FEMA PUBLIC NOTICE

PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF

WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS IN THE FLORIDA KEYS

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received grant
applications to fund the construction of several wastewater treatment
systems in Monroe County, Florida. Much of the proposed project funding
would be provided through FEMA 1249-DR Post Disaster - Unmet Needs
funds, as noticed on August 6, 1999, in Vol. 64 No. 151 of the *Federal
Register*. Matching funds will be provided through the Florida Division
of Emergency Management and local government applicants. FEMA hereby
publishes the following notice, pursuant to the National Environmental
Policy Act (PL 91-190) and associated environmental statutes, as
implemented in FEMA's regulations 44 CFR Part 10; and in accordance with
Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) as implemented in 44 CFR
Part 9.

**Grant Applicants:**

Florida Keys Aqueduct Authority and Islamorada, Village of Islands

**Notice of Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Comment:**

A Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (DPEA) has been prepared
and is available for public comment. This DPEA will broadly address the
purpose of and need for wastewater improvements in the Florida Keys,
alternative wastewater management options that might be considered for
such improvements, and the potential environmental consequences and
impact mitigation measures associated with those options. It should be
noted that this document is *not* project or site specific. A separate,
supplemental environmental review document will be prepared for each
actual project. A draft of these supplemental documents will also be
released for public comment after they are prepared. The DPEA may be
accessed as follows:

-   The DPEA may be viewed and downloaded at the following website:
    <http://www.fema.gov/ep/assess.shtm>

The website also provides an online opportunity to comment on the DPEA.

-   A copy of the DPEA will be available for viewing at the following
    public repositories:

\- May Hill Russell Public Library, 700 Fleming Street, Key West

> \- Big Pine Key Branch Library, 213 Key Deer Boulevard, Big Pine Key
>
> \- George Dolezal Branch Library, 3251 Overseas Highway, Marathon

\- Helen Wadley Branch Library, Mile Marker 81.5 Overseas Highway,
Islamorada

\- Key Largo Branch Library, 101485 Overseas Highway, Key Largo

**Public Meeting Notice:**

Two public meetings have been scheduled for the DPEA. The purpose of
these meetings is to present the DPEA, discuss the issues and gather
information, and receive public comments. These two meetings will cover
the same content. Separate, later public meetings are planned for each
actual project to present its site-specific environmental review
document. Public meeting materials may be accessed in advance at the
above FEMA website. Interested parties may also access a web survey at
this website.

-   OCTOBER 8^th^ 6:00 to 9:30pm -- Key Largo Branch Library, 101485
    Overseas Highway (Tradewinds Shopping Center, Mile Marker 101), Key
    Largo

-   OCTOBER 9^th^ 6:00 to 9:30pm -- Marathon Government Center 2798
    Overseas Highway (Mile Marker 47.5)*,* Marathon

**30-Day Comment Period:**

Public comments concerning the DPEA will be accepted from the affected
public; local, state, and federal agencies; and from other interested
parties in order to effectively consider and appropriately evaluate the
likely environmental impacts of the proposed projects. Comments can be
provided at the public meeting, offered online at the FEMA website shown
above, or can be made in writing, and sent to the FEMA official listed
below between September 20 and October 18.

**Point of Contact:**

Ms. Science Kilner, Lead Environmental Specialist

FEMA Region IV -- Federal Insurance and Mitigation Division

3003 Chamblee Tucker Road

Atlanta, Georgia 30341

Fax: (770) 220-5440