PUBLIC NOTICE  The U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) is considering a request for Federal assistance from the City of Newport (Department of Utilities, Water Pollution Control Division) to construct a Resilient Stormwater Infrastructure Improvements Project in the City of Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island, for constructing a variety of stormwater drainage system improvements. Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, EDA is conducting an environmental assessment (EA) of the proposed project.  Low-lying areas along Elizabeth Brook in Newport’s North End are prone to flooding due to the surcharge of existing drainage infrastructure along the coastline and limited overland flooding during high-tide storm events. The Department of Utilities has previously conducted flooding and drainage studies to investigate the flooding issue, involve community stakeholders, and develop flood mitigation alternatives. The project submitted for Federal assistance realizes flood mitigation alternatives developed in the earlier study. The project aims to increase flood resiliency by constructing upgrades to existing stormwater infrastructure, including increasing pipe sizes of existing infrastructure, and adding new stormwater infrastructure. The Project includes drainage system upgrades and will be located by RI-138 at Garfield Street, Prescott Hall Road, Southmayd Street, Butler Street, and Evarts Street. Project information is available for review at the Department of Utilities located at 70 Halsey Street in the City of Newport. You can contact the Department at 401-845-5600.  If you have any information regarding potential environmental impacts associated with this proposed project, please provide it in writing to: Tanner Adamson Environmental Protection Specialist U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration Tadamson@eda.gov  A copy of the NEPA/NHPA decisional document will be available upon request at the EDA Regional Office. Comments received in the EDA Regional Office by 5:00 p.m. Eastern on June 15, 2026, will be considered.