DR-4524-AZ Public Notice 003

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Copper Queen Community Hospital Generator, Cochise County, Arizona | HMGP 4524-003-013

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 the Copper Queen Community Hospital, (sub-applicant) in Cochise County, Arizona, to install an emergency backup generator system (proposed action) to replace the end-of-life system currently in place.

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 purchase and install a C15, 450kW, 208V emergency back-up generator system to replace the end-of-life system currently in place. The system automatically initiates power when the power grid is disabled seamlessly continuing power to critical lifesaving/sustaining equipment in the emergency room and throughout the hospital. The new generator will be installed on the current generator pad (31.4176694, -109.883007) 
and there will be no additional ground disturbance. The staging area will be located adjacent to the generator pad in the existing parking lot of the hospital.

The project area is depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Number 04003C2517F, effective 8/28/2008. The FIRM shows the proposed action lies within Zone Unshaded X, the area of minimal flood hazard. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Map shows the project is not located within wetlands.

Maps of the project area and its location outside of the floodplain and wetlands 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: Off-site rented generator. 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 remain. In addition, No Action would increase the risk of the current 22-year-old generator failing during a power outage. Alternative 2 included an off-site rented generator to provide back-up power if the current generator failed. This Alternative is not recommended because it would take time to retrieve and set up the rented generator which would endanger lives of those at the hospital. Therefore, Alternative 2 is not feasible. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be taken at this location for the tank to serve its designed purpose.

The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by minimizing the impact of floods on human health, safety, or welfare, and results in an increase to the useful life of a structure or facility. Cochise County 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.