Final Public Notice: Manatee County Coquina Beach Project

Final Public Notice: Manatee County Coquina Beach Project
Posted on 10/02/2018

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for Manatee County’s Coquina Beach engineered beach repair due to damages in Hurricane Hermine (DR‐4280‐FL PW 479) and Hurricane Irma (DR‐4337‐FL Project 6581, PW 3039). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance (PA) Program.

An initial disaster‐wide Public Notice was published November 21, 2016 for Hurricane Hermine and on October 6, 2017 for Hurricane Irma. Comments and other information received were fully evaluated by FEMA along with evaluation of social, economic, environmental, and safety considerations. This notice serves as a project‐specific final notice for FEMA’s funding action located within the floodplain. FEMA has determined that the only practicable alternative is to locate this facility at its original location within the floodplain because the facility is functionally dependent upon its location within the floodplain.

Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions. This action complies with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Responsible Entity: FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program

Applicant: Manatee County

Project Title(s):

  • PA‐04‐FL‐4280‐PW‐00479(0) ‐ MCGJK17 ‐ Coquina Beach
  • PA‐04‐FL‐4337 Project #6581, PW 3039 – Coquina Beach

Location of Proposed Work: R‐33 to R‐41+305 (27.464528, ‐82.699053 to 27.444961, ‐82.691078)

Floodplain: Project is located in the VE Zone, otherwise known as the Coastal High Hazard Area, per City of Bradenton Beach FIRM Panels #12081C0279E dated 3/17/2014.

Proposed Work and Purpose: Manatee County intends to replace sand eroded as a result of Hurricane Hermine and Irma. Approximately 74,805 cubic yards of sand will be replaced using beach compatible sand from the Longboat Pass channel borrow area. The county has obtained U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Florida Department of Environmental Protection permits for the proposed work.

Project Alternatives: The alternative that has been considered is the no action alternative. This alternative is not feasible as the area will remain vulnerable to flood risk, including property damage and hazards to human life and safety. With the no action alternative, continued negative impacts on adjacent infrastructure, property, residents, and the community may be experienced. Alternate locations were not considered as the engineered beach is functionally dependent upon its location within the floodplain. The facility also provides open space uses for recreation and habitat for wildlife.

Comments: This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above‐described action funded by the FEMA PA program. Interested persons submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 4, 3003 Chamblee‐Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, calling 770‐220‐5432, or by emailing FEMA‐[email protected]. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line FL‐4280‐PW‐00479, Manatee County at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.