PUBLIC NOTICE - - - Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain or Wetland To: All interested Agencies Federal, State, and Local, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the City of Monroe (COM) has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Orders 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the Louisiana Watershed Initiative Community Development Block Grant Mitigation program B-18-DP-22-0001. The proposed project(s) is located in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, Louisiana and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplains and wetlands. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using 0.2 percent flood approach. The COM is proposing the construction of a stormwater retention area to serve as a flood mitigation measure. The total project area will be approximately 119 acres and is located within the Monroe city limits. The proposed project will consist of the conversion of an existing undeveloped property into an interconnected system of low-elevation retention areas of approximately 58 acres. The excavated material will be spread across an adjacent property of approximately 61 acres, the majority of which was a former city landfill and dump area. The proposed retention area will provide relief during times of high flow in Youngs Bayou and the Oliver Road Canal, both manmade concrete drainage conveyances, to avoid overtopping of the drainage structures and flooding of the surrounding homes and businesses. To allow for the relief of the waterways, a portion of the banks of both Youngs Bayou and the Oliver Road Canal will be removed to allow water to flow into the proposed retention area. The approximate location of the irregular-shaped project area will be the northern extent: 32.510019°, -92.092867°; southern extent: 32.503172°, -92.091936°; eastern extent: 32.506544°, -92.087689°; and western extent 32.503698°, -92.097631°. The COM has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplains and wetlands. The proposed project is a drainage improvement and flood risk mitigation project, and as such, must be located within floodplains and potentially jurisdictional wetlands to achieve the desired effect of reducing flood risks for low-elevation areas surrounding the site. Multiple alternatives to the proposed project were considered to minimize impacts on floodplains and wetlands. The first considered alternative entailed the localization of the project extent to only those areas west of Youngs Bayou. This alternative, however, would have resulted in greater wetlands and ecological impacts due to the higher density of wetlands and other ecologically sensitive habitats in the proposed area, coupled with significantly less non-wetland areas for the spreading of the excavated material. Due to these reasons, this alternative was not determined to be the preferred option. The second considered alternative was a no-action alternative. This alternative would result in no alterations to the project site and no impacts to wetlands or floodplains, but would also not meet the project's need to mitigate flood risks for the residents and businesses in Monroe. The proposed action presents an opportunity to enhance flood protection for sensitive local communities in the immediate vicinity of the project site, as well as those upstream and downstream that have historically been affected by flooding due to the insufficient hydraulic capacity of the existing drainage system during periods of high runoff and elevated water volumes. If the No Action Alternative was chosen, flood events would not only be expected to continue but also increase in intensity and duration due to the loss of hydraulic function of existing drainage systems over time. For those reasons, neither alternative is preferred over the proposed action. Mitigation measures that will be taken to minimize adverse impacts and restore and preserve the natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplains and wetlands include: noise abatement and control in accordance with the City of Monroe noise ordinance. Preserving historic landmarks and artifacts by notifying construction crews of their potential presence and instructing them to halt any work if Native American artifacts or human remains are found. Reducing risks of hazardous material contamination by implementing the proper assessment, remediation, management, and disposal of such materials if they are encountered on the site. Reducing the risks to floodplains has been accomplished by completing a floodway encroachment analysis and No-Rise Certification from a licensed engineer and notifying adjacent communities through public notices. The submittal and approval of a Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) for large-scale proposals will also be completed in conjunction with the project. Wetland protection will be accomplished by complying with all requests from the USACE from the Section 404 permit issued for the project. Finally, a City of Monroe Development permit will be procured prior to construction to mitigate impacts to city development. All state and local floodplain and wetland protection procedures will be adhered to during construction. The COM has reevaluated alternatives to building in the 100-year Floodplain, Regulatory Floodway, and jurisdictional wetlands and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to 100-year Floodplain, Regulatory Floodway, and adjacent jurisdictional wetlands development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and Executive Order 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. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the 100-year Floodplain, Regulatory Floodway, and jurisdictional 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 the 100-year Floodplain, Regulatory Floodway, and jurisdictional 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 100-year Floodplain, Regulatory Floodway, and jurisdictional wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the COM at the following address on or before October 3rd, 2025: City of Monroe, 1401 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201 and (318) 329-2211, Attention: Morgan McCallister, City Engineer. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at 1401 Stubbs Avenue, Monroe, LA 71201. Comments may also be submitted via email at Matt@wetlandsunlimited.org. Date: September 19th, 2025 159578 Sept. 23, 1t $916.09