October 16, 2023

Federal Emergency Management Agency
In accordance with 44 CFR §9.8 for Executive Order 11988
Proposed Pumping Station Improvements
Bay Terrace, Queens County, New York

Notification is hereby given to the public of the intent of the Department of Homeland Security- Federal Emergency Management Agency (DHS-FEMA) to provide federal funding to the New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYC DEP) as subrecipient for a new elevated support building (superstructure) to house the electrical distribution for an existing pump station through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The purpose of HMGP is for communities to develop hazard mitigation plans and rebuild in a way that reduces, or mitigates, future disaster losses. This notification is given in accordance with Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) 44 CFR Part 9, regulations for implementing EO 11988 and the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

The Proposed Action is located at the southeast intersection of the Clearview Expressway and the Cross Island Expressway, Bay Terrace, Queens County NY (40.78805, -73.789503). The proposed scope of work consists of elevating the proposed superstructure to 17.5 feet NAVD88 which is at the base flood elevation (BFE), as indicated by best available flood map data, plus at least three (3) feet of freeboard for this Critical Action. Raising the superstructure will allow for continuity of operations at the existing pump station during flood events.

This action would take place within the 100-year floodplain. Alternatives considered include: 1) no action, 2) proposed alternative, which is the proposed elevated superstructure or 3) alternate construction. FEMA has determined that building the proposed elevated superstructure is the most practicable alternative to ensure continuity of operations to support the existing pump station. FEMA has also determined that investment of funds to reduce flood risk is in the public interest.

Comments about this project, potential alternatives, and floodplain impacts may be submitted in writing within 15 days of the date of this publication to: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency — Region 2 — Environmental Planning and Historic Preservation, Mitigation Division, One World Trade Center, Suite 53, New York, NY 10007 or via email to FEMAR2COMMENT@fema.dhs.gov. If substantive comments are received, FEMA will evaluate and address the comments as part of the environmental documentation for this project.