JOINT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Department of Community Affairs have received the following application for Federal and State grant funding.
Applicant:
City of Avon Park, Highlands County, Florida, USA
110 East Main Street
Avon Park, Florida 33825
Project Title:
FEMA HMGP-DR-FL-1561-132-0093R, Avon Park Executive Airport Drainage
Location of Proposed Work:
The area affected by this project consists of homes in the following locations:
Along West Monts-De-Oca Road, Self Avenue and other areas east and Southeast of the Avon Park Executive Airport, Avon Park, Highlands County, FL.
Northwest Corner/Retention Ponds: (27.5895, -81.5229)
Southeast Corner/Outfall: (27.5804, -81.5142)
Proposed Work and Purpose:
In accordance with 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) for FEMA, Part 10.9 (Agency Implementing Procedures), FEMA prepared an “Environmental Assessment” (EA) pursuant to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Section 102, as implemented by the President's Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). FEMA has prepared a Draft EA to evaluate in depth the Proposed Action (City of Avon Park Executive Airport Drainage Project), 1561-132-0093R Alternative Action, and No Action Alternative’s probable effects on the natural and human environment; and to determine whether to prepare a “Finding of No Significant Impact” (FONSI) or an “Environmental Impact Statement” (EIS).
The City of Avon Park plans to construct a stormwater management system because of repetitive substantial damage due to flooding at the City of Avon Park Executive Airport (APEA), Bell Street Water Treatment Plant (BSWTP), Bonnie Brae Mobile Estates (BBME), and Highlands Aviation, Inc. Project consists of the construction of a drainage system. This would include new ditches, re-grading existing ditches, new underground conveyance pipes, and a new, 10.0-acre (ten) retention pond with stormwater lift station and aluminum skimmer for flotsam removal. The drainage system would collect and pipe stormwater from the retention pond to an existing stormwater drainage system that empties into Lake Anoka in Highlands County The proposed project would provide one hundred and fifty one (151) homes, three (3) businesses and the main City well protection against a 100-year flood event. The proposed project is needed to reduce flooding risks and associated possible loss of life and property damages. Construction of the 10.0-acre retention pond would entail excavation of about seventy five thousand (75,000) cubic yards of material. Excavated material would be placed on previously cleared APEA property.
Comment Period:
Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The Draft EA is available for public review for at the Avon Park City Hall c/o City Hall c/o City Clerk 110 East; and at http://www.fema.gov/environmental-planning-and-historic-preservation-program/environmental-documents-public-notices-1
Comments should be made in writing and addressed to the, Bureau of Recovery and Mitigation, 2702 Directors Row, Orlando, Florida 32809. These are due within 21 days of this notice. The State will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed. If you have any questions about the project, or wish to receive a copy of the drawings, call one of the following project contacts.
APPLICANT CONTACTS:
Preston H. Colby Project Manager
Tele: 863-386-3636 or
Avon Park City Clerk
Tele : 863-452-4400
STATE OF FLORIDA CONTACT
Adele Balmer
Environmental Specialist, Mitigation
Florida Division of Emergency Management (407) 856-5019
FEMA CONTACT
Dr. William Straw, Ph.D
Region IV Regional Environmental Officer
Federal Emergency Management Agency (770) 220-5432