Public Notice - FEMA
Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) and 11990 (Wetlands) and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides final notice of its decision to provide Public Assistance Program funding for an action located in a floodplain and wetland. Funding would be provided through Vermont Emergency Management to Morrisville Water and Light for repairs to Well 3, Well 2 and wellfield flood mitigation.
The action is located on VT Route 15A in Morristown, Vermont. The project repairs Well 2 to its pre-disaster condition. Work at Well 3 included repairs to the gravel access road and materials that were housed in the building. Upgrades to Well 3 will include dry floodproofing including elevation of internal electrical components and installation of a new exterior foundation wall to protect to the 0.2% annual chance flood event. The generator associated with Well 3 will be relocated approximately 300 FT south outside of the floodplain. Flood mitigation on the property includes installation of a buried rip rap wall that will generally run along the east of the access road leading to Well 2. Additionally, large woody material energy dissipation structures, boulders, and a stone fill blanket will be installed to slow floodwater velocities and armor wellfield soils. Finally, trees will be planted within the wellfield to slow velocity of future floodwaters, reduce erosion, trap debris, and stabilize the soil.
The project takes place within a mapped special flood hazard area (partially within the regulatory floodway) and vegetative wetlands. The action may have short-term impacts to the floodplain and wetland; however, these will be mitigated through the use of best management practices (e.g., silt fencing, straw wattles) and avoidance of ground disturbance during construction in the wetland. Long term impacts are not expected as some of the flood mitigation measures proposed such as the plantings, promote the natural and beneficial values served by the floodplain and wetland.
The project must be within the floodplain and wetland because it is functionally dependent of its proximity to the aquifer that Morrisville Water and Light relies on to serve the community. Alternatives considered included the proposed action and the No Action alternative. No action is not practicable as these wells are the sole source of potable water for the surrounding community and must be protected during future flood events. Grant conditions will also require compliance with all federal, state and local laws, including coordination with the local floodplain administrator, a “No-Rise” certificate for work in the floodway, a floodproofing certificate for work at Well 3, and permitting from the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Wetlands Program.
Map requests and questions about this project and potential floodplain and wetland impacts should be submitted within 15 days of the date of this publication to:
FEMA Region I Mitigation Division
220 Binney St, Cambridge, MA 02142