Advertisement

FEMA accepting public comment of environmental assessment of Myrtle Ave. pond project

The public has until December 6 at 5:00 P.M. to review the draft document and provide a response.

By Amethyst J. Davis

●

Health

●

November 12, 2024

Photo from FEMA draft environmental assessment pertaining to 153rd St. and Myrtle Ave.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is accepting public comment regarding draft environmental assessment findings of a proposed water detention pond project on 153rd St. and Myrtle Ave.

The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District applied for a $5 million grant from FEMA to collaborate with Harvey, constructing a dual-use pond and park on Myrtle Ave. The environmental assessment will review “potential impacts of each of the proposed alternatives on the human and natural environment,” according to the agency’s public notice about the project.

Find the draft environmental assessment here. You can also view the draft in-person at City Hall, and have until December 6, no later than 5:00 P.M. to provide comment.

Public comments can be provided in three ways:

Advertisement

Mail: Duane Castaldi, Regional Environmental Officer, FEMA Region 5, 536 S. Clark St., 6th Fl., Chicago, IL 60605-1521
Email: FEMA-R5-Environmental@fema.dhs.gov
Phone: (312) 408-5549

Author

Amethyst J. Davis

Amethyst J. Davis is responsible for spearheading the growth and development of the HWH, including outlining the editorial trajectory and content. She also produces “The Renaissance Letter,” our biweekly email newsletter, edits content, and fact-checks stories prior to publication. Amethyst was an administrator at New York University before launching her journalism career. She was previously a member of the Sounding Board, the community advisory board for Chicago Public Media, which includes WBEZ Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Amethyst is a 2023 Leader of a New Chicago award recipient, as recognized by the Field Foundation and MacArthur Foundation. She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30.

In 2022, Amethyst was a Casey Fellow with the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Black News & Views. She is a sought after speaker on community journalism and has given talks at institutions like DePaul University and the University of Kansas. Amethyst is a regular guest on City Cast Chicago.

She was invited by Harvard University to submit a 2023 and 2024 Nieman Lab prediction. Under her leadership, the HWH has become one of the nation’s most-watched hyperlocal newsrooms. The HWH has received national coverage in publications like Poynter, Harvard University’s Nieman Lab, the National Press Journalism Club Institute, and Editor & Publisher.

A Harvey native, Amethyst is a Brooks Middle School (’11) and Thornton Township High School alum (‘15) and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NYU (BA’19). She is an alumna of the Data and Policy Summer Scholar program at the University of Chicago.