DR-4308-CA Public Notice 002

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intends to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to the East Bay Municipal Utility District to stabilize and reinforce the bank and slope of Moraga Creek to restore the creek channel to full flow. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), 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 project site is in the floodplain. The purpose of the proposed action is to prevent landslides during future storm events. The project area is depicted on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Number 06013C0409F, effective date June 16, 2009. The FIRM shows that 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 not been established, and the floodway.

The project site is in a R4SBC (Riverine, Intermittent, Streambed) wetland, based on a search of the National Wetlands Inventory website.

The proposed action consists of installing two rows of reinforced concrete drilled piers and tiebacks, backfilling slide areas, and installing a drainage pipe within the slope. A map of the project area and its location within the floodplain is available for public inspection. All parties interested in receiving a copy of the map should contact the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer at the address or phone number below.

The alternative to completing the action to protect the creek bank is taking no action. Under the no action alternative, the bank would remain susceptible to future landslide and damage during storm events. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only feasible alternative available to the East Bay Municipal Utility District; thus, the proposed action must occur in a floodplain and wetland. The proposed action would not adversely affect the floodplain and wetland and is necessary to preserve the creek bank and flow within the creek. The East Bay Municipal Utility District is responsible for implementing and monitoring the proposed action and ensuring that it conforms to federal floodplain standards.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action may be obtained by writing the FEMA Region IX Environmental Officer at FEMA, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, California 94607; fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov; or calling (510) 627-7027. All requests must be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this time.