Final Public Notice: El Dorado County Mudslide Mitigation Project

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 El Dorado County (Subapplicant) to strengthen the resiliency of water infrastructure and prevent against mud or debris flow (Proposed Action). Pursuant to 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 convert approximately 5,000 feet of the currently open Georgetown Divide Public Utilities District (GDPUD) canal to mitigate debris or mudflow overwhelming the canal and causing stoppage of raw water flow. The Proposed Action consists of the following: 1) replacing 5,000 feet of open canal segments with corrugated metal pipe; 2) construction of headwalls at three critical drainage crossing points, and; 3) installation of steel plates between headwalls and drainage crossing points. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Map shows freshwater forested/shrub wetlands are located within the project boundaries and adjacent areas. A map of the project area and its location within the wetland 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; and Alternative 2: Second Action Alternative. Alternative 1 would not implement improvements to the existing conduit system or drainage structures. Drainage crossings would remain unlined and gunite-lined sections of open canal. This Alternative is not recommended because it would not mitigate existing risk of raw water flow stoppage from mudslide or debris flow. Alternative 2 would include increasing upslope soil stabilization controls (i.e. straw waddles, straw cover, geotextiles, riprap, filter fabric) in drainages where raw water canal crosses. This Alternative is not recommended due to failure to address risk associated with falling trees and limbs restricting or ceasing flow of raw water in the canal.

FEMA has determined that the Proposed Action is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the Proposed Action must be located in the wetlands. The Proposed Action would have no significant adverse impact on wetlands and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of water stoppage. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the wetlands are not necessary. El Dorado County has stated 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.