INITIAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Carpinteria Creek Parcel Acquisition, City of Carpinteria — HMGP-4344-239-60R

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to the City of Carpinteria for the acquisition of three parcels totaling 0.61 acre (project site) located along Carpinteria Creek at 5467 Carpinteria Avenue, adjacent to Carpinteria Avenue, within the southcentral portion of the City of Carpinteria, Santa Barbara County, California. The project includes demolition and removal of existing buildings and fencing, restoration of the riparian habitat along Carpinteria Creek with native plant species, and designation of the property for public use as open space. 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 intent to carry out an action affecting a floodplain.

The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce the vulnerability of flood prone properties as well as provide for improved riparian habitat along Carpinteria Creek. The existing structures located on the property were built prior to the establishment of the Carpinteria Creek Preservation Program (CPP) and are not in compliance with the 50‐foot development setbacks established in the CPP. The proposed project would be consistent with the CPP implementation measures that direct the City to evaluate the need and feasibility of private property acquisition along creeks for the purpose of implementing habitat preservation and restoration projects.

The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show 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. A portion of the project area also lies within a regulatory floodway, the channel of a watercourse and adjacent land areas that must be reserved in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated height (Map Number 06083C1419H, effective date 9/28/18). A map showing the project area and its location within the floodplain is available for public inspection. Any party interested in receiving a copy of the map should contact the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer at the contact information included below.

 

Interested persons may submit comments or obtain additional information about FEMA’s proposed action 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 17 October, 2019.