Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 1...
Published on January 02, 2024
Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500-year Floodplain or Wetland
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that Osceola County has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 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 the US Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) under FFY2023 - FFY 2028. The proposed project consists of housing rehabilitation households across scattered sites yet to be determined throughout Osceola County, however, a site-specific analysis will be conducted as each site is identified in order to establish compliance with 24 Code of Federal regulations (CFR) parts 58.5 and 58.6. Wetlands and floodplain areas, potentially 963,800 acres, are located in the County and single-family units could fall in the floodplain. Where they do, flood insurance will be required as applicable.
It has been determined that no practicable alternative other than to proceed with the work is available. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons:
- Need to provide affordable housing to local citizens,
- Desire to not displace residents,
- Need to construct an economically feasible project,
- Ability to mitigate and minimize impacts on human health, public property, and floodplain resources.
Although the project(s) may be located in 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.
The proposed improvements conform to applicable floodplain protection standards. The proposed action will not affect natural or beneficial floodplain values, and residents of the community will benefit from the project. The project activities will be conducted on homes that already exist and that may be in the floodplain, any improvements will be made to existing homes. The project activities covered under the County Wide Broad Environmental review for unspecified, scattered sites will be single family dwellings of 1-4 units attached or immediately adjacent. The dwellings may need rehabilitation and will remain subject to a Site-Specific environmental inspection. Such projects will not have significant impacts to the environment and will receive a review where the existing property may be in, or partly in a floodplain in a FEMA FIRM map. Rehabilitation could include elevating and/or flood proofing where required and feasible. Failure to provide these improvements could result in possible future damages to these existing homes located in floodplain and/or wetland.
Osceola County has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain/wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. 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.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains/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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains/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/wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by Osceola County at the following address on or before January 19, 2024: Osceola County Housing and Community Services, 1392 E. Vine Street, Kissimmee, FL 34744 and 407-742-8418, Attention: Danicka Ransom, Assistant Director. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9AM-5PM Monday to Friday at the above address and www.osceola.org. Comments may also be submitted via email at CDBG@osceola.org.
Date: January 11, 2024
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) & Title VI Assistance
The Osceola Board of County Commissioners ensures meaningful access to County programs, services, and activities to comply with Civil Rights Title VI and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations (i.e., sign language interpreter or materials in accesible format) or individuals with Limited English Proficiency requiring language interpreters to participate in County sponsored meetings, please contact the County’s ADA/Title VI Coordinator, at 407-742-1200 (TTY Users Dial: 711 for the Florida Relay System) or ADA.Coordinator@osceola.org, at least four (4) days prior to the meeting or event.