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Rough and Ready's long-awaited, highly-regulated fire station project has reached another milestone.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which awarded the project a $1.1 million grant last year, completed a draft of the project's environmental assessment. After a public comment period that ends next Friday, FEMA is expected to release the money.
Construction of the $2.2 million project will then go out to bid, and ground could be broken as early as October, according to Assistant Chief Bob Vaughn.
The lengthy environmental report found the proposed 8,000-square-foot station on Rough and Ready Highway will have no adverse effect on endangered species, and will not affect any historic properties.
It will be located at the site of the old blacksmith's shop and the abandoned gasoline station most recently used by the Rough and Ready Fruit Jar Pickers band for Sunday morning sing-a-longs. The blacksmith shop was reconstructed several decades ago, but not in accordance with historic property standards; the gas station was built in 1968.
The blacksmith shop will not be torn down in the process, Vaughn said.
Problems with the existing building include poor ventilation, no air conditioning, no sleeping quarters for firefighters, unsafe wiring, a leaky roof, mold and no potable water. Situated off the beaten path on a dead-end road, the location itself slows firefighter response time.
Community members can review the report online: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=4301
A hard copy of the document is also available at the current Rough and Ready fire station, 11042 Rough and Ready Road; or the Madelyn Helling Library, adjacent to the Eric Rood Administrative Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City.
If no substantial objections come up by 5 p.m. Aug. 13, the report will become final.
To submit comments about the report, write to: Environmental and Historic Preservation Office, FEMA Region IX, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607.
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which awarded the project a $1.1 million grant last year, completed a draft of the project's environmental assessment. After a public comment period that ends next Friday, FEMA is expected to release the money.
Construction of the $2.2 million project will then go out to bid, and ground could be broken as early as October, according to Assistant Chief Bob Vaughn.
The lengthy environmental report found the proposed 8,000-square-foot station on Rough and Ready Highway will have no adverse effect on endangered species, and will not affect any historic properties.
It will be located at the site of the old blacksmith's shop and the abandoned gasoline station most recently used by the Rough and Ready Fruit Jar Pickers band for Sunday morning sing-a-longs. The blacksmith shop was reconstructed several decades ago, but not in accordance with historic property standards; the gas station was built in 1968.
The blacksmith shop will not be torn down in the process, Vaughn said.
Problems with the existing building include poor ventilation, no air conditioning, no sleeping quarters for firefighters, unsafe wiring, a leaky roof, mold and no potable water. Situated off the beaten path on a dead-end road, the location itself slows firefighter response time.
Community members can review the report online: http://www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=4301
A hard copy of the document is also available at the current Rough and Ready fire station, 11042 Rough and Ready Road; or the Madelyn Helling Library, adjacent to the Eric Rood Administrative Center, 950 Maidu Ave., Nevada City.
If no substantial objections come up by 5 p.m. Aug. 13, the report will become final.
To submit comments about the report, write to: Environmental and Historic Preservation Office, FEMA Region IX, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607.
To contact Staff Writer Michelle Rindels, e-mail mrindels@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4247.
