HMGP-4558-CA Final Public Notice

FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE: City of Angels Critical Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Protection Project, Calaveras County, California | HMGP 4558-333-028

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 Angels Camp in Calaveras County, California, to mitigate flood hazards by modifying and/or replacing damaged water and wastewater infrastructure. 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 final decision and an explanation of the alternatives that were considered.

The purpose of the proposed action is to reduce the risk of flood damage to water and wastewater infrastructure in the City of Angels Camp. The proposed action consists of the following components: 1) replacing damaged sewer line at the Booster Way/Angels Creek Crossing; 2) installing structural lining in the existing East Angels trunk sewer; 3) replacing damaged sewer line at the water line crossing of Angels Creek at Vallecito Road and Main Street. Ground disturbance would mainly occur within pre-disturbed areas where existing infrastructure is present. No in-water work, water diversion, or removal of riparian vegetation would occur. Trenching, approximately 250 feet long, would be required for the sewer pipeline replacement at Booster Way.

The project area is in the 100-year floodplain as depicted on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Numbers 06009C0558E, effective date December 10, 2010. The FIRM shows that the project area lies within Zone AE, an area that has a 1 percent annual chance flood and where a base flood elevation has been established and is in a regulatory floodway. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows freshwater emergent wetlands and freshwater forested shrub wetlands within and adjacent to the project area.

A map of the project area and its location within 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 contact information provided in this notice.

Two alternatives to the proposed action were considered: Alternative 1, No Action; Alternative 2: Alternate Piping Network. Alternative 1 would not harden or protect water and wastewater infrastructure. This Alternative is not recommended because the risk of flood damage would remain. Alternative 2 included providing parallel or redundant water and wastewater systems to compensate for the loss of key water and sewer pipeline across or along Angels Creek. This Alternative is not recommended due to the high cost and greater environmental impacts from construction in previously undisturbed areas. FEMA has determined that the proposed project is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, 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 flooding and flood damage. Therefore, measures to minimize impacts on the floodplain are not necessary. The City of Angels Camp 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.

The proposed action would have no permanent adverse impact on wetlands. Work would occur within the footprint of existing infrastructure. No riparian vegetation would be removed and erosion control measures, such as silt fencing, would minimize the potential for disturbed soils to enter wetlands. All disturbed areas would be reseeded with a native seed mix.

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.