COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

and NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

and FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A

FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD DESIGNATED FLOODPLAIN

11/24/25

 City of Lockhart, 308 W. San Antonio Street or P. O. Box 239, Lockhart, TX 78644-0239

(512) 398-3461

This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited three separate but related procedural notification requirements to be undertaken by the City of Lockhart.

To:  All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about 12/10/25, the City of Lockhart (City) will submit a request to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for the release of Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) funding appropriated under the Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Requirements Act, 2018 (Pub. L. 115-123), as amended, to undertake a project known as Water Line Replacements to mitigate inflow and infiltration into the system, improve the operational efficiency of fire safety operations, and ensure adequate pressure and reliability, under GLO Contract #24-065-120-E962 

Project Location:  On North Blanco Street and Bois D’Arc Street: from West Olive Street southward to Bois D’Arc Street, thence westward to Elm Street (29.88793, -97.67528), 3,300 Linear Feet, City of Lockhart, Caldwell County, TX.

Description of the Proposed Project:  Subrecipient shall replace curbs, sidewalks, (distribution) water lines, gate valves, fire hydrants, and asphalt; install retaining wall and service connections; and complete associated appurtenances.

Funding Information

Total HUD Funding: $1,889,900.00

Total Non-HUD Funding: $0.00

Total HUD Funding and Estimated Project Cost: $1,889,900.00

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City 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).  The ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail.  Please submit your request by U.S. mail to the City at the address above, or by email to skelley@lockhart-tx.org.

FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A

FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD (FFRMS) DESIGNATED FLOODPLAIN

This is to give notice that the City has, under 24 CFR Part 58, conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C, Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management.  The activity is funded under The TX General Land Office Community Development Block Grant Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Program.  The project locations are as stated under REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS. The extent  of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the Freeboard Value Approach.  According to the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) FIRMette 48055C0120E, effective 06/19/2012, part of the project activities will be in the riverine FFRMS floodplain (0.43-acres) and the floodway (0.09-acres). The water line is not a transmission line, but a distribution line that provides service to existing customers in the project area.  It is not a critical action.

Floodway documentation requirements: Ensure the project restores the ground/pavement to pre-project conditions, there will be no change in flood depths, flood velocity, hydrostatic loads, hydrodynamic loads, possible debris impact loads, erosion, localized scour, duration of floodwater, and subsidence following the completion of this project.  Doucet/Kleinfelder Response - The new water main will be installed in a manner that restores the ground/pavement to pre-project conditions.  The services of a contractor will be retained to install the new water main in accordance with industry standards/practices for this type of work in this geographic area. The intent is to install the water main within the roadway pavement limits using trenchless technologies, such as jack & bore of a steel casing pipe. The entire process is trenchless with the exception of the bore pits, which will be placed within the roadway pavement limits.  The drainage tributary will not be impacted by the construction of the waterline.

The beneficial values of the floodplain will not be adversely affected as the project will replace waterline below ground surface.   Elevation standards do not apply to this below ground-surface water improvements project.  The 8-Step Process for Floodplain Management was completed. 

The City 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: For the proposed crossing at Town Branch, the following construction alternatives were considered: Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD), Attaching the proposed water main to the side of the bridge, and Jack & Bore.  Jack & Bore was ultimately selected because of the shorter length at the crossing due to the construction method vs. HDD and the pipe will be buried vs. being exposed along the side of the bridge.  Taking no action would incur no costs for the improvements and would cause no construction-related environmental impact but would be unable to mitigate emergency waterline breaks due to the age of the infrastructure, and potential vehicle maintenance costs from poor road infrastructure.

The City has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and has 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 as outlined in the paragraph of FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. 

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in a 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 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 floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments/objections on the ERR to the City.  Written comments received by 12/9/25 will be considered by the City prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments shall be addressed to the City at skelley@lockhart-tx.org or by mail to: City of Lockhart, 308 W. San Antonio Street or P. O. Box 239, Lockhart, TX 78644-0239, (512) 398-3461, Attn: Mayor’s Office. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.  Potential objectors should contact the City via email to verify the actual last day of the objection period. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Lockhart certifies to the Texas General Land Office that Lew White, in his capacity as Mayor, 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.  GLO’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Lockhart to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

GLO will accept objections to its release of funds and the City’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 City; (b) the City 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 GLO (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 Heather Lagrone, Texas General Land Office, Community Development and Revitalization, P.O. Box 12873, Austin, TX 78711-2873, or env.reviews@recovery.texas.gov.  Potential objectors should contact the GLO at (512) 475-5000 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Lew White, Mayor