Notice of Availability for Public Review of a Programmatic Environmental Assessment for

Wildfire Mitigation Projects in the State of Utah

Public notification is hereby given by the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) that a draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) is available for
public review. The PEA evaluates wildfire hazard mitigation projects throughout the State of Utah. This
notification is provided pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Executive Order (EO) 11988 - Floodplain Management, EO
11990 - Wetland Protection, and agency implementation procedures, including 44 CFR Part 9 and FEMA
Directive 108-1. The PEA has been prepared to evaluate the potential impact of the proposed project on the
human and natural environment in accordance with NEPA.
The purpose of this action is to fund activities that reduce the wildfire hazard in urban interface communities
and reduce hazards that may occur in areas that have experienced a wildfire. Pre-fire hazard mitigation
activities typically include the creation of defensible space and hazardous fuels reduction and are typically
located within 2 miles of at-risk structures. Post-fire hazard mitigation activities typically occur within, or
adjacent to, a burn scar. Post-fire hazard mitigation includes a variety of activities that may generally be
categorized as soil stabilization, flood reduction, erosion control, or reforestation/reseeding projects. Wildfire
hazard mitigation activities are funded under FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) and other programs,
as authorized by the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (Stafford
Act).
FEMA has determined that the hazard mitigation activities could result in short-term impacts on soils and
topography, air quality, visual quality and aesthetics, water quality and water resources, floodplains, wetlands,
wild and scenic rivers, vegetation, fish and wildlife, threatened and endangered species, cultural resources,
public health and safety, noise, traffic and transportation, public services and utilities, and hazardous materials.
Appropriate mitigation measures for the impacts have been described in the PEA and will be implemented in
accordance with federal and state law. In the long-term, the hazard mitigation activities would provide benefits
to the identified resources by reducing the risk of wildfires and post-fire impacts such as flash flooding,
mudslides, and erosion.
The draft PEA will be available electronically at the following web site:
https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/181086
A public comment period related to the Proposed Action will remain open for 30 days following publication of
this notice. Interested parties may submit comments or request additional information by contacting: