Project Title: 4673-(652) 18th Street Pumping Station Rehabilitation- FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Project Title: 4673-(652) 18th Street Pumping Station Rehabilitation - 15 Day Posting

JOINT FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL

PUBLIC NOTICE

November 13, 2024

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Florida Division of Emergency Management have received the following application for Federal grant funding. Final notice is hereby given of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) consideration to provide funding in the form of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Funds will be provided in accordance with Section 404 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 93-288, as amended.

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 to and to provide 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 or low-income populations.

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.

Applicant:

City of Tampa

Project Title:

4673-(652) 18th Street Pumping Station Rehabilitation

Location of Proposed Work: 9707 N. 18^th Street, Tampa, FL 33612

The area affected by this project is shown in the map above.

Proposed Work and Purpose:

The project will include replacement of aging equipment, improvements to protect equipment from flooding, and the installation of a backup generator to maintain station operation during a loss of power. The existing pumps will be replaced with submersible pumps that are designed to operate under water. Station electrical and control equipment will be installed above the flood elevation to protect the equipment from flooding. The backup generator will include control equipment that will automatically start the generator and transfer power to the station in the event of a power loss. The 18th Street Pumping station is a critical wastewater facility, and it is essential that the improvements included in this project be made to ensure that the station is protected from storm and flood events and remains in continuous operation. The project will include the replacement of all pumps, pipes, valves, control systems, and electrical and control equipment. Structural modifications will be made so that the new electrical and control equipment is above flood elevations. Deteriorated concrete will be restored, and protective coatings will be applied to prevent future deterioration. Site improvements will also be made to help blend the station with the surrounding neighborhood. The project will include the installation of a backup generator and related control equipment to maintain station operation in the event of a loss of power.

Project Alternatives:

The alternatives to the project that have been and will be considered are 1) the no action alternative and 2) to construct a new pumping station outside the flood zone where the station is currently located. These alternatives to the proposed project are not viable because under Alternative 1) the pump station is still left vulnerable to flooding and failure of the station would result in a major wastewater overflow that would impact the environment and pose a public health threat to the surrounding neighborhood; and Alternative 2) would require the acquisition of property to locate the station and constructing new pipelines to extend the existing pipes to the new site; there is no vacant property outside the flood zone that can be used for the new pumping station; property would likely need to be acquired through eminent domain which is a lengthy and expensive process; the existing station is located in a residential area but is near a storm pond that is away from homes; potential locations for the new station would place the station much closer to homes and there would likely be strong public opposition; the cost to relocate that pumping station is also significantly higher than rehabilitating the existing station; and the time to complete the project would take much longer.

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 Florida Division of Emergency Management, Bureau of Mitigation, 2555 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-2100. These are due within 15 days of this notice. The State will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed. Interested persons may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting: