FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED

ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that the Town of Washtucna has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, 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 by a Community Development Block Grant under Contract Number 21-62210-038. The proposed project(s) is located at the intersection of Columbia Ln and NW May St in the Town of Washtucna, Adams County. Following is a description of the project elements:

Element 1 – Deepen Town Well: Construction will consist of deepening

the existing well by drilling approximately 800 vertical feet or until a change in the aquifer level is encountered. The finished well may be as deep as approximately 1,300 feet in order to maximize available drawdown and inflow into the well.

Element 2 – Construct pump station for Town Well: Once the well deepening and well testing is complete the pump house improvements

will be designed and constructed based on the capacity of the deepened well. This will consist of one approximately 25 ft x 20 ft well pump station (houses well pump, electrical, controls, piping,

appurtenances, etc) and installation of a buried, ≈ 8-inch PVC or Ductile Iron (DI) main from the well pump station to the Town’s existing distribution system. The Town’s distribution system is relatively

close (approximately 100 LF). The Town will also construct an approximately 8-inch buried flushing piping that will daylight to a nearby drainage way (approx. 150 LF).

The project occurs entirely within the 100-year floodplain, AE Zone (area of special flood hazard). The project Area of Potential Effect is approximately 0.1 acres.

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

Although the Main Well site is in a floodplain, the project has been adapted in order to minimize effects on floodplain values. Additionally,

steps were taken in order to minimize risks to human life and property via design & construction methods, flood insurance, etc. The existing well pump house will be replaced. The final footprint of the replacement pump house will be contingent upon the final design.

Construction outside of the floodplain is not viable. Due to the need to displace residents at a prohibitively high cost to the Town it is not viable to locate the project outside of the floodplain. The proposal replaces an existing well pump house and deepens an existing well.

The no action alternative is also impracticable because it will not satisfy the need to improve reliability and redundancy in the water system.

It is the Town of Washtucna’s determination that there is no practicable

alternative for locating the project in the floodplain. This is due to: 1) the project being the replacement of existing infrastructure that is already located within the floodplain and cannot be moved outside of the floodplain; 2) the need to improve the reliability and redundancy of the Town’s water supply system; 3) the desire to not displace residents; 4) the need to construct an economically feasible project; and 5) the ability to mitigate and minimize impacts on human health, public property, and floodplain values.

The Adams County Planning Director was consulted regarding County requirements for development within the floodplain. The County requires that all structures within the floodplain be built above the BFE. Additional considerations for design include:

(a) Preserving Lives: Due to the nature of the design and that all components are unmanned; no modifications to the proposed action are needed. Flood events affecting the design will not result in human risk.

(b) Preserving Property: In order to preserve property, flood insuance

will be acquired and maintained in order to mitigate possible flood damage. The structures will be elevated at a minimum of one foot above the BFE to save on flood insurance cost and to enhance the structure’s ability to withstand floods. All construction will be elevated consistent with FEMA’s Lowest Floor Guide and use flood resistant materials consistent with FEMA bulletins.

(c) Preserving Natural Values and Minimizing Impacts: By elevating

the buildings, disallowing new impervious surfaces outside the replacement pump house, using pervious surfaces throughout the site, and incorporating wet floodproofing methods elements such as flood vents to allow floodwater to pass through the building below the BFE, the construction will have minimal effects on water resources. Impacts to the floodplain will also be limited due to construction

occurring within the previously developed site. In addition to the prohibition on impervious surfaces in and directly around the floodplain, the floodplain was preserved through elevation and wet floodproofing methods. The proposal does not change the sites historical use as a municipal utility.

The Town of Washtucna has reevaluated the alternatives to building

in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, 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 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 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, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the Town at the following address on or before March 7, 2024, a minimum 7 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 8th day after the publication: 165 NE Main St and 509-646-3253, Attention: Tina Wells. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9:00 AM to 3 PM at 165 NE Main St. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected].

Date: February 28, 2024