Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland
To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to give notice that the City of Guin has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 11988 and 11990, 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 ADECA’s CDBG Program under Project Number SM-ED-PF-22-004. The proposed project(s) is located at 256 Sawmill Road, Guin, AL 35563. As proposed, the City of Guin will provide municipal water and sewer access to an incoming industry via the extension of approximately 1,100 L.F. of 6-inch sewer line and 390 L.F. of 6-inch water line as well as the removal and disposal of an on-site soil pile. A sixty-foot creek crossing will be required as a part of the sewer extension. To complete the proposed actions, project work will intersect with 0.26 acres of 100-Year Floodplain and 0.26 acres of Freshwater Forested/Shrub wetland, which are adjacent to Purgatory Creek. The proposed project will create eighteen new jobs The City of Guin has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: Alternatives considered include: 1. No action- This alternative is not viable, as municipal water and sewer service would remain unavailable to the incoming industry. 2. Extension via alternate water and sewer line routes- This alternative is possible but not feasible as a pump station would be required, making the alternative cost prohibitive. The proposed alternative is the most direct and financially feasible option. All project work will occur on previously disturbed ground located within railroad or city-owned rights-of-way, or along city-owned utility easements, therefore no disturbance will occur in areas which have not been disturbed previously. Best Management Practices (BMP’s) will be utilized to protect the creek during and after construction. The City of Guin has consulted with appropriate state and federal agencies, receiving the following concurrences and guidance: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service concurred with the understanding any tree clearing take place between October 15th and March 31st and prescribed BMP’s be incorporated into construction plans to avoid impacting water quality; USDA-NRCS concurred stating the project is not subject to the Farmland Protection Policy Act; the Alabama Historical Commission concurred since project work will take place on previously disturbed land; and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concurred stating no DA Permit will be necessary since there will be no discharge of dredged and/or fill material into waters of the U.S. If necessary, any permits required by state or local floodplain and wetland protection procedures will be acquired prior to construction. The City of Guin has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the 100-Year Floodplain and wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of the 8-Step Planning Process for 100-Year Floodplain and wetland, 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 a 100-Year Floodplain and 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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about 100-Year Floodplain and wetland 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 100-Year Floodplain and wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the City of Guin at the following address on or before 12/28/2022: City of Guin, P.O. Box 249 Guin, AL 35563 and 205-468-2242, Attention: Phil Segraves, Mayor. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Guin City Hall, 7500 U.S. Hwy. 43, Guin, AL 35563. Comments may also be submitted via email at themayor47@hotmail.com.
FWN
DEC 21
732