The City of Fortuna, Humboldt County, California has applied through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for federal assistance in making improvements to the existing wastewater treatment facility to protect the City's wastewater system during flood events. Two improvements to the existing facility are proposed that would eliminate the possibility of effluent spilling into Strongs Creek. If approved, FEMA would provide financial assistance to the City of Fortuna through Cal OES under FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
The City of Fortuna proposes to construct: 1) an earthen berm around the northwestern portion of the WWTP where existing ground elevations are less than the 100-year flood elevation; 2) a new treated effluent pump station (with four emergency effluent pumps) within the WWTP grounds; and, 3) modifications to existing piping within the WWTP.
FEMA has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (DEA) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as amended, FEMA regulations 44 CFR Part 10, Environmental Considerations, and other applicable implementing regulations. The DEA evaluates the environmental impacts of the City of Fortuna's proposed project and reasonable alternatives. FEMA has made the DEA available for public review and comment at FEMA's website for Environmental Documents and Public Notices in Region IX: http://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/86013, and at the City of Fortuna City Hall, 621 11th Street, Fortuna, CA 95540.
FEMA, Cal OES, and the City of Fortuna will consider all comments on the DEA before publishing a Final Environmental Assessment and making a final decision regarding the proposed project (FONSI). Comments relevant to the DEA should be provided in writing to Donna M. Meyer, Deputy Regional Environmental Officer, FEMA Region IX, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, CA 94607-4052. Questions regarding the DEA or its availability can also be made by telephone to (510) 627-7728.
To be considered in the decision-making process, comments on the DEA must be received by [font=font44461]midnight December 27, 2013.[/font]
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