Public Notice: Big Oak Street FMA Grant Application

Beaufort County  has applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) funding through the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) as a sub-recipient.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990, FEMA is required to consider alternatives to, and to provide a public notice of, any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains or wetlands. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority and low-income populations. This notice may also fulfill requirements under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).

Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions.

Applicant:  Beaufort County

Project Title: Big Oak St. FMA Demo/Rebuild

Location of Proposed Work:

            Address of Structure: 46 Big Oak St, South Carolina, 29926

A map showing the location of all properties is available by contacting (Angel Marcinkoski, (843) 255-2930, amarcinkoski@bcgov.net)

Special Flood Hazard Area Zone: This project is for the acquisition and demolition of housing structures located in flood zone A (1% annual chance flood elevation). Confirmation of location in an SFHA was made by reference to the latest Flood Insurance Rate Map, Panel 4500250115D dated 8/29/1986.  The proposed work conforms to all applicable State of South Carolina and local floodplain regulations. The proposed work will be for demolition on previously disturbed ground of housing structures and floodwall and will have no effect on the local floodplain. The proposed work has the potential to be affected by the location in an SFHA. The action will be mitigated by acquiring and demolishing.

Proposed Work and Purpose:

Beaufort County proposed project is for mitigation activity to reduce repetitive damage of property, prevent losses of life, and reduce the financial impact caused by flooding. The demolition/reconstruction of this property will mitigate the flood risk to this property.

Project Alternatives: 

Alternative #1 (no action alternative): If no action is taken to protect home, it will increase the danger of impacts from severe flooding. Taking no action leaves the property at certain risk of future loss claims due to flooding.

Alternative #2: Elevating the structures was considered. Elevation would reduce risks to the property, however residents could still be trapped by rapidly rising waters.  Lifting the existing home would cost more than demolition and rebuilding and cannot be guaranteed to be successfully completed due to the construction methods used throughout the years.

Alternative #3: Relocating the structures was also considered. The relocation of these properties proved to be cost prohibitive. Demolition and rebuilding offers a more cost-efficient method of protecting property from rising flood water due to severe flooding.

Comment Period:

Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments should be made in writing and addressed to Angel Marcinkoski, 120 Shanklin Rd. Beaufort, SC, (843) 255-2930, amarcinkoski@bcgov.net. All comments are due within 30 days of this notice. Beaufort County will forward comments to applicable regulatory agencies as needed.

Interested persons may submit comments, obtain more detailed information about the proposed action, or request a copy of the findings by contacting:

Angel Marcinkoski

120 Shanklin Rd. Beaufort, SC

(843) 255-2930

amarcinkoski@bcgov.net

POSTED ON: (12/10/19)

End of Notice