Public Notice is hereby given that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intends to provide assistance to Congregation Gates of Prayer via the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (GOHSEP) through its NSGP DHS Security Grant program for the upgrade and replacement to sections of the fence bounding its preschool playground, located on the western end of synagogue’s campus located at 4000 W Esplanade Avenue in Metairie. To view a map of the playground and proposed changes to the current fencing, please click here. For questions, please contact Congregation Gates of Prayer at 504.885.2600 or via email at [email protected].
FEMA has determined that the proposed action is located within the regulatory floodplain. Presidential Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), as implemented in 44 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 9, require that certain federal actions in or affecting the floodplain or wetlands be reviewed to determine if there are any practicable alternatives outside of the floodplain or wetland; to identify and minimize impacts; and to provide initial and final notification to the public regarding its actions in the floodplain or wetlands. Initial public notice has already been achieved for this project either through a disaster-specific cumulative notice or a project specific individual notice. Any comments and other information received were fully evaluated by FEMA along with evaluation of social, economic, environmental, and safety considerations. This notice constitutes final public notice as required by 44 CFR Part 9.12.
The proposed action as described above must be located in an area affecting or affected by a floodplain or a wetland because it is the only practicable alternative that will achieve the purpose and need for the project. Antisemitic incidents have increased by 34% in the last year, according to the Anti-Defamation League and antisemitic assault increased by 167% nationwide last year. As a site bordering several religious institutions, Congregation Gates of Prayer is at increased risk, as are its neighbors. Congregation Gates of Prayer operates a full-time preschool, Gates Preschool, that infants and toddlers from age three months to five years of all nationalities and backgrounds weekdays from 7AM to 6PM and throughout the summer through its Summer Camp program. In addition, Congregation Gates of Prayer operates a religious school, Hebrew school, and youth programs for children ages grade school through high school. The areas occupied by children on site are easily accessible throughout many exterior ingress points as the current perimeter fence is insufficient to prevent breach. The current perimeter fence is incomplete, damaged, and contains gaps, which unauthorized individuals may gain access through, putting personnel, students, children, and assets at risk. The installation of appropriate perimeter fencing by replacing compromised sections of the current fence will secure the property and aid in the prevention of and/or in protection against the risk of an attack to personnel and property, and those of neighboring facilities. The proposed action will be performed in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program and will conform to applicable state and local floodplain protection standards. This action will have no significant affect to and is not significantly affected by the floodplain.Further information regarding this project can be obtained from Seamus Riley, Floodplain/CRS Specialist, Floodplain Management & Hazard Mitigation Dept., Jefferson Parish Government at [email protected], or Jason Smith, Coastal Resources Manager, Ecosystem and Coastal Management, Jefferson Parish Government at [email protected].
