Early Notice and Public Review 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 determined that the following proposed action under the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program (B-24-MC-260024) is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain, and the City of East Lansing will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, 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 Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is Emerson Park (1135 Arbor Dr, East Lansing, MI 48823, Ingham County). 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. None of the proposed site work at Emerson Park will be within the small, approximately 0.2-acre area on the northwest corner of the park that is within the FFRMS floodplain. Although the City of East Lansing anticipates that this project will have no impact on the FFRMS floodplain, staff will nonetheless investigate the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain and ensure any mitigation measures necessary are put into place as part of its environmental review process.

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. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain. 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 floodplains, 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 February 14, 2025: City of East Lansing, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823, ATT: 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: January 29, 2025

East Lansing, MI  48823

CP#25-027