Government of the United States Virgin IslandsVirgin Islands Housing Finance AuthorityNOTICE OF EARLY PUBLIC REVIEWFlood Plain Management Executive Order (EO) 11988
The Government of the Virgin Islands has received federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, (PL93-383), which it proposes to allocate (sub-grant) to various projects.
As part of the environmental review process, it has been determined that the following project which is proposed for funding under the 2015 Grant (Grant #: B-15-ST-78-0001) is located within the base 100-year Flood Plain established by FEMA:
St. Croix
Project: Ruby Ruby M. Rouss Storm Water Improvement Project
Description: Improvements to the existing storm water systems at the Ruby M. Rouss Homes (a/k/a Water Gut Homes) in Christiansted, in order to allow proper drainage of excess rain and ground water.
Address: 1AB Market Street, Christiansted, St. Croix
Flood Plain Map-Panel # 71 of 94 No. 7800000071G, revised April 16, 2007
The V.I. Housing Finance Authority, as the designated responsible entity acting on behalf of the Territory, has conducted an evaluation of the above-mentioned project as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations at 24 CFR Part 55.20 Subpart C “Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management”, to determine the potential effect that activity in the floodplain and/or wetlands will have on the human environment.
There are three primary purposes for this Notice: (1) to provide an opportunity for persons who may be affected by activities in floodplains and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment to express their concerns and provide information about these areas; (2) to serve as a public education tool whereby 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; and (3) to inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk if the Federal government determines that it will support projects located in a floodplain.
In this regard, the public is invited to submit its comments with respect to whether there are practical alternatives to these projects. The public may also submit suggestions for minimizing the potential impacts. Written comments must be received by VIHFA on or before December 29, 2015. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to vihfa@vihfa.gov. No comments will be accepted after the stated date.
The public may review the records between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday at Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority’s offices located at 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200, St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447 or 100 Lagoon Complex, Suite 4, Frederiksted, VI 00840-3912. For further information about this Notice, please contact Mrs. Antoinette Fleming, CDBG Program Manager, at (340) 777-4432.
Adrienne L. Williams, Executive Director Date: December 8, 2015
V.I. Housing Finance Authority