Joint Federal, State, Local Public Notice 5/28/2025

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management have received the following application for Federal grant funding. Final notice is hereby given of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) consideration to provide funding in the form of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Funds will be provided in accordance with Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990 FEMA is required to consider alternatives to and to provide public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority or low-income populations.

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.

Applicant:

Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc.

Project Title:

HMGP- 4673-(131) Wellfield Resiliency Improvements

Location of Proposed Work:

Gasparilla Island Water Association Wellfield
5050 Linwood Rd, Placida, FL 33946
26.888944, -82.242928

Wellhead coordinates that are in the AE flood zone.
2F (26.889091, -82.242522)
3A (26.891817, -82.242489)
3C (26.890910, -82.242494)
3E (26.890393, -82.241909)
3F (26.890855, -82.241900)
3G (26.891321, -82.241900)

Proposed Work and Purpose:

In response to the critical need to safeguard water service for over 6,500 customers during power outages and floods, our project aims to elevate well heads within the Gasparilla Island Water Association Wellfield. This proactive approach will effectively eliminate any risks associated with potential flooding impacts, even in the face of extreme 500-year storm events. By raising well heads, we ensure the continuous operation and reliability of the water supply system, enhancing community resilience and preparedness.

Project Alternatives:

The alternatives to the project that have been and will be considered are 1) the no action alternative and 2) Installation of a water storage tank These alternatives to the proposed project are not viable because under Alternative 1) Repetitive flooding is not alleviated and the needs of the community would not be served; and Alternative 2) Prolonged disruption in water service the tanks capacity is limited. Under these scenarios the water storage tank will not be able to return service to approximately 6500 people. This alternative is also cost-prohibitive, and therefore not practicable.

Comment Period:

Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impact of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100. These are due within 15 days of this notice (June 27, 2025). The State will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed. Interested people may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting:

Ron Bolton, Executive Director
Gasparilla Island Water Association
(941) 964-2423
ron@mygiwa.com

Kayla Born, State Lead Environmental Specialist
Florida Division of Emergency Management
(850) 273-9289
MitigationEnvironmental@em.myflorida.com