PUBLIC NOTICES

Interested parties are hereby notified that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) for the shoreline protection of the north bank of the Flotation Canal within Lafourche Parish. The proposed action site is located on the northern bank of the Flotation Canal, located in Golden Meadow, Lafourche Parish, LA 70357, Sections 1, 2, 3, 25 & 26, T-22-S, T-23- S, R-22-E. Greater Lafourche Port Commission’s (GLPC) proposed action consists of the installation of approximately 9,272 linear feet of shoreline protection along the northern bank of the Flotation Canal using limestone rock riprap and concrete ExoForm (Cajun Coral) modules in Area 1, Permitted Shoreline Protection Area, and Area 2. Area 1 is identified as 1,140 linear feet along the corner of Bayou Lafourche beginning at coordinates (29.1457926, -90.2203505), an approximate 90-degree eastward vertex (29.14420,

-90.22005) and ending along the Flotation Canal at coordinates (29.14461, -90.21850). The Permitted Shoreline Protection area is identified as 6,640 linear feet of a currently permitted section of the northern bank along the Flotation Canal beginning at coordinates (29.15017, -90.20222) and ending at coordinates (29.15712, -90.18608). Area 2 is identified as 1,492 linear feet along the Flotation Canal beginning at coordinates (29.15712, -90.18608), an approximate 90-degree northwestward vertex (29.15940,

-90.18307), and ending along Bayou Moreau (29.15985, -90.18343). The Subrecipient, GLPC, seeks federal grant funds for this action eligible under a Presidential Disaster Declaration, signed on August 29, 2021 (FEMA-DR-4611-LA).

The need for this action is to aid GLPC in maintaining the Port and slip depths for adequate vessel navigation. The Port is a major hub servicing the offshore oil and gas industry and its uninterrupted operation is vital to the economy of the area. Due to the sediments deposited by Hurricane Ida, the Port has received FEMA assistance to dredge the sediments from the canals but is seeking a long-term solution to storm-related sedimentation of the Port’s facilities. This project will protect the southern boundary of the approximately 734 acres of beneficial marsh habitat constructed by GLPC north of the Flotation Canal and retain and minimize sedimentation into the Flotation Canal and slips.

Per the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)¹, and associated environmental statutes, a DEA has been prepared to evaluate the action’s potential impacts on the human and natural environment. This DEA summarizes the purpose and need, site selection process, affected environment, and potential environmental consequences associated with the proposed action.

In accordance with FEMA’s Instruction 108-1-1 and DHS Instruction 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1, pursuant to Section 102 for implementing NEPA, the National Historic Preservation Act, Executive Order 11988, Executive Order 11990, and 44 CFR Part 9, a DEA was written to evaluate the potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives on the human and natural environment. The DEA evaluates Alternative 1, the No Action Alternative; Alternative 2, Riprap and Natrx ExoForm Bank Protection (Proposed Alternative); Alternative 3, Natrx ExoForm Living Shoreline.

1Consistent with E.O. 14154, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) has rescinded the NEPA regulations, effective April 11, 2025, and is working with Federal agencies to revise or establish their own NEPA implementing procedures. Per CEQ Guidance, while revisions are ongoing, agencies should continue to follow their existing practices and procedures implementing NEPA and can voluntary rely on the regulation in 40 CFR 1500-1508 in completing ongoing NEPA reviews (Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act, February 19, 2025).

The public has been notified of the proposed riprap and ExoForm project on February 6, 2022 through the USACE public notice process for permit number MVN-2008-00037-WPP. The Flotation Canal project has also been discussed at the Greater Lafourche Port Commission Board Meetings on June 12, 2024, and January 8, 2025.

FEMA invites public participation in this proposed Federal action as part of the NEPA process. Consideration of the views and information of all interested persons promotes open communication and enables better decision-making. To date, FEMA has coordinated with multiple agencies regarding the Proposed Action through the submittal of SOVs. The SOVs request that each agency reviews the Proposed Action and determine if and what requirements of any formal consultations, regulatory permits, determinations, or authorizations would be needed by the different agencies.

This Public Notice will run in the journal of record for the State of Louisiana, The Advocate, and in The Daily Comet in Lafourche Parish for three (3) days on the following Mondays: July 21; July 28; and August 4, 2025.

The DEA and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are available for review at the following locations during business hours:

Greater Lafourche Port Commission Administration Office

16829 East Main Street

Cut Off, LA 70345

Hours of Operations: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Town of Golden Meadow

107 Jervis Drive

Golden Meadow, LA 70357

Hours of Operations: Monday – Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The DEA and accompanying Appendix can also be viewed and downloaded from FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/resource-document-library.

A 30-day comment period will begin on July 21, 2025, and conclude on August 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. Written comments may be mailed to: DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY-FEMA EHP - “Greater Lafourche Port Commission Flotation Canal,” 1500 Main Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Comments may also be emailed to fema-liro-ehp-pa@fema.dhs.gov. If no substantive comments are received, the DEA and associated FONSI will become final.

All other questions regarding disaster assistance should be directed to FEMA’s Helpline at 1-800- 621-3362 or visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov

Based on FEMA’s findings to date, no significant adverse environmental effects are anticipated. However, if FEMA receives new information that results in a change from no adverse effects, then FEMA would revise the findings and issue a second public notice allowing time for additional comments.

If no substantive comments are received, the DEA and associated 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.

Public notices

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY PUBLIC NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT NORTH SHORELINE OF FLOTATION CANAL LAFOURCHE PARISH, LOUISIANA

FEMA-DR-4611-LA

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Goals for Federal Fiscal Years 2025-2027

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