Final Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Joseph City Water System Back-up Generator, Navajo County, Arizona | HMGP 5183-013-014R

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 (HMGP) to Navajo County (sub-applicant), Arizona, to install an emergency generator and ancillary equipment (proposed action). Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), Executive Order 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), 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 overall purpose of the proposed action is to ensure continuity of operations through installation of a water system backup generator. The project will require installation of a new generator pad (8.5 feet long x 4.5 feet wide x 2.5 feet thick), to be located on the west side of Well #1, the main production well. The concrete pad will be constructed in a previously disturbed area within an existing facility, owned by Joseph City Utilities. The pad will be elevated, starting at ground level (4,876 feet), Joseph City Utilities will increase the elevation by building up additional base material to form roughly an 8 ft. 6 in. base pad with an additional 6 in. concrete platform. This would increase the current elevation by 9 feet and allow a 3-foot buffer over the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) at the required elevation of 4,985 ft. A diesel fuel tank will be attached to the generator and bolted to the concrete pad. No trenching nor vegetation removal will be required. Field staging will occur adjacent to Well #1 in the parking area and along roadside shoulder. The remains tasks for project completion will be installing and connecting the new generator to the Joseph City Fire electrical network, conducting testing, providing instruction on operation and maintenance, and site cleanup.

The project area is depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel, Number 04017C3303E, effective 9/26/2008. The FIRM shows the proposed action lies within Zone AE, the 100-year floodplain. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory Map shows the project is not located within wetlands. 

Maps of the project area and its location within the 100-year floodplain and outside wetlands are available for public inspection. Parties interested in receiving a copy of either 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: Install Solar Panels. Alternative 1 would result in no action being taken to mitigate flood hazards. This Alternative is not recommended because in the event of a power outage, water supply would not be available to Joseph City and the fire department. Therefore, Alternative 1 is not feasible. Alternative 2 included the installation of solar energy to support the electrical system of the building. This Alternative is not recommended since concerns regarding effectiveness of solar have been expressed due to extended periods of smoke from regional fires, localized air pollution, and winter weather.  Therefore, Alternative 2 is not feasible. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the proposed action must be taken at this location in order to supply backup power which would guarantee that during a power outage, the community would have safe drinking water, and emergency response capabilities. 

The proposed action would have no significant adverse impact on the floodplain, results in an increase to the useful life of a structure or facility and would benefit the area by minimizing the impact of floods on human health, safety, or welfare. Navajo 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 IX 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.