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Step 7 of the 8-Step Process                Notice & Public Explanation 

As required by 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C:

Grand Junction Housing Authority

Final Notice and Public Explanation of:

A Proposed Activity in a 500-Year Floodplain, and

A Proposed Activity in a wetland

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals.

This is to give notice that the City of Grand Junction under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Executive Order 11990 - Section 2(b), implemented by 24 CFR 55.20(b) for wetland protection, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for Community Project Funding under Grant Number B-22-CP-CO-0174.   The proposed project(s) is located 674 23 ¾ Road and 674 Durham Drive in Grand Junction, Mesa County, Colorado. The project proposes to construct a 54-unit Affordable Housing multifamily building on 1.5 Acres.  

This notice with a request for comment was mailed to regional offices of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Corps of Engineers, the state office of Environmental Protection Agency and the City of Grand Junction Floodplain Administrator. 

Floodplain Impacts

The project is in close proximity to Leach Creek and its floodplain.  Presently the property is mapped as being within the 500-year flood plain of Leach Creek – Map Panel #08077C0801G.  The flood plain mapping for Leach Creek is inaccurate and outdated, and flooding is not expected at this location.  The project is considering to amend the flood plain map via a FEMA Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) to provide more accurate information.

The City of Grand Junction has 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 outside the floodplain:  Not Selected. The entire property is in the currently mapped 500-year floodplain.
2. Locate the project outside the floodplain on another lot: Not Selected. No parcels were available to purchase with the location and amenities of this parcel.
3. Locate the site in the floodplain with the following affirmative actions: Selected
   1. Modify the building to meet FFRMS elevation:  The FFRMS elevation is identified as being Seven feet above grade and is a regulation which does not align with any hypothetical flooding that would occur on the property 7-feet above grade by raising it up 7 feet.  – This would have a negative impact on project costs by adding $2 million to the project scope.
   2. Obtain a LOMA: While it is possible to obtain a Letter of Map Amendment to show the elevation of the building is higher than the 500-year flood plain, the floodplain study is lacking sufficient information to identify the elevation which would be used for this elevation.  Moreover, this approach would not meet the FVA elevation identified within floodplains for this project without additional measures being taken.
   3. Obtain a LOMR-F: Elevating the building to meet the Federal freeboard requirement of seven feet for the location would add $2.5 million to the project cost, and cause geotechnical, aesthetic, and site grading challenges.
   4. Other options like floodproofing or channelizing Leach Creek are not financially or technically viable given the scope of the project.
   5. Obtain a LOMR: The selected preferred alternative is to improve the flood plain mapping in the region with a Letter of Map Revision which preliminarily shows that improved topography would result in full removal of the flood plain from the property.   This action will remove the 500-year flood plain from the property and also give benefit to surrounding properties. 
4. No Action: Not selected. Due to a need for affordable housing in the Grand Valley with no alternative properties available.

 The City of Grand Junction has evaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and is recommending the selection of Alternative 3.a: Modify the building to meet FFRMS elevation.  

Environmental files that document compliance with Steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, 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:

Raising the building above the FFRMS floodplain elevation has a negative financial impact to the project and impacts taxpayers whom fund affordable housing.  The project would have no negative impact on the environment as the project would not impact the floodplain, wetlands, or adjacent developments in any deleterious manner.

The City of Grand Junction has selected a second alternative and is selecting Alternative 3e: Obtaining a LOMR as a secondary action.  

Obtaining a LOMR that will show the project is not in a floodplain removes the flood hazards and therefore has no risk or potential adverse impacts to lives and property.  No restoration or preservation of floodplain values will be required since no floodplain development will occur.  LOMRs are not an acceptable action within Executive Order 11988 until they are approved, so this secondary action cannot be recognized until approved by FEMA.

Wetland Impacts

The project is adjacent to the Grand Valley Drainage District (GVDD) Wilsea Drain and proposes to discharge managed stormwater from the property into the Wilsea Drain via a discharge pipe.  The Wilsea drain is subject to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act and E.O. 11990. The construction of the stormwater pipe as initially proposed would cause 50 SF of temporary impacts and 3 SF permanent impacts to the wetlands mapped in the drain.   

The City of Grand Junction has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: 

1. No Action: Not selected.  Due to a need for affordable housing in the Grand Valley with no alternative properties available.
2. Discharging the pipe outside of the wetlands: Not Selected. This approach is not constructable, because impacts to the adjacent wetlands from disturbances on the bank would be inevitable.  
3. File a Nationwide Permit with the US Army Corps of Engineers: Selected. The preferred alternative would file USACE Permit #7 to document the minor impacts under 0.1 acres which requires no mitigation.  The proposed disturbance is below the 0.1-acre threshold for wetland mitigation.  No species of concern were identified in field surveys which would impact.  This alternative was selected due to the low cost and low impact to the wetland from the project.

The City of Grand Junction has evaluated the alternatives to impacting adjacent wetlands and is recommending the selection of Alternative 3: File a Nationwide Permit with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Environmental files that document compliance with Steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 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:

 This final impact to wetlands is de minimis and is consistent with the Nationwide Permit 7 Conditions of Approval as described in NWP Final Notice, 86 FR 73522.

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

Written comments must be received by The City of Grand Junction at the following address on or before January 30[DR1] , 2025:  Ashley Chambers, Housing Manager, City of Grand Junction, 250 N. 5^th Street, Grand Junction, CO 81501, and 970-256-4081 during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Comments may also be submitted via email at housing@gjcity.org.

Certifying Officer: Abe Herman, Council President

 Date: January 16, 2025