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[www.mvp.usace.army.mil](http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/)

**Public Affairs Shannon Bauer** 651.290.5108 (o) 612-840-9453 (c)
Shannon.l.bauer@usace.army.mil

> **Mark Davidson** 651.290.5201 (o) 651.261-6769 (c)
> <mark.d.davidson@usace.army.mil>
>
> **Peter Verstegen** 651.290.5202 (o) 612.961.1875 (c)
> peter.e.verstegen@usace.army.mil
>
> **July 31, 2002**

# Release \# PA-2002-097

**Public Notice: DEVELOPMENT OF TEMPORARY EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR DISASTER
VICTIMS IN ROSEAU COUNTY, MINN.**

Interested parties are hereby notified that the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) proposes the development of a temporary
emergency disaster housing site for individuals displaced due to
flooding and severe storms in Roseau County, Minn. The flooding and
severe storms occurred between June 9 and June 28, 2002 and resulted in
a Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA-1419-DR-MN. FEMA tasked the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to identify, plan and construct
temporary emergency housing for disaster victims in the Roseau County
area.

The proposed action is for the development of a manufactured housing
site located within the city limits of Roseau, Minn. Several sites have
been identified, the preferred of which is a 40-acre site located on the
northeast corner of Highway 89 and Oak Crest Blvd. Up to 100 units may
be placed on the preferred site depending on need. Activities would
include, where necessary, site clearing, grading, road construction, the
placement of utilities (electricity telephones, water, and sewer), and
the transport and hook-up of manufactured homes to the site.

A draft Environmental Assessment (EA) was written to evaluate the
potential impacts of the proposed emergency action on the human and
natural environment. The findings of the EA addresses the requirements
of the National Environmental Policy Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water
Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act,
Executive Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management), 11990 (Protection of
Wetlands), and 12898 (Environmental Justice), and various hazardous and
toxic waste regulations and will ensure compliance with these Federal
environmental laws, regulations, and Executive Orders. A draft Finding
of No Significant

Impact (FONSI) was also prepared for the proposed emergency action.

**Due to the emergency nature of this action, the public comment period
has been shortened.** The draft EA and FONSI are available for public
review at the Ram Sports Center, the Roseau County Auditor's Office in
the Roseau County Court House and on the FEMA web site
<http://www.fema.gov/ep/assess.shtm>. Any written or verbal comments
regarding the environmental action for the proposed emergency disaster
housing action can be provided to the environmental office at the
Disaster Field Office, 1505 29^th^ Ave S, Moorhead, MN 56560 between 8
a.m. and 5 p.m., **beginning August 2, 2002 through August 6, 2002.**
Comments can also be faxed to Richard Beatty at 651-290-5273 or emailed
to richard.j.beatty@usace.army.mil during those same dates. If no
comments are received or significant impacts identified during the
comment period, then this initial Public Notice will also serve as the
final Public Notice and the FONSI will be signed.

All other questions regarding disaster assistance or the availability of
emergency temporary housing should be directed to FEMA's
Teleregistration line at 1-800-462-9029 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) for hearing
or speech-impaired persons.

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