FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE City of Seward has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding through Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as a …

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FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE City of Seward has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding through Nebraska Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) as a sub- recipient. 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. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990, FEMA is required to consider alternatives, and to provide a public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority and low-income populations. This notice may also fulfill requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). 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. Sub-Applicant: City of Seward Project Title: DR-4420-NE-0015 Seward Interior Drainage and Pump Station Improvements Location of Proposed Work: Facility: City of Seward Address: Pump located under levee/railway near end of S Tenth St (closest intersection is S Tenth St and Elm St) Latitude: 40.903938 Longitude: -97.103687 Date of Construction: Unknown Special Flood Hazard Area Zone: The project is located primarily within a Zone X “Area with reduced flood risk due to levee” and minimally within an “AE” zone, area of 100-yr flooding; this was determined by the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), Panel Number: 31159C0163D, dated 5/01/2020. The proposed work conforms to all applicable State of Nebraska and local floodplain regulations. There is a potential for the facility to be impacted by future flooding events due to its location within areas classified as Zone X and Zone AE. The proposed work will occur in an area adjacent to a wetland per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory, but this work is not expected to impact or affect wetland values. Proposed Work and Purpose: The project will upgrade, automate, and optimize the pumping station capacity and the drainage structure for this flood control system. The top of the existing gravity drainage pipe outlet is currently below the 2-year flood elevation creating significant flood risk on the interior side of the levee during high water events on the Big Blue River. This project will reduce the ponding effect of events by a range of 3.3 to 5.8 feet in depth on the interior (city) side of the levee. The project includes demolition of the pump house, pipes, some concrete raceway structures, pavement; associated debris removal; boring under the existing RR bed and install of pipe; construction of the new 80 sq. foot pump house; construction of an 8’x8’ concrete drywell; installation of an outfall wingwall structure; alterations to existing concrete boxes and installation of two box culvert connections; increase of the gravity storm drainage pipe size from 42" CMP to a 72"; install of an automatic closure on the gravity drainage pipe; installation of pumps; electrical system upgrades; earthwork, riprap, erosion control BMPs, hydroseeding; and automation of the pump station to optimize operation significantly reducing operator risk, reducing human error and eliminating the need to physically access to the pump station to turn on the system. The project results in a reduced footprint to accommodate the pump house and associated systems when compared to the existing system. Project Alternatives: Alternative #1 (No action): The 'no action' alternative would ultimately result in a negative impact on the residential and commercial properties located on the protected side of the levee near this pumping station in the event of a severe weather event. Known impacts associated with the leaving the pump station as is, such as the pump station being unable to keep up on pumping unless the closure structure on the river side of the levee is shut manually, will continue to occur and endanger safety and property if no action is taken. Alternative #2 (Renting temporary pumps on an as needed basis) This alternative requires significant lead time for the City to rent and install pumps in advance of a major rain/flood event. In addition, temporary pumps also require the placement of hoses across the railroad track that runs on the top of the levee, effectively stopping train traffic along this active railway during every major rain/flood event. A permanent solution provides the safest option for the nearby community and will cause the lowest disruption to commerce and to those living nearby this structure. Comment Period: Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies, and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to the following email: kate.stojsavljevic@fema.dhs.gov Please send comments with the subject line [DR-4420-NE-0015 11988 COMMENT]. All comments are due by no later than 15 days of the posted date of this notice. POSTED ON: November 11, 2020 End of Notice SCI — November 11, 2020