The Pender County Housing Authority has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) Program funding through the North Carolina Emergency Management (NCEM) as a sub- recipient.

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, and to provide a 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.

Sub-Applicant: Pender County Housing Authority

Project Title: Repairs for County Court Apartments

Location of Proposed Work:

 100-Year Flood Zone: This project is for repairs to the Pender County Housing Authority County Court Apartments which are located adjacent to a 100-Year Flood Zone. Confirmation of location adjacent to a 100-Year Flood Zone (AE Zone) was determined by the latest Flood Insurance Rate Map, Panel Number: 3720228600J. The proposed work conforms to all applicable State of North Carolina and local floodplain regulations. The proposed work will take place near wetland classification PFO1C per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory. The actions will have little potential to impact or affect wetland values. There is a potential for the facility to be impacted by similar flooding events due to its location adjacent to a 100-Year Flood Zone. As such, measures have been identified to protect these facilities against future flooding events, as well as minimize the short-term and long-term impacts on the floodplain.

Proposed Work and Purpose:

The Pender County Housing Authority will utilize contracts to repair the County Court Apartments back to pre-disaster design, function, and capacity. Repairs will consist of removal and replacement of electrical wiring, insulation, windows (panes, trim), both metal and wooden doors and door frames, HVAC system, GE water heater, air conditioning duct, asphalt shingles, baseboard, flooring, drywall, AC duplex outlets, pole light switch, light fixtures, shelves, clothes hanging rod, shower unit, cabinets, sink vanity, toilets, faucets, vent fan, medicine cabinets, smoke detectors, and countertops. Mitigation will be applied to prevent or reduce future damages by elevating appliances, upgrading door and window frames to water-proof material, weather-proofing exterior, and installing foam insulation in walls. A goal of this project is to minimize the impact of floods on human health, safety, and welfare and increase the useful life of the structure.

Project Alternatives:

Alternative #1 (no action alternative): The ‘no action’ alternative would ultimately result in a negative impact on the County Court Apartments. The apartments function as a crucially important social, economic, and residential resource.

Alternative #2: The Pender County Housing Authority has considered elevating appliances, upgrading door and window frames to water-proof material, weather-proofing exterior, and installing foam insulation in walls. This improvement will increase the useful life of the facility and protect the facility from future flood events of a similar nature.

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:

FEMA Internal 11988 Reviewer
FEMA Region 4
3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road
Atlanta, Georgia, 30341

Alternatively, comments may be emailed to: FEMA-R4EHP@fema.dhs.gov. Please send comments with the subject line [DR-4393-NC-01211 11988 COMMENT].

All comments are due by no later than 15 days of the posted date of this notice.

POSTED ON: 8/12/2019

End of Notice

HAMPSTEAD – Pender County Utilities lifted the Stage 3 Mandatory Water Restriction, today in the Hampstead and Scotts Hill areas of Eastern Pender County.

“We are currently in a moderate drought classification,” said Kenny Keel, Pender County Utilities (PCU) director. “Water usage levels have declined to a more acceptable volume within the supply capacity of the water system.”

Using caution, PCU has issued a Stage 1 Voluntary Water Restrictions for PCU consumers in the Hampstead and Scotts Hill areas.

“We are asking water users to reduce their normal water use by at least 5 percent,” said Keel.

Voluntary water conservation and efficiency measures include the following:
• Irrigate landscapes a maximum of one inch per week.
• Prevent water waste, runoff, and do not water impervious surfaces.
• Water plants deeply to encourage root growth.
• Wash only full loads in clothes and dishwashers.
• Use spring-loaded nozzles on garden hoses.
• Identify and repair all water leaks.
• Water shrubbery the minimum amount required.
• Limit vehicle and boat washing to the minimum.
• Refrain from washing down outside areas such as sidewalks and patios.
• Use showers for bathing rather than baths, and limit showers to no more than four minutes.
• Refrain from leaving faucets running while shaving or while rinsing dishes.
• Install water-flow restrictive devices in showerheads.
• Use disposable and biodegradable dishes.
• Install water-saving devices such as plastic bottles or commercial units in toilet tanks to reduce volume.
• Ensure toilet flapper valves are not leaking: This flapper can be checked by adding a food coloring to the toilet tank and visually checking to see if the color appears in the bowl. If it does show color, the toilet is leaking.
• Store drinking water in refrigerator to avoid trying to run it until cool from the tap.

“Water users are encouraged to reduce their water use and improve water use efficiency, and to adjust their irrigation systems to the minimum sustainable level, in order to help alleviate stress on the water system,” said Keel. “Water supply conditions indicate a potential for shortage.”

Keel said he appreciates the understanding and cooperation of Hampstead and Scotts Hill consumers. For more information contact Pender County Utilities at 910-259-1570.