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

To: All interested Agencies (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [HUD], Colorado Department of Transportation [CDOT], Routt County, and the City of Steamboat Springs), Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that Steamboat Springs under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation 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 Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under West Steamboat Trail B-24-CP-CO-0441. The proposed project location is from Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park to the Snow Bowl Plaza in Steamboat Springs, Routt County and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain/wetland. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach.

The proposed West Steamboat Trail consists of about 3,050 linear feet (LF) of 10-foot-wide concrete trail spanning west of the Snow Bowl Plaza, through the Steamboat Springs owned Fornier Parcel, in front of the KOA, and through an underpass under US-40 to the Brown Ranch parcel. This addition to the Core Trail is another step to fully connect neighborhoods in western Steamboat Springs to the downtown corridor. The trail includes an underpass underneath US-40 to provide trail continuity and increase user safety while avoiding an at grade crossing. A sidewalk connects the neighboring Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park and Snow Bowl Plaza to the Core Trail. The proposed trail meanders through the wetlands along the Yampa River while being cognizant of disturbance. Equalization culverts are proposed to convey high water events from the Yampa River underneath the trail and into wetland areas.

The proposed trail closely follows the existing natural topography through the floodplain and wetland areas and allows water to pass through under the trail where direct hydraulic connectivity is desired.

The trail project has a minimal impact in the function or footprint of the floodplain. This project is in the regulatory 100-year floodplain and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) jurisdictional wetlands. The floodplain in this location provides hydraulic relief in large storm events, riparian vegetation, and habitat for wildlife. Increased foot traffic and the footprint of the trail may have a minor adverse impact on the natural habitat. For the permanent wetland losses, wetland credits are to be purchased from a nearby wetland bank. The project impacts 1.0 acre of floodplain and 0.6 acres of wetlands.

Steamboat Springs 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: The planning and design process for this project has identified the proposed action as the most practical alternative expanding the city’s multi-modal trail network, which integrates the proposed trail extension into the existing trail network and minimizes wetland and floodplain impacts. It is our determination that there is no practicable alternative for partially locating the project in the flood zone. This is due to: 1) the need to expand the city’s multi-modal trail network; (2) the need to construct an economically feasible project; (3) the ability to mitigate and minimize impacts on human health, public property, and wetland and floodplain impacts.

The USACE has authorized Nationwide Permit 14 (NWP-14) for wetland and waters impacts associated with the proposed trail construction. Wetland and Waters of the US impacts would be mitigated at Finger Rock Preserve Wetland Mitigation Bank and will be purchased prior to construction.

Steamboat Springs has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain/wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain/wetland development. 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/wetland 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/wetland 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 a floodplain/wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Date: July 1, 2025