FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Island of Saipan, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, Northern Marianas Housing Corporation -- CNMI FY18 Pre-Disaster Mitigation Project [PDMC-PJ-09-MP-2018-002]

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 Northern Marianas Housing Corporation on the Island of Saipan, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, to mitigate the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation Offices (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 maintain continued operation of the facility during and after severe storms. The proposed action has two elements: the installation of storm shutters and the construction of a backup generator housing and generator. The new aluminum typhoon shutter system would be comprised of accordion-type typhoon shutters in anodized Hinkle aluminum fly blades using a roller assembly with a five-component locking system. A 125-kW generator and generator housing would also be installed. The housing would be 23 ft x 13 ft for a total of 299 square feet and would be installed just off the southeast side of the building.

The project area is depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Map Number 6900000034C, effective 4/3/2006. The proposed action lies within Zone AO, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year.

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.

FEMA considered the No Action alternative as well as relocating the facility outside of the floodplain. The property is entirely within the floodplain and the generator could not be located outside of the property and still function to meet the purpose of the project. The No Action alternative is not feasible because it would not allow for continued operations during a power outage. Relocating the facility out of the flood zone is cost prohibitive. FEMA determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be located in the floodplain. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of flooding and flood damage; therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The Island of Saipan 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.