Notice of Early Public Review Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Floodplain and Wetland
To: All interested Agencies including the Missouri Department of Economic Development, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Federal and State Emergency Management Agencies, the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Fish & Wildlife, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, and the Environmental Protection Agency, etc., Groups and Individuals.
This is to give notice that the Cole County Commission as the Responsible Entity under Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383) Community Development Block Grant project number 2021-WS-02 is located in the 100-year floodplain and wetland, and the Cole County Commission will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action in the floodplain and wetland and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.
The purpose of this project is to control stormwater flooding in a residential neighborhood. The project is located in Section 13, Township 44 North, Range 13 West, Cole County, Missouri (Latitude: 38.5607, Longitude: -92.2996). The project area is in a residential neighborhood in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri, bounded by Amanda Drive, on the west, Jasper Lane on the east, South Brooks Drive to the south except for two drainage areas running under South Brooks to the south, and Bagnell Drive to the north that is prone to flooding during storm events. The County proposes to build a 2.4-acre detention basin located north of Bagnell Drive, near the end of Jasper Lane, behind the houses on the north side of Bagnell Drive, north of Jasper Lane and Bradley Drive intersections with Bagnell Drive. This basin will be able to manage an additional 28.5 acre-feet of detention volume, which will help reduce the impact of a moderate to heavy rain event. The existing drainage areas between Bradley and Jasper, Bradley and South Brooks Drive and Bradley and Amanda Drive will have low-flow enclosed storm sewers installed and the ditches re-graded and recontoured. The two areas along South Brooks will have new inlets and enclosed pipes installed to facilitate water flow through the secondary channels into the larger channels Working Together to Serve south of South Brooks. Approximately 1,750 feet of ditch will be reconstructed, 2,721 linear feet of enclosed storm sewer added, and 29 inlets and drop boxes will be installed to accommodate flow into the new systems. The total project area is approximately 46 acres. These improvements will increase stormwater capacity thereby reducing the likelihood that rain events will create flash flooding downstream, and the redesigning of drainage ditches will eliminate areas of pooling and ponding thereby reducing mosquito infestation.
The National Wetlands Inventory lists a pond which historically existed north of South Brooks Drive between Truman Drive and Amanda Drive. This is classified as a nontidal wetland, code PUBK (Palustrine, Unconsolidated Bottom, Artificially Flooded) dominated by trees, shrubs, and persistent emergences, where flooding is controlled by dikes, berms and or dams, however the area has been developed into a residential subdivision and homes now occupy this land. The National Wetlands Inventory also lists a riverine wetland which is part of the existing drainage area between Bradley Drive and Jasper Lane. This is a nontidal wetland, classification code R4SBC (Riverine Intermittent Streambed, Seasonally Flooded). There is another riverine wetland listed which is part of the existing drainage area running south of South Brooks Drive. This is a nontidal wetland, classification code R4SBCx (Riverine Intermittent Streambed, Seasonally Flooded, Excavated). R4SBC features only carry surface water in their channels at certain times of the year or after precipitation or melting events. These riverine wetlands are dry unless there is a major rain event and are no longer true wetlands due to construction alterations that have occurred in the area beginning in 1980. According to FEMA, the lower section of the project area near the wetland south of South Brooks Drive is flood zone A, also referred to as 100-year floodplain. The natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain and wetland include floodwater storage and conveyance, groundwater discharge or recharge, erosion control, water quality maintenance, and habitat for flora and fauna. This project area’s wetlands and floodplain are not known to have any significant recreational, educational, historic, scientific, or cultural values. Approximately 5 acres of existing and/or historical wetland and 3 acres of floodplain are within the project area and may be affected by the proposed activities.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and wetlands 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 and wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate impacts. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains and 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 and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the Cole County Commission at the following address on or before July 18, 2024: Cole County Commission, Cole County Courthouse, 311 East High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101, or at (573) 634-8031, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Attention: Sam Bushman, Cole County Commissioner. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the above address. Comments may also be submitted via email at sbushman@colecounty.org.
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Date: July 3, 2024