Public Notice Regarding Section 106 Review of Proposed Demolition of the Portable Buildings and Custodial Lodge - George O. Mondy Elementary School, 2327 St. Phillip Street, New Orleans, LA Applicant: Recovery School District (RSD) - Seeking Public Comment The high winds and heavy rains of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish. In the aftermath of the hurricanes, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as a part of its responsibilities under 36 CFR Part 800, the regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). This notice applies to activities carried out by FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5152-5206. George O. Mondy Elementary School In 2009, FEMA, the RSD, the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB), the Louisiana State Historic Preservation Officer, and the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation entered into a Secondary Programmatic Agreement (RSD/OPSB 2PA) in order to fulfill FEMA's responsibilities under Section 106 of the NHPA and 36 CFR Part 800 regarding the implementation of the School Facilities Master Plan, which will be funded with assistance from FEMA and other Federal agencies. As part of the School Facilities Master Plan, the RSD is requesting that FEMA provide funds for the following projects on the George O. Mondy Elementary School campus: Stabilize and Mothball main building and restroom building Demolish two portable buildings Demolish custodial lodge The stabilization and mothballing of the George O. Mondy Elementary School was included in a separate Public Notice published in April, 2011, which included all campuses that were proposed for mothballing by the OPSB and RSD. The additional work (demolition of the portable buildings and the custodial lodge) is included here for review and comment. The regulations at 36 CFR Part 800 and the RSD/OPSB 2PA require FEMA to identify if any of the properties are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); to assess the effects the work will have on historic properties; and to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. The George O. Mondy Elementary School campus is located within the Esplanade Ridge NRHP Historic District. FEMA has identified the main building and the custodial lodge as contributing resources. The restroom building and the two portable buildings are less than 50 years of age and FEMA has determined that they are ineligible for NRHP listing. Additionally, shovel testing conducted on the school campus encountered mid-nineteenth to early twentieth century cultural deposits. FEMA determined the newly discovered site to be of undetermined NRHP eligibility. FEMA has determined the proposed stabilization/mothballing project for the main building and the restroom building will have no adverse effects to historic properties provided the following conditions are met: digital recordation as required by the RSD/OPSB 2PA for facilities that will be land banked; submission of security/maintenance schedule, conditions survey, monitoring reports; and notifying FEMA of any transfer of property. All work will be in accordance with the National Park Service's (NPS) Preservation Brief 31, "Mothballing Historic Buildings." FEMA has determined that the proposed demolition of the two portable buildings will have no adverse effects to historic properties provided the following conditions are met: the foundations of the two portable buildings will not be removed; no salvage of architectural materials from below-grade will take place; equipment will be confined to previously disturbed areas; staging of heavy equipment will be on hard surfaces only; tracked vehicles will be used to reduce ground disturbance; and there will be no excavation of on-site soil material or burial of debris. FEMA has determined that the proposed demolition of the custodial lodge will have an adverse effect to historic properties and is proposing to mitigate the adverse effects through Standard Mitigation Measures (digital recordation) in accordance with Stipulation IX.A.2 of the RSD/OPSB 2PA. Any member of the public is encouraged to provide views on how the project may affect historic properties and ways that these effects may be avoided, minimized, or mitigated. Comments may be submitted to FEMA for a 15-day period starting November 4, 2011 by regular mail or at www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106. Mailed comments should be sent to: FEMA Mail Center Historic Preservation 1 Seine Court, 1st Floor Mail Room New Orleans, LA 70114 If mailed, comments and requests must be postmarked by November 19, 2011. Marked aerial photograph showing the location of George O. Mondy Elementary School