Pursuant to Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management) and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 9, FEMA hereby provides final notice of its decision to provide Public Assistance Program funding for an action located in the floodway. Funding would be provided through Vermont Emergency Management to the Town of Hardwick Electric Department to repair the Hydroelectric Facility along the Lamoille River.
The proposed action is located on the Lamoille River in Wolcott, Vermont. Work to repair and rehabilitate this facility is ongoing. FEMA proposes to fund repairs to the dam, the gatehouse, and the access road, as well as the replacement of damaged components in the hydroelectric generation building, including the turbine, generator, and control room utilities. Future repairs to the building exterior and potential hazard mitigation to dry and wet floodproof the hydroelectric facility against future flood damages may be forthcoming.
The project is within the floodway. The repairs to the hydroelectric facility will reduce the risk of future damage, adversely affecting the functionality of the facility. A map of the area of available upon request.
Alternatives considered and dismissed included the No Action alternative and relocation. The project must take place within the floodway because the hydroelectric facility is functionally dependent on its location along the Lamoille River. The No Action alternative is not practicable; the facility is needed for electric power generation for its service area and is a critical facility. The proposed action was determined to be the most practicable alternative because it restores the utility and integrity of the facility and extends the useful life of the structures, minimizing risks to human health and safety. Furthermore, proposed mitigation measures are intended to minimize adverse impacts by protecting this facility with dry and wet floodproofing.
The proposed action is being conditioned for coordination with the local floodplain administrator and Clean Water Act permitting.
Map requests and comments about this project and potential floodway impacts should be submitted within 15 days of the date of this publication to:
Federal Emergency Management Agency, Region 1
220 Binney St. Cambridge, MA 02142
FEMA-R1-COMPTA-ENV@fema.dhs.gov
