FEMA Project Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received the subgrant application for the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative and the Key West Utility Board’s transmission line repairs due to damages in Hurricane Irma (DR-4337-FL PW-06004 & PW-07508). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA’s intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance (PA) Program.

An initial disaster-wide Public Notice was published October 7, 2017 for Hurricane Irma. Comments and other information received were fully evaluated by FEMA along with evaluation of social, economic, environmental, and safety considerations. This notice serves as a project-specific final notice for FEMA’s funding action located within the floodplain.

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. This action complies with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Responsible Entity: FEMA Public Assistance (PA) Program

Applicant: Florida Keys Electric Cooperative & Key West Utility Board

Project Title(s): PA-04-FL-4337-PW-06004 PN 39450 – KEYS Share of FKEC Restoration Projects PA-04-FL-4337-PW-07508 PN 35382 – MB8 – Transmission – Work Completed

Location of Proposed Work: County-wide throughout Monroe County

Floodplain: Project is located in the Zone AE & Zone VE per Monroe County FIRM Panels #12087C1201K, #12087C1184K, #12087C1183K, #12087C1167K, #12087C1004K, #12087C0989K, #12087C1179K, #12087C1187K, and #12087C1164K dated 02/18/2005.

Proposed Work and Purpose: The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative and the Key West Utility Board restored power generation, transmission, and distribution facilities back to their pre-disaster condition by replacing conductor shoe shear pins, straightened and repaired transmission poles, replaced ground conductor clamps and grounding wire on concrete transmission poles, and concrete transmission poles were changed to stainless steel banding to reattach ground conductors. Transmission pole shear bolts and grounds were replaced via helicopter. Polymer insulators, a porcelain insulator, stainless steel phase connector pins, and cotter pins were replaced. A hazard mitigation proposal is included to install concrete foundations for each of the affected transmission line power poles for added stabilization.

Project Alternatives: FEMA has considered the no-action alternative and has found that it would not be feasible as the area will remain vulnerable to further property damage and hazards to human life and safety. The no-action alternative would potentially have adverse social, economic, and public safety impacts to the community. Alternate locations were not considered as the transmission poles are part of a larger county-wide transmission system and it would not be feasible to consider relocation as the transmission poles must be co-located to serve their function as a power facility.

Comments: This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above-described action funded by the FEMA PA program. Interested persons may submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 4, 3005 Chamblee-Tucker Road, Rhodes Building, Atlanta, Georgia 30341 or by emailing FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line FL-4337-PW-06004, Key West Utility Board & PW-07508, Florida Keys Electric Cooperative at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.