Public Notice
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) have received the Town of James Island’s application for Federal grant funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).
As part of the application process and in accordance with Executive Order 11988 and 44 CFR §9.12, final public notice is hereby given for the Town of James Island’s proposed project which contains actions in or affecting the floodplain and/or wetlands. The project will conforms to applicable state and local floodplain protection standards
Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements and conditions.
Applicant: The Town of James Island
Project Title: Greenhill Community Drainage Improvements Project
Location of Proposed Work: The proposed work will be at 1053 Williams Lane, at Honeyhill Road and from Seaside Lane to 350 feet downstream of the Honeyhill Road crossing.
Planning Factors and Considerations:
Several significant factors were considered as part of this project, including, but not limited to:
- Impacts to the natural environment including changes to the floodplain and base flood elevation as well as natural habitats and native animal species;
- Consistency with local goals and initiatives to reduce impacts from natural hazards;
- The economic impact to the community;
- Legal constraints that may impact project execution.
Proposed Work and Purpose: The purpose of this project is to minimize and eliminate the continuous flooding in the Greenhill community. This storm water project will consist of construction of an adequately sized ditch from Seaside Lane to 350 feet downstream of the Honeyhill Road crossing; construction of two 30” pipes underneath the driveway at 1053 Williams Road; and replacing the existing 24” pipe underneath Honeyhill Road with three 42” pipes. This project requires action in the floodplain and/or wetland to construct an adequately sized ditch to properly drain storm water in the Greenhill community and to install storm water pipes to elevate continuous flooding in this community. Completion of this project will positively impact the floodplain by allowing for the floodwaters to flow through this ditch and the storm water pipes, which helps to restore natural floodplain functions. Mitigation is achieved through this action and the avoidance of continuous flooding and damages to existing storm water structures and residential/commercial properties.
Project Alternatives:
Project Design – Two alternatives were considered for this project: 1) was to design the project with a lower year storm event (10 year), and a lower project cost. This Alternative was not chosen because while the total project cost was lower; it would not alleviate the flooding in the project area; and 2) was to design the project with a higher design year storm event (25 years). While the total project cost for Alternative 2 was higher, it would alleviate the flooding in the project area. Additionally, Charleston County and SCDOT required the 25-year storm event; otherwise the Town would not be able to obtain approval for the required permits. Therefore, this design Alternative was chosen.
Comment Period: The comment period is from December 1, 2020 through December 16, 2020. Comments are solicited from the public; local, state or federal agencies; and other interested parties in order to consider and evaluate the impacts of the proposed project. The comments can be made in writing and addressed to Ashley Kellahan, 1122 Dills Bluff Road, James Island, SC 29412 or by email to akellahan@jamesislandsc.us. Comments are due by close of business on December 16, 2020.
Maps: A map of the project areas is attached HERE and is also available for public inspection at 1122 Dills Bluff Road, James Island, SC 29412
Point of Contact: For additional information, please contact: Ashley Kellahan, Town Administrator at akellahan@jamesislandsc.us or 843-795-4141.