Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain

This is to give notice that the City of East Lansing under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, 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, Emerson Park Improvement Project – Phase III, is funded under the City of East Lansing’s Community Development Block Grant program (B-24-MC-260024). The proposed project is located at Emerson Park (1135 Arbor Drive, East Lansing, MI 48823, Ingham County). A small portion of the northwest corner of Emerson Park is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a freeboard value approach. The Emerson Park Improvement Project – Phase III will install a new accessible 4-foot concrete walkway, a small playground amenity with permeable safety surfacing, and several native plantings at Emerson Park, which is a 2.7-acre park in East Lansing’s low-to moderate-income Red Cedar Neighborhood. Approximately 0.2 acres of the northwest corner of Emerson Park is within the FFRMS floodplain.

 

The City of East Lansing has determined that, although a small portion of the floodplain is located on the same parcel where the project will take place, all construction activities proposed at Emerson Park are outside of the FFRMS floodplain. Additionally, FEMA lists the 100-year floodplain elevation surrounding Emerson Park as 836.2 feet. The lowest point of disturbance for this project is at 840.48 feet, which is more than 4 feet above the floodplain elevation and greater than the 2-foot freeboard prescribed by the FFRMS Freeboard Value Approach. Additionally, although the floodplain will not be impacted, the project is adding native plantings, which will help to mitigate floodplain concerns in this area in the future. Given this information, the City of East Lansing has determined that the project as designed minimizes adverse impacts and preserves all natural and benefit functions as well as intrinsic values of the existing floodplain.

 

The City of East Lansing has reevaluated alternatives to building near the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to development near the floodplain. The no-action alternative of not completing Phase III of the Emerson Park Improvement Project would not necessarily benefit the floodplain but it would limit the park’s positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood.

 

Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 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 the floodplain 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 the floodplain 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 the floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

 

Written comments must be received by the City of East Lansing at the following address on or before Friday, March 7, 2025: City of East Lansing, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823, ATTN: Matt Apostle, Community and Economic Development Specialist. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8AM-12PM or 1PM-5PM, Monday-Friday at the address listed above as well as online at https://www.cityofeastlansing.com/2458/Active-Public-Notices. Comments may also be submitted via email at mapostle@cityofeastlansing.com. The City of East Lansing’s Certifying Officer is Robert Belleman, City Manager.

                                                                        Amy Gordon

                                                                        Interim City Clerk

 

Dated: February 19, 2025

East Lansing, MI  48823

 

CP#25-061