Public Notice

20335 May 20
CITY OF MORGANTOWN, WV
Final Notice and Public Explanation of Proposed Activities
that may bein a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) Designated Floodplain
Publication Date: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the City of Morgantown under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for FY 2026 through FY 2028 (Grant Nos. B-26-MC-54-0007 through B-28-MC-54-0007) may be located in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) designated floodplain, and the City of Morgantown will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the actions within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed actions, as required by Executive Order 11988 and amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed action will be within the City of Morgantown, Monongalia County, West Virginia and specific locations will be identified as eligible activities are determined. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain for each activity under the following action will be determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach. The nature of the proposed demolition and rehabilitation actions to existing dwelling units will not affect wetlands, should they exist within the project sites.
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTIONS:
The following activity planned for FY 2026–FY 2028 may require the 8-Step Decision-Making Process under 24 CFR 55.20 if an individual rehabilitation action is located within the FFRMS Floodplain and meets the definition of a “substantial improvement” under 24 CFR 55.2(b)(12). For any action that qualifies as a substantial improvement, the City of Morgantown will evaluate practicable alternatives and identify mitigation measures once eligible projects and their proximity to the floodplain are confirmed. For individual rehabilitation actions located in the FFRMS Floodplain that do not meet the substantial-improvement threshold, the City will complete the Modified 5-Step Decision-Making Process under 24 CFR 55.14.
• CD-26-05 Healthy Homes Rehabilitation: CDBG funds will be
used for the replacement of HVAC, hot water tanks, and/or roofs of
income eligible owner-occupied housing. The project budget for FY
2026 is $50,000.00, with an estimated allocation of $150,000 from
FY 2026 through FY 2028.
The proposed project involves rehabilitation of existing housing units only. Specific addresses will be identified as eligible units are selected. The total number of units rehabilitated will depend on available funding and individual project costs. No new ground disturbance or major tree removal will occur.
For each property, the City of Morgantown will request Section 106 review from the West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office to determine whether the rehabilitation work may affect historic, cultural, or archaeological resources.
The planned rehabilitation activities are not expected to adversely affect the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain, such as floodwater storage and conveyance, groundwater recharge, erosion control, water quality, or habitat. They are also not expected to diminish the floodplain’s recreational, educational, scientific, historic, or cultural values.
For any rehabilitation activity that qualifies as a “substantial improvement” within the FFRMS Floodplain, the City will evaluate practicable alternatives and identify mitigation measures to minimize impacts and to preserve floodplain functions and values. These include, but are not limited to, floodwater storage, groundwater recharge, erosion control, water quality, habitat, and recreational, educational, scientific, historic, and cultural values.
The City’s 8-Step Decision-Making Process will document why the action must occur in the floodplain, the alternatives considered, and any mitigation measures required. Environmental documentation demonstrating compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, will be available for public review at the time and location listed in the final paragraph of this notice.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain 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 floodplain 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 floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the City Manager’s Office on or before Wednesday, May 27, 2026, or seven (7) calendar days from the date of the publication of this notice. Written comments may be submitted to City of Morgantown either by mail to ATTN: Robyn Hess, Grant Writer, 389 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26505 or by email to [email protected]. A full description of this project/activity may also be reviewed during normal business hours from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday at 430 Spruce Street, Morgantown, WV 26505.
Jamie Miller, City Manager
City of Morgantown
389 Spruce Street
Morgantown, WV 26505