INITIAL PUBLIC NOTICE
NEWBURYPORT, MA CENTRAL WATERFRONT BULKHEAD PROJECT
ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS
LPDM-PJ-01-MA-2022-001
Pursuant to the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act, Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), the National Historic Preservation Act, and FEMA’s implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides initial notice of its intent to provide Legislative Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program funding for an action affecting a floodplain. Funding would be provided through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency to the City of Newburyport for the Waterfront Bulkhead Project.
The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce flood hazards. The proposed action consists of rehabilitating 1,100 feet of deteriorating bulkheads along the City's central waterfront by installing new fiber-reinforced polymer sheet piles (FRP) waterward of the old steel bulkheads. On the outer side of the FRP, new fender and steel mooring piles would be installed using vibratory pile driving. The weeping holes on the current bulkhead would be extended out to the new bulkhead. Lastly, concrete caps would be installed on top of the bulkhead to raise the elevation to 9.9 feet NAVD 88 to protect against future sea level rise.
The project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Numbers 25009C0128F, effective date July 3, 2012. The FIRM shows that the project area lies within Zone AE (elevation 13), an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established, and Zone VE (elevation 14), an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year, with additional hazards due to storm-induced velocity wave action, and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established. A map of the area is available upon request.
FEMA intends to work with the project proponent to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed action. The EA will evaluate the proposed action and alternatives for potential effects to historic, cultural and archeological resources, low-income and minority populations, floodplains, wetlands, and threatened and endangered species. Once completed, the draft EA will be available for public review and comment.
Map requests and comments about this project and potential impacts on floodplains may be obtained by writing:
Meredith Fagan, Environmental Protection Specialist
Federal Emergency Management Agency
99 High Street, Boston, MA 02110
meredith.fagan@fema.dhs.gov
All requests should be received within 15 days after publication of this notice.
