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FIRST INSERTION
Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed
Activity in a Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetland
To: All interested Agencies [Housing and Urban Development, US Army Corps of Engineers, US Fish and Wildlife, Florida Department of Commerce, City of Arcadia, Southwest Florida Water Management District], Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that Arcadia (under 24 CFR Part 58) has determined that the following proposed action - under Florida Department of Commerce and Housing and Urban Development (Grant No. MT045), is located in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and wetland, and the city of Arcadia and George F. Young Inc. will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and wetland, and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and/or Executive Order 11990, 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 City of Arcadia (in DeSoto County) has proposed a drainage improvement project to the Jordan Branch (Channel Tributary E) which runs from Highway 17 and Maple Street southwest to W Magnolia Street and S Dade Avenue, then west to the railroad, then north to W Hickory Street where it crosses under the railroad and into the Peace River. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach. This project includes the widening and stabilizing of 1.35 miles of the drainage channel, the replacement of 17 box culverts to prevent major flooding and increase outfall volume to the Peace River. The project is within a riverine wetland, and a FFRMS 100 and 500-year floodplain. There is also a 5.5-acre wetland located south of the project that will have minor hydrological changes. The floodplain and wetland will be modified to increase storage capacity of floodwaters and prevent properties from being damaged and roadways from being inaccessible. 0.95 acres of floodplain and 1.6 acres of wetland will be temporarily impacted by this project. Funding for this project will be through a Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program (CDBG-MIT).
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain or wetland, 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. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain/wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain/wetland. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important tool for public education. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains or wetlands 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 or wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the City of Arcadia, at the following address on or before November 25, 2024: City of Arcadia, PO Drawer 100, Arcadia, Florida 34265 and 863-494-4114, Attention: Steve Underwood, Public Works Director. A full description of the project may also be reviewed Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm at 23 N. Polk Avenue, Arcadia, Florida 34266. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected].
Date: October 25, 2024
October 25, 2024 24-01009T