DR-4344-CA Public Notice 016

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Emergency Backup Generators Project, City of Calistoga, CA │ HMGP- 4344-310-092

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 Calistoga (City), California to install new upgraded diesel standby generators, purchase upgraded portable generators, and update critical facilities to allow for remote operation. 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 improve the City’s ability to operate critical infrastructure during emergency situations. The proposed action consists of installing new upgraded diesel standby generators capable of automatically running in the event of a power outage at Kimball Water Treatment Plant (WTP) and Dunaweal Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Existing facilities utilize portable or diesel generators to run during emergency situations, however the properties are sometimes inaccessible depending on the nature of the emergency. The existing generators are either undersized or past their useful life and require critical improvements to ensure continued operations of the facilities during emergency situations. In addition, a new portable diesel-powered generator will be purchased to provide standby power for the Pope Street Water Booster Station (WBS). Minor grading would be required within the public right-of-way to park the temporary generator during use. The portable generator will be stored at the Public Works Department Corporation Yard outside of a floodplain. Upgrades will be added to all facilities to allow for remote operation, which is especially critical during emergency events when facilities cannot be accessed.

The Kimball WTP project area is depicted on the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Number 06055C0230E, effective September 26, 2008. The Kimball WTP lies within Zone A, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year. The Dunaweal WWTP project area is depicted on FIRM Number 06055C0235E, effective September 26, 2008 and the Pope Street WBS project area is depicted on FIRM Number 06055C0264E, effective September 26, 2008. These FIRMs show that the project areas lie within a regulatory floodway and within Zone AE, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established.

Maps of the project areas and their locations within the floodplain are 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.

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1 (No Action Alternative) and Alternative 3 (Second Action Alternative). The No Action Alternative would involve no upgrades to diesel standby generators. This Alternative is not recommended because the City’s ability to operate critical infrastructure during emergency situations would not improve. Alternative 2 would install generators that run off of natural gas or auxillary propane supply. This Alternative is not feasible because the largest propane generators made are 140 kilowatts (KW) and the minimum generator size required to operate existing City facilities is 150KW.  In addition, natural gas generators would require significant costs associated with necessary upgrades to PG&E piping.

FEMA has determined that the proposed action is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be in the floodplain. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by providing reliable and consistent drinking water supply and wastewater treatment, even during emergency situations.  Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The City of Calistoga has declared that the proposed action conforms to local floodplain standards, and 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.