Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain – 2023 Tornadoes

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed actions under U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Grant B-23-DG-13-0001 may be located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and DCA will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating these actions within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed actions, as required by Executive Order (EO) 11988, as previously amended by EO 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.

DCA proposes to use HUD CDBG-DR funds for eligible activities under the DCA January 2023 Tornadoes HRRP Single-Family Homeowner Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Program (HRRP), which addresses storm-damaged, single-family homes (residential structures and manufactured home units). The proposed activities include rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction, and/or elevation of single-family homes damaged by the January 2023 Tornadoes (DR-4685) within Spalding County. The specific addresses of the single-family homes are unknown at this time because the participating property owner identification process is ongoing. Therefore, under 24 CFR Part 58.15 (Tiering) and 24 CFR Part 58.32 (Project Aggregation), DCA will use a tiered approach. Tier 2 site-specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this Program when addresses become known. No physical work will begin on a property until all levels of environmental review are complete and found to be in compliance.

While the specific addresses of the single-family homes are unknown at this time, the HRRP is expected to serve approximately 40 households. It is anticipated that some applicant homes will be located within the floodplain, as Spalding County contains Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHAs). The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), available at FEMA Flood Map Service Center, will be used to determine whether each structure and parcel is located in a SFHA and floodway. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain for each specific address will be determined at the Tier 2 site-specific review level by using the best available data including the Climate-Informed Science Approach (CISA), the 0.2 percent flood approach (500-year floodplain), and/or the freeboard value approach (FVA). Since the proposed actions consist of rehabilitation, demolition and reconstruction, and/or elevation of existing single-family homes with no substantial change to the original footprint, there are no new adverse impacts anticipated to the existing natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the floodplain. Floodplains are beneficial by providing natural moderation of floods, surface water quality maintenance, groundwater recharge, diverse wildlife habitat, cultural resources (archaeological, historic, and recreational), and agricultural, aquacultural, and forestry resources. The proposed actions will be completed in accordance with all applicable best management practices (BMPs) and federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and permit requirements and conditions including a local Floodplain Development Permit. Single-family homes constructed or substantially improved using HUD CDBG-DR funding are required to demonstrate compliance with the elevation mitigation requirements of 24 CFR 55.20(e) when the structure is located within the FFRMS floodplain. Structures located partially or wholly within the 100-year floodplain will be required to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.  

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

Written comments must be received by DCA at the following address on or before July 18, 2025:  Georgia Department of Community Affairs, 60 Executive Park South NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, Attention: Brittney Hickom, Compliance Officer. A full description of the project including FEMA FIRMs, Preliminary FIRMs, when available, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Status Book may be reviewed from 9 AM to 4 PM at the DCA address above and online at dca.georgia.gov under CDBG-DR Public Notices & Announcements. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected].

July 2, 2025