Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland

INSTALLATION OF AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA)-COMPLIANT TRAILS AT ANGELICA PARK

April 19, 2021

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that City of Reading has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C - Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management, and Executive Orders 11988 and 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20(b), to determine the potential affect that its activities in the floodplain will have on the human environment. The proposed project involves the installation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-complaint trail at Angelica Park, a public recreation facility comprising approximately 3.41 acres, located at 575 St. Bernardine Street in Reading, Berks County, PA.

The City has considered alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values and has determined that it has no practicable alternative and that there will be no significant impact on the environment. The following mitigation measures will be taken:

• The City will require implementation of restoration work in accordance with erosion and sedimentation control plans consistent with Federal, State and local requirements for construction activities in floodplain.
• All future activities will be undertaken in conformance with sound engineering practices to assure resistance to a flood of the 100-year type.
• The City will comply with Federal Flood Insurance purchase requirements in case of development of the site.

Environmental files that document compliance with steps of Executive Order 11988 and 11990 are available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location noted in the last paragraph. The Special Conditions established above should minimize any adverse effects of the 100-year flood on the proposal, and the proposal’s impacts on the 100-year floodplain.

The proposed projects will cause no negligible infringement upon the 100-year floodplain, and the City has concluded that the above-referenced projects will not result in new or adverse effects on the natural or beneficial floodplain values.

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 public educational tool. 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. 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.

Written comments must be received by the City of Reading at the following address on or before Friday, April 27, 2021: City of Reading, Community Development Department, 815 Washington Street, Reading, PA 19601. Attention: Mr. Neil Nemeth, Community Development Specialist; 610-655-6423. Comments may also be submitted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., on or before April 27, 2021.

A Record of Determination for this project is contained in the Environmental Review Record maintained by the City, pursuant to the Environmental Review procedures applicable to Title I Community Development Block Grant applicants and is on file in their offices at the address listed above. The review is available electronically for public examination, upon request, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..