“Invitation to Bid St Johns Water Management Project (Fairgrounds Sewer)

    Advertisement For Bids REDI Force Main Ext. To Fairgrounds Callahan     

COMBINED PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD DESIGNATED FLOODPLAIN AND WETLAND

Date of Notice: June 29, 2026
Name of Responsible Entity:
Town of Callahan, Florida

Address:
542300 US Highway 1
Callahan, Florida 32011

Contact:
Mike Williams, Town Manager
(904) 879-3801
pwd@townofcallahan-fl.gov

These notices shall satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Town of Callahan, Florida.  

This is to give notice that the Town of Callahan, Florida, as the Responsible Entity under 24 CFR Part 58, has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, 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 the Florida Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Neighborhood Revitalization Program (Agreement No. 25DB-N11).

The Town of Callahan has been awarded $650,000 in CDBG-SC grant funding to rehabilitate 56 sanitary sewer collection system manholes and to rehabilitate 400 LF of 8” gravity sewer line at the intersection of US Highway 1 and 4^th Avenue, as well as to rehabilitate 200 LF of 8” gravity sewer line at the intersection of US Highway 301 and Booth Street. The majority of the work will be carried out lining existing sanitary sewer collection system piping and manholes. Some sewer line point repairs may require disturbance of the existing soils as

they will involve digging up and replacing small segments of the sanitary sewer collection system piping.

The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the FEMA Map service under the 0.2 Percent-Annual-Chance (500-year) Flood Approach. The assessment determined that approximately 0.49 acres of the project area is located in the floodway, 0.14 acres in the 100-year floodplain, and 0.57 acres in the 500-year floodplain. 0.09 acres of the proposed project area involving the lining of existing manholes along the northwest section of U.S. Hwy 1 along Alligator Creek are located within a riverine, lower perennial, unconsolidated bottom, unvegetated, permanently flooded, excavated (R2BUHx) wetland and 0.07 acres of the proposed project area involving the lining of the existing manholes along Hwy 301 are located within a riverine, unconsolidated bottom (R5UBH), wetland based on the USFWS Wetlands Mapper.

Although natural beneficial floodplain functions such as floodwater storage and conveyance, groundwater recharge, erosion control, water-quality maintenance, and habitat for flora and fauna may still be present, these functions are diminished in this area due to the extent of existing impervious surfaces and grading. Proposed activities at the project site include the slip lining of the existing sanitary sewer collection system lines and manholes. While point repairs of the existing sanitary sewer collection lines may result in limited ground disturbance, this project will not add fill or create any new impervious surfaces within the FFRMS floodplain. As a result, any impacts to floodplain values are expected to be minor and temporary.

The intrinsic values of this area are primarily community-serving, given its current use as a road right-of-way. At the completion of the project, the use of the right-of-way would be maintained by the proposed facility improvements. However, since the existing soil in the right-of-way within the FFRMS floodplain would only be minimally disturbed for required  sanitary sewer line point repairs, the completed project is not expected to result in measurable impacts on the floodplain. Therefore, the natural and beneficial values of the floodplain such as groundwater recharge and floodwater storage should be maintained.

No additional impervious areas will be created as a result of this project.

The Town of Callahan 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:

No Action Alternative: Not feasible, as it would result in continued deteriorating sewer lines and manholes would continue to allow infiltration and inflow into the

• wastewater system, resulting in increased operational costs, reduced efficiency, and the potential for future system failures.
• Alternative -Complete System Replacement: Complete replacement of the sanitary sewer system would require significantly greater excavation and disturbance, resulting in greater environmental impacts and higher project costs.
• Alternative Locations- Relocate the Project Outside the Floodplain/Wetland: This alternative is not practicable because the project consists of rehabilitation of an existing sanitary sewer collection system. Relocation would require construction of new infrastructure, acquisition of additional property, disturbance of previously undisturbed areas, and substantial increases in project cost.

Mitigation measures include – Limit construction activities to existing disturbed roadway rights-of-way and utility corridors.

• Utilize trenchless rehabilitation methods wherever feasible.
• Implement erosion and sedimentation control Best Management Practices (BMPs).
• Maintain stabilized work areas and proper stockpile management.
• Prevent sediment-laden runoff from entering adjacent wetlands and waterways.
• Promptly restore disturbed areas following construction.
• Avoid placement of fill within floodplain or wetland areas.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies as necessary.

These measures will ensure that floodplain and wetland functions are protected throughout construction.

The Town of Callhan has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, are available for public inspection, review, and copying upon request at the address listed above.

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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplains 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, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the Town of Callahan at the following address on or before July 15, 2026: Town of Callahan, Mike Williams, Town Manager, P.O. Box 5016, Callahan, Florida 32011, Telephone number (904) 879-3801.

A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 542300 US Highway 1, Callahan, Florida 32011, and may be examined or copied from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 Comments may also be submitted via email at pwd@townofcallahan-fl.gov.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about July 16, 2026 the Town of Callahan will submit a request to the Florida Department of Commerce (FloridaCommerce) for the release of CDBG funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake the project described below.

The Town of Callahan, located in Nassau County, Florida, has been awarded $650,000 in CDBG Neighborhood Revitalization funding to improve the Town’s sanitary sewer system.

The proposed project consists of the rehabilitation of 56 sanitary sewer collection system manholes and to rehabilitate 400 LF of 8” gravity sewer line at the intersection of US Highway 1 and 4^th Avenue, as well as to rehabilitate 200 LF of 8” gravity sewer line at the intersection of US Highway 301 and Booth Street.

The purpose of the project is to rehabilitate failing sanitary sewer infrastructure to: Reduce groundwater infiltration into the wastewater system. Improve efficiency and capacity of the wastewater treatment plant. Lower operational and maintenance costs. Ensure reliable service to residential users. The need arises from documented deterioration of sewer lines and manholes, which currently contribute to excessive inflow and infiltration and strain system capacity.

Activity and Budget Information

Activity Number & Name	Description	CDBG Budget	Local Match
03J – Sewer Line Replacement	Sanitary sewer line and manhole rehabilitation.	$508,300.00	$25,000.00

03J – Administration

Program administration, including salaries, consulting fees, and publication costs

$52,000.00

$0.00

 

Activity Number & Description                                       CDBG            Local

Name                                                                                    Budget           Match

Program administration, including 03J-Administration salaries, consulting fees, and publication $52,000.00  $0.00 costs

Total CDBG Funds: $650,000.00
Total Local Match: $25,000.00
Total Project Cost: $675,000.00

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Town of Callahan 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 542300 US Highway 1, Callahan, Florida 32011, and may be examined or copied from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Mike Williams, Town Manager, Town of Callahan, P.O. Box 5016, Callahan, Florida 32011.  Comments may also be submitted via email at pwd@townofcallahan-fl.gov. All comments must be received by July 15, 2026.  All comments will be considered prior to the Town of Callahan requesting a release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Town of Callahan certifies to the Florida Commerce that Randy Knagge in his capacity as Mayor 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. FloridaCommerce’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Callahan to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

FloridaCommerce will accept objections to its release of funds and the Town of Callahan’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 the Town of Callahan; (b) the Town of Callahan 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 FloridaCommerce; 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 Florida Department of Commerce, Office of Long-Term Resiliency at 107 East Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399.  Potential objectors should contact the Town of Callahan to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Randy Knagge, Mayor
Environmental Certifying Official
PO Box 5106
542300 US Highway 1
Callahan, Florida 32011