DR-4382-CA Final Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: City of Poway Hazardous Tree Removal (Phase 2), San Diego County | HMGP 4382-199-012

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 Poway in San Diego County, California, to mitigate impacts from wildfires by removing and thinning hazardous trees and ladder fuels within Green Valley Open Space Area and along Espola Road and Twin Peaks Road (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 wildfire hazards. The proposed action consists of 1) removing approximately 2,500 hazardous trees and thinning the limbs of approximately 3,900 trees; 2) reducing understory fuel; and 3) spot-spraying a glyphosate-based herbicide in and around ephemeral creeks, only where necessary, to remove invasive species that are too small to remove mechanically. Herbicide application would only occur during the dry season and would be avoided during and within 24 hours of predicted rain events. All vegetation would be chipped and either reused or recycled. Designated staging areas would be in a non-sensitive area and would comply with the City of Poway’s established staging practices. The proposed action would be completed within 13 months.

A portion of the project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Number 06073C1094G, effective date May 16, 2012. The FIRM shows that a portion of 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, and a regulatory floodway. The remaining portions of the project area are located in areas of minimal flood hazard.

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 IX Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice.

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action; and Alternative 2, Reduction in Crown Density. Under Alternative 1, no project would be undertaken. Alternative 1 is not recommended because the wildfire risk in the project area would continue, with the potential for wildfire to significantly damage structures in the City of Poway and block important evacuation routes. Alternative 2 included pruning hazardous trees along Twin Peaks and Espola Road to reduce crown density, thereby reducing the likelihood of a sustained crown fire moving through the areas. This Alternative is not recommended due to the high cost. 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 the risk of wildfire damage to the floodplain. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The City of Poway 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 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.