To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that the City of Farmington, under 24 CFR Part 58, has determined that the following proposed action under Community Project Funding (CPF) Grant #B-23-CP-MI-0832 is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and wetland associated with the Upper Rouge River. The City of Farmington will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the FFRMS floodplain and wetland and the potential impacts on the FFRMS floodplain and wetlands from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. 

The proposed project location is Shiawassee Park, 32340 Shiawassee Road in the City of Farmington, Wayne County. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach. the proposed work consists of installing a new raised boardwalk pathway, removing up to two pedestrian bridges and a stairway, and construction of a new pedestrian bridge and approaches. On the south side of the river, the bridge approaches will connect to a boardwalk pathway connection to Downtown Farmington. On the north side of the river, there will be improvements to the existing pathway system within Shiawassee Park to connect to the proposed bridge. The bridge, its abutments, and approaches are proposed to be within the FFRMS floodplain and wetlands along the riverbanks associated with the Upper River Rouge River. The wetlands located in the proposed project area have been identified through field investigation as palustrine, forested, broad-leaved deciduous, intermittently flooded. The amount of land acreage to be disturbed within the floodplain and wetlands in Shiawassee Park is up to 1.0 acres; however, alternatives are still under investigation. The bottom chord of the proposed pedestrian bridge will be set above the FFRMS floodplain elevation, and the bridge will span the regulated floodway. Any potentially impacted wetland area will be revegetated with native plants after construction.

The purpose of these improvements is to create a shared-use pathway connection that will provide an ADA-accessible connection between Downtown Farmington and Shiawassee Park. This pathway connection will increase opportunities for passive and active fitness, recreational activities, and safe gatherings as well as expand access to the business district by providing a needed non-motorized link between downtown and the park for residents and visitors alike.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the FFRMS floodplain and wetlands 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. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the FFRMS floodplain and wetlands, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the FFRMS floodplain and wetlands. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about the FFRMS floodplain and wetlands 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 FFRMS floodplain and wetlands it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by The City of Farmington at the following address on or before July 7, 2025: City of Farmington, 23600 Liberty Street, Farmington, MI 48335 and (248) 669-5121, Attention: David Murphy, City Manager. Comments or questions may also be submitted via email at dmurphy@farmgov.com. 

Date: 6/18/2025