PUBLIC NOTICE - FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Government of Tipton County has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding through the Tennessee Emergency Management (TEMA) as a sub-recipient.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and 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 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.

Applicant: Tipton County
Project Title: Happy Valley House
Location of Proposed Work: Rae Dr, located in the city of Munford, Tipton County, Tennessee
Name of Structure: Rae Dr House  
Point of Contact: Shannon Reed; (901) 837-5900 / shannon@tcpw.net

Proposed Work and Purpose:  Tipton County is requesting funds to acquire and demolish one (1) property in the high-risk flood area known as Happy Valley and return the property to open space. The county will then construct a retention basin on the property. The purpose of this project is to protect future loss of life and surrounding remaining properties from flooding.

Project Alternatives: 
Alternative #1 (no action alternative): Taking no action would result in the house remaining in an area that is highly prone to flooding. Repetitive flood losses could still occur, placing a burden on the property owner, as well as local government resources.  If this structure remains, it would be a hindrance to our department’s efforts to progressively mitigate the highest potential flood loss areas in the county.  It would also fail to give any financial relief and assistance to property owners whose homes have suffered massive property damage.

Alternative #2: The most feasible action is to acquire, demolish and construct a retention basin on the property.  By doing so would lessen the loss of life and property in this area.  This action would not put our public safety officers at risk in future flooding events.

Alternative #3: Elevation would prevent the structure from being damaged in a 100-year flood.  However, the costs associated with the elevation of the existing structure would be a minimum of $50,000.00.  This is a conservative estimate and does not take into account that this structure has suffered damage to such an extent that elevation is not even feasible.  Therefore, elevation is not viewed as a practical alternative to acquisition and demolition and restricting the use of the land. Even though the house would be elevated, the property would still be at risk for property damage and physical danger to the property owner from future flooding.  Owners or tenants would still be in danger if floodwaters prevented them from leaving their house in a safe and timely manner, which would necessitate the effort and expense of rescue.  There are also environmental problems associated with flooding, such as sewers backing up, hazardous materials floating from upstream, etc.  Elevation would also alleviate the option of phasing the land into a proposed greenway project or neighborhood park.  Either of these options would ultimately benefit a larger segment of the community with little additional annual cost.

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 Tipton County. All comments are due within 30 days of this notice. Tipton County 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:

Shannon Reed, P. E.
8279 Hwy 51 S
Brighton, TN 38011
(901) 837-5900
shannon@tcpw.net

POSTED ON: January 26, 2023

End of Notice