DR-4431-CA Public Notice 002

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Critical Facility Standby Generator Implementation Program Calaveras County, California | HMGP 4431-034-007R

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 (HMGP) to the Calaveras County Water District (CCWD) in Calaveras County, California, to provide emergency standby power (proposed action). The proposed project will install generators at 11 sites throughout the CCWD for key facilities that are currently without emergency standby power. The project sites include six lift stations, four wells and tanks, and one location that is the main radio transmission communication hub for the CCWD’s radio and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) communications systems. The proposed action would mitigate impacts from multiple natural disasters (including flood, wildfire, wind, atmospheric river storms, and landslides), as well as Public Safety Planned Shutdown (PSPS) events. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), 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 overall purpose of the proposed action is to provide emergency standby power. The stationary standby generators would be placed in secure locations, on concrete slabs, and fenced. At each site, the generators would be placed on a 4-inch or 6-inch-thick concrete pad located above existing grade. The depth of disturbance would be 2 feet or less, and no more than 20 feet in length. The generators are approximately 6 feet wide and 18 feet long. All fuel tanks would be installed above ground per manufacturer's specifications. Fuel tanks would be double walled with built-in containment. Spill kits would be located at each site.

The Wallace Well 3 generator project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel number 06009C0350E, effective 12/17/2010. The FIRM shows that the project area lies within Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) Zone A. SFHA zones are defined as the areas that will be inundated by the flood event having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1-percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows the project is located outside of wetlands and not likely to result in any potential direct impacts that will adversely affect wetlands.

Maps of the project area and its location within the floodplain are available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of either map 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: Alternate Site Outside of the Floodplain. Alternative 1 would result in no action being taken to mitigate flood hazards. This Alternative is not recommended because the risk of flood hazards, including damage to property and people, would continue. Alternative 2 included locating the proposed action at an alternate site approximately 60-80 feet outside of the floodplain, within the area of minimal flood hazard. Alternative 2 is recommended because it will minimize exposure to flood risk by not building in a floodplain. In addition, the CCWD will elevate the Wallace Well #3 generator above known water surface elevations, hermetically seal exposed well head components, and if necessary, better seal the well’s electrical panel which is currently elevated 4ft. off the ground. FEMA has determined that the proposed project in the floodplain is not the most practicable alternative available; therefore, Alternative 2, alternate site outside of the floodplain, is the most practicable alternative. Alternative 2 would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of flooding and flood damage. The CCWD has declared that the proposed action conforms to local floodplain standards, and would be 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. All requests should be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this date.