Final Notice and Public

Explanation of a Proposed Activity in the

100-Year Floodplain and Wetland

Date: February 16, 2024

Name of Responsible Entity: City of Carrabelle

Address: 1206 Highway 98 East

Carrabelle, Florida 32322

Contact: Courtney Millender, City Administrator

Telephone Number: (850) 697-2727

To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that the City of Carrabelle has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Orders 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 to determine the potential affect that the activity in the floodplain and/or wetland will have on the environment. The activity is funded by the Florida Commerce Department (Florida Commerce) Community Development Block GrantDisaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program under subgrant agreement number M0175.

Lanark West Gravity Sewer Infiltration and Inflow Improvements Project:

The City of Carrabelle has been awarded $1,444,315.00 for the Lanark West Gravity Sewer Infiltration and Inflow Improvements Project. The purpose of the project is to address the infiltration and inflow of stormwater into the City of Carrabelles Sanitary Sewer Collection System caused by Hurricane Michael. The city continues to make great stride with its recovery efforts, much of the critical infrastructure including the Sanitary Sewer and Portable Water Systems impacted by Hurricane Michael remains in need of repair, rebuilding and/or fortification.

The City of Carrabelle plans to rehabilitate by slip lining 5,700 linear feet of sanitary sewer lines and repair fourteen (14) sanitary sewer manholes owned and maintained by the City, to address storm water and storm surge inflow and infiltration into the Citys sanitary sewer collection system. The proposed work will serve portions of Newman Drive, Collins Avenue, Parker Avenue, and Carl King Street in Lanark Village. Some of the proposed slip lining of 5,700 linear feet of sanitary sewer lines and repair of fourteen (14) manholes will be located within approximately 5 acres of floodplain in Zones AE, VE, and/or Shaded X and will be located within approximately .05 acres of a Riverine Unknown Perennial Unconsolidated Bottom Permanently Flooded (R5UBH) wetland and in close proximity to a 1.16 acre Palustrine Unconsolidated Bottom Permanently Flooded Excavated (PUBHx) freshwater pond wetland.

Activity: Construction

Project Description: Slip lining 5,700 L.F. of sanitary sewer lines and repair fourteen (14) sanitary sewer manholes

CDBG Amount: $1,259,010.25

Local Match: $ 0.00

Total: $1,259,010.25

Activity: 21A Administration

CDBG Amount: $ 72,215.75

Local Match: $ 0.00

Total: $ 72,215.75

Activity: 016 Engineering

CDBG Amount: $ 113,089.00

Local Match: $ 0.00

Total: $ 113,089.00

Total CDBG: $1,444,315.00

Total Local Match: $ 0.00

Total CDBG and

Local Match: $1,444,315.00

A portion of the Citys proposed Lanark West Gravity Sewer Infiltration and Inflow Improvements Project will be constructed in approximately 5 acres of the 100-year-floodplain and approximately .05 acres in a wetland.

As a result of the proposed project, a minimal amount of additional impervious areas may be created in the Service Areas included in this project. In the case where new impervious surfaces are being created, storm drainage improvements will be included in the design and construction of the project to offset the impact of the additional impervious surfaces being created.

These activities will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reason:

The proposed project will make improvements to existing sanitary sewer collection system The improvements include slip lining the existing sanitary sewer collection system piping and lining or replacing the existing manholes in the sanitary sewer collection system in the project area. The City of Carrabelle does not anticipate any additional impervious areas will be created by the proposed activities in the 100-year floodplain areas.

The City of Carrabelle has evaluated and considered the potential options for completing this project outside the wetlands and/or the 100-year floodplain and determined that due to the fact the entire project area is in a floodplain, there is no possible or feasible way to relocate the sanitary sewer collection system lines and manholes outside of the floodplains in the project area.

The City of Carrabelle considered removing the sanitary sewer collection system entirely. However, the existing residential housing units located in the service area are required to be served by sanitary sewer and there is no other feasible place to install the sanitary sewer collection system except within the existing floodplain.

Finally, the City considered the option of simply not moving forward with the project. This option would allow the inflow and infiltration currently entering the sanitary sewer collection system to continue resulting in future pipe failures, resulting potholes and excessive effluent flows during significant storm events entering the wastewater treatment plant increasing the possibility of the failure of the wastewater treatment plant failing and ceasing to operate.

The City concluded while the proposed project is located in the 100-year floodplain and/or in a wetland, the best approach to addressing the access needs of the community, is to make improvements to the existing sanitary sewer collection system as initially proposed. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, 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.

Although the project will be located in a floodplain and/or wetland, the City of Carrabelle believes that the current location of the proposed improvements cannot be undertaken in any other location due to the need of the sanitary sewer collection system to provide the residents in the Service Area with acceptable sanitary sewer disposal. There is, therefore, no practicable alternative than to continue with the project as proposed.

The proposed improvements conform to applicable floodplain and wetlands protection standards. The proposed action will not affect natural or beneficial floodplain and/or wetland values, and residents of the community will benefit from the project.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains and/or 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 floodplains and/or wetlands, 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 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 and or wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Courtney Millender, City Administrator, at 1206 Highway 98 East, Carrabelle, Florida 32322 or by phone at (850) 697-2727 on or before February 26, 2024. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 1206 Highway 98 East, Carrabelle, Florida 32322. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Courtney Millender, City Administrator at (850) 697-2727. Comments may also be submitted by email to administrator@mycarrabelle.com.

Brenda LaPaz, Mayor

Environmental Certifying Official

1206 Highway 98 East

Carrabelle, Florida 32322

Telephone Number (850) 697-2727

Feb 16, 2024