JOINT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL
PUBLIC NOTICE
September 3, 2024
The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management have received the following application for Federal grant funding. Final notice is hereby given of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) consideration to provide funding in the form of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Funds will be provided in accordance with Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended.
Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990 FEMA is required to consider alternatives to and to provide public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority or low-income populations.
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.
Applicant: Lee County
Project Title: HMGP-4673-(096) Lee County, Residential Homes, Elevation
Location of Proposed Work:
37 Residential sites on the following roads:
Bayshore Dr., Matlacha, FL 33993
Lemon St, St James City, FL 33956
Pine Island Rd, Matlacha, FL 33993
Bridgeview St, Matlacha, FL 33993
Macbeth Ln, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Plumosa Ave, Fort Myers, FL 33908
Coco Plum Dr, Matlacha, FL 33993
Marina Cir, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
Ruby Ave, Saint James City, FL 33956
Date St, St James City, FL 33956
Matlacha Ave, Matlacha, FL 33993
Sanibel Blvd, Saint James City, FL 33956
East Riverside Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905
May St., Matlacha, FL 33993
Shore Dr, Fort Myers, FL 33905
Island Ave, Matlacha, FL 33993
Oleander St, St James City, FL 33956
Taylor Dr, Ft. Myers, FL 33908
Janet St, Matlacha, FL 33993
Otter Water Way, Alva, FL 33920
Tropical Point Dr, Saint James City, FL 33956
Lake St, North Fort Myers, FL 33903
Papaya St, Saint James City, FL 33956
West Point Ln, Matlacha, FL 33993
Proposed Work and Purpose: Lee County proposes to provide flood protection to thirty-seven (37) single-family residences. The proposal is to elevate the existing residential structures to a minimum of two feet above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). These properties are located within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) and are at risk of recurring structural flooding. The scope of work for this elevation project shall involve building and site preparation, along with the disconnection of utilities at each property. Prior to the beginning of construction, a professional engineer shall verify that each home is structurally sound and can withstand elevation. The existing structures shall be raised on a new open foundation on pilings or piers to the proposed design elevation. All utilities shall be reconnected, and service equipment shall be elevated to the required height. Appropriate means of ingress and egress shall be constructed to access the elevated living spaces at each property.
Project Alternatives: Alternatives to Home Elevation projects include County acquisition of the parcels and conversion to open green spaces. This alternative is unfeasible, as property acquisition and conversion to green space would require the interest and agreement of both the County and the homeowners. Lee County does not intend to pursue this alternative, and homeowners are not expected to sell their properties.
The alternative of taking no action will leave the structures vulnerable to future flooding, resulting in potential damage, financial losses, and heightened risk to the safety of residents. Failure to act may also lead to higher costs for emergency response and recovery efforts.
Comment Period: Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100. These are due within 15 days of this notice (September 18, 2024). The State will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed. Interested persons may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting:
Tim Gillmore, Grants Analyst (239) 533-8730
Lee County tgillmore@leegov.com
Kayla Born, State Lead Environmental Specialist (850) 273-9289
Florida Division of Emergency Management Kayla.Born@em.myflorida.com