Draft Environmental Assessment Available for King’s Branch Stream Restoration Project
A draft environmental assessment (EA) is now available for Mecklenburg County’s proposed King’s Branch Stream Restoration project.
The draft EA analyzes potential environmental impacts of the proposed project to determine whether to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The draft EA summarizes the purpose of and need for the project, alternatives considered, the affected environment, and potential environmental consequences of the project.
The proposed work is for the modification of Kings Branch to be constructed from just below Archdale Drive to just above East Arrowood Road. A sanitary sewer realignment would also be constructed alongside the stream restoration activities. The project will restore approximately 6,419 linear feet of stream and reduce the Community Base Flood Elevation to one foot below the finished floor elevations of at-risk buildings, bringing six apartment buildings and one office/shop building into compliance with floodplain regulations.
Project planning and construction will be partially funded by Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funding from the Department of Homeland Security - Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
FEMA has determined that the proposed action is the most practicable alternative to reduce flood risk and minimize impacts. The proposed action meets the HMGP grant program goals to reduce or eliminate the risk posed by disasters and natural hazards. Potential impacts to water quality or aquatic habitat will be minimized through the application of best management practices and adherence to all applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances.
Additionally, a hardcopy of the draft EA is available for review at Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services Agency located at 2145 Suttle Ave. in Charlotte.
The comment period ends May 22. Interested residents may obtain more information by emailing [email protected]. Comments should be sent in writing with the subject line, “FEMA HMGP Mecklenburg County King’s Branch Stream Restoration.” If no substantive comments are received, the draft EA and associated FONSI will become final. Substantive comments received will be addressed as appropriate in the final documents.