The County of Kauai requests an authorization for the Corps of Engineers to carry out all activities, including construction, associated with making modifications to the existing Corps constructed levees at Hanapepe and Waimea Rivers. A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers examination of dams and levees found the levees on the Hanapepe and Waimea Rivers among the most at-risk levees in the nation. Flood damage reduction improvements are critically important to protect residents and reduce damages to public and private property behind the Waimea and Hanapepe levee systems.
In 2009 the USACE was hired by the County to perform hydrology, hydraulic and risk and uncertainty studies on the two levees in order to determine if the levees could maintain their FEMA certification. It was determined that the levees no longer meet the FEMA certification height requirements. The loss of that certification means homeowners near the levee systems will need to purchase flood insurance, which was not a pervious requirement. The County estimates that 319 parcels in Waimea and 133 parcels in Hanapepe will be impacted by the proposed de-certification. According to FEMA, the flood insurance will not be required until February 2010, however, it is going to be an extreme financial hardship for many of these homeowners who are low income residents and families.
The Hanapepe River Levee, which was constructed in 1966, is located on both banks of the Hanapepe River as it flows through the town of Hanapepe. In order to meet the FEMA certification height requirements, the left bank will need to be raised by 2.1 feet and the right bank levee will need to be raised by 2.3 to 7.3 feet in certain locations.
The Waimea River Levee was constructed in 1984 and is located on the left bank of the Waimea River which flows through the Town of Waimea. In order to meet the FEMA certification height requirements, the levee will need to be raised by 2.2 to 3.0 in certain locations.
The authorization amount requested is $30,000,000, cost-shared between the U.S. Army Corps and the County of Kauai.
