These notices shall satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Kissimmee.
FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD DESIGNATED FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND
This is to give notice that the City of Kissimmee has conducted an evaluation as required by 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 FloridaCommerce, Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO), Award Number IR030.
The proposed project location is within the Woodside Development and extends from Heron Ditch to Shingle Creek in Kissimmee, Florida, Osceola County, and a portion of the project is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain / wetland. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2-Percent-Annual-Chance (500-Year) Flood Approach (0.2PFA) (FIRM Panels 12097C0065G and 12097C0066G, effective 6/18/2013).
The proposed project will address residential flooding in the Woodside (aka The Park at Sorrento) development. The construction improvement will entail repair and replacement of the current storm water infrastructure pipe, the reshaping and hardening of the open ditch banks, retrofit of an existing open channel and closed pipe stormwater conveyance system, and installation of new stormwater pipe. The improvements proposed include installation of a 72" reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) under Dyer Boulevard, widening of the existing Ped Canal, installation of riprap along Ped Canal banks, and installation of a 72" RCP/Dual 60" RCP from the Ped Canal to an existing canal with eventual discharge to Shingle Creek. The project limits are within the Woodside Development and extend from Heron Ditch to Shingle Creek. Drainage improvements are proposed within the following areas:
- Existing rights of way of Oak St., Dyer Blvd. and Hoagland Blvd
- Kissimmee Gateway Airport (property owned by the City)
- Existing easements within Mirador at Woodside Apartments and Lake Heron Apartments
- Existing easements within private property abutting the north side of the Kissimmee Trail between Shingle Creek and Hoagland Blvd.
The canals and ditches to be improved are existing and currently convey stormwater from the same area. A portion of the ditches are designated as Riverine Wetlands by United States Fish and Wildlife Service. However, they are not considered to be wetlands by the South Florida Water Management District. Approximately 0.03 acres of FFRMS floodplain and approximately 0.6 acres of Riverine Wetlands (R5UBFx) may be impacted by the project.
The City of Kissimmee 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 floodplain/wetland:
- No Action: The “No-Action” alternative is not feasible, as it would result in continued deterioration of stormwater infrastructure, continued flooding of residential areas, and negative service impacts to local residents.
- Repair the existing stormwater infrastructure without adding new stormwater pipe and capacity. This alternative was determined to be not feasible because it would not address the need for additional stormwater conveyance.
- Locating the proposed project outside of the FFRMS floodplain and wetland: This alternative was determined to be not feasible because the stormwater infrastructure to be improved is already existing and it is located within the FFRMS floodplain and wetland in existing road rights-of-way that service the community. It would not be practicable to relocate or re-route the existing stormwater pipe and outfall.
The City of Kissimmee has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to the proposed project activities in the floodplain and wetland. 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 floodplain or wetland 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 City of Kissimmee at the following address on or before April 17, 2025: City of Kissimmee, 101 N. Church Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741 and (407) 518-2163 Attention: Nagel Altrui, Floodplain Manager. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 am to 5:00 office hours at same as above. Comments may also be submitted via email at nagel.altrui@kissimmee.gov.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about April 18, 2025, the City of Kissimmee will submit a request to the FloridaCommerce for the release of Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as IR030 the purpose of repairing and rehabilitating stormwater infrastructure of the City of Kissimmee. Total estimated project funding is $3,400,000 ($3,400,000 from CDBG-MIT grant). The project limits are within the Woodside Development and extend from Heron Ditch to Shingle Creek.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Kissimmee has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file City of Kissimmee, 101 N. Church Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741, and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. local time.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the RE designated office responsible for receiving and responding to comments. All comments received by April 17, 2025 will be considered by the name of RE prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Kissimmee certifies to FloridaCommerce that Craig Holland, in his capacity as Director of Development Services consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. FloridaCommerce’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the name of grant recipient to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
FloridaCommerce will accept objections to its release of fund and the RE’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the name of RE; (b) the RE has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by FloridaCommerce; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to FloridaCommerce, Office of Long-Term Resiliency, MSC-400, 107 East Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6508. Potential objectors should contact FloridaCommerce to verify the actual last day of the objection period.