DR-4344-CA Public Notice 023

INITIAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Laguna Creek Restoration and Flood Control Project, Contra Costa County, California | HMGP 4344-605-023

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 Town of Moraga to replace the Laguna Creek culvert with a daylighted creek within the Hacienda de las Flores Park in Contra Costa County, California. The proposed action would mitigate impacts caused by flooding in the area. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Wetlands 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 and wetland.

The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce flood hazards by removing the undersized culvert and constructing a channel that would convey FEMA’s 100-year flood flow without flooding the Pavilion. The existing metal pipe culvert, 242 feet long and 8-foot diameter, would be removed, the creek would be restored to its natural setting, a bridge with shoring would be constructed over the daylighted creek, and the banks would be stabilized using natural river rock and boulders. A total of 39 trees would be removed from the riparian areas. The existing sewer main line will be relocated, and new precast concrete manholes will be installed along the new alignment. An access road will be constructed for the bridge installation.

The project action area would be in a Special Flood Hazard Area as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Number 06013C0407F, 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 been established.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Map shows Freshwater Forested/Shrub Wetland (0.25acres) and Riverine habitat (0.27 acres) within the project area for a total potential impact of 0.52 acres.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action, including maps showing the potential impacts on floodplains and wetlands, may be obtained 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. All requests should be received within 15 days after publication of this notice.