Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation 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 Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant No. B-23-DN-12-0001. 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. FHFC has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing wetland. The project site was selected based on its availability, zoning, and proximity to essential services and public transportation in Polk County. Alternative sites were evaluated but rejected due to lack of availability, incompatible zoning, or excessive cost that would render the affordable housing project financially unfeasible. A "No Action" alternative was considered and rejected because it would fail to meet the urgent project objective of increasing the supply of much-needed affordable housing in Polk County. Avoidance of the onsite wetland is not practicable due to site constraints and the need to achieve a cohesive development layout; however, impacts have been minimized to the extent practicable by confining wetland impacts to a single, previously disturbed wetland system and avoiding additional offsite or secondary wetland impacts. To fully offset the loss of wetland area and associated functions, compensatory mitigation will be provided through the purchase of wetland mitigation credits from the Peace River Mitigation Bank. Potential secondary impacts related to the loss of onsite wetland stormwater storage and attenuation will be addressed through the installation of stormwater management system that will collect onsite runoff via an underground pipe network, which will discharge to the retention facility located on the east-central portion of the property. Post-development runoff conditions will not result in increased peak discharge rates, downstream flooding, or degradation of receiving waters. Based on the limited functional value of the impacted wetland, the provision of offsite mitigation at an approved mitigation bank, and the implementation of stormwater management infrastructure meeting or exceeding applicable regulatory criteria, the project is not anticipated to result in adverse effects to the overall condition or relative value of wetland and surface water functions within the watershed. FHFC has reevaluated alternatives to building in the wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to wetland development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11990, and 24 CFR 55, 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 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. 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 the FHFC at the following address on or before July 22, 2026: Florida Housing Finance Corporation, 227 N Bronough St, Suite 5000, Tallahassee, FL 32301, Attention: Ms. Angeliki Sellers, Chief Financial Officer, or via 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: July 15, 2026 July 15 2026 LSAR0555447