DR-4569-CA Final Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Pier 94-96 Earthquake Resilience Project, Advance Assistance, San Francisco County | HMGP 4569-689-009

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 Port of San Francisco (Subapplicant) in San Francisco County, California, to mitigate impacts from seismic hazards at Piers 94 and 96 by evaluating and designing structural improvements (proposed action). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Wetlands 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 reduce seismic hazards at Piers 94 and 96. The proposed action consists of 1) conducting existing conditions assessments including topographic and bathymetric surveys, geotechnical borings, and inspecting/testing structures, cranes, and utilities; 2) conducting an earthquake risk assessment; 3) developing and evaluating earthquake improvement alternatives and selecting a preferred alternative; 4) completing a 60 percent level of design on the selected alternative; and 5) completing the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and regulatory approvals needed for construction of the project.

The project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel 0602980251A, effective date March 22, 2021. The FIRM shows that a portion of the project area lies within Zone AE, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established. Additionally, the FIRM shows that a portion of the project area is located within Zone VE, the Coastal High Hazard Area. A portion of the project area is within San Francisco Bay; this area is mapped by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map as estuarine and marine deepwater habitat.

A map of the project area and its location within the floodplain is available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of the 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 
Alternative; and Alternative 2: Limited Geotechnical Borings. Under Alternative 1, no federal funding would be provided to conduct architectural and engineering studies or geotechnical borings at the project area, or to develop design alternatives for improving the earthquake survivability of facilities at Piers 94 and 96. This alternative is not recommended because it would not reduce the risk of seismic hazards within the project area. Under Alternative 2, borings would only be conducted outside of the floodplain. This alternative is not practicable because the Subapplicant would not be able to collect the necessary information to properly design the seismic improvements. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be in the floodplain. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by reducing seismic hazards. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The Port of San Francisco 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.

The Port of San Francisco would implement best management practices to prevent erosion and sedimentation to estuarine and marine deepwater habitat. The Port of San Francisco would also obtain the required permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and would comply with any conditions and mitigation measures to avoid any significant adverse impact on estuarine and marine deepwater habitat.

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.