Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant No. B-23-DN-12-0001 is located in a wetland, and FHFC will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the wetland and the potential impacts on the wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11990 and in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed Highland Creek project is located on the south side of E County Road, 540A, approximately 1,300 feet east of intersection of E County Road 540A and Lakelands Highlands Road, Lakeland, Polk County, Florida 33813. The proposed Highland Creek project will consist of an affordable housing development geared toward the family demographic. It will be comprised of five residential buildings, housing 120 units, a clubhouse, paved parking areas, drives, and landscaped areas. A stormwater management facility will collect onsite runoff via an underground pipe network and discharge to a retention pond located on the east central portion of the property. The project site consists of one parcel totaling 15.76 acres of primarily forested land with approximately 3.02 acres of riverine wetlands that will be impacted. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in wetland 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. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the wetland. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about wetland 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 wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by FHFC at the following address on or before June 18, 2026: Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 N Bronough St, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, FL 32301, Attention: Ms. Angeliki Sellers, Chief Financial Officer, or via phone at (850) 488-4197 or e-mail at ERRComments@floridahousing.org. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9:00 to 4:00 at address noted above. Date: June 3, 2026 June 3 2026 LSAR0528258