Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a 100-Year Floodplain and Wetland

This is to give notice that Lake County Community Development has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988 and/or 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands, to determine the potential affect that its activity in the floodplain and wetland will have on the human environment for Edina Park Bike Trail 2023 under HUD Grant Number B-23-UC-17-003 and local grant number 2359.

The proposed project is in the City of Zion in Lake County, Illinois between 17th Street to the North and 33rd Street to the South, East of Edina Boulevard and West of the Metra Union Pacific North railroad. The project is in A Zone floodplain and wetland. Approximately 2350 feet of the project area is not located in the floodplain or wetland.

The proposed project consists of the rehabilitation and resurfacing of approximately 1.5 miles of the existing asphalt trail and replacement with granular stone surface materials in the City of Zion, Lake County, Illinois. The project will also include widening the existing trail from 6 feet to 8 feet, updating roadway crossing crosswalks, brining the crosswalk connections into compliance with ADA, concrete curb ramps, providing trail entry and crossing signage and improving drainage with culvert and riprap replacements at drainage crossing. A bike repair and stopping area will be added to one of the main trail crossings and entries. This action is necessary as the trail has been in place since 1973 and is in poor condition. The project has three layers of funding to include Zion Park District funding, Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Lake County Community Development grants.

Zion Park District and Lake County Community Development have considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. The first alternative was to do no action. This alternative was not feasible as the bike trail has been in place since 1973 and is need of repair to maintain the public safety. The second alternative is to relocate the bike trail however, considering the longevity of the trail and constructing of a trail over rehabilitation and resurfacing would be cost prohibitive.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by
activities in floodplains and wetlands 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 and wetlands 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 and wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Lake County Community Development at the following address on or before June 23, 2023, Lake County Community Development 500 W. Winchester Road, Unit 101, Libertyville, IL 60048, 847-377-2150,
Attention: Brenda O’Connell, Community Development Administrator, during the hours of 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Comments may also be submitted via email at communitydevelopment@lakecountyil.gov. All comments will be reviewed and taken into consideration prior to the decision on the proposed project.