INITIAL PUBLIC NOTICE: South Bay Force Main Replacement and Resiliency Project, Humboldt Community Services District — HMGP-4344-540-19

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 Humboldt Community Services District for the replacement of approximately 2.1 miles of existing asphalt-cement (AC) sanitary sewer force main with higher-density polyethylene (HDPE) line. The location of the line is in a generally flat area along the east side of Humboldt Bay in Humboldt County, California, and extends from the City of Eureka Wastewater Treatment plant approximately 2.1 miles south through undeveloped, disturbed, and developed areas. 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 increase the resiliency of critical wastewater infrastructure that is currently at risk due to flooding, subsidence, and sea level rise. The existing force main pipeline was installed in 1979 and has flows as high as 550,000 gallons per day and services 1,237 residential connections and 49 commercial/industrial connections. Currently, the site is seasonally inundated during heavy rainfall and periods of high groundwater, and episodic flood events have caused damage to infrastructure in recent years adjacent to the project area. The project area is in an area of rapid subsidence due to geologic factors. The existing pipeline is at risk of damage and increased repair costs from the potential of sea level rise and saltwater intrusion.

 

The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show that the project area is located within Zone AE, an area that has a 1 percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established (Map Number 06023C0839G, effective date 6/21/2017 and Map Number 06023C1005G, effective date 6/21/2017). 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 16 October, 2019.