Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in the 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland Date: January 13, 2022 Name of Responsible Entity: City of Green Cove Springs Address: 321 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Telephone Number: (904) 297-7500 To: All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals This is to give notice that the City of Green Cove Springs 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 Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program under subgrant agreement 22DB-OP-04-20-02-N22. The City of Green Cove Springs, located in Clay County, Florida, will utilize CDBG assistance to complete the following activities: Service Area #1 Storm Water Piping Replacement Service Area: 03I Flood & Drainage- The existing storm water piping within West Street between Martin Luther King Boulevard on the north and Idlewild Avenue on the South is old and is no longer functioning and needs to be replaced. Approximately 1,000 linear feet of stormwater piping needs to be replaced within Service Area #1. As part of the stormwater piping improvements, the existing sidewalk and curb will have to be removed and replaced and the roadway will need to be rebuilt. The replacement of the storm water piping will include all components required for a complete installation. Activity: 03I Flood and Drainage Replacement of Existing Stormwater Piping CDBG Amount: $280,000.00 Local Match: $ 50,000.00 Total: $330,000.00 Service Area #1 is bound on the north by Martin Luther King Boulevard, on the south by Idlewild Avenue, on the east by the rear property lines of the parcels of property located on the east side of West Street and on the west by the rear property lines of the properties located on the west side of West Street in Green Cove Springs, located in Clay County, Florida. None of the activities in Service Area #1 will be carried out within a floodplain and/or wetland. The activities in Service Area #1 are within Zone X on a flood map. Service Area #2 New Sidewalk Service Area: Activity: 03L Pedestrian malls/Sidewalks-The proposed project includes the installation of approximately 7,700 linear feet of new sidewalk along the following streets: Highlands Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Idlewild Avenue Center Street between Oakridge Avenue and Vermont Street Activity: 03L Pedestrian Malls/Sidewalks - Install New Sidewalks CDBG Amount: $241,000.00 Local Match: $0.00 Total: $241,000.00 None of the activities in Service Area #2 will be carried out within a floodplain and/or wetland. The activities in Service Area #1 are within Zone X on a flood map. Service Area #3 The Vera Francis Park Improvements Service Area: 03F - Parks, Playgrounds - The proposed project includes improvements to Vera Francis Park located at 1503 Martin Luther King Boulevard, in Green Cove Springs, located in Clay County, Florida. The activity proposed in Vera Francis Park is the installation of a shade cover over the existing playground equipment and new picnic facilities. Activity: 03F Parks, Playgrounds Improvements to Vera Francis Park CDBG Amount: $ 70,000.00 Local Match: $ 0.00 Total: $ 70,000.00 Vera Francis Park is located adjacent to Estuarine, Subtitle, Unconsolidated Bottom, Subtidal-salt water (E1UBL) and Palustrine, Forested, Broad Leaved Deciduous, Seasonally Flooded-Tidal (PFO1R) wetlands. A portion of the activities in Service Area #3 may be carried out within close proximity to or within a floodplain and/or wetland. Administration and Engineering Activity: 21A-Administration CDBG Funds: $56,000.00 Local Match Funds: $0.00 Total: $56,000.00 Activity: 03J-Engineering CDBG Funds: $53,000.00 Local Match Funds: $0.00 Total: $53,000.00 Total Addressed Need Total CDBG Cost: $700,000.00 Total City's Local Match Claimed for Points: $50,000.00 Total CDBG Funding and City's Local Match Claimed for Points: $750,000.00 These activities will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reason: A portion of the project will be located adjacent to or in close proximity to a floodplain and/or wetland. Although a portion of the project will be located adjacent to or in close proximity the 100-year floodplain and/or wetland, the improvements cannot be undertaken in any other location due to the scope of the project. There is, therefore, no practicable alternative than to continue with the project. 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. The proposed project involves the following Activities: The City anticipates none of the work included in the primary activities in this project will be carried out within a floodplain and/or wetland. However, this notice is being published because some of the work will be carried out in close proximity to a floodplain and/or wetland. The City of Green Cove Springs has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and/or wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative due to the scope of the project. 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. Some additional impervious areas will be created in the Service Areas 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. 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 floodplain 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 Mike Null, Assistant City Manager, at 321 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043 or by telephone at (904) 297-7500 on or before January 24, 2022. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 7:00 am to 5:30 pm Monday through Thursday, at 321 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Mike Null, Assistant City Manager at (904) 297-7500. Comments may also be submitted by email at mnull\greencovesprings.com. Edward Gaw, Mayor City of Green Cove Springs Environmental Certifying Official 321 Walnut Street Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043 Telephone (904) 297-7500 Legal 49003 published Jan 13, 2022 in Clay County's Clay Today newspaper