FEMA Lift Station #5 Notice

Final Public Notice

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has received a subgrant application for City of Atascadero, San Luis Obispo County, CA. 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 9/11/2023. 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 requires 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 embankment and fence repair. 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 the AE zone. 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: City of Atascadero
Project Title: PW 00925; GM 720674; Simplified Project: Lift Station #5 Creek Bank Stabilization

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

Proposed Work and Purpose: From 12/27/2022 to 1/31/2023, a high volume of water and downed trees in the creek cause the creek to change course and erosion near Wastewater Lift Station #5 and the Colony Park Pickleball Courts. The applicant utilized force account labor, equipment, materials, and contracts to repair Lift station #5 located at (35.494494, -120.666061). Contracts repaired 1000 Cubic Yards (CY) of Class 2 Aggregate Base Riparian fill; placed Jute Netting at the embankment, 7 each; replaced 50# Ryegrass Riparian (native grass seed), 1 each; removed and replaced chain link with post fence, 120 Linear Feet (LF); and resurfaced and regraded native soil riparian, 1,333.33 CY. Posts were replaced within the existing footprint and no additional ground disturbance was created. Equipment utilized includes: excavator, loader, and compactor. All equipment was staged within Lift-Station 5’s boundaries. No vegetation was removed. Vegetation was replaced due to slope erosion. Wood debris was a result of wood debris washing out and depositing at the slope’s toe. Wood debris was removed prior to excavation. Activities occurred within the project’s existing footprint and no additional ground disturbance was created. Mitigation was applied. Class 2 Aggregate Base Riparian fill and native soil riparian was upgraded to rip rap rock, 3 to 5 Tons (T), since other soil materials require to be imported.

Project Alternatives:

1. (No Action) This alternative would result in risk of additional damages. If the damage is not repaired, then adverse economic and social impacts may occur and continued negative impacts may be experienced.
2. (Repair in-kind) Repairs made in kind may result in similar damages from future flood events.
3. (Relocation) Floodplain avoidance by relocating the facility is not a practicable alternative as the facility is a part of the city’s water system and any minor changes to the system may impact the overall system. Relocation may reroute waterways, reroute roadways, and displace public and private properties.

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 FEMA-RIX-EHP-Documents@fema.dhs.gov . Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line “PW 00925; PN 720674; Simplified Project; Lift Station #5 Creek Bank Stabilization” at the above address within 15 days of the date of this notice.

THIS NOTICE MAY BE REMOVED FROM PUBLIC VIEW ON THE 15th DAY FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF POSTING.

NOTICE WAS POSTED ON APRIL 14, 2025

END OF NOTICE