Final Notice and
Public Explanation
of a Proposed Activity in a
100-Year Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies [include all Federal, State, and Local], Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the West Virginia Department of Commerce, West Virginia Community Action and Development (WVCAD) 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 and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the RISE WV Slum and Blight and Bridge Home Programs, HUD grant # B-16-DL-0001. The proposed projects are located in the twelve designated counties of Kanawha, Greenbrier, Clay, Fayette, Jackson, Lincoln, Monroe, Nicholas, Pocahontas, Roane, Summers, and Webster, all located in West Virginia. Project activities include demolition of residential homes and business structures, and replacement or repair of private bridges damaged by the June 2016 flood event. For the Slum and Blight Removal Program, no new structures are being built. Demolition materials will be removed and disposed at approved landfill facilities. No on-site disposal of demolition materials will occur. After demolition, each location will be graded to approximate original contour and the surface seeded with grass and overlain with straw. Outbuildings, garages, and storage buildings will also be demolished at each location. For the Bridge Home Program, damaged and unusable bridge materials will be removed, and bridge repair or replacement will occur.
WVCAD has considered alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. A No Action Alternative does not achieve the State of West Virginia’s goals of promoting planning and implementation of resilience measures to mitigate damage from future weather extremes. Abandoned slum and blight structures may not be demolished, posing a lingering health and safety risk, with possible future storm debris field hazards affecting water quality if subject to flood conditions. Abandoned slum and blight structures would potentially remain unaddressed, also posing a threat to public health and water quality. Not addressing damaged or destroyed private bridges will pose lingering health and safety risks, with possible future storm debris field hazards, unsafe use by vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and isolation of residents that cannot safely reach their homes. Because of the locations of some slum and blight and private bridge structures, removal, repair, and/or replacement activities must be conducted in the floodplain area. Slum and Blight structures located in the floodplain will be removed, returning those areas to a more natural function. Repair and/or replacement of private bridges located in floodplains is needed to reconnect residents to public roads. Multiple measures are being taken to minimize adverse impacts. Evaluation for the presence of wetlands in accordance with the U.S. Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wetlands Inventory, and if necessary, an on-site wetlands inspection and delineation will occur, with applicable permits obtained in compliance with Executive Order 11990. All sites will be reviewed under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and evaluated under the Farmland Protection Policy Act of 1981. An environmental review will be conducted on each site to determine the presence of contaminants and/or toxic substances.
WVCAD has reevaluated the alternatives to stated activities 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 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.
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 and request for public comment about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts 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 WVCAD on or before November 14, 2018. Submit comments to: Jennifer Ferrell, West Virginia Community Advancement and Development, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Building 3, Suite 700, Charleston, WV 25305. A full description of the projects may also be reviewed weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the same address. Comments may also be submitted via email at
[email protected].
11-6-TUE-1-RH; LG 166310
ID: 166310