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FEMA Section 106 Notices for Louisiana
"Seeking Public Comment NHPA/NEPA1
Recovery School District Renovations and Construction of a New Gymnasium at John McDonogh Senior High School
2426 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana
"
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FEMA Department of Homeland Security Seal

Seeking Public Comment NHPA/NEPA1
Recovery School District Renovations and Construction of a New Gymnasium at John McDonogh Senior High School
2426 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans, Louisiana


Site of John McDonogh Senior High School, 2426 Esplanade Avenue, Google Maps 2017
Site of John McDonogh Senior High School, 2426 Esplanade Avenue, Google Maps 2017

Main entrance to John McDonogh Senior High School on Esplanade Avenue Google Maps 2017
Main entrance to John McDonogh Senior High School on Esplanade Avenue, Google Maps 2017

As part of the School Facilities Master Plan, the Recovery School District (RSD) is requesting that FEMA provide funds2 to renovate the interior and exterior of the John McDonogh Senior High School and construct a new gymnasium. Plans to renovate the school will closely follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. There are extensive ground-disturbing activities associated with this project, including installation of sub-surface drainage lines, site grading, tree and asphalt removal, and new utility routing.

Federal regulations require FEMA, as funding agency, to identify if any of the properties are historic properties (listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places); to assess the effects the project will have on historic properties; to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects to historic properties; and to evaluate the proposed action's potential for significant impacts to the human and natural environment.

FEMA has determined that John McDonogh Senior High School is a contributing property to the Esplanade Ridge National Register Historic District. The school property contains a National Register eligible archaeological site that will be adversely affected by construction activities.

FEMA proposes to mitigate the adverse effects through Standard Mitigation Measures (data recovery) 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.

FEMA requests comments by March 15, 2017 from any member of the public on this proposal. 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


1Caused by 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 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.

2In 2009, FEMA, RSD, Orleans Parish School Board, 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.