Seeking Public Comment: Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans' Proposal to Upgrade Water Distribution Facilities in New Orleans, Louisiana The Sewage and Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB) has requested FEMA funding for upgrades to water distribution facilities.1 The upgrades will reduce the occurrence of the damaging "water hammer" effect that is the abrupt surge in water pressure caused by pump shut-downs when there is a power loss or power surge. S&WB is planning to upgrade the Carrollton Water Treatment Plant Facility by constructing two elevated water tanks (up to 200' high and 2 million gallons); upgrading existing valves, pumps and pipelines; and constructing a new equipment building. S&WB is also planning to construct buildings about the size of a small house to house neighborhood-based water tanks, one in the Hollygrove Neighborhood and one near the existing water tower at Michoud in New Orleans East. Federal regulations require FEMA, as the funding agency, to identify if any historic properties (that are either listed on or eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places) will be affected; to assess the effect on historic properties; and to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects and to evaluate the proposed action's potential for significant impacts to the human and natural environment.2 FEMA has determined that the Carrollton National Register Historic District will be visually adversely affected by the construction of the two elevated water storage tanks, both inside and outside the Carrollton Water Treatment Plant. FEMA has determined that the upgrades have a low potential to affect archaeological resources. To help develop a course of action for this project, FEMA is requesting input from you on ways to avoid, minimize or mitigate the effect of the construction of two elevated water tanks on the Carrollton Historic District or other significant elements of the human and natural environment. Specifically, do you have any ideas on ways that the S&WB can minimize the impact of the water towers on the Carrollton Historic District? Comments can be posted at: http://www.crt.state.la.us/culturalassets/fema106/ Or mailed to:    FEMA Mail Center/Historic Preservation 1500 Main Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Post your comments soon - all comments must be posted or postmarked by January 5, 2015. ____________________________________________________ 1The 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 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. 2FEMA is required to follow the Council of Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations (NEPA regulations, 43 FR 55978 [1978]) that provide policy and procedures to enable FEMA officials to be informed of and take into account environmental considerations when authorizing or approving major FEMA actions that may significantly affect the environment of the United States. 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