City of Arcadia, Florida

To: All interested Agencies [Housing and Urban Development, Florida Commerce, US Fish and Wildlife, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, City of Arcadia, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Southwest Florida Water Management District, Florida Division of Historical Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency, US Department of Agriculture], Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that The City of Arcadia (under 24 CFR Part 58) has determined that the following proposed action – under Florida Commerce and Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant – Small Cities Program (CDBG-SC: Grant No. 26DB-N01), is located in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain (Zone X (Shaded)), and the City of Arcadia and George F. Young Inc. will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain, and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management.

The proposed project is located at 210 Parker Avenue, and 223 Parker Avenue in the City of Arcadia (DeSoto County).  The city intends to improve the William Tyson Wastewater Treatment Plant by updating vital infrastructure and installing an advanced treatment facility on the southern half of the public works maintenance property (210 Parker Avenue), these improvements are intended to increase efficiency and water treatment standards. The project is within a FFRMS 0.2% annual chance flood hazard (500-year floodplain, Zone X (Shaded)). The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined with the 0.2 Percent-Annual-Chance Flood Approach using FEMA’s FIRMette National Flood Hazard map Panel number: 12027C0178C effective 11/06/2013. The floodplain will be modified using fill to raise the finished floor elevation to 30.5 feet above sea level – five- and one-half (5.5) feet above base flood elevation and installing retention basins to increase storage capacity of floodwaters and prevent damage to essential treatment plant infrastructure.  Approximately 0.45 acres of floodplain will be altered by the construction of retention basins, and 0.6 acres will be altered by filling the advanced treatment area to the finished floor elevation to 30.5 feet above sea level.  Floodwater storage has been calculated in a cup-for-cup method to compensate for the amount of fill and additional impervious surface being proposed.  Surface water storage will be improved with the installation of retention basins, and floodwater conveyance will be enhanced by improving connectivity of stormwater drainage to retention basins and drainage ditch.  Funding for this project will be through a Community Development Block Grant Mitigation Program (CDBG-SC).

The location of the William Tyson Wastewater Treatment Plant cannot be altered due to the existing infrastructure and connectivity to municipal plumbing.  In order to make improvements that align with FDEP standards the Plant must reallocate the adjacent public works property to accommodate the additional infrastructure required.  The public works property is within the 0.2% annual chance flood hazard area, or 500 year floodplain.  Engineering calculations have been made to appropriately compensate for flood hazards, including raising the advanced treatment facility 5.5 feet above base flood elevation and incorporating retention basins for flood compensation.

The City of Arcadia 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:

1. Alternatives considered:
   1. Build the advanced treatment facility on existing WWTP property.  This alternative would result in the redesign of the existing WWTP to provide the space needed for the additional infrastructure.  This would be a major undertaking and would require taking the WWTP offline while construction is in progress.
   2. Purchase land outside of the FFRMS floodplain to build the advanced treatment facility.  The only property available within the practicable parameters is the government-subsidized housing east of the WWTP.  This alternative would result in the removal of affordable housing that is already established.
   3. The no action alternative would result in the WWTP not reaching the appropriate FDEP standards and continuing to have water quality concerns leading to boil water notices throughout the City of Arcadia.
2. The mitigation measures taken to minimize impacts to floodplains include:
   1. Raising the final floor elevation to 30.5 feet above sea level.  This results in an elevation that is 5.5 feet higher than the base flood elevation.
   2. Installing additional retention basins within the Public Works and Wastewater Treatment Plant properties to reduce flood risk and damage to buildings and infrastructure.
   3. Improving connectivity of stormwater drainage to retention basins and drainage ditch.

The City of Arcadia and George F. Young have reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and have determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 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. 

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 tool for public education. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains 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 the floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the City of Arcadia at the following address on or before March 9, 2026: City of Arcadia, PO Drawer 100, Arcadia, Florida 34265 and 863-494-4114, Attention: Lee Snyder, Public Works Director. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9 am to 4 pm at 23 N. Polk Avenue, Arcadia, Florida 34266 and at arcadia-fl.gov. Comments may also be submitted via email at LSnyder@arcadia-fl.gov

Date: February 27, 2026