DR-4407-CA Public Notice 012

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Defensible Space Creation for Healdsburg Water Infrastructure, Sonoma County, California | HMGP-4407-054-164

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 Healdsburg in Sonoma County, California, to mitigate impacts from wildfires by creating defensible space and reducing hazardous fuels around critical water infrastructure facilities, power lines, and access roads, totaling 18.8 acres (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 creating defensible space around 10 critical water infrastructure facilities, including Iverson Reservoir, Cadoul Reservoir, Sunset Reservoir, Gauntlett Reservoir, the Gauntlett Control Building, and the Gauntlett Well Field. Defensible space would also be created at associated access roads and power lines. The proposed action would include the thinning and limbing of trees and bushes and the removal of small trees and plants. Brush and undergrowth would be removed with a masticator. Cut material would be chipped and spread on-site and larger material would be hauled off-site for disposal.

Portions of the project area are in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Number 06097C0363E, effective date December 2, 2008. The FIRM shows that power lines and four wells lie within Zone AE, an area that has a one-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established. Two of the four wells are also within a regulatory floodway. The remaining project sites 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 Project; and Alternative 2, Fire-Resistant Structures. 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 the City of Healdsburg’s ability to provide water to residents. Under Alternative 2, the current water structures would be made more fire-resistant by enclosing the wells and placing wellheads underground. This Alternative is not recommended because fire resistant enclosures would not adequately protect the sensitive equipment from heat and building new structures would not be cost-effective. 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 Healdsburg 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.