DR-4353-CA Public Notice 005

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: KCFD Redundant Power Supply, Kern County, California │ HMGP-4353-132-31

 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) in Kern County, California, to mitigate impacts on critical infrastructure, such as fire stations, from power outages caused by year round events, including brownouts, vehicle accidents that impact power poles, and major events such as the Erksine Fire in 2016, through the installation of generators as redundant power supply (proposed action). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) and FEMA’s implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides interested parties with a notice of its final decision and an explanation of the alternatives that were considered.

The purpose of the proposed action is to improve the reliability and resiliency of critical infrastructure, fire stations, by allowing for their continued operation during periods of power interruption through the use of propane-fueled generators. The proposed action consists of: 1) the installation of 33 new propane-fueled generators (32 22- to 35-kW generators and 1 65- to 100-kW generator) with automatic transfer switches; 2) associated connections; and a 3) a 250-gallon propane tank.

The proposed action would occur at 32 fire stations and the KCFD Headquarters. Four of the fire stations are in the 100-year floodplain. The four project areas located in the 100-year floodplain include Fire Stations 14, 36, 51, and 71, and are depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Numbers 06029C3295E, 06029C0850E, 06029C2325E, and 06029C0915E, effective date September 26, 2008. The FIRMs show that the project areas lie within Zones A and AO, areas that have a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established.

Generators installed at these locations would be elevated to the 100-year floodplain with 48-inch high generator stands. The work would be conducted in areas that are currently paved or disturbed and would not impact the natural and beneficial values of the floodplain. The remaining project areas are located in Zone X, an area of minimal flood hazard.

Maps of the project areas and their locations within the floodplain are available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of the maps should contact the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice.

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action and Alternative 2, Second Action Alternative. Alternative 1 would not add or replace generators supporting critical infrastructure. This Alternative was not recommended because it would not meet the purpose of the project to provide power to fire stations during outages. Alternative 2 included the same work proposed under the proposed action but with different, unidentified funding sources.  The county is, and has been, in a fiscal crisis for the better part of the last eight years, with no expected end to the fiscal situation. This Alternative was not recommended because it would not meet the purpose of the project due to the uncertainty that the work would be executed considering the lack of nonfederal funding sources. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be located in floodplains. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on floodplains and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of disruption of fire services. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on floodplains are not necessary. KCFD has declared that the proposed action conforms to local floodplain standards, and is responsible for the management, construction, and maintenance of the proposed action.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action may be requested by writing the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer at FEMA, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, California 94607, or fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov, or calling (510) 627-7027. All requests should be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this date.