NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS, AND FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN OR WETLAND
Date of Publication: June 5, 2025
City of Wellman
316 8th Avenue
Wellman, Iowa 52356
(319) 646-2154
These notices shall satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Wellman.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or after June 23, 2025 the City of Wellman 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: Wellman Water Main Replacement Project
Purpose: Replace aging, undersized water mains in areas of Wellman
Location: 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 11th Street, 1st Avenue, 6th Avenue, and 7th Avenue in Wellman
Estimated Cost: HUD funding: $500,000, Total Cost: $2,152,845
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Wellman 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 City of Wellman City Hall, 316 8th Avenue, Wellman, Iowa 52356 and may be examined or copied from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wednesday.
FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FEDERAL FLOODPLAIN RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD FLOODPLAIN OR WETLAND:
This is to give notice that the City of Wellman 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 the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for the HUD Community Development Block Grant award number 25-WS-006. The proposed project is located along 4th Street, 5th Street, 6th Street, 11th Street, 1st Avenue, 6th Avenue, and 7th Avenue in Wellman, Washington County, Iowa. The proposed project includes replacing aging, undersized water mains with new, larger water mains. The proposed project also includes the installation of new fire hydrants with improved fire flow availability along with water meters to help identify service line leaks. A portion of the water main replacements, approximately 1,900 linear feet along 3rd Street, 6th Street, and 1st Avenue, will take place in the riverine Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain.
The City of Wellman has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: No action alternative and relocate the project. A portion of the water mains are already located in the FFRMS floodplain. Moving the water mains away from their current footprint and out of the floodplain is not a feasible alternative. Taking no action would leave the water mains undersized, prone to breaks, and unable to reliably supply fire hydrants.
The City of Wellman has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain 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 inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. This activity will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reasons: A portion of the water mains to be replaced are already in the floodplain. The replacement of water mains will not cause direct or indirect impacts to the floodplain.
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.
PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THE FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT, NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OR FUNDS, AND PROPOSED ACTIVITY WITHIN FLOODPLAIN OR WETLAND
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Wellman City Hall, Attn: Ryan J. Miller, Mayor, 316 8th Avenue, Wellman, Iowa 52356. Comments may also be submitted or further information can be requested via email at mayor@cityofwellman.com. All comments received by June 20, 2025 will be considered by the City of Wellman 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 Wellman certifies to the Iowa Economic Development Authority that Ryan J. Miller 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. The Iowa Economic Development Authority approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Wellman 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 Wellman’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 bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the City of Wellman; (b) the City of Wellman 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, suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50315. Potential objectors should contact the Iowa Economic Development Authority to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Ryan J. Miller, Mayor, City of Wellman
Published in The News, Thursday, June 5, 2025 L-228
