100 Year Floodplain Notice

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed
Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies, including U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, West Virginia Department of Transportation, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, West Virginia Development Office, Tucker County Commission, City of Parsons, Town of Hambleton, Town of Hendricks, Tucker County Economic Development Authority and all other interested groups and individuals.
This is to give notice that the Tucker County Commission under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential effect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for Small Cities Block Grant (SCBG) program under Project Number 14SCBG0009. The proposed project is located along Location Road in Parsons, as well as in the communities of St. George, Holly Meadows and the Town of Hendricks, all of which are in Tucker County, West Virginia. This project will extend water service to Location Road. Planned upgrades include painting a 200,000-gallon tank, replacing a service line in the St. George and Holly Meadows areas, installing satellite telemetry at the Lead Mine Tank booster station and replacing the St. George valve vault. Under five acres of the project are located in the floodplain, and no infrastructure will be constructed above ground.
The Tucker County Commission has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: there are no alternative sites to implement this project, as there is no potable water along Location Road, and public water is needed to promote public health and welfare. In addition, the above-described improvements are necessary to ensure Hamrick PSD’s customers continue receiving a reliable source of potable water. Very few sections of the project are located in the floodplain, occurring only where a creek is in close proximity to the road or the water line is being installed through the creek. The project will be designed or modified to minimize harm to or within the floodplain in the following manner: Best management practices (BMPs) will be used at the direction of the project engineer (set forth design modifications and mitigating measures to minimize and lessen adverse impacts). The project conforms to all applicable state and local floodplain protection measures.
The Tucker County Commission has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990 are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons: Floodplain disturbance will be minimal, and no long-term environmental impacts are anticipated.The list of agencies that are involved with the project or have opportunity to comment on it includes: Tucker County Commission, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, West Virginia Division of Culture and History, U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the Tucker County Commission at the following address on or before July 20, 2015: Tucker County Commission, 211 First Street, Suite 307, Parsons, WV 26287 and 304-478-2866, ext. 207, Attention: Lowell Moore, President. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the address listed above. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected].
Date: July 8, 2015.