Final Notice and Public 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 Economic Development Authority under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 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 Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge Project and HUD Community Project Funding B-22-CP-WV-1004. The Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge Project purpose is to provide vehicular access to the Barkers Creek Industrial Park for a manufacturing facility which is to be constructed on the property along WV Route 10 in the community of Bud, Wyoming County, WV. The project consists of construction of an approximately 75-foot single span bridge that will be approximately 28-feet wide. A total of 0.4821 acres of the Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge Project is in the floodplain along WV Route 10. The proposed project is located along WV Route 10 in the community of Bud, Wyoming County, West Virginia.
The Wyoming County Economic Development Authority 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 Economic Development Authority proposes to locate a portion of the Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge Project in a floodplain: Portions of the proposed Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge Project will be located in and near areas designated as flood hazard areas. The improvements within these identified areas would consist of concrete bridge abutments.
The facts and reasons for locating the above project in the floodplain are as follows: The construction of a cost-effective bridge to provide dependable access to the Barkers Creek Industrial Park dictates the use of property in or near flood hazard areas. To achieve this goal the location of some of the bridge components must be located 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 service area along WV Route 10 will require installation of bridge components in floodplain areas. The Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge crosses Barkers Creek but the bridge structure itself is located above the base flood elevation as required for the Project. The location and design of the Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge is dictated by engineering and topographic requirements and by the amount of available funding for the project. The Barkers Creek Industrial Park Bridge installation is 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 structures 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 Economic Development Authority 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, 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 Economic Development Authority at the following address on or before November 13, 2023: Wyoming County Economic Development Authority c/o The Thrasher Group, 155 Blue Angel Lane, Beaver, WV 25813 and (304) 848-6490, Attention: Mike Goode, Chairman. 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. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected].
Date: November 3, 2023