DR-4308-CA HMGP Final Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District, Slope Stabilization and Erosion Control along BART’s A-line and C-line, Alameda County and Contra Costa County, California | HMGP 4523-307-37

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 San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) in Alameda County and Contra Costa County, California, to mitigate impacts from landslides by implementing erosion control and stabilization treatments (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 reduce landslide hazards due to earthquakes and rain saturated soils. The proposed action consists of installing erosion control and slope stabilization measures and drainage infrastructure; repairing and replacing fencing, retaining walls and 10 bridge abutments; and other improvements at 22 individual sites along portions of the BART A and C lines within BART rights-of-way. Clearing and grubbing activities would remove some vegetation, including trees, and some slopes would be regraded.

Three of the 22 project sites (38.011199, -122.012958, 38.011597, -122.010278 and 37.658827, -122.076442) are in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Map Numbers 06013C0094H and 06001C0287G, effective March 21, 2017 and August 8, 2009 respectively. The proposed actions lie within Zone AE, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year where predicted flood elevations have been established, and a floodway. 

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 9 Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice. 

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action Alternative and Alternative 2, Plastic Sheets Alternative. Alternative 1 would involve not performing any actions to address slope stabilization issues. This Alternative is not recommended because continued erosion would cause damage to structures and adjacent facilities and the security and safety of the BART lines would remain at risk. As such, Alternative 1 does not meet the need for the project. Alternative 2 included temporarily mitigating slope erosion by covering areas before the rainy season with plastic sheets. This Alternative is not recommended because it is temporary and does not provide permanent erosion mitigation and security measures.

FEMA has 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 landslide risk and the associated infrastructure failure. During construction, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain will be implemented in the form of temporary erosion and sediment control best management practices. BART has declared 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 9 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.