Final Public Notice

PUBLIC NOTICE REGARDING THE SECTION 106 REVIEW AND UTILIZATION OF TREATMENT MEASURES TO RESOLVE ADVERSE EFFECTS TO AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE ON KANNAT TABLA ROAD ON THE ISLAND OF SAIPAN, UNDER FEMA’s HAZARD MITIGATION GRANT PROGRAM- SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Typhoon Soudelor impacted the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) in August of 2015, resulting in the federally declared disaster FEMA-4235-DR. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is issuing this public notice as a part of its responsibilities under the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966 as amended. This notice applies to activities carried out by FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) which is authorized by §404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.

FEMA’s HMGP Program provides grants to States and local governments to implement long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster. FEMA received an application for funding from the CNMI Department of Public Works for drainage improvements intended to mitigate flooding and erosion along Kannat Tabla Road on the Island of Saipan (Undertaking). The Undertaking will involve drainage and road improvements associated with the collection of storm water runoff from the road and conveyance to the existing CMS Quarry, where it is expected to infiltrate.

The Section 106 implementing regulations at 36 CFR Part 800, require FEMA, as the funding agency, to identify if any properties within the project area are listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP); to assess the effects the undertaking will have on historic properties; and to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects.

In advance of approving this undertaking, FEMA conducted preliminary consultations regarding the scope of historic property identification requirements between the CNMI Historic Preservation Office (HPO) Personnel, and Southeastern Archaeological Research Inc. (SEARCH), working on behalf of FEMA. An Archaeological Research Design was developed in compliance with the requirements of the CNMI Historic Preservation Act of 1982 (Public Law 3-39), Section 106 of the NHPA, and consultation with the CNMI-HPO in accordance with the “Programmatic Agreement Among the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Historic Preservation Officer, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management” (PA) Stipulation II.C. 

An archaeological survey of the area of potential effects resulted in the identification and documentation of archaeological site SP-1-1047, a prehistoric ceramic and shell midden, which was determined eligible for listing in the NRHP under Criterion D for its potential to yield information regarding the temporal association, nature, and function of prehistoric habitation settlements within Saipan’s interior upland environments.

FEMA determined the ground disturbance necessary for the drainage improvements will adversely effect site SP-1-1047, and recommended a Treatment Plan in the form of archaeological data recovery prior to implementation of the project, and monitoring by a qualified archaeologist during all ground disturbing construction related to the Kannat Tabla. The CNMI-HPO has concurred with this recommendation. FEMA is also inviting members of the public to comment on the FEMA-funded action and provide any comments and suggestions including ways to mitigate the adverse effects.

  

Comments and requests regarding the Treatment Measures may be submitted to FEMA for a 14-day period beginning June 20, 2018 and may be submitted via email at: FEMA-RIX-EHP-Documents@fema.dhs.gov or by regular mail. Mailed comments and requests must be postmarked by July 10, 2018 and sent to:

 

Alessandro Amaglio, Regional Environmental Officer
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Federal Emergency Management Agency
1111 Broadway, Suite 1200
Oakland, CA, 94607