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

Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Floodway To: All interested Agencies Federal, State, and Local. Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the Licking County has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) PY2025 Allocation Program under 25NR-1BO-25CDBG. The proposed project(s) are located at Cedar Street and N. 5th Street in Hebron Village, Licking County. Project #1 includes installation of an additional flood culvert at Cedar Street, channel widening to increase hydraulic capacity and improve conveyance of flood flows, and installation of a guardrail spanning both the existing and proposed culverts to enhance public safety. Project #2 includes installation of an additional flood culvert at N. 5th Street, channel widening to improve hydraulic capacity and conveyance, and installation of a guardrail for safety. Both activities are part of the Village's flood reduction master plan and are intended to reduce flood damage by improving stormwater conveyance. The projects are expected to decrease flood elevations by approximately 1 to 3 feet throughout the Village. The project area is located within a regulated floodway associated with a drainage ditch system that provides floodwater conveyance, limited floodwater storage, erosion control, water quality functions, and habitat for aquatic and riparian species. These improvements may temporarily disturb these functions during construction but are intended to enhance long-term conveyance capacity and reduce flood risk. The total acreage of floodplain/floodway impacts is approximately 050 acres. No wetlands are present. No signification recreational, cultural, or historic values are known. Licking County has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: Due to insufficient flood carrying capacity in the existing channel, improvements to the conveyance features in the floodway are necessary to reduce flood damage in the heart of the Village. The channel improvements will be performed above the ordinary high-water mark of the stream, preserving the existing aquatic life habitat. Additionally, the portions of the channel to be widened will be benched for safety and to provide some floodplain/wetland habitat. Further, these sections of the channel will be re-stabilized with native plant species. The existing drainage infrastructure restricts stormwater conveyance capacity, resulting in recurring roadway overtopping, upstream ponding, localized flooding, erosion, and public safety concerns during storm events. Additionally, project includes installation of two flood culverts to run adjacent to existing flood culverts. These activities will increase hydraulic capacity, according to the flood improvement study conducted in 2023. These activities will reduce upstream flooding impacts, restore more natural flow conditions within the drainage system. These activities must occur within the floodway because the existing drainage conveyance infrastructure requiring improvements is physically located within the floodway. The project is functionally dependent upon its location within the drainage channel and associated roadway crossing. No practical alternative exists outside the floodway because relocating the roadway crossing or drainage system outside the floodway would fail to address the existing flooding and require substantial new infrastructure and land disturbance, disrupt drainage patterns and increase environmental impacts. Through our assessment it was determined that this activity would create disproportionate cost relative to the project purpose. By completing this project it will increase hydraulic conveyance capacity, reduce backwater effects upstream, decrease roadway overtopping frequency, reduce erosion and sedimentation, improve stormwater flow continuity, and enhance resilience to future storm events. Licking County has completed all required consultations in compliance with state, local and federal floodplain procedures. Licking County has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodway and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988 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 floodway 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 floodway 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 floodways it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the Licking County at the following address on or before June 18, 2026: Community Development Coordinator, Adrienne Eskins, 20 S. 2nd Street, Newark, Ohio 43055 and 740-670-5210. Attention: Tim Bubb, President, Licking County Board of Commissioners. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., at 20 S. 2nd Street, Newark, Ohio 43055. Comments may also be submitted via email at aeskins@lickingcounty.gov. Date: June 5, 2026. June 5 2026 LWOO0532062