Final Public Notice 001

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Campaign Creek Post Fire Project, Gila County, Arizona | HMGP 5385-001-001R

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 Gila County, Arizona, to mitigate impacts from flooding by acquiring and demolishing structures on eight residential properties located near Campaign Creek. 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 eliminate future property damage and health and safety risks associated with flooding of Campaign Creek, which has been exacerbated following the 2019 Woodbury Fire and resultant change in the creek’s flow pattern. The proposed action consists of the acquisition and demolition of eight residential properties spanning 10 parcels (Accessor Parcel Numbers [APNs] 204-04-113, 204-04-114/ 204-04-115, 204-04-060A/ 204-04-060B, 204-03-050A, 204-04-062, 204-04-063, 204-04-064, 204-03-051B) proximate to the creek on either side of Mesquite Street in the community of Roosevelt Lake Estates. Demolition would include removal of house foundations and underground utilities. Septic tanks would be filled in or removed. Following demolition, the sites would be filled and graded to level the ground surface and a native seed mix would be applied to all disturbed areas. The properties would be deed restricted to permanent open space, allowing the land to return to its natural state.

The project area is in an area with undermined flood hazards, as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panel 04007C1832D dated December 3, 2007. This FIRM shows the proposed action lies within Zone D, an area that potentially has a moderate to high risk of flooding, but where the probability has not been determined. Although flood hazards are undetermined, the project area has experienced repetitive flooding from Campaign Creek since the 1960s.

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

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action alternative; and Alternative 2: Berm/Levee Construction. Alternative 1 would not acquire and demolish the eight properties or perform flood hazard risk reduction activities. This Alternative is not recommended because flood hazards would not be reduced; flooding of the structures and flood damage would continue to occur, which would require continued emergency response and clean up. Alternative 2 would construct berms or levees along both sides of Campaign Creek. This Alternative is not recommended because it would require construction of a new bridge to be built over Campaign Creek at Mesquite Street, would continue to restrict channel width adjacent to the intersection of Mesquite Street and Ash Street, and would require continued maintenance over time. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must occur within the floodplain. The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of flood damage. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. Gila County 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 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.