NOTE: FEMA is republishing this Public Notice with no revisions to allow the public 15-day opportunity to post comments on the CRT website or mail comments to FEMA. Public Notice Regarding Section 106 Review of Boiler Room Demolition; Test Piles and Selective Demolition Sophie B. Wright High School, 1426 Napoleon Avenue, New Orleans, LA Applicant: Recovery School District (RSD) Seeking Public Comment In 2009, FEMA, the Recovery School District (RSD), 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 Sophie B. Wright High School campus: Marked aerial photograph showing the location of Sophie B. Wright High School click to enlarge Sophie B. Wright School, Rear Elevation including Boiler Room to be demolished. click to enlarge Boiler Room Demolition Test Piles Selective Demolition related to hazardous materials remediation FEMA is also required to fulfill the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (NEPA regulations, 43 FR 55978 (1978)) which provide policy and procedures to account for environmental considerations when authorizing or approving major FEMA actions that have the potential to significantly affect the human and natural environment. It is the intent of NEPA that federal agencies encourage and facilitate public involvement to the extent practicable in decisions that may affect the quality of the environment. More information on NEPA and FEMA's Alternative Arrangements process can be found on FEMA's web page at: https://www.fema.gov/new-orleans-metropolitan-area-infrastructure-projects-6 The first phase of the project includes identification and evaluation of historic properties. The next phase is anticipated to include interior renovations and the construction of a gymnasium building on the rear of the school, but is not the subject of this consultation. Once project plans are available for the interior renovations and gymnasium, FEMA will continue consultation and evaluate if additional adverse effects to the historic property will occur. The regulations in 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 Sophie B Wright High School campus is a contributing element within the Uptown New Orleans NRHP Historic District. FEMA has determined that the proposed demolition of the Boiler Room; installation and loading of test piles; and selective demolition related to hazardous materials remediation will have an adverse effect to historic properties and is proposing to mitigate the adverse effects through Standard Mitigation Measures (digital photographs of interior and treatment of character defining features) in accordance with Stipulation IX.A.2 of the RSD/OPSB 2PA. Regarding archaeological resources, the demolition of the Boiler Room will affect only areas previously disturbed by construction of the Boiler Room. In conjunction with demolition, sections of asphalt pavement will be removed in three separate areas to allow access for shovel testing to identify any archaeological resources that may be present on the property and will be used to further inform the continuing consultation for construction of the new gymnasium. 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 June 26, 2013 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 All comments must be posted or postmarked by July 10, 2013 1 The high winds and heavy rains of Hurricanes Katrina and the subsequent widespread flooding damaged many buildings in Orleans Parish, LA. In the aftermath of the hurricane, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as part of its responsibilities under the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation's regulations, 36 CFR Part 800, implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended (NHPA). This notice applies to activities carried out by the Public Assistance (PA) program implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C.§§5152-5206.