Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain and Wetland

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that West Feliciana Parish under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and/or Executive Order 11990, in accordance with 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 Louisiana Watershed Initiative under the Community Development Block Grant, Grant Number B-18-DP-22-0001. The proposed project(s) is located in St. Francisville, in West Feliciana Parish and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the Freeboard Value Approach (FVA). West Feliciana Parish proposes to replace the existing 16 ft wide x 103 ft long, 0-degree skew timber Jones Vaughn Creek Bridge that runs along Jones Connell Road with a 16 ft wide x 120 ft long, 60-degree skew slab span bridge with concrete piles. The existing bridge over Jones Vaughn Creek was washed away due to high run-off events, debris accumulation in the channel, and the angle of intersection with the creek. The bridge replacement is designed to follow the existing road alignment and to maintain the current lane widths on both sides of the approaches to the bridge. Jones Vaughn Creek Bridge provided a critical means of transportation for residents and visitors of St. Francisville, LA and Jackson, LA. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is anticipated in 2024 to be 30 vehicles per day. This number is expected to increase to 33 in 2044.

The proposed replacement bridge will be 2-lanes with each lane spanning 8 feet and a total of 16 feet wide. Replacement of the bridge would involve guard rail installation and rip-rap embankment placement, in addition to the removal and replacement of roadway segments on either side of the bridge. The project will replace 268 feet of roadway, for a total of 371 feet inclusive of the new bridge. The alignment of the proposed bridge will follow the existing road alignment. Excavation in the creek will be necessary but additional right-of-way will not be required. A total of 0.09 acres of floodplain will be adversely affected by work under the driving surface of the bridge. The surface itself will be constructed above the level of the floodplain. No wetlands will be affected by the proposed project.

West Feliciana Parish 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 alternative locations have been considered as the proposed project replaces a pre-existing bridge in the same location, tying in to the existing road. The road will no longer be realigned, which reduces the overall footprint of the project and the amount of impact to the floodplain. Scour protection will be installed in order to reduce adverse impacts to the floodplain due to erosion. The proposed project will be in compliance with state and local floodplain and wetland regulations.

West Feliciana Parish Government has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. The project footprint has been reduced during the course of this review, as a way to eliminate the need for additional right of way. The footprint of work taking place in the floodplain has been significantly reduced, but not eliminated. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and/or 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 the floodplain 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 the floodplain 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 West Feliciana Parish at the following address on or before March 6, 2026: West Feliciana Parish Government, 5934 Commerce Street, St. Francisville, Louisiana 70775, Attention: Kenny Havard, at 225-635-3864. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 7:30am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday and 8am-12pm Friday at 5934 Commerce Street, St. Francisville, Louisiana 70775. Comments may also be submitted via email at info@wfparish.org.