Final Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain and Wetlands

Homeless Center for Strafford County Land Purchase
Posted on: August 9, 2019 - 2:46pm

To: All interested Persons and Agencies, including HUD, FEMA, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, NH Department of Environmental Services, and Rochester Conservation Commission

This is to give notice that the Cities of Rochester and Dover under 24 CFR Part 58 have conducted an evaluation, as required by Executive Order 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 55 (Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands) and, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetlands will have on the human environment for the cities’ Community Development Block Grant program under HUD grant #B-19-MC-33-0004 and B-19-MC-33-0005. The proposed project will result in the purchase of undeveloped land at 202 Washington Street, Rochester, NH 03867, in Strafford County, to build a two-story homeless shelter. This proposed project site is located within a Zone A (100 Year) floodplain and in protected wetlands. The proposed project site is approximately 18 acres.

Consideration of other sites not within the floodplain and wetlands: The proposed project site of 202 Washington Street has been proposed as the site owners are willing to sell the property to the Homeless Center for Strafford County for significantly under market value. The property has been independently appraised at a value of $250,000, but the current owners are willing to sell the property to HCSC for only $150,000. Given the limited funding available for the land purchase, plus the necessity to conserve costs to allow for funding for the construction portion of the project, it is not likely to locate a similar property not in a floodplain or wetland that could be purchased for the amount of funds available for the land purchase.

Consideration of other sites also within the floodplain and wetlands: The proposed project site of 202 Washington Street has been proposed as the site owners are willing to sell the property to the Homeless Center for Strafford County for significantly under market value. The property has been independently appraised at a value of $250,000, but the current owners are willing to sell the property to HCSC for only $150,000. Given the limited funding available for the land purchase, plus the necessity to conserve costs to allow for funding for the construction portion of the project, it is not likely to locate a similar that could be purchased for the amount of funds available for the land purchase. In addition, the proposed project site’s wetlands and floodplain areas are limited to the edge of the property and are located a considerable distance from the proposed building construction site. It is likely that other sites also within the floodplain and wetlands would present similar if not more serious issues.

No action or alternative actions that serve the same purpose: A no action alternative was considered and rejected because of repeated feedback at public meetings and public hearings, as well as consultations with a wide range of homeless services providers, that more homeless shelter space is needed.

The cities of Rochester and Dover have consulted with the New Hampshire National Heritage Bureau and the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department regarding the project. The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department has approved the project under the following conditions: a no-cut barrier of mature trees at least 35 feet between the construction site and Axe Handle Brook, via deed restriction; the placement of small signs approximately every 75 feet along the no-cut boundary to indicate the buffer area’s no-cut, no-disturbance status; the inclusion of open drainage over catch basins with sumps during the engineering process, as feasible; and the use of woven organic material over welded plastic of biodegradable plastic netting in erosion control matting. The project will comply with all of these requirements.

The cities of Rochester and Dover have reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and wetland and have determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Orders 11988 and 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:

The most obvious risk for the project is flooding from the Axe Brook River. The proposed building construction site is about 60 to 70 feet from the Axe Handle Brook and well outside both the floodplain and wetlands area. In addition, the construction site (located on the part of the property nearest to Washington Street) is on a portion of the property significantly more elevated from the brook. A cliff of about ten to twenty feet separates the two areas of the property. Therefore, it is not believed that the building will be at risk of flooding the brook.

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 and request for public comment about floodplains and wetlands 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 floodplains and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the City of Rochester and the City of Dover at the following addresses on or before the end of business hours of August 16, 2019:

  • City of Rochester, 31 Wakefield Street, Rochester, NH 03867, 603-335-7519, ATTN: Julian Long, Community Development Coordinator, during the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM.
  • City of Dover, City Hall, Planning and Community Development Department, 288 Central Avenue, Dover, NH. 03820, 603-516-6008, ATTN: Dave Carpenter, Community Development Planner, during the hours of M&W from 9 AM to 5 PM, T&TH 10 AM to 5:30 PM and Friday 8:30 AM to 4 PM.

Comments may also be submitted via email at julian.long@rochesternh.net and d.carpenter@dover.nh.gov. A description of the project may be reviewed at the offices, and during the days and times, listed above.

Une interprétation orale de ce document est disponible gratuitement, sur demande. S'il vous plaît communiquer avec le coordonnateur développement communautaire Julian Long à julian.long@rochesternh.net.