FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE Westmont Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project - 4353-309-4

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 City of Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara County, California, for the Westmont Storm Drain Rehabilitation Project (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. There would be no impacts on floodplains under Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management).

The purpose of the proposed action is to address stormwater conveyance deficiencies at an existing inlet. The proposed action would re-grade the streambed, replace an existing headwall, reorient the inlet to align with the channel, and install a new steel grate at the entrance of the inlet for an unnamed tributary to Sycamore Creek. The streambed is surrounded by developed areas. Equipment to be used includes a skid steer, concrete saws, excavator, trucks to haul any excavated soil, jackhammers, and saw for root pruning. The proposed action would include 0.04 acres for staging and the area of disturbance.

As shown on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map, a riverine wetland, corresponding to the unnamed tributary to Sycamore Creek, is within the project area. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) determined that the proposed action would impact 0.001 acre of non-wetland waters of the U.S. 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.

The alternative to the proposed action is taking no action. Under the no action alternative, the existing drainage inlet and headwall would not be replaced and reoriented, remaining insufficient to adequately convey stormwater during a heavy rain event. Therefore, the flood potential of the adjacent roadway would remain very high under the no action alternative. FEMA has determined that the proposed action is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be located in a wetland. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the wetland and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of flooding and flood damage. The City of Santa Barbara will comply with the conditions outlined in the USACE Nationwide Permit No. 18: Minor Discharges. The City of Santa Barbara 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.