Hazard Mitigation Grants
Joint Federal, State, Local Public Notice
The Federal emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) have received an application for Federal grant funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Funding for this grant was made available after the 4286 Presidential declaration was made regarding Hurricane Matthew of October 2016. 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.
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 and 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.
Applicant: City of Hartsville
Project Title: Generators for Lift Stations and Well Sites
Project Description:
In order to alleviate loss of function during natural disasters and allow the City of Hartsville to respond quickly and adequately and be self-sustaining in times of disaster, generators will be needed for four well sites and two large sewer lift stations. Having this backup power source will allow the City to ensure access to clean water for our residents during crisis situations and ensure that our sewer lift stations will not overflow into nearby aquatic habitats, poisoning natural environments and the source of much of our drinking water. The City will continue monitoring floodplain protection standards. Of the sites identified as critical infrastructures, only one is located within a floodzone.
Project Location:
The City has identified for 4 well sites and 2 lift stations as critical structures needing generators to ensure self-sustainability in crisis situations. Although there are several generators that the City of Hartsville wishes to acquire, one of the locations, The Northrup King Lift Station, is located in a floodzone. This determination was obtained through the use of a Firm map. This is one of the primary lift stations that will need a generator installed in order to ensure access to clean water for our residents during crisis situations.
Alternatives Considered:
An alternative to this project would be to continue relying on Darlington County or surrounding County assistance. Mutual aid agreements would be discussed in this alternative project and passed by Hartsville City Council. Any fees associated with using other entities’ utilities would be discussed through the creation of these documents. An additional alternative would be to rent generators through a third party. However, there is no guarantee that this equipment will be available at the time or be accessible to the City should an entire region be affected by a natural disaster.
Comments Period:
The City of Hartsville will be responsible for facilitating and monitoring the proposed project. Interested persons may direct any comments or questions to Rebecca Edwards at 843.917.0602 or Rebecca.edwards@hartsvillesc.gov. These are due within 30 days of this notice.
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