Notice of 15 Day Comment Period for Draft Environmental Assessment Osceola County, Buenaventura Lakes, Drainage FEMA-HMGP-4337-0323-FL
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse Osceola County for eligible costs to reduce flooding in the Buenaventura Lakes Subdivision. This notice applies to the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) eligible project for the drainage improvements in Buenaventura Lakes, Osceola County, implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207.
Under the major disaster declaration, FEMA-DR-4337-FL, signed by the President on September 10, 2017 and amended September 11, 2017, September 13, 2017, October 2, 2017, October 5, 2017, October 11, 2017, October 18, 2017, January 10, 2017, April 2, 2018, and August 29, 2018, 49 counties were designated adversely affected by the disaster and eligible for Individual Assistance (IA), 47 counties were eligible for Public Assistance (PA) Category A through G and additional 21 counties were eligible for PA Category A and B and the entire State of Florida, which includes Osceola County, was designated eligible for HMGP funding.
This public notice concerns activities pertaining to drainage improvements in the Buenaventura Lakes Subdivision. The proposed project will include the installation of a new flood control structure with a dual box culvert leading into a new open ditch to convey water through a new spreader structure and into East Lake Tohopekaliga. These drainage improvements are intended to address the deficiencies in the existing stormwater system by allowing increased discharges by lowering peak pond stages. Structures and roads within the subdivision will have reduced flood risks, leading towards substantially reduced displacement and enabling residents and first responders to access the area during and after storm events. See Table 1.0 for project location information.
Table 1.0 Project Location GPS Coordinates
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Location
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Address
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GPS Coordinates
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Buenaventura Lakes Subdivision
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Turpin Lane, Royal Palm Drive, and Simpson Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34743
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Start
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(28.323829, -81.338957)
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End
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(28.327826, -81.325871)
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The Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) on behalf of FEMA. An alternative analysis was performed, which included the evaluation of the proposed action and the no action alternative. Further detailed descriptions of all alternatives may be reviewed in the EA conducted by FDEM and FEMA or by contacting FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov for a copy. The draft EA is available for public comment and can be viewed on FEMA’s website at the following locations:
FEMA WEBSITE LOCATION:
https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/nepa/environmental-assessment-buenaventura
OSCELOA COUNTY WEBSITE LOCATION: https://www.osceola.org/Government/Public-notices
A hardcopy of the EA is available for review at the Osceola County Administration Building, 1 Courthouse Square, Kissimmee, FL.
The National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider the effect of their undertaking on historic properties. FEMA performed consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) and received concurrence for a determination of No Historic Properties Affected. Tribal consultation letters were submitted to Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, and Seminole Tribe of Florida.
Presidential Executive Orders (EO) 11988 and 11990 direct federal agencies to avoid possible impacts associated with the destruction and modification of floodplains and wetlands. Agencies are directed to avoid the construction and development of floodplains and wetlands whenever there are practicable alternatives. Projects affecting the floodplain or wetlands are reviewed for opportunities to relocate and evaluated for social, economic, historical, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. The project area is mapped in Unshaded X, Shaded X, and AE flood zones per FIRM panel number 120097C0080G, dated June 18, 2013. If no action is taken, the Buenaventura Lakes Subdivision would continue to experience flooding.
This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above-described action funded by the FEMA HMGP program. Interested persons may obtain information about this action by email FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line “HMGP 4337-323-R Osceola County” at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.