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FIRST INSERTION
FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE
The City of Flagler Beach has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), as an Applicant.
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 a public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. This notice may also fulfill requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
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: City of Flagler Beach
Project Title: 784223-(PW# 920) FBGRM14 - Flagler Beach Fishing Pier
Location of Proposed Work:
Special Flood Hazard Area Zone:
Flagler Beach Fishing Pier is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) - Coastal High Hazard Area Zone VE. Confirmation of Flagler Beach Fishing Pier in the SFHA was determined by the Flagler County Flood Insurance Rate Map 12035C0232E and 12035C0251E, dated 06/06/2018. The proposed work conforms to all applicable State of Florida and local floodplain regulations. During the incident period, high winds, heavy rain, wave action, and storm surge damaged the Flagler Beach Fishing Pier, resulting in destruction of a 160 ft. long segment of pier and damages to the remainder of the pier.
There is a potential for the site to be impacted by future events due to its location within the VE Flood Zone. The proposed work will be conducted within wetlands, as identified through the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetland Inventory (NWI).
Proposed Work and Purpose:
In order to protect against and lessen the impact of future similar events, the City of Flagler Beach will be repairing and reconstructing the Flagler Beach Fishing Pier in accordance with codes and standards established by the Florida Building Code. The reconstructed Flagler Beach Pier will incrementally increase to an elevation of 28 ft. NAVD88 at its furthest waterward extent, a change from its pre-disaster elevation of 17.8 ft. NAVD88. The new portion of the pier will be reconstructed of concrete with breakaway timber decking and widened by 5 ft. per codes and standards. The 20,840 sq. ft. pier will be repaired and reconstructed to its historical length of 828 ft.10 in. through the repair of approximately 82.5 ft. of existing timber pier and replacement of 714 ft. 10 in. of the most waterward portion of the pier. The pier will be 714 ft. 10 in. by 25 ft. from the mean high water line with a 20 ft. by 32 ft. T-head. The pier reconstruction will include installation of 116 piles comprised of 24 in. prestressed concrete installed by impact hammer or jetting, 78 of which would be installed waterward of the mean high water line to a depth of 6 ft. The pier would also include Americans with Disabilities (ADA) accessibility features, including a 5% (1H:20L) slope to the new pier deck elevation and ADA handrails, installation of a firewater system, fish cleaning stations and trash receptacles, benches, shade structures, and marine turtle-friendly lighting. The remaining 113 ft. of pier landward of the mean high water line will be repaired, including installation of structural pile jackets, repair of pile caps, stringers and bracing, and replacement of connection hardware and tie-downs. To maintain the historical significance of the pier, the westernmost 113 ft. of the Flagler Beach Pier will be maintained and minor repairs made where necessary.
To facilitate construction activities, a 1,100 ft. by 30 ft., 33,000 sq. ft. temporary construction trestle will be erected on the south side of the proposed new Flagler Beach Fishing Pier. The temporary trestle will be 30 ft. by 170.27 ft. to 202.69 ft. (due to the angle) for the portion of the structure located landward of the mean high water line. The temporary trestle's construction would entail the installation of 116, 24 in.-wide steel plumb piles to a depth of 6 ft. by vibratory hammer, impact hammer, and/or jetting and installation of 116 steel HP 14x73 batter piles to a depth of 6 ft. by vibratory hammer and/or jetting, a steel super structure, which includes caps, girders, and joists, and installation of timber decking with an elevation of approximately 28-feet NAVD88. Subject to contractor's selection, 116, 24 in. square concrete piles may instead be installed by impact hammer and/or jetting. The temporary construction trestle will be entirely removed once construction of the new pier is complete.
The demolition activities would include removal of the remaining 7,760-sq. ft. area of timber pier with extraction of 108 timber piles by pile extractor/vibratory hammer. Crane and/or support vessel for divers will be utilized for any piles that break and need to be cut at the mudline and/or existing debris impeding new pile installation. A 388-ft. by 20-ft. wide section of the existing pier would be removed primarily using land-based equipment operating from the temporary construction trestle. Any timber removed from the historical pier will be collected as part of the demolition for future reuse. Timber and metal connectors that will not be repurposed or recycled will be removed to an upland location and disposed of appropriately.
Project Alternatives:
Alternative #1 (no action alternative): The no action alternative was considered; however, this alternative is not feasible, as the pier is regularly used as a recreational facility.
Alternative #2: Relocation of the pier would not be economically feasible nor practicable. Alternate locations were not considered, as the pier is functionally dependent upon its location within the floodplain.
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 City of Flagler Beach. All comments are due within 15 days of this notice. The City of Flagler Beach 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: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency - Region 4 - EHP, 3005 Chamblee Tucker Rd - Office #255, Atlanta, GA 30341-4112 or by email at [email protected]. Please include in the subject line of the email “DR-4283- EHP FIT.” Comments should be sent in writing at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.
Floodplain and Wetland Map
Apr. 3 25-00091F