Notice of Finding of No Signficant Impact, Notice

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT, 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 FLOODPLAIN October 30, 2025 City of Atlanta, GA Department of Grants and Community Development 55 Trinity Avenue, SW Suite #3500 Atlanta, GA 30303 404-658-7820 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about November 15, 2025, the City of Atlanta will authorize The Housing Authority of the City of Atlanta, Georgia ("Atlanta Housing") to submit a request to the HUD Atlanta Regional Office for the release of Moving to Work ("MTW") funds under the Housing Act of 1937, as amended, to support the redevelopment of the former Leila Valley public housing site located 2400 Leila Lane SE in Atlanta, Georgia. The Leila Valley site is currently owned by Atlanta Housing and comprised of 12.7-acres of vacant, undeveloped land. Atlanta Housing proposes to implement the new construction of approximately 100-105 residential units with surface parking areas on approximately 4.6 acres divided between a north village of 1.7 acres and a south village of 2.9 acres. Atlanta Housing is also proposing to dispose of approximately 5.9 acres of land to Food Well Alliance ("FWA") for the development of a Demonstration Farm, which would include growing plots, raised beds, and fruiting trees and shrubs; a pavilion for community events, meetings and administration; and areas / structures for off-season growing and equipment storage. In addition, an active stream corridor accounts for approximately 1.3 acres, and the existing Leila Lane public right-of-way covers approximately 0.9 acres. Atlanta Housing will lead the development of housing on the site. Atlanta Housing will not participate in the development or operations of the Demonstration Farm. FWA plans for the Demonstration Farm to produce up to 100,000 pounds of food annually, all of which would be donated to the community. FWA will ground lease approximately 5.9 acres of land from Atlanta Housing, and they are not requesting HUD funding. Atlanta Housing is also proposing the restoration and naturalization of Federal Prison Creek, which will include removal of an existing concrete embankment wall, removal of an existing asphalt parking lot, and recontouring and replanting the stream bank to approximate natural conditions on the western property line of the site. Ground disturbance associated with the new construction of housing, stream restoration, and farm structures as well as the development and tilling of the farmland area is anticipated. Portions of the property are located within the regulatory floodway, 100-year floodplain, and 500-year floodplain, as identified by the FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer. In accordance with federal requirements, an 8-step decision-making process was completed. The project must adhere to the recommendations in the 8-step process. Radon testing will be required following the completion of construction of the proposed structures as a mitigation measure. Atlanta Housing is proposing to use $1,000,000 of MTW funds to support the stream restoration projected identified in the 8-step process. Atlanta Housing is also proposing to use MTW funds to conduct radon testing and any potential mitigation. This is accounted for in the housing budget. For the entire project, Atlanta Housing is proposing to utilize a total of $20,000,000 of MTW funds. The total project cost is $31,000,000. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The City of Atlanta has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment if the conditions for Floodplain Management and Contamination and Toxic Substances are followed. 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). The ERR will be made available to the public for review electronically. Please submit your request by email to gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov and to environmental@atlantahousing.org. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development, Office of Entitlement and Competitive Compliance by email at gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov. All comments received by November 14, 2025 will be considered by the City of Atlanta prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The City of Atlanta certifies to HUD that Deborah B. Lonon in her capacity as Commissioner 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 AH to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Atlanta'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 City of Atlanta; (b) the City of Atlanta 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 Tosha LeSure at Tosha.R.LeSure@hud.gov or 77 Forsyth Street SW, Atlanta, GA 30303. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD FLOODPLAIN This is to give notice that The City of Atlanta under Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management. The activity is funded through Moving to Work funds administered through Atlanta Housing. The proposed project is located at former Leila Valley public housing site with the address 2400 Leila Lane SE in Atlanta, Georgia and is located in the Federal Flood Rise Management Standard floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the Federal Flood Standard Support Tool Beta (V1.1.5) Climate Science Approach Report and the Freeboard Value Approach Report. Approximately 1.2 acres of the site are delineated as being within the Regulatory Floodway, 1% Annual Chance Flood Hazard, and 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard. The City of Atlanta has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial functions and intrinsic values of the existing floodplain: Atlanta Housing proposed to redevelop the former Leila Valley public housing site with affordable housing and an urban farm. The redevelopment plans include a concept for the restoration and naturalization of Federal Prison Creek.The project was designed to keep the housing and farm out of the floodplain. The stream restoration work will take place in the floodplain to improve the stream corridor. Atlanta Housing also considered the housing and farm but no stream restoration approach and the no development approach. Atlanta Housing is considering stream restoration using natural channel design techniques at the site for the Property, the removal of approximately 18,500 square feet of impervious surface on the property. The restoration is expected to improve stream channel stability, enhance aquatic habitat, and restore natural floodplain connectivity. These changes will support natural floodwater storage, nutrient cycling, and increased biodiversity. The housing and the farm will manage stormwater to prevent adverse effects to the stream. The project will comply with state and local floodplain protection procedures. The City of Atlanta has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11988, 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 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 about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information about floodplains can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks 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 floodplains, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the City of Atlanta at the following address on or before November 14, 2025: The City of Atlanta, Department of Grants and Community Development, Office of Entitlement and Competitive Compliance, 55 Trinity Avenue SW, Suite 3500, Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (8:15am to 5pm) and (404) 330-6390, Attention: Deborah B. Lonon, Commissioner. Comments may also be submitted via email at gmenvironmentalreview@atlantaga.gov or environmental@atlantahousing.org. Deborah B. Lonon Commissioner, Department of Grants and Community Development City of Atlanta, GA 10-30-25