August 17, 2018

Public Notice – FEMA Subgrant

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received a Subgrant application for the Town of Kiawah Island regarding the repairs to beach trash receptacles, associated wooden racks, and signage within the coastal county of Charleston that were damaged in Hurricane Irma (DR-4346-SC). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for projects under the Public Assistance (PA) Program.

An initial disaster-wide Public Notice was published November 20,2017for 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 an individual final notice for FEMA’s funding action located within the floodplain. FEMA has determined that the only practicable alternative is to locate the trash receptacles and signs at their original locations within the floodplain because they promote open space use.

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.

Locations of the Proposed Work: Kiawah Island, Charleston County, SC; From 32.587567, -80.127424 to 32.609377, -80.040015

Proposed Work and Purpose:

The Town of Kiawah Island utilized force account labor, equipment, and materials including contract services to restore beach waste stations and signs to pre-disaster condition and function. This involved replacing trash cans and lids, wooden racks, beach access signs, and dog zone signs.

Project Alternatives:

The alternative that has been considered is the no action alternative. This alternative is not practicable because without the trash cans beach litter may increase, and without signs to warn beachgoers of riptide, safety issues may arise. In addition, wildlife may be adversely affected without the dog zone signs in place to warn dog owners of nearby wildlife and critical habitat. Alternate locations were not considered, as placing the trash cans on walkovers may be out of view of beachgoers and placing it closer to the dunes may bring pests to sea turtle nesting areas.

Comments:

This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above-described actions funded by the FEMA PA Program. Persons interested may obtain information about specific projects or a map of the affected area 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-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line SC-4346-PW-00203 at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.