FM-5189-CA Initial Notice

INITIAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Alpine Creek Fuels Reduction, San Diego County, California │ HMGP-5189-11-9R

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) intends to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) to the Alpine Fire Protection District in San Diego County, California, to remove hazardous fuels along Alpine Creek. The proposed action would remove existing biomass that represents a high wildfire danger to nearby homes, roadways, and community infrastructure. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) and 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 intent to carry out an action affecting a floodplain and wetland.

The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce wildfire hazards along Alpine Creek. The proposed action consists of limbing trees to reduce ladder fuels, cutting trees less than 12 inches diameter at chest height, cutting native plants while leaving root structures intact to avoid erosion, and removing dead or downed trees and debris from waterways and embankments. Fallen trees that are 6 inches or less in diameter would be cut up and removed by hand, while fallen trees that are over 6 inches in diameter will be left in place. Dead standing trees will be left intact and no trees or branches over 12 inches in diameter will be felled or limbed. Cut materials would be carried to the staging areas for chipping and spread onsite. Herbicide application would be used as needed to prevent regrowth of non-native species within the project area. All work along the creek would be performed by hand, and no tracked or heavy equipment would be used.

The project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Number 06073C1685G, effective May 16, 2012. The FIRM shows that the project area lies within Zone A, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and for which predicted flood elevations have not been established.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows there are no wetlands within or near within the project area. However, a review of aerial photographs suggests that there may be some wetlands present.

Additional information about FEMA’s proposed action, including maps showing the potential impacts on floodplains and wetlands, may be obtained 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 within 15 days after publication of this notice.