North Charlotte Today

A draft environmental assessment (EA) concerning the proposed King’s Branch Stream Restoration project in Mecklenburg County is now available. The draft EA evaluates possible environmental impacts to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) is needed. It outlines the project's purpose, considered alternatives, the environment that would be affected, and possible environmental outcomes.

The project aims to modify the section of Kings Branch that runs from just below Archdale Drive to slightly above East Arrowood Road. Along with stream restoration activities, a realignment of the sanitary sewer will be constructed. The project plans to restore approximately 6,419 linear feet of stream and intends to reduce the Community Base Flood Elevation to one foot below the finished floor levels of vulnerable buildings, bringing six apartment buildings and one office/shop building into compliance with floodplain regulations.

The project will receive partial funding from the Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. FEMA has judged the proposed action as the most viable option to lower flood risks while minimizing impacts. This action aligns with the goals of the HMGP grant program, which aims to reduce or eliminate the risks posed by natural disasters and hazards. Best management practices will be applied, and all relevant local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and ordinances will be followed to minimize potential impacts on water quality and aquatic habitats.

A hardcopy of the draft EA is available for review at the Mecklenburg County Land Use & Environmental Services Agency, located at 2145 Suttle Ave. in Charlotte. The public comment period ends on May 22. Residents can obtain more information by emailing [email protected] and should send comments in writing, using the subject line, "FEMA HMGP Mecklenburg County King’s Branch Stream Restoration." If no significant comments are received, the draft EA and associated FONSI will be finalized. Any substantive comments will be addressed in the final documents.