Government : Public Notice: Watershed Project involving Mud Creek

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain or Wetland

This is to give notice that Benton County, Iowa, has conducted an evaluation 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 effect that its proposed activity in the floodplain and/or designated wetland will have on the environment for an Iowa Watershed Approach project, 13-NDRI-002, funded through a CDBG-NDR grant.

The proposed activity is to construct a stormwater wetland at the intersection of US Highway 218 and C Ave. at the southern edge of Vinton, Iowa. The proposed project site intersects a floodplain and National Wetland Inventory-designated wetland. The wetland will divert stormwater into a temporary holding basin which will reduce flash flooding and property damage to homes and businesses downstream of the project site. The project will also provide valuable wildlife habitat, outdoor recreational opportunities, and improved water quality to the Mud Creek watershed.

Due to the nature of the proposed approaches of Iowa Watershed Approach project, the best sites are often near or within floodplains or designated wetlands. The Tier I environmental assessment for the project considered two project alternatives: 1) a no action alternative, where land uses remain as they are, and 2) a proposed action alternative, which includes the installation of approaches that address flooding and/or nutrient and soil loading. There is no incentive for environmental improvements in the no-action alternative. The proposed action alternative provides grant funds to implement approaches that have been shown to decrease nutrient and soil contamination and reduce flood hazard risk.

Benton County has additional information available on this project on the Benton County website at https://www.bentoncountyiowa.org/public-notices/public-notices/default.aspx. Interested persons can call Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor, at 319-472-2365 with inquiries. Benton County is considering potential alternative sites, potential flood impact on the proposed project, and potential mitigation measures to minimize flood hazard or wetlands impacts.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains 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 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, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments on this proposed project are invited and should be submitted by Monday, April 1, 2019 to the attention of Hayley Rippel, 111 E. 4th St., Vinton, Iowa. All comments will be taken into account by Benton County, Iowa, prior to its decision on the proposed project.