FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE

Junaluska Sanitary District has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program funding through the North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) 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: Junaluska Sanitary District

Project Title: 437309 – Main Water Line Repair; PA-04-NC-4617-PW-00007

Location of Proposed Work:

Special Flood Hazard Area Zone:

This project is to replace a damaged water line crossing Pigeon River, which is located in a Floodway and AE Zone. Confirmation of location in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) was determined by the Haywood County Flood Insurance Rate Map, Panel Numbers: 3700862700J, dated 4/3/2012. The proposed work conforms to all applicable State of North Carolina and local floodplain regulations. There is a potential for the water line to be impacted by future flooding events due to their location within the Floodway and AE Zone. The proposed work will not take place in or near wetlands per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory and will have little potential to impact or affect wetland values.

Proposed Work and Purpose:

Junaluska Sanitary District replaced 233 feet of 4-inch water line that crosses Pigeon River. The water line is attached and secured to the Hyder Mountain Bridge and NCDOT guidelines for repair were followed. These repairs are needed to help restore water services to the community and nearby residential areas.

Project Alternatives:

Alternative #1 (No action): The 'no action' alternative would ultimately result in a negative impact to the community. If the water line was not replaced, the community and nearby residential areas would be without essential water supply services.

Alternative #2 (Relocation): No alternative site location is practicable for this project. The water line is part of a connected liner system and is needed by the community for water services. Relocation may result in adverse economic and social impacts to the community.

Alternative #3 (Improvement): Underground boring of the waterline was evaluated. However, boring is not a practicable alternative due to economic constraints which may result in adverse impacts to the community.

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:

FEMA Internal 11988 Reviewer FEMA Region 4

3005 Chamblee-Tucker Road

Atlanta, Georgia, 30341

Alternatively, comments may be emailed to: FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Please send comments with the subject line [DR-4617-NC-00007 11988 COMMENT].

All comments are due by no later than 30 days of the posted date of this notice.

POSTED ON: 12/8/2021

End of Notice