Hilton Head Reporter

To:  All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that the Town of Hilton Head Island conducted an evaluation, as required by Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, to determine potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), under grant number B-22-MC-45-0014 for the purpose of constructing a new park located at 252 Wild Horse Road.  The planned project will involve the design and construction of a new neighborhood park located on the Town-owned parcel at 252 Wild Horse Road. The park will feature connectivity to the Town’s existing multi-use pathway along Wild Horse Road, approximately 25 parking spaces, a picnic pavilion with comfort station, grassed open area, and a small playground area. No quantifiable changes to flood elevation and wetlands will result from the planned project.

The Town of Hilton Head Island considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values:

1. Locate the project within the floodplain and wetland at the proposed site, which is an undeveloped Town-owned parcel. The project is an infrastructure improvement located at 252 Wild Horse Road. The surrounding area includes residential neighborhoods and a Town-owned multi-use public pathway along Wild Horse Road. The project site is in a Census Tract that meets the HUD low- and moderate-income benefit area requirements. The proposed project will provide improved access and availability of recreation facilities for all members of the community.
    
2. Locate the project outside the floodplain and wetland. Alternate locations were considered. However, more than 80 percent of the area encompassing the Town of Hilton Head Island lies within the 100-year floodplain. Locations outside the 100-year floodplain would not meet HUD low- and moderate-income benefit area requirements.
    
3. No Action Alternative. Not pursuing this project increases the likelihood of less accessibility to a community recreation facility.

The park project at 252 Wild Horse Road is expected to have no quantifiable changes to the flood elevation and no disturbance to the wetland.

The Town of Hilton Head Island reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and wetland and has determined it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files documenting compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Orders 11988 and 11990 are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the time 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:

• The proposed project will be constructed on Town-owned property.
• More than 80 percent of the Town of Hilton Head Island lies within the 100-year floodplain.
• Other locations outside the 100-year floodplain do not meet low- and moderate-income benefit area requirements.
• The Town of Hilton Head Island will monitor construction to ensure full compliance with applicable standards, codes and requirements of Federal, State and Local agencies.

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

Environmental files are available for review and written comments may be submitted to the Town of Hilton Head Island at the following address on or before November 28, 2022: Town of Hilton Head Island, Finance Department, 1 Town Center Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 Attention: Marcy Benson, Senior Grants Administrator. Comments may also be submitted via email at MarcyB@hiltonheadislandsc.gov or telephone at 843-341-4689.

Original source can be found here.