Early Notice & Public Review

Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain

Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory for Coastal Conservation and Restoration (RASCAR) Facility

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain
05/30/2025

To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to give notice that FIU under Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under a National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) Congressionally-Identified Construction Grant Program is located in the 100-year floodplain. NIST is an agency of the United States Department of Commerce and therefore subject to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review. FIU has identified and evaluated both the practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain, and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management.

The proposed Robotics and Autonomous Systems Laboratory for Coastal Conservation and Restoration (RASCAR) facility is a facility that will maximize the integration and development of autonomous platforms that are capable of monitoring spatially and temporally dynamic processes that mediate the health of coastal and marine ecosystems. The RASCAR will provide research and educational opportunities for the next generation of scientists that address critical science questions that cut across multiple disciplines focused on a synoptic marine and coastal ecosystem science program – this will focus on activities and issues occurring in South Florida. This activity is located entirely in the 100-year floodplain type AE-9 and is a new construction. The proposed project is located within the FIU Biscayne Bay Campus, at 14301 Bay Vista Blvd, in the city of North Miami, Miami-Dade County, 33181.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comments about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

The associated NEPA documents are available for review on this website. Written comments must be received by FIU at the following address on or before June 30, 2025. A minimum 30 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 31st day after the publication: FIU at 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199 and at (305) 348-4001, Attention: John Cal, VP Facilities Management, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Comments may also be submitted via email at JCAL@FIU.EDU.