PUBLIC NOTICE

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received a subgrant application for Manatee County. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, notice is hereby given of FEMA's intent to provide funding for this project under DR 4806 FL (Debby); DR 4828 FL (Helene); DR 4834 FL (Milton) Public Assistance (PA) Programs.

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. - Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990 requires FEMA to consider alternatives - and 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).

This notice serves as a project‐specific notice for FEMA’s funding action located within a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). FEMA has determined the only practicable alternative is to fund the proposed scope of work. 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. This action complies with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements.

Responsible Entity: DR 4806 FL (Debby); DR 4828 FL (Helene); DR 4834 FL (Milton) Public Assistance (PA) Programs

Applicant: Manatee County, FL

Location of Proposed Work and Floodplain Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panels:

Site Name(s):

GPS Coordinates: R-33: 27.464528, -82.699053

                                 R-41+305: 27.444961, -82.691078

FIRM Panel: 12081C0279F

FIRM Panel effective date: 08/10/2021. Site is located within a Zone VE mapped floodplain.

Site(s) is located within or adjacent to wetlands. [https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/Data/Mapper.html]

Proposed Work and Purpose:   

Manatee County proposes to restore Coquina Beach by placing approximately 91,300 cubic yards of compatible sand along approximately 7,500 linear feet of shoreline, from R-33 to R-41+305. The sand will be sourced through offshore dredging in open water. The project will also include planting native dune vegetation and installing sand fencing, ropes, and signage around the dunes. These measures are intended to stabilize the dunes, reduce beach erosion, and provide additional protection from wind, waves, and future storm events. The purpose of the project is to restore sand lost during multiple storm events, reduce future erosion, and help protect nearby communities and infrastructure located within the floodplain. Three projects will occur concurrently: PN 815423 (Debby), PN 823889 (Helene) and PN 948424 (Milton). 

Project Alternatives (additional Alternatives included on Page 2):

(1) Under the no action alternative, FEMA would not fund the proposed beach renourishment work. This alternative would not restore sand lost during multiple storm events. Continued sand loss would increase the effects of natural erosion and increase risk to nearby communities and infrastructure within the floodplain.

(2) Replacing the sand loss in-kind without mature vegetation plantings would not provide mitigation measures to buffer against future storms. 

Comments: This will serve as both the initial and final public notice regarding the above‐described action funded by the FEMA PA program. Interested persons may submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project 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 or email with the subject line "Coquina Beach Renourishment, PIN 815423, PN 823889 and PN 948424" at the above addresses within 15 days of the date of this notice.

THIS NOTICE MAY BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEW ON THE 15TH DAY FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF POSTING

NOTICE WAS POSTED ON DAY 7TH OF AUGUST 2026