FEMA PUBLIC NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY
DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR
CITY PARK TEMPORARY HOUSING SITE
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, ORLEANS PARISH, LOUISIANA

Interested parties are hereby notified that the Department of Homeland Securitys Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has 
prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (Draft EA) for three proposed travel trailer temporary group housing sites. The sites 
would provide emergency housing for disaster victims displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. A Presidential Disaster Declaration,
FEMA-1603-DR-LA, was signed on August 29, 2005, for Hurricane Katrina and on September 24, 2005, for Hurricane Rita (FEMA-1607-DR-
LA). 

The proposed action includes developing approximately 65 acres (hereafter called City Park) and installing approximately 986 
travel trailer units at three separate areas of City Park. The sites include South Festival Park, Zachary Taylor Park and Marconi 
Meadows Park and are located in the southern portion of City Park.  Activities would include, where necessary, site clearing, 
grading, road construction, the placement of utilities (electricity, water, and sewer), and the transport and hook-up of travel 
trailers to the site. Per the National Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq.) and associated environmental statutes, the 
Draft EA evaluates the proposed actions potential impacts on the human and natural environment. 

In order to meet the urgent need of hurricane victims to find temporary housing, FEMA has conducted an expedited environmental 
review process to identify and address potential environmental issues. The Draft EA summarizes the purpose and need, site selection 
process, affected environment, and potential environmental consequences associated with the proposed action. The environmental 
review process for City Park included research on wetlands, floodplains, soils, air and water quality, census statistics, hazardous 
materials, archaeological, cultural and historic structures, threatened and endangered species, noise, safety, and other available 
information.

The public comment period for this action will be open from February 13, 2006, to February 27, 2006. Written comments on the Draft 
EA can be faxed to FEMAs Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge at (225) 346-5848, or sent via email to eacomments@dhs.gov. When 
responding by email, enter site number OR10 in the subject field. Verbal comments will be accepted at (225) 376-5137, (215) 376-
5398, and TTY for hearing or speech-impaired at 800-462-7585, between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. The Draft EA can be viewed and 
downloaded from FEMAs website at http://www.fema.gov/ehp/docs.shtm. It is also available for public review at FEMA Disaster 
Recovery Centers located at 4128 Franklin Avenue and 219 Loyola Avenue, New Orleans, and the Orleans Parish Library, Nix Branch, 
located at 1401 S. Carrolltown Avenue, New Orleans. The DRC hours are 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Saturday. If no 
substantive comments are received, the Draft EA will become final and this initial Public Notice will also serve as the final 
Public Notice for work in the floodplain in accordance with 44 CFR Part 9.12. 

All other questions regarding disaster assistance or the availability of emergency housing should be directed to FEMAs 
Teleregistration line at 800-621-3362.