The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received a subgrant application for California Department of Water Resources, Fresno County, California. Pursuant to Executive Order (EO) 11988 and 44 CFR Part 9.12, final notice is hereby given of FEMA's intent to provide funding for this project under the Public Assistance Grant Program (PA).

An initial disaster-wide Public Notice for DR-4683-CA was published Sept. 11, 2023. Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements, and conditions.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. EO 11988 and EO 11990 require FEMA to consider alternatives and provide a public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. This notice may also fulfill requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

This notice serves as a project‐specific final notice for FEMA's funding action located within a Special Flood Hazard Area. FEMA has determined the only practicable alternative is to fund repairs to the road and embankment of the Arroyo Pasajero Basin. This action complies with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements. There is a potential for the facility to be impacted by future flooding events due to its location within Zone A. The proposed work will take place in wetlands per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory and will have little potential to impact or affect wetland values.

Applicant: California Department of Water Resources

Project Title: DR4683-CA PW 3718 PN 721439 SWP-SLFD-Arroyo Pasajero Flood Basin Facilities Damages

Location of Proposed Work and Floodplain Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panels:

Facility: Arroyo Pasajero Basin

GPS:

36.24894, -120.08373 to 36.18365, -120.04985

36.24778, -120.09351 to 36.18367, -120.04982

FIRM Panels: 06019C3255H and 06019C3275H

FIRM Date: Feb. 18, 2009

Proposed Work and Purpose: The sub applicant intends to repair the Arroyo Pasajero Basin Road and embankments back to pre-disaster conditions within original footprint. The repairs will include adding gravel in the road and rock in the embankment. They will also remove sand and gravel sediment that filled the basin. No changes to the basin footprint will occur and no changes to the natural values of the floodplain and wetlands are expected.

Project Alternatives:

(1) (No Action) This alternative would result in risk of additional damage. If the damage is not repaired, then adverse economic and social impacts may occur and continued negative impacts may be experienced.

(2) (Repair with Minimization) Minimization measures were not practicable due to not being cost effective and/or not requested by the sub applicant.

(3) (Relocation) Floodplain avoidance by relocating the facility is not a practicable alternative as the basin is functionally dependent on being in the floodplain to fulfill its purpose.

Comments: This will serve as the final public notice regarding the above‐described action funded by the FEMA Public Assistance program. Interested persons may submit comments, questions, or request a map of this specific project by writing to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 9, 1111 Broadway #1200, Oakland, CA 94607, or by emailing [email protected]. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line "DR4683-CA PW 3718 PN 721439 SWP-SLFD-Arroyo Pasajero Flood Basin Facilities Damages" at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.