Forbush Mill Road Drain Replacement Project

PUBLIC NOTICE

Pursuant to Executive Orders 11998 (Floodplain) and 11990 (Wetlands) and Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) implementing regulations at Title 44 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 9, FEMA hereby provides final notice of its decision to provide Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding for an action located near a wetland and in a floodplain. Funding would be provided through the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to the Town of Bolton for the Forbush Mill Road Stream Crossing Improvements project.

The action is located on Forbush Mill Road and would increase capacity of the culvert and reduce flooding in the area. The road crossing at the Still River would be widened and the current, undersized culvert would be replaced with a 16-ft span pre-cast bridge. A 3-sided frame with a natural bottom would be installed, including a 1-foot layer of riffle substrate matching the existing streambed material. The stream banks would be stabilized upstream with riprap to protect the bank from stream scour, and downstream with wetland plantings to improve natural habitat.  Construction work and materials/equipment staging would occur on or adjacent to the right-of-way on Forbush Road. A detour would be in place during construction. A stream bypass for water control using a temporary cofferdam and pump system would be used for work in water.

The project is adjacent to an area of bordering vegetative freshwater forested/shrub wetlands and is partially in a mapped special flood hazard area (0.2% annual flood chance). The project must be in this area due to the nature and purpose of the project. Best Management Practices, including erosion control, would be used and staging would be limited to the right-of-way. A map of the area of available upon request.

Alternatives considered included the “No Action” option, a 9.9-foot span box culvert, and a 14-foot span precast concrete rigid frame. The selected project is the most feasible, flexible, and cost-effective option that also meets state standards and greatly reduces damages from flooding from small and large storm events. Grant conditions will also require compliance with all federal, state, and local laws, including coordination with the local floodplain administrator.

Map requests and comments about this project and potential wetland impacts should be submitted within 15 days of the date of this publication to:

Kari Elkins, Environmental Protection Specialist

Federal Emergency Management Agency, Cambridge, MA

kari.elkins@fema.dhs.gov; (256) 343-3570