FINAL PUBLIC NOTICE 
HPMG-4683-01098-0058 
LAURO RESERVOIR MULTI-BENEFIT FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT 
COUNTY OF SANTA BARBARA 

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) proposes to provide federal financial assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program to the Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board (Subapplicant) in Santa Barbara County, California.  The Cachuma Operation and Maintenance Board is proposing to remove two existing asphalt and gravel channel sections of the Lauro Reservoir Bypass Channel and install a more robust, reinforced concrete bypass channel with curbs and retaining walls to match previously improved sections around Lauro Reservoir.  Due to the geology and vulnerabilities of the unimproved sections, significant washouts and damages have occurred multiple times to the bypass channel during winter storm season.  

The Proposed Action includes removal of the current asphalt and gravel road sections of Lauro Reservoir Bypass Channel, and installation of a significantly more robust reinforced concrete bypass channel with curbs and retaining walls to match previously improved sections around Lauro Reservoir. There would be three separate unimproved sections of the channel/road that would be improved; East Bypass Channel Section, a 300-foot long section of gravel/asphalt channel that would be replaced with a concrete channel and retaining walls, West Bypass Channel Section, a 500-feet long section of gravel and asphalt channel would be replaced with concrete channel and retaining walls, and Access Road, a 200-feet long access road from the dam crest to the bypass channel which will be reconstructed with geogrid reinforced fill with a curbed asphalt road.  Two existing storm drain drop inlets would be reconstructed and connected to the 24” existing HDPE line.  Staging would occur on existing paved access surfaces without any modification. 

The project area is depicted on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel 06083C1378H.  The FIRM shows that the Proposed Action is within Flood Zone X.  The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory map shows Freshwater Pond, Freshwater Forested/Shrub, and Freshwater Emergent Wetland in the project area. 

A map of the project area and its location within the floodplain and wetlands is available for public review. Parties interested in reviewing a copy of the map should contact the FEMA Region 9 Environmental Officer using contact information provided in this notice. 

Alternatives to the Proposed Action considered included the No Action Alternative.  Under the No Action Alternative, no improvements would be made to the bypass channels, with unacceptable risk to water service and water quality 

FEMA has determined that the Proposed Action is the only practicable alternative available; therefore, the Proposed Action must occur within the floodplain. The Proposed Action would not have a significant adverse impact on the floodplain or wetlands and would benefit the area by reducing the risk of flooding and overwhelming infrastructure. 

Additional information about the Proposed Action may be requested by writing to the FEMA Region 9 Environmental Officer at FEMA, 1111 Broadway, Suite 1200, Oakland, California 94607, or FEMA-R9-EHP@FEMA.DHS.GOV. All requests should be received no later than 15 days after publication of this notice. No action will be taken before this date.