FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
American Samoa Disaster Relief Office
Fagatogo Stormwater Modification Project
FEMA-1506-DR-AS, HMGP #1506-4

The American Samoa Disaster Relief Office (ASDRO) has applied to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for funds to conduct a flood control project in the village of Fagatogo. FEMA is proposing to fund the project through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) under the presidential disaster declaration FEMA-1506-DR-AS for Cyclone Heta, which occurred in January 2004.

ASDRO has identified the need to reduce the hazard caused by the flooding of three drainage channels in Fagatogo: Lealao’o Stream or Market Stream (Market Stream), Matai Stream or Metro Stream (Metro Stream), and ANZ Stream.  Along Market Stream, ASDRO would excavate 300 linear feet of the existing concrete channel and install a covered box drain measuring 9 feet wide and 4 feet 8 inches high.  ASDRO would also place riprap to reinforce an existing culvert, install several small trench drains to capture subsidiary flows, install bollards to reinforce an existing debris rack, and install gabions to prevent erosion.  Along Metro Stream, ASDRO would excavate 265 linear feet of the existing stream channel and install a covered box drain measuring 6 feet wide and 4 feet high.  ASDRO would also replace an existing culvert and relocate a utility line under the stream channel.  ANZ Stream currently has no defined channel; therefore, ASDRO would excavate approximately 725 linear feet of roadway and install a covered box drain measuring 6 feet wide by 3 feet 4 inches high.  This box drain would run under the Fagatogo Malae and empty into the downstream end of Metro Stream.  At the upstream end of ANZ stream, ASDRO would replace an existing culvert and install bollards and a debris rack.  The construction would require excavation within all three streambeds. Staging areas would be located within paved and other previously disturbed areas near the project area. The project would involve the removal of some vegetation along the streams’ embankments. Construction would occur during the non-cyclone months (April through October) and would be completed within 270 days.

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, FEMA has prepared a Final Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Fagatogo Stormwater Modification Project (April 2008) to evaluate the impacts of the Proposed Action on the environment. The Final EA was prepared after a Draft EA was submitted for public review and comment. FEMA received no comments on the Draft EA. The Final EA is available online at www.fema.gov/plan/ehp/envdocuments/ea-region9.shtm.

Based upon the conditions and the information contained in the Final EA, and in accordance with FEMA’s regulations in 44 CFR Part 10 (Environmental Considerations) and Executive Order (EO) 11988 (Floodplain Management), EO 11990 (Protection of Wetlands), and EO 12898 (Environmental Justice), the following is concluded:

A Finding of No Significant Impact. Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be prepared because the Proposed Action will be not result in any long-term adverse impacts on the environment. This Finding of No Significant Impact serves as the final notice for compliance with EO 11998. Floodplain information required by 44 CFR Part 9.12(e) is provided in the Final EA. For more information, contact the undersigned at (510) 627-7027. No action will be allowed to occur until 15 days after publication of this Finding of No Significant Impact.


	
Alessandro Amaglio	Date
Region IX Environmental Officer