Table of Contents

A. Introduction	
B. Purpose and Need	
C. Environmental Review Process	
D. Site Selection Process and Alternatives	
Alternative 1 - No Action Alternative	
Alternative 2  Develop the Tuscany Village Site with Mobile Homes/Park Models (Proposed Action)	
Project Location and Site Description	
Project Description	
E. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences	
Alternative 1- No Action Alternative	
Alternative 2 - Develop the Tuscany Village Site with Mobile Homes/Park Models (Proposed Action)	7
F. Additional Impact Analysis	
G. Cumulative Impacts	
H. Public Involvement	
I. Conclusion	

List of Figures
Figure 1.  Tuscany Village Area Maps
Figure 2.  Tuscany Village Location map
Figure 3.  Tuscany Village Site Layout 
Figure 4.  Photographs of Typical Units and Green Space
Figure 5.  Panorama of the Tuscany Village Site
Figure 6.  Photograph of the Tuscany Village Condominiums

Appendices
Appendix A - Record of Environmental Consideration
Appendix B - GeoSearch Radius Report With Geoplus and Oil/Gas & Pipeline Report

Draft Environmental Assessment
Tuscany Village Temporary Community Housing Site
Bridge City, Orange County, Texas
Hurricane Ike
FEMA-1791 DR -TX


A.  Introduction

Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 hurricane with a storm surge above normal high tide levels, moved across the Texas coast on September 13th, 2008.  Maximum sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 110 miles per hour.  President Bush declared a major disaster for the State of Texas due to damages from Hurricane Ike, signing a disaster declaration (FEMA-1791-DR-TX) on September 13, 2008, authorizing the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide Federal assistance in designated areas.  FEMA proposes to administer this disaster assistance pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (Stafford Act), PL 93-288, as amended.  Section 408 of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMAs Individual Households Program to provide emergency and temporary housing for eligible disaster victims whose homes are uninhabitable or destroyed as a result of the declared event.  

This Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA); the Presidents Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508); and FEMAs regulations implementing NEPA (44 CFR 10.9).  The purpose of this Draft EA is to analyze potential environmental impacts of the proposed temporary community housing site at the Tuscany Village site as part of an expedited review process.  FEMA will use the findings in this Draft EA to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or issue a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).


B.   Purpose and Need

Catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ike has resulted in an extraordinary demand for housing assistance in Orange County.  The purpose of this action is to fulfill FEMAs mandate under the Individual and Households Program to expeditiously provide temporary housing for eligible disaster victims.  To date, about 26,661 requests for Federal assistance have been received for Orange County and of these requests, approximately  5132 applications (total Pre-Placement Interviews) for temporary housing assistance have been received for the County.  The number of applications for direct housing assistance, provision of a manufactured housing unit on an available private, commercial park or community site location, is approximately 1403 for Orange County (FEMA Individual Assistance Program Summary Report 11/3/08).  Most of this demand will be met by placing a mobile home on an applicants private site or providing them with a mobile home on an available pad leased in a commercial park.  Once these options are exhausted, FEMA IHP anticipates there will still be a significant need for direct housing, thus supporting the need to develop a temporary community housing site, hereafter community site. 


C.  Environmental Review Process  

In order to meet the urgent needs of disaster victims in need of temporary housing, FEMA has implemented an expedited environmental review process.  The purpose of this document is to assist FEMA in fulfilling its environmental review responsibilities under NEPA and serve as a vehicle to document compliance under other applicable environmental laws.  Laws and Executive Orders addressed through this EA include: the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, National Historic Preservation Act, Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), Executive Order 12898 (Environmental Justice), and the Farmland Protection Policy Act. Other resource areas or issues evaluated in this Draft EA include floodplain, coastal zone, noise, visual resources, traffic, socioeconomics, safety and security, and hazardous and toxic waste.  Agency coordination/consultation is being conducted on a site by site basis as necessary.

The scope of FEMAs environmental review includes evaluating project alternatives, characterizing the affected environment, identifying potential environmental impacts, and outlining ways to reduce or minimize adverse affects. This Draft EA examines the site-specific environmental impacts associated with building a proposed FEMA community housing site on privately owned land to be leased by the General Service Administration for this purpose.

This Draft EA was prepared based on a site evaluation, document research, and resource agency information. An electronic version of the Draft EA will be provided to interested agencies prior to and during the public comment period. The public participation period will be brief, as necessitated by the emergency circumstances. Agency coordination and consultation will be deemed complete at the end of the public comment period.  FEMA believes that this process will allow for sufficient action analysis and meet the goal of providing timely Federal assistance to disaster victims.


D.  Site Selection Process and Alternatives

NEPA requires investigation and evaluation of reasonable project alternatives as part of the project environmental review process. At a minimum, FEMAs NEPA implementing regulations require the No Action and Proposed Action be evaluated.  Concurrent to the Proposed Action, Federally assisted housing options, including minor home repairs, rental assistance and installing a mobile home or Park model on a private site or in an existing mobile home park, are being exhausted first for those requesting housing assistance in the impacted area. These options rapidly deplete with the high demand; accordingly, a remaining alternative is to build an emergency and temporary community housing site where the above options do not satisfy the demand.

In order to expedite the community housing site selection process, FEMA is working closely with local officials to identify potential sites followed by a cursory site reconnaissance and research to determine suitability. Important factors considered in choosing a site include: demand for temporary housing in that area, community acceptance, proximity of community services/amenities (schools, healthcare facilities, public transportation, etc), engineering and construction feasibility, access to utilities, land use compatibilities, property owner terms, costs to develop and maintain the site, and environmental/cultural resource sensitivities.  FEMA continues to evaluate alternative sites in Orange County.  Although various alternatives have been and continue to be identified, the extraordinary amount of needed housing have limited this Draft EA to detailed analysis of one suitable site alternative at this time.  The Tuscany Village site was selected for further analysis because it meets the basic site feasibility and selection criteria. 

Alternative 1- No Action Alternative

Under the No Action alternative, FEMA would not develop a temporary community housing site for this area. Displaced residents would continue to stay with relatives/friends, in hotels, or at other temporary locations until they resolve their own long-term housing needs. 

Alternative 2  Develop the Tuscany Village Site with Mobile Homes/Park Models (Proposed Action)

The Proposed Action would provide temporary housing for eligible disaster victims displaced by Hurricane Ike in the greater Bridge City area, Texas.  Disaster victims would be temporarily relocated to the site with an expected occupancy of up to 24 months (which includes a site deactivation period) while they resolve their permanent housing solution.  

Project Location and Site Description

The proposed project site consists of an approximately 11 acre property that was partially developed for the Tuscany Village condominiums several years ago.  This property is located on the south side of Osborne Drive, approximately 900 feet southeast of State Highway 87 (Texas Avenue) in Bridge City, Orange County, Texas (Area Maps, Figure 1; Location Map, Figure 2).  The existing condominium development is located on the western portion of the L-shaped parcel adjacent to Texas Avenue.  The remaining undeveloped portion of the site is generally rectangular in shape with a northeast to southwest orientation (Figure 2).  To date, only the westernmost 2.8 acres of the site have been developed, leaving approximately 8.2 acres available for community site development, with installation of mobile homes.

The Tuscany Village site is completely surrounded by residential and commercial development.  A storage warehouse complex is located north of the existing condominiums in the south quadrant of the intersection between Texas Avenue and Osborne Drive.  The site is bordered on the northeast, southeast and southwest by older single family residential development. Numerous commercial properties and several churches along Texas Avenue lie in close proximity to the site.  Convenience stores, pharmacies, restaurants and banks are all located within walking distance.  A Wal-Mart store is located on Texas Avenue less than 1.5 miles southwest of the site.  The Bridge City Middle School and Senior High School are located a short distance to the northeast.  

The site is unforested, being dominated by primary successional (old field) non-woody vegetation.  Soils have been altered by mechanized landclearing, excavation for utility line installation, and placement of fill material along an intended road alignment.  Depressional areas were created on the northern and central portion of the property by operation of heavy equipment several years ago.  These areas were inundated at the time of the site inspection.  Herbacious wetland plant species are present both in these depressional areas, and toward the southern end of the property.  A drainage ditch runs south from the southern end of the site through wooded and residential areas to tidal wetlands approximately one mile distant.


Project Description

The proposed action would involve the construction of a temporary community housing site with installation of mobile home units on the undeveloped Tuscany Village property discussed above.  Figure 3 illustrates the proposed site design under consideration for Tuscany Village (Post, Buckley, Schue and Jernigan site design, November 4, 2008).  In a letter dated November 4, 2008 the Bridge City Mayor indicated that the community site is approved for development. 

The site plan entails placement of 46 mobile homes on the site, three of which would meet Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS).  One pad in the site would be reserved for an administrative and or security office trailer.  The following specific community site development components would be included with this project:
* Site preparation would include removal of vegetation, addition of fill material, and grading.
* Sanitary sewer and potable water were installed on the entire site four years ago for the Tuscany Village development, although not completely configured for the community site.  The site plan is configured to avoid placing mobile homes over these existing utility lines, so they can be used in the future.  Additional water and sanitary sewer lines would be installed where needed, and connected to existing service available along Osborne Drive.
* Electrical service would be installed below ground and connected to existing utilities available along Osborne Drive.  
* The Tuscany Village Community Site would have direct access to both Osborne Drive and State Highway 87. 
* Lots within the community site would be graded so that storm runoff from the northern portion of the property drains into the existing drainage swale/culvert system along Osborne Drive.  Most of the site would be graded so that storm runoff is conveyed via overland flow and open swale to a detention pond at the south end of the property.  Riprap would be placed at the stormwater outfalls to prevent soil erosion.  Stormwater would eventually be released into an existing drainage channel that flows south to tidal waters adjacent to Sabine Lake.  Construction of berms and one or more riprap-armored outfalls may be needed at the rear of the detention area for controlled release of stormwater into the drainage ditch.
* Roads and driveways within the Tuscany Village Community Site would be paved with asphalt. 
* There is also some green space included in the site plan. 
* UFAS features would include the following; about five percent of the mobile homes would be UFAS accessible; 15 percent of common areas in the site would be UFAS accessible, and; all onsite essential services/facilities (such as mailbox kiosk, office trailer) would be UFAS-compatible. 

When the temporary housing need has ended, FEMA expects that the mobile homes would be hauled from the site and returned to FEMAs storage facilities.  All or select site features will be removed per the terms of the lease with the landowner.  The site would then be released back to the landowner.


E. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences

Table 1 summarizes the results of the environmental review process for the Proposed Action.  Potential environmental impacts that were found to be negligible are not evaluated further.  Resource areas that have the potential for impacts of minor, moderate, or major intensity are further developed in Section F.  When applicable, mitigation measures that would reduce potential adverse effects are incorporated in site development and required as conditions for the project to proceed. Supporting information for impact findings may be found in the Record of Environmental Considerations in the Appendices Section. Definitions of the impact intensity are described below:

Negligible:  The resource area (e.g., geology) would not be affected, or changes would be either non-detectable or if detected, would have effects that would be slight and local.  Impacts would be well below regulatory standards, as applicable.

Minor:  Changes to the resource would be measurable, although the changes would be small and localized. Impacts would be within or below regulatory standards, as applicable.  Mitigation measures would reduce any potential adverse effects.  

Moderate:  Changes to the resource would be measurable and have both localized and regional scale impacts.  Impacts would be within or below regulatory standards, but historical conditions are being altered on a short-term basis.  Mitigation measures would be necessary and the measures would reduce any potential adverse effects.

Major:  Changes would be readily measurable and would have substantial consequences on a local and regional level.  Impacts would exceed regulatory standards.  Mitigation measures to offset the adverse effects would be required to reduce impacts, though long-term changes to the resource would be expected.  

Alternative 1- No Action Alternative

The No Action alternative will not impact the existing environment, as no site preparation or construction would occur for temporary community housing purposes.  This alternative would preclude the Federal government from adequately addressing the urgency of providing temporary and transient emergency housing.  Consequently, displaced disaster victims would have to remain in the temporary housing they have acquired through their own resources and possibly far from their original home.  The short and long term recovery of flood victims and their community would be further compounded by having fewer housing options available.  They would continue to suffer social and economic stresses related to the disaster recovery.

Alternative 2 - Develop the Tuscany Village Site with Mobile Homes/Park Models (Proposed Action)

The Proposed Action would provide temporary housing for eligible disaster victims displaced by Hurricane Ike in the greater Bridge City area, Texas.  Disaster victims would be temporarily relocated to the site with an expected occupancy of up to 24 months (which includes a site deactivation period) while they resolve their permanent housing solution.  Environmental impacts associated with implementation of Alternative 2 are discussed in Table 1 (Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences) and in Section F.

Table 1. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Matrix. 

Resource Area: Geology and Soils.
Impact Intensity: Negligable. 
Impact Summary: The site is within Bridge City limits, an urbanized area, thus there are no prime and unique farmlands on the project site.  There is potential for localized increase in soil erosion during construction. 
Agency Coordination / Permits: Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (PDES) stormwater construction permit to be obtained by construction contractor.
Mitigation: Implement construction Best Management Practices (BMPs).  Install silt fences/straw bales to reduce sedimentation.  Area soils will be wetted during construction to minimize wind erosion. If fill is stored on site, the contractor would be required to cover it appropriately.

Resource Area: Hydrology and Floodplains (Executive Order 11988).
Impact Intensity: Negligable. 
Impact Summary: Project area is located in Zone C, outside of the 100-year floodplain per the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map 480511-0005B, dated September 2, 1982.  The nearest A zone (100-year floodplain) is located more than 400 feet west of the property.  Site development and occupancy is not expected to affect nearby floodplains.
Agency Coordination / Permits: None.
Mitigation: None.

Resource Area: Wetlands (Executive Order 11990)
Impact Intensity: Negligable.  
Impact Summary: Two inundated potential wetland areas were found on the property during a site inspection of October 24, 2008.  Further investigation determined that these wetlands were created by past equipment disturbance and a water main leak.  Since these wetlands do no represent normal circumstances on the site, they are not considered jurisdictional waters of the U.S.  There are no Clean Water Act (wetland) permitting issues precluding development of a community site on this property.  See Section F.
Agency Coordination / Permits: None.
Mitigation: None.

Resource Area: Coastal Zone Management
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: The project site is not located within a Coastal Natural Resources Area (CRNA) and consistency with the States Coastal Zone Management Plan is not required.
E-mail of November 3, 2008 from Tammy S. Brooks, Consistency Review Coordinator, Coastal Protection Division, Texas General Land Office
Agency Coordination / Permits: None
Mitigation: None

Resource Area: Water Quality.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: There is potential for localized increase in sedimentation as a result of site preparation activities, which may impact water quality in downstream swales, ditches, and streams (e.g., turbidity, siltation, biological oxygen demand).
Agency Coordination / Permits: Site preparation activities will disturb more than one acre, thus an NPDES construction permit from TCEQ must be obtained by construction contractor.
Mitigation: Contractor to implement requirements of NPDES construction permit.  These include Best Management Practices such as installation of silt fences, straw bales, etc. to reduce sedimentation. If fill is stored on site, the contractor would be required to cover it appropriately.

Resource Area: Air Quality.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: Orange County is designated as an area of Non-Attainment for eight-hour ozone per the US Environmental Protection Agency. Residential site development and occupancy is consistent with the State Implementation Plan. Negligible impacts to ozone levels and airborne particulates  would be anticipated from vehicle exhaust emissions and increased dust during construction.
Agency Coordination / Permits: EPA Region 6 designation.
Mitigation: Vehicles used during construction will be maintained in good working order with all required pollution abatement features installed and working properly.  Disturbed soils would be covered and/or wetted as necessary during construction to minimize fugitive dust.

Resource Area: Vegetation and Wildlife.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: The project site is surrounded by urban development, limiting its usefulness to wildlife.  Vegetation consists of an old field habitat dominated by common species.  Once the temporary housing need has ended, the site would likely be developed as originally intended in a manner consistent with local zoning.
Agency Coordination / Permits: None
Mitigation: None

Resource Area: Threatened and Endangered Species (Endangered Species Act, Section 7).
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: No threatened or endangered species or designated critical habitat occurs at the site.  No effect is anticipated to threatened or endangered species or their habitat as a result of site development and occupancy.
Agency Coordination / Permits: USFWS coordination dated October 30, 2008. 
Mitigation: None.

Resource Area: Cultural Resources (National Historic Preservation Act, Section 106).
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: Through site pedestrian survey and review of the Texas Historical Commissions Atlas database, FEMA has determined that there are no National Register listed or eligible historic properties in the Area of Potential Effect (APE).
Agency Coordination / Permits: SHPO concurrence letter dated October 29, 2008.
Mitigation: See conditions in FONSI.

Resource Area: Socioeconomics.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: Site occupancy is expected to range over time, however full occupancy would peak at approximately 115 people.  It is expected that the site residents would be currently displaced residents of Orange County.  See Section F.
Agency Coordination / Permits: On November 4, 2008 Bridge City issued a formal letter of no objection for the establishment of the temporary community housing site.
Mitigation: None.

Resource Area: Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898).
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: The proposed action is not expected to pose disproportionately high and adverse public health or environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.  See Section F
Agency Coordination / Permits: None.
Mitigation: None.

Resource Area: Noise.
Impact Intensity: Minor.
Impact Summary: See Section F
Agency Coordination / Permits: None
Mitigation: See conditions in FONSI.

Resource Area: Visual Resources.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: The proposed action would result in conversion of an 8.2-acre open field to a temporary community site.  The property is already zoned for residential use, and was in the process of being developed into the Tuscany Village subdivision.  Many single family homes, numerous commercial properties and several multifamily residential developments are located in the immediate area.   Residential use of the site is consistent with surrounding land uses and local development plans.  Upon de-activation of the site, it is anticipated that the Tuscany Village subdivision would be constructed as originally planned.
Agency Coordination / Permits: None.
Mitigation: The contractor may install privacy fencing during completion of the project.

Resource Area: Safety and Security.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: No site safety or security concerns were observed during site reconnaissance.  The Bridge City Fire Department is located less than 1.5 miles from the site.  Fencing would be installed where necessary prior to occupancy of the site.
Agency Coordination / Permits: None
Mitigation: The contractor would post appropriate signage and fencing to minimize potential adverse public safety concerns. Appropriate signage and barriers should be in place prior to construction activities in order to alert pedestrians and motorists of project activities and traffic pattern changes.  The contractor would provide 24-hour security during construction.  

Resource Area: Hazardous Materials and Toxic Wastes.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: An abbreviated Phase I Environmental Site Assessment has been completed through direct field observation and review of existing records and databases for potential onsite or nearby hazardous materials contamination.  No potential sources of HTRW were visually detected during the site inspection.  In addition, no environmental conditions, such as distressed vegetation and historical soil contamination, were observed during field reconnaissance.  Accordingly, no on-site soil sampling is deemed necessary.   A search of available databases detected 18 reportable environmental conditions within a half mile of the site.  See Section F for further discussion of these findings 
Agency Coordination / Permits: GeoSearch document  titled Radius Report, Target Property: Tuscany Village dated October 28, 2008 (see Appendix B).
Mitigation: None.

Resource Area: Traffic and Transportation.
Impact Intensity:  Negligable.  
Impact Summary: Traffic volumes on the local road network in the immediate project area would increase during construction and occupancy.  The number of residents would increase by approximately 115 people.  However, this increase is likely to be lower than the increase associated with completion of current development plans for the property.  Existing infrastructure would be able to accommodate these increases without impacting local traffic patterns.
Agency Coordination / Permits: None.
Mitigation: None.

F.   Additional Impact Analysis

Wetlands ((Executive Order 11990).  The project site is located on some of the higher property in the local area.  The elevation is still sufficiently low that the area flooded during Hurricane Ike.  Two inundated and potential wetland areas were found on the property during a site inspection on October 24, 2008.  These wetland areas appeared to occupy at least 40 percent of the area available for community site development.  Based on a review of aerial photography and current site conditions, it appears that the entire site was cleared with heavy equipment during preparation for construction.  This equipment has resulted in surface rutting and soil compaction.  Further investigation of site hydrology by the Bridge City engineering department disclosed that the water main installed across the property three to four years ago has been leaking for some time.  This combination of factors has apparently bothlowered the surface elevation, decreased soil permeability, and provided a water source, creating an anthropogenic wetland area.  This area is sufficiently wet to contain large areas of standing water as much as eight inches in depth.  A drainage ditch runs from the south end of the property a distance of approximately one mile to tidal wetlands.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Galveston District Regulatory Branch conducted an offsite preliminary Clean Water Act jurisdictional determination for the site on October 31, 2008.  It was determined that all suspect wetland areas on the site have been created by a combination of past equipment disturbance, and artificial addition of hydrology by means of the leaking water main.  A review of the historical aerial photography, topographic maps, and additional resources indicate that the site did not, under normal conditions, support the hydrology that is present at this time.  Therefore, the wetlands do not represent normal circumstances on the site.  While these areas may exhibit all three criteria to be classified as a wetland, they would not be considered wetlands under normal conditions, as the hydrology is anthropogenically created by the broken water main.  Therefore, the 11 acre project site does not contain wetlands or other waters of the United States.  A Clean Water Act Section 404 permit is not needed for discharge of dredged or fill material on the site.  In conclusion, there are no Clean Water Act (wetland) permitting issues precluding development of a community site on this property.

Socioeconomics.  The project site is located in the 77611 zip code of Orange County.  According to the 2000 Census, zip code 77611 had 9,814 residents, and 3,889 housing units.  The median household income was estimated at about $42,606 (based on 1999 dollars; Census 2000).  The primary employment sectors were management, professional, and related occupations, followed by sales and office occupations.  According to the 2000 Census, about 4.9 percent of the zip codes civilian labor force is unemployed.  

With the establishment of the site at full occupancy, up to approximately 115 residents would be temporarily housed in the community site (46 units x estimated 2.5 people per unit).  Many of the potential site residents will already be residents of the Bridge City area and Orange County.  The local community is aware of and has approved this action.  The community should not experience an increase in the need for public services, such as schools, fire and police services, child care, and medical services because site occupants would already be from the county.  

Environmental Justice.  Executive Order (EO) 12898 requires that each Federal agency identify and address the effects of its programs, policies, and activities on minority and low-income populations.  The function of the EO is to avoid disproportionately high and adverse public health or environmental impacts to the target populations.  Further, EO 12898 also tasks Federal agencies to ensure that public notifications regarding environmental issues are concise, understandable, and readily accessible. 
 
The population within the 77611 zip code is comprised of about 95.5 percent Caucasian, 1.3 Asian, 0.7 percent American Indian and Alaska Native, and 0.3 percent African American.  Approximately 9.9 percent of the families residing within this zip code are living below the poverty level.  This zip code has a slightly higher percentage of families below the poverty level than Bridge City as a whole; however, this percentage is slightly lower than that for Orange County and the State of Texas.  Minority representation in zip code 77611 is nearly identical to that of Bridge City as a whole.  However, the percentage of African Americans living in this area is markedly lower than the percentage for both Orange County and the State of Texas (Table 2; Census 2000).      

Table 2: Minority and Low Income Populations Summary Statistics (In Percent)

Demographics. 
Caucasian: Zip Code 77611 - 95.5; City - 95.4; County - 88.0; Texas - 71.0
African American: Zip Code 77611 - 0.3; City - 0.2; County - 8.4; Texas - 11.5Asian: Zip Code 77611 - 1.3; City - 1.4; County - 0.8; Texas - 2.7American Indian and Alaska Native: Zip Code 77611 -  0.7; City - 0.8; County - 0.6; Texas - 0.6Other:  Zip Code 77611 - 2.2; City - 2.2; County - 2.2; Texas - 14.2
Families below poverty: Zip Code 77611 - 9.9; City - 7.9; County - 11.4; Texas - 12.0Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Census 2000

The proposed action is not expected to pose disproportionately high and adverse public health or environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.  The availability of Federal assistance, including temporary housing for displaced individuals, is consistent with EO 12898.  All forms of FEMA disaster housing assistance are available to any affected household that meets the conditions of eligibility and demographics are not among the eligibility requirements.  

The specific demographics of community site occupants are not available at this time because specific individuals or families are in the process of being identified for this site.  However, the demographic makeup of the future community site residents is expected to be similar to the community as a whole.  Further, the availability of temporary housing would result in a positive impact to displaced individuals, regardless of whether they are minority and/or low income.

Noise
There are no excessive noise sources, such as airports, railroads, and major highways, in close proximity to the proposed site.  During the construction period, residents immediately adjacent to the project site may temporarily experience elevated ambient noise levels.  The primary source of this noise is likely to be the operation of heavy construction equipment, such as excavators, dozers, graders, dump trucks, road paving equipment, etc.  Additional noise is likely to be caused by use of hand held tools and communication between workers on the site.  It is anticipated that, due to the proximity of surrounding residents, construction would occur on a 12 hour per day, seven day a week schedule.  

Noise impacts would be short-term and limited to the duration of construction activities.  Residents would also experience additional noise impacts during removal of the mobile homes and any necessary restoration of the site following the temporary housing use.  The following noise reduction measures will be implemented:  site work will be restricted to 12-hour a day and completing noisier activities during daylight hours.

Hazardous Materials and Toxic Wastes

The GeoSearch Company conducted a search of 66 federal, state, tribal and other databases for locatable HTRW  sites.  The search area ranged out radially up to  one mile from the project site depending on the database.  The detailed results of this database search are located in  Appendix B, Radius Report With Geoplus: Tuscany Property.

Eighteen HTRW sites are located within one half mile of the Tuscany Village site.  Seventeen of these sites are located along State Highway 87 (Texas Avenue).  None of the locations fall within the footprint of the proposed community site.  HTRW sites include a dry cleaning establishment, three industrial and hazardous waste sites,  a chemical storage facility, and 13 underground petroleum storage tank facilities (PSTs).  Of the 13 PST sites, six had leaking tanks.  Of these six leaking tanks, two have not received final concurrence acknowledging closure of HTRW issues post assessment and/or remediation.  No outstanding HTRW issues are expected.  The remaining 16 of 18 sites do not have outstanding HTRW issues.  Four pipelines listed on the state oil and gas database are located within a half mile of the site.  There are no outstanding HTRW issues with these pipelines.

Bridge City obtains its municipal water supply from the Gulf Coast aquifer by means of four groundwater wells in the local area.  Water is treated to Federal drinking water standards promulgated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) before it is served to customers.  The Tuscany Village Community Site would be served by this municipal water supply.

G. Cumulative Impacts

Cumulative impacts are defined as environmental effects that are greater in magnitude, extent, or duration than the direct and indirect effects of the proposed FEMA-associated action when combined with the effects of other current and future actions, regardless of the proponent.  Given the Proposed Action is temporary (up to 24 months), long-term cumulative affects to the area surrounding the site as a result of site development and occupancy are not anticipated.  Development of the site for residential use has already been approved by Bridge City. 

H. Public Involvement

Public involvement is being performed in compliance with NEPA, FEMAs regulations implementing NEPA at 44 CFR 10.9(c), and Executive Orders 12898, 11988, and 11990.  A Public Notice will be published in Orange Leader newspaper beginning on November 6, 2008. Due to the emergency nature of this action, the public comment period will be brief, from November 6, 2008 to November 8, 2008. Written comments on the Draft EA and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) can be faxed to FEMAs Joint Field Office in Austin at (512) 465-3764 or sent via email to FEMA-DR1791-Environmental@dhs.gov.  Verbal comments are being accepted at (866) 568-1260, and TTY for hearing or speech-impaired at (800) 462-7585; between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. The Draft EA and FONSI are available for public review at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at 3727 N. 16th St., Orange, TX 77632, and at the Bridge City - City Hall, located at 260 Rachal Ave., Bridge City, TX 77611. The DRC hours are Monday to Saturday 9 a.m.  5:30 p.m., and City Hall hours are Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.  The Draft EA and FONSI are also available for viewing and download from FEMAs website at http://www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/ea-region6.shtm and at the Bridge City - City Hall website at http://www.bridgecitytex.com.

If no substantive comments are received relative to the proposed actions environmental effects, the Draft EA and Finding of No Significant Impacts (FONSI) will become final no further noticing will be done.  Comments will be addressed as appropriate in the Final documents.  

I. Conclusion

This Draft EA was written to evaluate the potential impacts to the environment from the No Action and Proposed Action alternatives.  The Draft EA has also addressed the compliance requirements of the National Historic Preservation Act, Endangered Species Act, Executive Orders 11988 (Floodplain Management), 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), and 12898 (Environmental Justice), and other related environmental statutes along with considering issues such as hazardous and toxic wastes, infrastructure, and socioeconomics.  Based on fieldwork, proposed action scope of work and mitigation measures, research, and consultations; the findings of this Draft EA indicate that an Environmental Impact Statement is not required.  A Draft FONSI has been prepared and is attached.



Figure 1.  Tuscany Village Area Maps.  The proposed Tuscany Village Community Site is located near the center of Bridge City in south central Orange County, Texas.  Maps have been obtained from MapQuest.





Figure 2.  Tuscany Village Location Map.  The proposed Tuscany Village Community Site is located on the south side of Osborne Drive, approximately 900 feet southeast of State Highway 87 (Texas Avenue).  Map has been obtained from GoogleEarth


Figure 3. Tuscany Village Site Layout


Figure 4. Photographs of Typical Units and Green Space


Figure 5.  Panorama of the Tuscany Village site as viewed from the east central portion of the property.  Storage warehouses adjacent to Texas Avenue can be seen at the center o the photo.  The Tuscany Village condominiums are at left center, and single family residences along Osborne Drive are to the right.  The wet areas in the foreground have been caused by past equipment disturbance and a leaking water main.



Figure 6.  The first phase of the Tuscany Village condominiums was recently constructed on the westernmost portion of the property.  All seven completed buildings have already been occupied by their new owners.