Explanation of a Proposed
Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies, Groups
and Individuals
This is to give notice that the Wyoming County Commission under 2 CFR Part 58 conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988. The activity is funded under the Eastern Wyoming Public Service District (PSD) Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project and Appalachian Regional Commission Grant WV-20493. The Hinton Combined Sewer Overflows Abatement Project will provide improved water service to 1,632 customers in southeastern Wyoming County, WV. The project consists of construction of a secondary raw water source via construction of river water intake screens and assembly, raw water pumping, chemical addition, pre-sedimentation basins (including mixing, flocculation and settling zones), treatment building, filtration, disinfection, clear well, backwash water facilities, sludge handling and pumping systems, a secondary 700-gallons per minute treatment train and other related appurtenances at the Stephenson Water Treatment Plant. The purpose of this project is to provide improved water service to 1,632 customers and provide a secondary water source for disaster resiliency should the current single water source fail. A total of less than 0.01 acre of uninsurable intake screen, assembly, and below grade water lines are proposed in the floodplain of the Guyandotte River. The proposed project is located at the existing Eastern Wyoming PSD Water Treatment Plant at 13 Water Plant Road, Stephenson, Wyoming County, WV.
The Wyoming 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: The Wyoming County Commission proposes to locate the following project in a floodplain: Portions of the proposed water line installation in the Guyandotte River will be located in and near areas designated as flood hazard areas as part of the Eastern Wyoming PSD Water Treatment Plant Upgrade Project. The improvements within these identified areas would consist of, for the most part, below grade water lines, dual intake screens, and an intake assembly.
The facts and reasons for locating the above project in the floodplain are as follows: The construction of cost-effective water lines to provide dependable water service to the Eastern Wyoming PSD area residents dictates the use of property in or near flood hazard areas. To achieve this goal the location of some of the water lines and appurtenances must be located in and near the natural streams and watershed areas.
All significant facts considered in making the determination including alternative sites, designs, and actions are as follows: The portion of proposed Eastern Wyoming Treatment Plant Upgrade Project adjacent to the Guyandotte River in Stephenson, WV will require installation of water lines and appurtenances in floodplain areas. While there is no stream crossing proposed with the Eastern Wyoming Treatment Plant Upgrade Project the raw water dual intake screens, assembly, and a portion of below grade water lines are planned in the Guyandotte River. The location and design of water lines is dictated by engineering and topographic requirements, the nature of the project to provide a raw water source, and by the amount of available funding for the project. The water line and appurtenances installation are to be done in compliance with acceptable floodplain standards.
The project will be designed or modified to minimize harm to or within the floodplain in the following manner: The project will conform to applicable state and local floodplain standards. The National Flood Insurance Program criteria are not appropriate for the project because of the following reasons: The improvements themselves due to their nature are not insurable.
The project will affect the natural or beneficial floodplain values in the following manner: The project may actually enhance the floodplain by removal of debris in the affected flood plain areas during the construction phase of the project which may have a positive impact of reducing the loss of property and damage experienced during flooding events.
There are no foreseeable negative impacts upon the floodplain from this project.
The Wyoming 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 three through six of Executive Order 11988, are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request by appointment as 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 the Wyoming County Commission at the following address on or before October 8, 2025: Wyoming County Commission c/o Region I Planning & Development Council, 241 Mercer Springs Road, Suite 21, Princeton, WV 24740 and (304) 431-7225, Attention: Jason Mullins, President. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:30 A.M. until 4:30 P.M. M-F at the address above by appointment only.
Date: September 30, 2025