The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hereby gives notice to the public of its intent to reimburse eligible applicants for eligible costs to repair or replace facilities damaged by Hurricane Matthew occurring during the incident period of October 03, 2016, to October 19, 2016. This notice applies to the Public Assistance (PA) project for the Clay County proposed demolition and reconstruction of the Clay County Fire Rescue Station #24, Clay County, Florida, implemented under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 5121-5207.
Under a major disaster declaration, FEMA-DR-4283-FL, signed by the president on October 08, 2016, Clay County was designated as adversely affected by the disaster and eligible for PA funding.
This public notice concerns activities pertaining to the Clay County proposed demolition and reconstruction of Clay County Fire Rescue Station #24 at 5105 Sweat Road, Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Florida. As a result of Hurricane Matthew in 2016, Shands Bridge Pier in Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Florida was substantially damaged. Clay County determined that the best mitigation option was to remove the damaged pier, rather than proceed with its reconstruction. Accordingly, Clay County requested that the applicable PA funds be redirected from the reconstruction of the damaged Shands Bridge Pier to an alternate project for the demolition and reconstruction of Clay County Fire Rescue Station # 24. The proposed demolition and reconstruction activities would occur on two (2) parcels owned by the County, totaling approximately seven (7) acres, at GPS coordinates: (29.921512, - 81.681565). The project consists of removing the existing station, well pump house, and septic system, and building a new larger, modern station with new wells, paved surfaces, stormwater retention pond and system, septic system, and fencing. The new facility will be designed to present codes and standards to minimize damage from future storm events.
In accordance with Section 102 of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969; DHS Directive 023-01, DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, FEMA Directive 108-1, and FEMA Instruction 108-1-1, to the extent they are consistent with NEPA; National Historic Preservation Act, Executive Order 11988, Executive Order 11990, and 44 CFR Part 9, FEMA has prepared an
Environmental Assessment (EA). An alternatives analysis was performed, which included the evaluation of the proposed action and the No Action alternative. Further detailed descriptions of all alternatives may be reviewed in the EA conducted by FEMA or by contacting FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov for a copy. The draft EA is available for public comment and can be viewed on the Florida Division of Emergency Management's and Clay County’s websites at the following locations:
FDEM WEBSITE LOCATION:
https://www.floridadisaster.org/public-notices/
CLAY COUNTY WEBSITE LOCATION:
https://www.claycountygov.com/government/grants
A hard copy of the EA is available for review at the Clay County Grants Office located at 420 College Drive, Ste 107, Middleburg, FL 32068 during the following hours: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (excluding legal holidays).
The Endangered Species Act (ESA) requires federal agencies to consult with the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) for affects to federally listed threatened and endangered species. In accordance with Section 7 of the ESA, the proposed Clay County Fire Rescue Station #24 project was evaluated for potential impacts to federally listed threatened and endangered species that may be present in the project area. Through an IPaC (Information for Planning and Consultation) review, five (5) federally listed species were identified within the vicinity of the project area. As best available data does not support their presence in the project area and/or the species are rare due to a lack of respective suitable habitat, FEMA made a determination of no effect for the Eastern black rail (Laterallus jamaicensis ssp. Jamaicensis), whooping crane (Grus americana), and tricolored bat (Perimyotis subflavus). FEMA made a determination of may affect, but not likely to adversely affect (MANLAA) for the remaining two (2) species--the Everglade snail kite (Rostrhamus socialbilis plumbeus) and Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi). FEMA initiated informal consultation with USFWS on September 18, 2024 (Appendix A). USFWS provided their concurrence with FEMA’s determinations on February 27, 2025. USFWS’ determination of compliance with Section 7 of the ESA is contingent upon adherence to three (3)special conditions during project-related activities.
The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) requires federal agencies to take into account the effect of their undertakings on historic properties. The proposed Clay County Fire Rescue Station #24 area of potential effects (APE) was subjected to the Phase I Cultural Resource Assessment Survey, Clay County Fire Station 24, Green Cove Springs, Clay County, Florida and no intact subsurface deposits, surface features, or cultural resources [including properties considered eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)], were encountered as a result of this survey. Based on the results of FEMA’s historic property identification efforts, no properties listed in or considered eligible for listing in the NRHP were located within the APE of the proposed Clay County Fire Station #24. Accordingly, FEMA made a finding of No Historic Properties Affected for this undertaking in accordance with 36 CFR 800.4(d)(1). FEMA consulted with the Florida State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) and six (6) Federally Recognized Tribes either in or with interests in Clay County, Florida. Tribal consultation letters and copies of the Phase 1 cultural resource assessment survey report were submitted to six (6) Federally Recognized Tribes either in or with interests in Clay County, Florida. The Florida SHPO concurred with the survey results and recommendations and FEMA’s determination of No Historic Properties Affected on July 09, 2025. No objections to the proposed project were expressed by the Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town, Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, Poarch Band of Creek Indians, Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, or Seminole Tribe of Florida. FEMA’s determination of No Historic Properties Affected and compliance with NHPA is contingent upon adherence to two (2) special conditions during project-related activities.
Presidential Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 require that all federal actions in or affecting the floodplain or wetlands be reviewed for opportunities to relocate and evaluated for social, economic, historical, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. The proposed Clay County Fire Rescue Station #24 demolition and reconstruction project would be located within unshaded Zone X, which is defined as an area of minimal flood risk outside of the 100-year floodplain and higher in elevation than the 500-year floodplain, per Clay County Unincorporated Areas Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) #12019C0295E, dated March 17, 2024. No extant wetlands features are mapped within the proposed project area.
This notice serves as the final public notice regarding the above-described action proposed for funded by the FEMA PA Program. Interested persons may obtain a copy of the EA and information about these actions by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 4, 3005 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, or by emailing FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line, “PA 4283-00897, Clay County Fire Rescue Station #24 Demolition and Reconstruction Project” at the above address within 30 days of the date of this notice. A copy of the finalized EA will be posted on FEMA's website at the following location:
FEMA WEBSITE LOCATION:https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/practitioners/environmental-historic/nepa-repository
View or download the Draft Environmental Assessment (PDF)
