:
•Element 1 is the enhancement/upgrades to the existing East End Lock structure on the Rockefeller Refuge.
•Element 2 is the installation of three (3) new water control structures on the Rockefeller Refuge and dredging of Joseph Harbor Canal.
•Element 3 generally includes the installation of numerous drainage structures crossing Louisiana Highway 82 (from a few miles east of the Superior Canal a distance of approximately six miles) to convey water from north to south across this State Highway along with modifications/upgrades to several channels to convey stormwater across Louisiana Highway 82, to and into the East End Locks and into the Joseph Harbor Canal (the primary drainage outlet to the Gulf of Mexico).
The project is located entirely in the 100-year floodplain. The project area is approximately 105 square miles (67,200 acres). The project area includes water bodies and wetlands.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains/wetlands and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplains/wetlands, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains/wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains/wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
The project file with the details available is located at the Cameron Parish Police Jury, 148 Smith Circle, Cameron, La 70631, and may be examined during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Comments may be submitted to the Cameron Parish Police Jury until 3:30 p.m., June 13, 2022, via email at kbonsall@cameronpj.org. No action will be taken before this date.
Mr. Curtis Fountain, President
Cameron Parish Police Jury
P.O. Box 1280
Cameron, LA 70631
Phone: (337) 775-5718
e-mail: curtisdistrict2@yahoo.com
RUN: May 26 (My 53)