DR-5382-NV Final Public Notice - Pinehaven Fuel Mitigation and Erosion Control Project

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Pinehaven Fuel Mitigation and Erosion Control Project, Washoe County | HMGP 5382-002-001

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 Reno (Subrecipient) in Washoe County, California, to mitigate impacts from wildfires by implementing invasive species management, native plant reintroduction, and erosion control measures in Cashill Canyon (39.485975, -119.844102) and Skyline Canyon (39.480142, -119.834492) in the City of Reno in Washoe County, Nevada (proposed action). Pursuant to 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 final decision and an explanation of the alternatives that were considered.

The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce wildfire hazards and further erosion within the Cashill Canyon and Skyline Canyon project areas, which together span a total of 78.2 acres. Invasive species, primarily cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), will be removed through the manual application of herbicides. Native species, including Woods' rose (Rosa woodsii), would be planted in the project areas to replace invasive species and decrease erosion. Reintroduction of Woods’ Rose would be completed using container planting, and re-seeding additional native species would be accomplished through a combination of broadcast seeding and hydroseeding using hand tools. Broadcast seeding areas would be lightly raked to incorporate to a depth of 0.25-0.5 inches. Hydroseeding would use a mixture of seed mix and recycled paper mulch at 2,000 pounds/acre, and tackifier at 200 pounds/acre and would not be conducted when wind speeds exceed 5 miles per hour. All mulch used during planting and revegetation would consist of two types a biodegradable, green-dyed 100 percent recycled material or 0.5 to 3.0-inch wood chips/tub grindings.

To further support erosion control, two boulder check dams would be established at the Cashill Canyon project area along a creek that flows through both project areas. Drain rock and bedding would be placed at a minimum depth of 6 inches beneath the check dams and would fully cover the extents of the drop pool, beneath boulder placement. Boulders would be angular and up to 18 inches in diameter to allow for hand placement. Boulders would be keyed into the bank, and the finished grade surface of the boulders would match the existing grade of the channel. Existing riparian vegetation would be protected in place with temporary fencing during installation of the check dams. After work is completed, all equipment and unused materials would be removed from both project areas.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows riverine habitat within the Cashill Canyon project area and freshwater forested/shrub wetland habitat in the Skyline Canyon project area.

A map of the project area and its location within wetlands is available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of the map should contact the FEMA Region 9 Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice.

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action and Alternative 2, Reseeding without Erosion Control. Alternative 1 would include taking no action and leaving conditions as they currently exist. This Alternative is not recommended because it would not address wildfire risk, invasive species would continue to dominate the project areas, and erosion within the project areas would continue to worsen. Alternative 2 would include only re-seeding within areas where invasive species were removed and would exclude any erosion control measures. This Alternative also is not recommended because the lack of Woods’ Rose plantings and check dam installations would offer no solution to ongoing erosion issues. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the most practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be adjacent to wetlands. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on wetlands and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of wildfires. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the wetlands are not necessary. The City of Reno has declared that the proposed action conforms to local wetland standards, and would be responsible for the management, implementation, and maintenance of the proposed action.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action may be requested by writing the FEMA Region 9 Environmental Officer at FEMA, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, California 94607, or fema-rix-ehp-documents@fema.dhs.gov. All requests should be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this date.