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 West Virginia Housing Development Fund (WVHDF), 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. The activity is funded under the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) under Grant Number M20-SF540100. The proposed project is located in Elkins, Randolph County, WV. The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate an existing multifamily residential rental building that will contain 15 units serving families, that will be known as Riverview Apartments (the Project). The Project contains one building at the following contiguous parcels:
914 South Davis Avenue, Elkins, Randolph County, WV 26241
918 1/2 South Davis Avenue, Elkins, Randolph County, WV 26241 (portion of the parcel is in 100- Year Floodplain)
The purpose of the Project is to rehabilitate one building that will contain 15 residential rental units for families making up to 60% of the area median income. HOME is one of the project’s funding sources. The project site is comprised of two contiguous parcels, which total approximately 0.44 acres. The parcel containing the building is not in the floodplain. The parcel containing the parking area, is in the 100-year floodplain and totals approximately 0.15 acres.
WVHDF evaluated the prosed Project action and determined the following to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. Determination 1: There will be minimal ground disturbance, which will be landscaping typically associated with rehabilitation, on the Project’s parcel within the 100-year floodplain, will have a de minimis impact of the floodplain. However, in the event of a flood, the NWS notifications in conjunction with the city’s wide-area notifications will permit Project tenants ample time to safely shelter in place or evacuate. Determination 2: The Project’s parcel containing the building, where rehabilitation will occur, is not located in the 100-year floodplain. The Project’s parcel containing the parking area is within the 100-year floodplain. The parcel within the 100-year floodplain will have minimal ground disturbance associated with landscaping typically related with rehabilitation. The WVHDF speculates that there will be minimal adverse impacts to the 100-year floodplain. Determination 3: The WVHDF speculates there will be minimal adverse impacts to the natural values within the floodplain, since the site was previously disturbed, and structures currently or formerly occupied the parcel. In addition, the United Stated Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, has determined the Project’s rehabilitation will not affect federally listed endangered or threatened species.
WVHDF has reevaluated the three-preceding determinations regarding the rehabilitation of the Project in the floodplain. WVHDF finds the determinations to be acceptable. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, 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 WVHDF at the following email or physical address on or before March 15, 2021: [email protected] or WVHDF, 5710 MacCorkle Ave., SE, Charleston, WV 25304, Attn: Erica L. Boggess, Executive Director, 304-391-8663. A full description of the Project will be made available for review either electronically or by U.S. mail, via request to either of the two addresses previously listed.
Publication Date: March 6, 2021