Early Notice and Public Review 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 determined that the following proposed action under West Steamboat Trail B-24-CP-CO-0441 is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain / wetland, and the City of Steamboat Springs will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and wetlands and the potential impacts on the 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 from Sleepy Bear Mobile Home Park to the Snow Bowl Plaza in Steamboat Springs, Routt County. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 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 the 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.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplains 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 floodplain and wetlands, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the 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 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 floodplain and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Steamboat Springs at the following address on or before June 25, 2025: City of Steamboat Springs, 115 10^th Street, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 and 970-879-2060, Attention: Matt Phillips, PE, City Engineer. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00am-5:00pm at the address above. Comments may also be submitted via email at mphillips@steamboatsprings.net.

Date: June 9, 2025