DR-4407-CA Public Notice 005

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Ukiah Electric Utility Fuel Reduction and Undergrounding, Mendocino County, California | HMGP-4407-382-066

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 Ukiah in Mendocino County, California, to mitigate the Ukiah Electric Utility Fuel Reduction and Undergrounding Project (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 the fuel load along critical electric utility line corridors and to underground more than 1.5 miles of overhead wires and equipment to protect the city’s critical electrical infrastructure. The proposed action consists of: 1) brush removal and tree thinning in a 24-foot-wide corridor (12 feet on each side) around the identified electrical lines and poles; 2) excavation of 30-inch-wide and 59-inch-deep trenches for placement of the underground duct to underground overhead electric wires; and 3) additional excavation for the installation of padmount switches, transformers, and pedestals.

The project area is depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Map Numbers 06045C1514F, effective June 2, 2011; 06045C1513F, effective June 2, 2011; 06045C1511F, effective June 2, 2011; and 06045C1512F, effective June 2, 2011. Portions of the proposed action lie within Zone AE, an area that has a one-percent probability of flooding every year.

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.

One alternative to the proposed action was considered: Alternative 1, No Project Alternative. This Alternative is not recommended because the existing fuel load along critical electric utility line corridors would be left untreated and the City’s critical electrical infrastructure would remain susceptible to risk caused by natural disasters. 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 flooding and flood damage. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The City of Ukiah 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 Dec. 28, 2021. No action will be taken before this date.