Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500-year Floodplain or Wetland To:

Burn ban is in effect for Hendry County!LaBelle, Fla. – A burn ban is now in effect for unregulated fires for all of Hendry County as dry weather conditions impact the area. Learn More Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500-year Floodplain or Wetland To: Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year/500-year Floodplain or WetlandTo: All interested Agencies Federal, State, and Local Agencies, Groups and IndividualsThis is to give notice that Hendry County and the Central County Water Control District has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under the HUD Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation Program (CDBG-MIT) via Department of Commerce Agreement No. IR047. The proposed project(s) is located at 475 S. Cabbage Palm St., Clewiston, Hendry County, Florida 33440 GPS Coordinates: (26.622071, -81.078861). The Hendry County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is requesting $1,635,610 of CDBG-MIT funding from Florida Commerce (f.k.a. the Florida Department Economic Opportunity) to assist the Central County Water Control District (CCWCD) with improving conveyance to storm drainage, improve existing pumping capacity, and increasing pumping capacity to move storm waters to a larger detention area by repairing and replacing culverts, rehabilitating three drainage pump stations, and adding an additional pump station to increase drainage capacity.Hendry County has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: This project will improve storm water drainage infrastructure to prevent damages to homes and keep residents safe. Sanitary housing also includes well and septic systems that work properly during flood events. The septic leach fields are overburdened, and the potable water wells may be compromised. With a total of 1,972 low- and moderate-income households and a percentage of 53.02% low- and moderate-income households, most of the homes in the area are mobile or manufactured homes, with many of the homeowners being low-to-moderate income. This entire area is served by individual wells and septic systems. Therefore, flood water covering the property poses a significant health risk. These households will be assisted by this project andbetter protect these homes from future storms. A no-action alternative would allow future storm events to continue posing a flood risk and would be a disservice to residents in the vicinity during high water events. The CCWCD considered a third alternative which included replacing damaged culverts, rehabbing three pump stations, adding an additional pump station to the existing 11 pump stations, and elevating the roads. Due to the cost of the four options, replacing culverts, rehabbing three pump stations, and adding the 12th pump station were chosen and elevating the roads were eliminated. According to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) No. 12051C0275E, the proposed project is located in a Hendry County unincorporated area. The area of floodplain/wetlands to be impacted is approximately 2-3 acres to support the drainage improvements necessary to reduce the potential for flooding within the CCWCD.Hendry County has re-evaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain/wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988 and/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.There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains/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/wetlands can facilitate and enhance Federalefforts 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/wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.Written comments must be received by Hendry County at the following address on or before July 31, 2025 (a minimum 7 calendar day comment period will begin the day after the publication and end on the 8th day after the publication): 640 S. Main St., LaBelle, FL 33935 (863)675-5220, Attention: Shari Howell, Grants Coordinator. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from M-F 9AM-4PM at 640 S. Main Street, LaBelle, Hendry County, FL 33935. Comments may also be submitted via email at shari.howell@hendryfla.net.Date: 07/23/2025 SHARE × Share this page Copy and paste this code into your website. <a href="http://www.hendryfla.net/news_detail_T4_R415.php">Your Link Name</a> Share this page on your favorite Social network Facebook Twitter Reddit Close