NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND NOTICE OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FLOODPLAIN OR WETLAND

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND NOTICE OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FLOODPLAIN OR WETLAND Date of Posting: September 4, 2025 City of Boone 923 8th Street Boone IA 50036 515-432-4211 These notices shall satisfy separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Boone. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or after September 23, 2025, the City of Boone will submit a request to the State of Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under TITLE 1 of the HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974, as amended (P.L. 97-35) to undertake the following project: Project Title: CDBG Water Ground Reservoir Project Purpose: The need for the project is due to the need for the City to provide a safe, reliable, and high-quality water supply to residents within the City. The project will ensure that a critical part of the water storage and distribution infrastructure is able to provide valuable storage for an additional 50-70 years helping to provide residents with high quality water and adequate storage and pressure for their daily needs. Location: The project activities will take place at the City's Water Treatment Plant Facility which is located at 1190 188th Road in rural Boone, Iowa. The property is located outside the corporate limits of the City. Estimated Cost: CDBG Funding = $500,000 Total Project Cost = $1,560,250 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Boone has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at the City of Boone, 923 8th Street, Boone IA 50036, and may be examined or copied during City Hall hours of Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Boone, City Clerk. All comments received by September 22, 2025 will be considered by the City of Boone prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. RELEASE OF FUNDS The City of Boone certifies to Iowa Economic Development Authority that Elijah Stines in his capacity as Mayor consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. Iowa Economic Development Authority's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Boone to use HUD program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS The Iowa Economic Development Authority will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Boone's certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following basis: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Boone; (b) the City of Boone has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Iowa Economic Development Authority; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Iowa Economic Development Authority at 1963 Bell Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50315. Potential objectors should contact the Iowa Economic Development Authority to verify the actual last day of the objection period. FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FLOODPLAIN OR WETLAND This is to give notice that the City of Boone has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, to determine the potential affect that its activity in a floodplain or wetland will have on the human environment for a CDBG Water Ground Reservoir Project (#25-WS-011). The project involves restoration activities to the existing ground reservoir including structural work, concrete rehabilitation, roof replacement, safety improvements, electrical and control work, and other related work. The project work area is partially located in a floodplain and wetland. The City of Boone has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: Alternative No. 1 - Do-Nothing Alternative A do-nothing alternative exists for this project. This alternative would not seek to replace or rehabilitate the existing ground storage reservoir. In this case, the existing 75-year-old ground storage tank would continue to deteriorate, which could lead to catastrophic failure and the immediate loss of 46.51% of the City's existing storage, putting the community at risk of being unable to provide water to residents as needed and provide adequate fire protection. Alternative No. 2 - Replace with New Ground Storage Reservoir. A second alternative would be to replace the existing two-million-gallon GSR with a new reservoir. This alternative would require additional space at the water plant; however, the treatment plant location doesn't have any adequate available space, and land acquisition would be required. Available land near the plant would also add significant costs for dirt work due to the existing landscape. However, constructing a new GSR would also incur significant costs. The preliminary estimate for constructing a new ground storage reservoir was projected to be two to three times the cost of the rehabilitation alternative. Alternative No. 3 - Replace with Elevated Storage Reservoir. A third alternative would be to replace the existing GSR with an elevated storage tank. This would require land acquisition for the tower. The February 2025 Preliminary Engineer Report provides a cost estimate of $3,100,000 for the replacement of the Green Street Elevated Storage Tank's tower; however, the Green Street water tower is only 15% of the GSR capacity. The additional capacity would increase the project's cost. The elimination of the GSR would also cause the treatment plant to flood the high service pump station, resulting in a loss of water service for residents Alternative No. 4 - Rehabilitate Existing Ground Storage Reservoir - PROPOSED ALTERNATIVE The proposed alternative of rehabilitation will result in the most cost-effective project while ensuring the option of the plant in an efficient manner based on its current design. The City of Boone has reevaluated alternatives to the project and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, are available for public review at the address delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment as only a small portion of the project is located within a floodplain. All required floodplain and/or wetland permits will be secured prior to the start of construction. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains or wetlands 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 about floodplains and wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks 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 or wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the City of Boone at the following address on or before September 22, 2025: City of Boone, 923 8th Street, and 515-432-4211, Attention: Kim Majors, City Clerk. Comments may also be submitted, or further information can be requested via email at KMajors@booneiowa.gov. A full description of the project may also be reviewed at City Hall (address above) during City Hall hours of Monday – Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Elijah Stines, Mayor – City of Boone September 4 2025 LIOW0359594