Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain or Wetland

 To:  All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that Beaverhead County has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and/or Executive Order 11990, 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 Community Project Funding B-24-CP-MT-1305. The proposed project location is 45°18’18.65″N, 112°33’48.46″W in Dillon, Beaverhead County, and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain / wetland. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using 0.2 percent flood approach. The existing Anderson Lane Bridge over the Beaverhead River is a single-lane, load-limited, bridge that provides primary access to numerous residential users, agricultural operations, and recreationalists. Beaverhead County proposed to replace the structure with a new prestressed concrete structure on driven pile foundations. The new Anderson Lane Bridge will provide a two-lane crossing, increase safety, ensure long-term access, handle legal loading requirements, and maintain waterway adequacy.

Beaverhead County 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/wetland: no action, relocation, replacement in existing location, and closure. A no-rise analysis was completed for the new structure to demonstrate no increase in base flood elevations or velocities in compliance with State and local regulations. Replacing the bridge in the existing location was selected to prevent the acquisition of private property and minimize effects to undisturbed adjacent wetlands and floodplain. Both upstream and downstream reaches of the Beaverhead River are also located in a mapped floodplain.

Beaverhead County has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain/wetland and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain/wetland development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and/or Executive Order 11990, 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 floodplain/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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain/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/wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the Beaverhead County at the following address on or before June 26, 2025: Beaverhead County, 2 S Pacific #4, Dillon, MT 59725, Attention: Michael McGinley, Chairman. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 2 South Pacific Street, Suite 3, Dillion, MT 59725, and beaverheadcountymt.gov. Comments may also be submitted via email at ssetzer@beaverheadcountymt.gov.

See the Preliminary Engineering Report document for more information.

Date: June 17, 2025