FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC

EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED

ACTIVITY IN THE 500-YEAR FLOODPLAIN

To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that the Town of Friendship has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order (EO) 11988, 11990, and 13690, in accordance with US EPA regulations at 40 CFR Part 6 and the FEMA Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988 and Executive Order 13690, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for the Town of Friendship Water System

Improvements.

The Town of Friendship Water System Improvements project is located in the Town of Friendship, Allegany County, New York. The Town is seeking funds from the EPA Community Grants Program, NYS Water Quality Improvement Program (WQIP), NYS Water Infrastructure Improvement (WIIA), and the NYS Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF)to assist with the improvements. The Town of Friendship owns and operates the water system within the Town limits. The project aims to improve the Town of Friendship public water system in order to improve system resiliency and safety as well as to address the issues identified in the Town of Friendship municipal water system preliminary engineering report. A review of the Town’s existing water system has been completed and the Town proposes the following improvements: replacement of approximately 8,000-9,000 linear feet of 4-inch diameter water main with larger diameter piping; replacement of approximately 4,000 linear feet of 4-inch diameter watermain with 3-inch diameter piping; replacement of approximately 1,000 linear feet of 6-inch diameter watermain with 12-inch diameter piping; replacement of the existing reservoir on Sunnyside Street with a new water storage tank at the same site; installation of an 8-inch diameter water main from the existing reservoir to Sunnyside Street; interior piping and control piping pump improvements to the wellhouse for Wells 4 and 5; an emergency generator for Wells 4 and 5; installation of a booster pump station at Moss Brook Street; and development of a new water well and installation of a new water storage tank.

The current water storage reservoir is mapped as a 0.72-acre freshwater pond by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Given that this reservoir is a constructed concrete reservoir with a cover, and that it is part of the municipal water system, it is likely that this classification is incorrect. This reservoir must be replaced, and therefore this listed wetland will be destroyed by the project. Although the reservoir is listed as a wetland, removing the reservoir will likely not be considered as the destruction of a wetland. Water main replacements will cross Van Campen Creek and its associated floodplains and wetlands at Moss Brook St, Pennsylvania Ave, and Sunnyside St. The water main creek crossings will be installed via directional drilling or similar method and will have minimal impact on the floodplain. No other methods or alternatives are viable for the replacement of water mains in the area, and once installed, they will provide adequate fire flows.

The Well 4 and 5 site is approximately 1.43 acres and is located within the 500-year floodplain for South Branch Van Campen Creek, FEMA Zone B. Improvements at the Well 4 and 5 site may constitute as a critical action as defined in 7 CRF 1970.6, EO 11988 and 13690, and by FEMA. The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) and EO 13690 requires that critical actions within the FFRMS floodplain, which includes the 500-year floodplain, undergoes appropriate review. Improvements at the Well 4 and 5 site includes upgrades to pumps and piping, and will allow water from Wells 4 and 5 to be blended. An emergency generator will also be installed to supply the wells and wellhouse with power in the event of power outages. This generator will be located outside of the FFRMS floodplain or elevated above the base flood elevation and freeboard.

The project will have a minimal impact on the floodplain. Since the existing facility is within the FFRMS floodplain, there are no alternatives that address Wells 4 and 5 that avoid the floodplain. These improvements will address water quality issues and provide necessary emergency power.

The Town of Friendship has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values:

1) Do Nothing: the “no action” alternative does not address the aging water system or other identified issues.

2) Relocate existing Well 4 and 5 Site: it is not feasible to relocate the existing Wells 4 and 5 and associated wellhouse. The proposed generator at the well site will be elevated above or located outside of the FFRMS floodplain.

3) Relocate or remove the water mains that cross Van Campen Creek: it is not possible to remove or relocate these water mains while still serving all properties in the water district.

4) Abandon existing water reservoir in place: it is not feasible to abandon the existing reservoir without demolishing it to avoid destroying a listed wetland. The reservoir needs to be replaced and demolished so that a new water reservoir can be constructed at the same site to minimize the environmental impact.

The Town of Friendship has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, 11990, and/or 13690 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: installation of water mains will be below grade with as minimal disturbance to the ground as possible; disturbed areas will be restored back to original conditions or better; a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will be developed and followed during construction activities; a SPDES permit for construction stormwater will be obtained; the project will follow the Town’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance; and the final water system improvements will have a significant positive impact on the community by providing safe and reliable water

service.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains 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 about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks 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, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the Town of Friendship at the following address on or before May 28, 2025: Town of Friendship, 4 East Main Street, PO Box 177, Friendship, NY 14739 and (585) 973-7580, Attention: Russell Hall, Supervisor during normal business hours. Comments may also be submitted via email at townoffriendship@yahoo.com.

Date: May 20, 2025