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

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that Clark County, WA under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under the Community Development Block Grant program, HUD grant B-23-UC-53-0006, is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and wetland, and Clark County will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain and wetland 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 on NE 1st Street between NE 3rd and NE Clark Avenues in Battle Ground, in Clark County. NE 1st Street is a main thoroughfare for students living east of Battle Ground High School and for residents accessing Central Park. This project will construct approximately 600' of sidewalk on the north side of NE 1st Street from NE 3rd Avenue to Central Park, including curb and gutter, planter strip, ADA ramps, street lighting, and associated stormwater improvements. ADA ramps will be placed at all intersections and an additional one will be place midblock to provide access over to Central Park, which is on the south side of NE 1st Street. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent flood approach. The new stormwater system will discharge filtered runoff into Weaver Creek increasing the amount of water in the riparian wetland area (e.g. marine, estuarine, lacustrine, palustrine, or riverine). The new stormwater system will consist of Filterra Bioscope Vault catchbasins, which will treat stormwater collected from roadway runoff, as well as manholes and a 12” stormwater main for conveyance. At the project’s eastern limits, the new 12” storm main will tie-in an existing 42” culvert, which conveys Weaver Creek underneath NE 1^st street. Ultimately the project will result in the discharge of filtered runoff into Weaver Creek and will slightly increase the amount of water in the riparian wetland area in large rain events. In its existing state, Weaver Creek offers many beneficial functions such as flood conveyance and storage, habitat for native flora and fauna, recreational use, cultural value, and more. Ultimately, due to the small scale of the project, adverse effects to these functions aren’t anticipated. In a 100-year storm event, stormwater models show that the proposed improvements would lead to an increase in flows of 0.054cfs (~24 GPM). The proposed improvements impact approximately .068 Acres of floodplain.

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

Written comments must be received by Clark County at the following address on or before June 20, 2025: Clark County Community Services, by mail to PO Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666-5000, or by phone at 564.397.7801, Attention: Michael Torres, Community Action, Housing and Development Manager. A full description of the project may also be reviewed Monday-Friday, 9 A.M to 4 P.M, with advance notice at 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Ste C214, Vancouver, WA. Comments may also be submitted via email at Michael.Torres@clark.wa.gov.

 Date: June 4, 2025

Posted Date: 04/03/2025

Comments Due: 05/06/2025

COUNCIL WILL HOLD MAY 6 PUBLIC HEARING ON DEVELOPMENT, ACTION, PARTICIPATION PLANS

April 3, 2025
Clark County, WA
PO Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
564-397-7801

Vancouver, Wash. – All comments are welcomed and encouraged regarding the draft Clark County 2025-2029 Five-Year Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan, draft 2025 Clark County Annual Action Plan, substantial amendments to the 2022 Annual Action Plans and updates to the Citizen Participation Plan. 

To receive Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), local jurisdictions must create a five-year consolidated plan that outlines the needs of the community along with strategies and goals to work towards meeting those needs. The draft 2025-2029 Five-Year Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan includes a needs assessment, along with goals and strategies for addressing those needs through eligible activities under the CDBG and HOME programs. Needs were identified through community meetings, surveys, stakeholder interviews, and comprehensive data collection. Goals and strategies were created to address the highest needs identified through community input. Additional public comment is being requested to ensure the goals and strategies of the Consolidated Plan meet the community’s needs. The 2025 Annual Action Plan outlines the proposed activities to support the 2025-2029 Consolidated Plan. 

The draft 2025-2029 Five-Year Consolidated Housing and Community Development Plan and 2025 Annual Action Plan can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/cdbg-and-home-documents.

The substantial amendment to the 2022 Annual Action Plan outlines how Clark County proposes to reprogram unused HOME funds. 

Clark County is updating its Citizen Participation Plan (CPP), a HUD required document that sets forth policies and procedures to encourage participation in the planning and reporting of Clark County’s local Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnerships programs. Changes are word choice, grammatical corrections and updates to reflect current processes. To review all the changes, visit https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/cdbg-and-home-documents.

In accordance with Consolidated Plan requirements at 24 CFR Part 91 Subpart B and the county’s Citizen Participation Plan, draft Consolidated and Annual Action Plans and changes to the Annual Action Plan through this Substantial Amendment are advertised to provide opportunity for public comment.

A Public Hearing will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at 10 a.m. before the Clark County Council. Information about how to access this meeting is available at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/council-meeting-information.

Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted by email to Nooreen.Ebraim@clark.wa.gov or by calling 564.397.7834.

Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, 2025.

Program Year 2025 proposed activities:

Vancouver Housing Authority – Bertha’s Place Shelter Remodel. Exterior renovations to increase the longevity of the 62-room emergency shelter. $400,000 of PY2025 CDBG funds. 

Clark County – 701 E Main Street Building Improvements. Exterior and interior improvements to the county property currently leased to Sea Mar Community Health Centers. Improvements include roof replacement, new flooring, and more. $200,000 of PY2025 CDBG funds. 

Evergreen Habitat for Humanity – Land Acquisition for Homeownership. Acquisition of land outside of the city of Vancouver, upon which six permanently affordable homes will be built. $129,228 of PY2025 CDBG funds.

Fourth Plain Forward – BIPOC Business Assistance. Business assistance and educational resources for microenterprise owners that belong to historically underserved groups in Clark County. $285,016 of PY2025 CDBG funds. 

Clark County – Housing Preservation Program. Provide essential housing repairs to low-income homeowners to maintain their existing housing safely and affordably. $250,000 of PY2025 CDBG funds. 

Columbia Non-Profit Housing – River and Main. New construction of a 40-unit fully affordable housing complex serving low-income seniors ages 62 and older in Washougal. $254,074 of PY2025 HOME funds.

Janus Youth Programs – The Nest TBRA program.  Tenant based rental assistance program assisting homeless youth ages 18-25 by providing case management and rent and utility payments. $169,350 of PY2025 HOME and $45,000 of PY2025 CDBG funds.

Share – Affordable Housing & Stability Program TBRA program. Tenant based rental assistance program assisting individuals and families by providing case management and rent and utility payments. $266,700 of PY2025 HOME and $69,574 of PY2025 CDBG funds.

Program Year 2025 contingency activities:

The following applications were selected as contingency projects in the event any of the awarded applications cannot move forward. 

City of Battle Ground – Remy Park Improvements. Project will make park improvements at Remy Park, an underdeveloped community space in Battle Ground. Improvements include constructing a covered basketball court and creating a small ADA compliant parking lot. Up to $400,000 of PY2025 CDBG funds.

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Latinx Business Assistance. Technical business assistance provided by a bilingual staff to Latino microenterprise owners. Up to $134,700 of PY2025 CDBG funds.

YWCA Clark County Domestic Violence Survivors TBRA program. Tenant based rental assistance program assisting survivors of domestic violence by providing case management and rent and utility payments. Up to $276,000 of PY2025 HOME and up to $72,000 of PY2025 CDBG funds.

Substantial Amendment to Program Year 2022 activities:

Canceled Project: Funding allocated to the Second Step Housing Market Rate Unit Acquisition project has been rescinded. Returned PY2022 HOME funding: $404,500, including $172,866.60 of CHDO set aside funding. 

Change in Use of Funding: Unspent HOME funding set aside for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDO) is being reallocated as undesignated HOME funds. CHDO set aside funding from program years 2021 and 2022, $83,052 and $89,814.60 respectively, are being converted. 

New Funding: Vancouver Housing Authority – Weaver Creek Commons. A 100-unit affordable housing project serving low-income Clark County households. A portion of the units will be dedicated to people who require ADA accommodations and people who are exiting homelessness. $404,500 of PY2022 HOME funds. 

Posted Date: 09/04/2024

Comments Due: 09/23/2024

COMMENTS WELCOMED ON DRAFT CLARK COUNTY 2023 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMACE EVALUATION REPORT

September 4, 2024
Clark County, WA
PO Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
564-397-7801

Vancouver, Wash. – All comments are welcomed and encouraged regarding the draft Clark County 2023 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER). The CAPER details the accomplishments that were completed between July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, through funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The full draft report can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/cdbg-and-home-documents.

In accordance with Consolidated Plan performance report requirements at 24 CFR Part 91.520, Citizen Participation requirements at 24 CFR Part 91 Subpart B, and the county’s Citizen Participation Plan, draft performance reports are advertised to provide opportunity for public comment.

A public hearing will be held Sept. 17, 2024, at 6 p.m. before the Clark County Council. Information about how to access this meeting is available at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/council-meeting-information.

Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted by email to Rebecca.Royce@clark.wa.gov or by calling 564.397.7863.

Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.

Posted Date: 06/20/2024

Comments Due: 07/08/2024

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

June 20, 2024
Clark County, WA
PO Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
564-397-7801

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Clark County’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. 

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On July 9, 2024, Clark County will submit a request to the Seattle Field Office of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Grant Program (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as 2022 Washougal Hamllik Park Improvements for the purpose of improving the park and its amenities including construction of a new basketball court, replace missing components of the bike skills course, upgrade ADA access by repairing and adding sidewalks and ramps as needed and repair the baseball dugout. Hamllik Park is located at 4285 Addy Street in Washougal, WA. The project is estimated at $226,000, with $179,000 from the CDBG program.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Clark County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Clark County Community Services, 1601 E Fourth Plain Blvd, Ste C214, Vancouver, WA, and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 4 P.M with advance notice, or online at https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review-records/. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Michael Torres, Community Action, Housing and Development Manager at Clark County Community Services, address above, by email at michael.torres@clark.wa.gov, or by phone at 564-397-7801. All comments received by July 8, 2024, will be considered by Clark County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Clark County certifies to HUD that Michael Torres in his capacity as Community Action, Housing and Development Manager consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Clark County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and Clark County’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Clark County; (b) Clark County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at 909 1^st Ave, Ste #300, Seattle, WA, 98104, or emailed to SEACPDRROF@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Michael Torres, Community Action, Housing and Development Manager

Posted Date: 03/12/2024

Comments Due: 04/12/2024

DRAFT CLARK COUNTY 2024 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AND NOTICE OF A SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE CLARK COUNTY 2022 AND 2023 ANNUAL ACTION PLANS

March 12, 2024
Clark County, WA
PO Box 5000
Vancouver, WA 98666-5000
564-397-7801

Vancouver, Wash. – All comments are welcomed and encouraged regarding the draft Clark County 2024 Annual Action Plan and substantial amendments to the Annual Action Plans for program years (PY) 2022 and 2023. Annual Action Plans detail the programs and activities that will be carried out for funding received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

The draft 2024 Annual Action Plan outlines the proposed activities to support the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan. The full draft report can be found at https://clark.wa.gov/community-services/cdbg-and-home-documents.

The substantial amendments to the 2022 and 2023 Annual Action Plans outline how Clark County proposes to reprogram unused Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds. 

In accordance with Consolidated Plan requirements at 24 CFR Part 91 Subpart B and the county’s Citizen Participation Plan, draft Annual Action Plans and changes to the Annual Action Plan through this Substantial Amendment are advertised to provide opportunity for public comment.

A Public Hearing will be held April 2, 2024, at 10 a.m. before the Clark County Council. Information about how to access this meeting is available at https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/council-meeting-information.

Comments about the proposed changes may be submitted by email to Rebecca.Royce@clark.wa.gov or by calling 564.397.7863.

Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024.

Program Year 2024 proposed activities:

Evergreen Habitat for Humanity Affordable Homeownership Program. Assist 10 homebuyers with subsidies to create affordable mortgages through a land-trust model to ensure properties remain permanently affordable. PY2024 entitlement funds

Proud Ground Homeownership Assistance. 

Hispanic Metropolitan Chamber Latinx Business Assistance.

Fourth Plain Forward BIPOC Business Assistance. 

YWCA Clark County Domestic Violence Survivors TBRA program. 

Janus Youth Programs The Nest TBRA program. 

Lifeline Connections Recovery TBRA program. 

Share Affordable Housing & Stability Program TBRA program. 

Vancouver Housing Authority Weaver Creek Commons. 

Program Years 2022 and 2023 activities and amounts to be reprogrammed:

Agency Canceled Project: New Heights Clinic rescinded its request for funding to construct a primary care clinic for low-moderate income residents. Returned PY2022 CDBG funding: $600,000. 

Agency Canceled Project: The City of Camas has rescinded its request for funding for the NW Benton Street Improvements. Returned PY2023 CDBG funding: $280,000. 

New Funding: Battle Ground North Parkway Avenue Sidewalks. Installation of sidewalks along the east side of North Parkway Avenue between North 25th Street and North Onsdorff Boulevard where gaps exist. This will provide a continuous walkway for pedestrians and bicyclists along North Parkway Avenue. Requested $300,000 in PY2024 funding, providing $300,000 in PY2022 CDBG reprogrammed funding.

New Funding: Council for the Homeless Housing Solutions Center Acquisition. Purchase of an existing building for use as a single, centralized access point for the Housing Solutions Center and Administration office. The building is located at 7723 NE Fourth Plain Blvd. Requested $300,000 in PY2024 funding, providing $300,000 in PY2022 CDBG reprogrammed funding. 

New Funding: Ridgefield Sargent Street Improvements. Project will include ADA-compliant sidewalks where there are none, replace a fire hydrant, upgrade the main waterline and complete stormwater improvements on Sargent Street from South Third Avenue east and wrapping around the corner heading north on South Main Avenue approximately halfway to Pioneer Street. Requested $200,000 in PY2024 funding, providing $200,000 in PY2023 CDBG reprogrammed funding.

New Funding: Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce Business Assistance. Provide business assistance to low-income microenterprise businesses. Requested $78,000 in PY2024 funding, providing $78,000 in PY2023 CDBG reprogrammed funding.