Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed 
Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain

To: All interested Agencies, including Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Groups, and Individuals

This is to give notice that the City of Detroit under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding, authorized by Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022 Public Law 117-43, is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain, and the City of Detroit will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 11990, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands.

The proposed project is located along the Rouge River within Eliza Howell Park, west of Lyndon Street in the City of Detroit. The project location spans from the intersection with Greydale Street, extending to Beaverland Street, and past the end of Lyndon Street to meet the east bank of the Rogue River in the Brightmoor Neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the Freeboard Value Approach (FVA).

This project is one phase of a larger stormwater improvement project located in the Brightmoor neighborhood. The purpose of this project is to improve the quality of the Rouge River by introducing storm-only flows and reducing the volume of combined sewage that outlets during large rain events. The proposed outfall involves installation of 6,600 linear feet of sewer ranging between 12” – 54” in diameter, 6,600 linear feet of pavement replacement, and new construction of a 54” designated stormwater outlet into the Rouge River to reduce the occurrence of sewage discharging from the existing combined sewer outlet. The existing CSO will remain in place, as its function is still required for the regional sewer system, including other areas north of the drainage areas to be served by the proposed outfall. The project’s site area of impact upstream includes the installation of an 18-acre detention pond. The detention pond is designed to collect and manage stormwater from a 233-acre catchment area, which will flow to the new stormwater outfall. The proposed site area of impact below the Ordinary High-Water Mark includes 45 linear feet of stream and 143 cubic yards for the pre-cast wing wall of the outfall. There will be a temporary impact below the 100-year floodplain of 77 cubic yards during construction, which will be restored. There is no anticipated required project compensation because the overall impacts to the Rouge River are beneficial. The City of Detroit is utilizing Community Development Block Grant -Disaster Recovery funding awarded from HUD in response to the severe storms and flooding in 2023 and funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support this project. The site is located partially within the A Zone (special flood hazard area) as indicated on the FEMA Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Panel 69 of 575 Map Number 26163C0069E, revised February 2nd, 2012.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in floodplain 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. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the floodplain. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comments about floodplain 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, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by the City of Detroit at the following address on or August 11, 2026

City of Detroit Housing & Revitalization Department
2 Woodward Avenue, Suite 908
Detroit, MI 48226
Attention: Penny Dwoinen, Environmental Review Officer

A full description of the project may also be reviewed on the City of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Public Notice page https://detroitmi.gov/departments/housing-and-revitalization-department…. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected] 

Date: July 27, 2026