This is to give notice that Leon County, Florida, has submitted an application for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG funds) to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. The funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and will be used to provide stormwater improvements to Segment 3A of the Capital Cascade Trail, a combination environmental improvement and recreational amenity enhancement project. The work will replace a steep sided open St. Augustine Branch (SAB), which creates significant street flooding and public safety hazards, with a Concrete Box Culvert (CBC) and a landscaped park.

This notice is required by Section 2(a)(4) of Executive Order 11988 for Floodplain Management, and by Section 2(b) of Executive Order 11990 for the Protection of Wetlands, and is implemented by HUD Regulations found at 24 CFR 55.20(b) for the HUD action that is within and/or affects a floodplain or wetland.

Construction will be undertaken in the 100-year floodplain and included wetlands. Leon County is interested in alternatives and public perceptions of possible adverse impacts that could result from the project as well as potential mitigation measures. Approximately 34% of the project work is located within the floodplain area and 23% of the project is in wetlands. The project site is along 590 linear feet of existing SAB between Monroe Street and Duval Street Overpass, parallel to the CSX railroad, crossing under Adams Street approximately 190 feet south of the CSX railroad. The project area includes all of the SAB between Monroe and South Adams Street and extends to 240 feet west of Adams Street, including the banks adjacent to the SAB. In order to reduce flooding and eliminate ditch erosion which has created very hazardous conditions for adjacent buildings, the flow in the channel will be placed in a CBC and the culverts under Adams Street will be enlarged to reduce the tailwater condition at South Monroe Street.

Written comments must be received by Leon County at 301 South Monroe Street, Suite 502, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 on or before February 20, 2012.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting: Don Lanham, County Grant Program Coordinator, Contact: (850)606-5328.

Vincent S. Long – County Administrator

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Environmental Certifying Official