FM-5278-CA Initial Notice

INITIAL PUBLIC NOTICE: Lindo Channel Defensible Space Project, Butte County, California │ HMGP 5278-407-3

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 City of Chico in Butte County, California, to provide defensible space along the edges of the Lindo Channel. The defensible space activities would occur generally within 100 feet of structures bordering the channel’s open space but would not occur more than 200 feet from the border between the open space and adjacent private property. The proposed action would reduce fire hazards to adjacent homes and businesses by conducting both horizontal and vertical vegetation removal. Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management), 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 Lindo Channel. The proposed action consists of 1) removing and reducing shrub and understory vegetation; 2) removing dead and unstable trees; 3) thinning smaller live trees; and 4) grazing by goats and other livestock for approximately three months per year for three years. Chipping of vegetation would occur mostly on-site at accessible locations; larger debris may be removed using a skid steer and taken to a staging area for chipping.

The project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Numbers 06007C0343E and 06007C0339E, effective date January 6, 2011. The FIRMs show that the project area lies within Zone AE, an area that has a 1-percent probability of flooding every year and where predicted floodwater elevations have been established.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows three freshwater forested/shrub wetlands within the project area.

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.