Draft Environmental Assessment
Hurricane Katrina FEMA-1603-DR-LA
Louis Ruffino #2 Emergency Temporary Housing Site
Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana

A.  Introduction

Hurricane Katrina, a Category 4 hurricane with a storm surge above normal high-tide levels, moved across the Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama gulf coasts on August 29, 2005.  Maximum sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 140 miles per hour.  

President Bush declared a major disaster for Louisiana due to damages from Hurricane Katrina, and signed a disaster declaration (FEMA-1603-DR-LA) on August 29, 2005, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide federal assistance in designated areas of Louisiana.  FEMA proposes to administer this federal disaster assistance per the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 USC 5121-5206, as amended (Stafford Act).  Section 408 of the Stafford Act authorizes FEMAs Individual Assistance Program to provide emergency temporary housing for disaster victims whose homes are uninhabitable.  

This Environmental Assessment (EA) was prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), the Presidents Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508), and FEMAs regulations implementing NEPA (44 CFR 10.9).  The purpose of this EA is to analyze potential impacts of temporary and transient emergency group housing for disaster victims as part of an expedited review process.  FEMA will use the findings in this EA to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).

B. Purpose and Need  

Catastrophic damage has resulted in an extraordinary demand for housing assistance.  To date in Tangipahoa Parish, approximately 44,353 registrations for Federal assistance have been received.  Of these requests, approximately 15,639 have been received from residents of the City of Hammond and the surrounding area.  At this time, approximately 1,217 applications for housing assistance have been submitted to FEMA for Tangipahoa Parish.  The specific housing request number for Hammond is not available at this time.  The purpose of this action is to help satisfy some of the housing demand.     

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 Farmland Protection Policy Act. Expedited agency consultation consisted of establishing a programmatic agreement with the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Office and an expedited review process with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Other resource areas or issues evaluated in this EA include noise, visual resources, traffic, socioeconomics, safety and security, and hazardous and toxic waste. 

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 EA examines the site-specific environmental impacts associated with building a proposed FEMA group housing park on land to be leased by the General Services Administration for this purpose.   

This EA was prepared based on a site evaluation conducted on November 19, 2005, document research, and 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 and Alternatives Analysis:

NEPA requires investigation and evaluation of reasonable project alternatives as part of the project environmental review process. Federally assisted housing options, including hotel/rental assistance and locating a travel trailer or mobile home on a private site or in an existing park, are being exhausted first for those requesting housing assistance in Tangipahoa Parish. Accordingly, a remaining alternative is to build a group housing site where the above options do not satisfy the demand.
In order to expedite the group housing site selection process, FEMAs contractors initially review available aerial photos and maps, conduct site reconnaissance field surveys, and contact state and local officials to identify potential sites. Factors considered in choosing a site include: demand for temporary housing in that area, site topography, property owner willingness, cost, past land use, if it is already planned for development, access to existing utilities, engineering feasibility, and environmental/cultural resource sensitivities. FEMA continues to evaluate alternative sites in Tangipahoa Parish, and other parishes within southeast Louisiana. Although various alternatives have been and continue to be identified, the extraordinary amount of needed housing have limited this EA to analysis of one suitable site alternative at this time. The Louis Ruffino #2 site was selected for further analysis because it meets specific site selection criteria. 
E. Project Location: 
The proposed site is located on Iverstine Road in Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana.  The site entrance would be located on Iverstine Road, approximately 1,000 feet east of Kelli Drive (Figures 1 and 2).    

F. Site Description: 
The project area lies in a rural setting and consists of an approximately 15 acre relatively flat, heavily wooded tract with thicket undergrowth. Drainage ditches and jurisdictional wetlands line the roads on the southern extent (Iverstine Road) and eastern extent (gravel driveway) of the property.  The southwestern 0.25 acre fronting Iverstine Road has been partially cleared.  The site is bounded on the west by a regularly mowed open field.  A wooded area and Martino Lane border the proposed property on the north (Figure 3).        

G. Project Description:
The proposed project description is based on the preliminary site design completed on December 14, 2005 (Fluor 2005; Figure 4).  The proposed action would involve the construction of a mobile home park (hereafter the Park) which would accommodate approximately 68 mobile homes (MHs) based on the following design criteria provided by Fluor:
* Tree and scrub brush removal via clearing and grubbing.
* Grading to provide positive drainage.
* Lot allocation for 14 x 70 mobile homes.
* Eight mobile homes are required to have Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) access.
* Potable water and electricity would be installed underground and tie into the existing infrastructure from Iverstine Road.  
* A gravity flow sanitary sewer system would drain to a central portion of the site where it would be collected in a lift station and pumped offsite to an existing gravity system.   
* 6-foot high perimeter chain link fencing. 
* Dumpsters located on pads.
* Fire protection water provided from a local underground water main on the south side of Iverstine Road.    
* On site roads would be gravel surfaced with paved parking sections only for ADA access.  
* The main access to the property would be approximately 100 feet of paved road within the Iverstine Road right-of-way and up to the first interior roadway.  

 Fluor has been communicating with the Parish for guidance on the Park design.  

At this time, occupancy is not expected to exceed 18 months.  When the temporary housing need has ended, FEMA expects that the mobile homes would be transported from the site to suitable locations elsewhere (to be determined on a case-by-case basis).  The Park would then be seeded and restored to previous conditions, to the extent practical, and/or used by the landowner in a manner consistent with the parish zoning classification.

H. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences

Table 1 summarizes the results of the environmental review process.  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 the following Section I.  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.  

Table 1. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences Matrix

Resource Area
Impact Intensity

Impact Summary
Agency Coordination / Permits
Mitigation

Negligible
Minor
Moderate
Major



Geology and Soils
X



Potential for localized increase in soil erosion during construction.
LAPDES stormwater construction permit to be obtained by construction contractor.
Implement construction BMPs, install silt fences/straw bales to reduce sedimentation.  Area soils would be wetted during construction to minimize wind erosion.  If fill is stored on site, the contractor would be required to cover it appropriately.
Hydrology and Floodplains (Executive Order 11988)
X



Project area is not located in a 100-year floodplain.  FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map Zone X 220206 0165 E, revised August 23, 2000. No impacts anticipated.        


Wetlands (Executive Order 11990)

X


Wetlands were observed at the project site during the site reconnaissance and were noted on the USFWS National Wetland Inventory (NWI) maps (USGS 2005).  The wetland delineation was approved on 11/4/05.  See Section I.    
Communication with USACE Regulatory on 11/30/05 and 12/16/05.  A Nationwide Permit 18 will likely be required and possibly others.
Avoidance and minimization of wetland impacts.  See Section I.
Coastal Zone Management
X



Project site is located within the boundaries of the Coastal Zone but is well above any tidal influence.  
Communication with Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Coastal Management Division on 9/21/05.  

Water Quality
X



Potential for localized increase in sedimentation during construction.
LAPDES stormwater construction permits to be obtained by construction contractor.
Contractor to implement requirements of LAPDES stormwater construction permit.  Implement construction BMPs, install silt fences/straw bales to reduce sedimentation    
Air Quality
X



Parish is in attainment for criteria pollutants per the Clean Air Act.  Negligible impact would be anticipated from vehicle exhaust emissions and increased dust during construction.

Area soils would be covered and/or wetted during construction to minimize dust.
Vegetation and Wildlife

X


The site itself contains the natural resource benefits of woodland, and the site is dominated by deciduous trees 15-20 years old.    Several species of birds and mammals common to forest habitat were observed.  See Section I.

Once the temporary housing need has ended, the site would be seeded and restored to previous conditions to the extent practical and/or used by the landowner in a manner consistent with local zoning.  
Threatened and Endangered Species (Endangered Species Act Section 7)
X



No impact to listed species is expected.  Habitat reconnaissance survey conducted on 12/07/05. No suitable habitat was found   See Section I.        
USFWS concurred December 14, 2005, that project is not likely to adversely affect listed species.    

Cultural Resources (National Historic Preservation Act Section 106)
X



No impact to historic properties or resources listed or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places is anticipated.  Site visit conducted on 11/19/05.  
The Louisiana SHPO  concurred the project will have no effect on historic properties on December 6, 2005. 


Socioeconomics

X


With the establishment of the Park, up to about 170 residents would be temporarily relocating to the project site (68 units x estimated 2.5 people per unit).  It is anticipated that most Park residents would be residents of Hammond or Tangipahoa Parish currently displaced from their homes.  Minimal impact is anticipated.  See Section I.


Environmental Justice (Executive Order 12898)
X



The proposed action is not expected to pose disproportionately high and adverse public health or environmental effects on minority and low-income populations.  Also see Section I.


Noise

X


During the construction period residents immediately adjacent to the project site would experience an increase in noise levels.  Due to the urgency of the situation, construction would likely occur on a 24-hour schedule until the Park is completed.  Construction noise mpacts would be short-term and limited to the duration of construction activities. The vehicles from Park occupants would also increase the level of vehicular noise in the area.  

If necessary, the following noise reduction measures should be considered: (1) restricting the 24-hour schedule to the first two weeks of construction; (2) using a 7 A.M. to 7 P.M. construction schedule; (3) completing construction closest to adjoining residents first; and (4) completing noisier activities during the day if a 24-hour schedule is used.  
Safety and Security
X



No impact anticipated.    

The contractor would place fencing around the site perimeter to protect residents from trespassers.  The contractor would post appropriate signage and fencing to minimize potential adverse public safety concerns.
Hazardous Materials and Toxic Wastes
X



A search of hazardous materials databases was completed on November 21, 2005.  No hazardous materials concerns were found at this site.  No files at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality on this site.    


Traffic and Transportation

X


Traffic volumes on the surrounding roadway network would increase during Park construction and occupancy. Impacts to motorists would consist of temporary delays and disruptions to normal traffic patterns.  See Section I.  


I. Additional Impact Analysis
Wetlands
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has determined that the Louis Ruffino #2 site contains jurisdictional wetlands along the southern extent (Iverstine Road) and the eastern extent (gravel road) (November 13, 2005).  Park design avoids wetland impacts to the extent practicable.  Impacts from the egress/ingress and the utilities to the site cannot be completely avoided.  The impacts were designed to cross at the smallest surface area of wetlands and a culvert will be placed to maintain existing hydrology.  For these unavoidable impacts, the contractor will submit a permit application for a Minor Discharge (Nationwide Permit 18) to the USACE. The USACE may require an 8 to10-foot buffer on the landward edge of the wetland.  The buffer will assure that secondary impacts to water quality are minimized.  This general permit is granted by the USACE for activities having minimal impacts, therefore impacts to wetlands and water quality are anticipated to be minor.     
Vegetation and Wildlife
The site contains the natural resource benefits of woodland.  During the site visit on November 19, 2005, several species of birds and mammals common to forest habitat were observed.  The site is dominated by deciduous trees about 15-20 years old.  Wildlife in the project area would be expected to relocate to nearby areas.  Once the temporary housing need has ended, the site would be seeded and restored to previous conditions to the extent practical and/or used by the landowner in a manner consistent with local zoning.      
  
Threatened and Endangered Species (Endangered Species Act Section 7)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) was contacted on November 29, 2005, regarding potential impacts to federally listed threatened or endangered species from the proposed project.  A faxed response was received from USFWS on November 30, 2005, instructing FEMA to survey the proposed site the red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) and gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), both listed species. USFWS requested a survey of the habitat and a habitat reconnaissance survey was performed by FEMA biologists on December 7, 2005.  No suitable habitat for either of these species was detected.  USFWS wrote a concurrence letter on December 14, 2005, stating that the proposed project is not likely to adversely affect red-cockaded woodpeckers or the gopher tortoise. 
Socioeconomics
The project site is located in the city of Hammond, which at the time of the 2000 Census had 17,639 residents, and 7,014 housing units.  The median household income was estimated at about $24,067 (based on 1999 Census).  The primary employment sectors (about 80 percent of all jobs) were sales and office occupations, service occupations, and management, professional, and related occupations.  According to the 2000 Census, about 25 percent of families in Hammond lived below the poverty level.  

With the establishment of the Park, up to about 170 residents would be temporarily relocating to the project area (68 units x estimated 2.5 people per unit).  Based on the requests for housing assistance, it is anticipated that most Park residents would be residents of Hammond or Tangipahoa Parish currently displaced from their homes.  Therefore, the demand for public and commercial services is not expected to be greater than the pre-hurricane demand and potential impacts would be minimal.  
   
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.
  
At the time of the 2000 Census the population within Hammond was comprised of about 45 percent African American, 52 percent Caucasian and 3 percent other races.  Approximately 25 percent of the families were living below the poverty level.  In comparison to Tangipahoa Parish and Louisiana, the City of Hammond had a higher percentage of families below poverty and a higher percentage of minority residents (Table 2).    

Table 2: Minority and Low Income Populations Summary Statistics
Subject
Hammond
Tangipahoa Parish
Louisiana
Demographics



Caucasian
52%
70%
64%
African American
45%
28%
33%
Other 
3%
2%
3%
Families below poverty
25%
18%
15%
 Source: 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 Park occupants are not available at this time because specific individuals or families are in the process of being identified for this park.  However, the demographic makeup of the future Park 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.

Traffic and Transportation.
The proposed site is located on Iverstine Road and encompassed by Patti Road to the west, and Martino Lane to the north.  Traffic within the general project area may increase due to the ingress and egress of construction equipment and local street widths may need to be reduced temporarily to permit adjacent construction.  Detour routes may be necessary if local streets need to be temporarily closed for utility relocations or access road construction.  Impacts would be short-term and limited to the duration of construction. Traffic volumes would also increase due to Park residents.  These traffic impacts would be limited to the duration of the need for temporary housing at this site. The existing roadway network would be able to support both increases discussed above; therefore, traffic impacts are anticipated to be minor.  
J. Public Involvement

Public involvement is being performed in compliance with NEPA, FEMAs regulations implementing NEPA at 44 CFR 10.9(c), and Executive Order 12898.  A Public Notice is being published in the Hammond Star from December 19 through December 21, 2005.  Due to the emergency nature of this action, the public comment period will be brief  December 19 to December 21, 2005.  Written comments on the Draft EA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) can be faxed to FEMAs Joint Field Office in Baton Rouge at (225) 346-5848; and verbal comments will be accepted at (225) 376-5137 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 Hammond Branch Library, 314 East Thomas Street, Hammond, Louisiana, 70401 and the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) located at 735 West Oak Street, Amite, Louisiana 70422.  The DRC hours are 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday -Saturday.  The Draft EA and FONSI are also available for viewing and download from FEMAs website at http://www.fema.gov/ehp/docs.shtm.  

If no substantive comments are received, the Draft EA and FONSI will become final and this initial Public Notice will also serve as the final Public Notice.  Substantive comments will be addressed as appropriate in the Final documents.  


K. References

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM).  Community-Panel Number 220206 0165 E, revised August 23, 2000.

Fluor Corporation.  Site design for Louis Ruffino #2 Temporary Housing Site.  December 14, 2005. 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Approved Jurisdictional Determination for A 15-acre tract on and north of Iverstine Road east of Patti Road. November 13, 2005.

U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000.  American Factfinder.  http://www.census.gov.  Website accessed November 28, 2005.

U. S. Department of Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).  Threatened and endangered species habitat consultation letter, November 30, 2005.  

-----.  Threatened and endangered species concurrence letter, December 14, 2005.

-----. Wetlands online mapper.  http://wetlandsfws.er.usgs.gov/wtlnds/launch.html.  Website accessed November 20, 2005.

U.S. Geological Survey. www.Topozone.com. Hammond, LA Quadrangle base map, 7.5 minute series (topographic-bathymetric). Website accessed November 20, 2005.

Windham, Mike.  USACE e-mail communication, November 30, 2005.

L. Figures 

Figure 1: Geographic Location
Figure 2: Site Location
Figure 3: Photographs
Figure 4: Site Layout  


Figure 1: Geographic location using www.mapquest.com.









Figure 2: Site location on Hammond, Louisiana USGS topographic quadrangle.






Figure 3: Photographs


Looking north from Iverstine Road at the southwestern corner where the site has been partially cleared.


Looking south along the gravel road that bounds the site on the east.  The site can be seen on the right side of the photograph.

Figure 4.  Preliminary site plan.




Appendix 1. Hazardous Materials Database Search



Appendix 2. Finding of No Significant Impact




	
Draft Environmental Assessment
Louis Ruffino #2 Emergency Temporary Housing Site
Hammond, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
FEMA-1603-DR-LA