Final Notice for Public Review of a Proposal to Support Activity in the 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland

This is to give notice that the City of Bristol, 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 Grant No. M0104.

This project’s drainage component proposes to increase capacity of culverts and swales along CR12 and NW Michaux Rd to decrease flooding in the southern portions of the City’s downtown core. The sewer improvements component will replace grinder pumps in three areas hard hit by the Hurricane Sally and Hurricane Michael events with gravity sewers. These sewer improvements will be made in the NW Hall Circle, NW Miller Road, and NW Schmarje Ln. neighborhoods.

A few locations exist where there will be impacts to areas mapped as Flood Zone A by FEMA and as wetlands by the National Wetlands Inventory. The floodplain impacts occur near the NW Hall Circle area and the NW Schmarje Ln area. At NW Hall Circle the potential impact area is approximately 0.25 acres. At NW Schmarje Ln, the impact area is approximately 0.24 acres. In both areas, upon completion of the sewer installations all natural grades will be restored, and surface areas not repaved will be stabilized or sodded. There are proposed project work sites very near areas mapped by the National Wetlands Inventory as wetlands. Unless field work identifies further areas as jurisdictional wetlands, these areas will likely be avoided, and the permitted project should have an impact of 0.0 acres of wetland.

The City of Bristol has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values:

The project’s engineer will take all necessary precautions to serve the target homesites without impacting wetland areas unless no tenable alternatives exist. In that case appropriate permitting through the responsible state and federal permitting agencies will be conducted. It is anticipated that the proposed drainage component will actually relieve local flooding; directing floodwaters away from homesites and other fixed personal property toward drainage facilities that have the additional capacity. The sewer work that might affect any wetland or flood-prone area will be restored to natural grades and stabilized leaving no negative impacts to floodways or flood storage.

The City of Bristol has reevaluated the alternatives to the proposed works in the floodplain/ wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative due to the scope of the project. The no action alternative is impractical as the need for these proposed improvements has been exacerbated and documented by damage received during recent hurricane events.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain 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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain and wetland issues 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 a floodplain or wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by James Kersey, Mayor,at 12444 NW Virginia G Weaver St, PO Box 207, Bristol, FL 32321, (850) 643-2261 on or before end of business on March 16, 2023. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Robin Hatcher, City Clerk, (850) 643-2261. Comments may also be submitted by email atrmh.cityofbristol@fairpoint.net.

James Kersey, Mayor, Environmental Certifying Official