FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE CITY OF TUCSON BRUSHFIRE MITIGATION FLOOD CONTROL MITIGATION PROJECT

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE
CITY OF TUCSON BRUSHFIRE MITIGATION
FLOOD CONTROL MITIGATION PROJECT
 

PDMC-PJ-09-AZ-2016-001

 

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 Tucson in Pima County, Arizona, to reduce the number and intensity of bushfires by targeting herbicide application on Buffelgrass located within six targeted areas of potential effects (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 number and intensity of brushfires by treating Buffelgrass stands with herbicides within six targeted areas. Buffelgrass is an invasive species that grows in dense clumps and outcompetes native plants. The City of Tucson intends to identify Buffelgrass infestations in areas prone to brushfire by using ground surveys and GIS mapping within the six targeted areas. Surveys will be conducted annually during the monsoon season (June 15 to September 30) and prior to any herbicide application. Repeat annual surveys and mapping will monitor the effectiveness of the treatment. The herbicide will be applied by hand at ground level by certified applicators and only to Buffelgrass. Following herbicide application, dead Buffelgrass will be mowed to reduce fuel loads.

The project areas are depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), Map Numbers 04019C1667L (area 1); 04019C2276L, 04019C2277L, 04019C2278L, and 04019C2279L (area 2); 04019C2270L and 04019C2286L (area 3), 04019C2287L, 04019C2288L, and 04019C2289L (area 4), 04019C2284L (area 5), 04019C2303L, 04019C2304L, 04019C2308L, 04019C2312L, 04019C2315L, and 04019C2320L (area 6) effective date June 16, 2011. A portion of the proposed action lies within the floodway and areas that have a 1-percent and 0.2-percent probability of flooding every year.

Maps of the project areas and location within the floodplain are 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.

Four alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, Digging; Alternative 2, Mowing; Alternative 3, Grazing; and Alternative 4, No Action. Alternative 1 included manual removal of Buffelgrass through digging. This Alternative is not recommended due to high costs, substantial manual labor and monitoring, and extensive surveying for cultural and historic resources. Alternative 2 included mowing Buffelgrass located in the dry waterways. However, mowing Buffelgrass leaves plant roots intact and encourages new growth, disperses seeds widely, and produces disturbances in which new Buffelgrass plants can establish and thrive. Mowing as a mitigation technique would require further manual labor or herbicide application. Therefore, Alternative 2 is not recommended. Alternative 3 involves the use of grazing livestock. This technique is not recommended due to the limited-time benefit, significant soil disturbance leading to erosion, and extensive damage to nontargeted native vegetation. Under Alternative 4, no improvements would be made, and the City of Tucson would continue to experience rapid spread of Buffelgrass and an unacceptable growth in fire risk in and adjacent to the identified project sites. Therefore, Alternative 4 is not recommended. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, a portion of 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 wildfires that adversely affect floodplain functions. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The City of Tucson has declared that the proposed action conforms to local floodplain standards, and is 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 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 August 3, 2018. No action will be taken before this date.