Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that the Town of Brattleboro has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, and 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 through Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Relief project 07110-DR-IG-2025-Brattlebor-45. The proposed project is located on Dettman Drive, adjacent to 42 Village Drive in Brattleboro, Windham County and is located in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent (500 year) flood approach. The town seeks to build a replacement for Dettman Drive Bridge that has a span length and elevation necessary to convey a 100 year flood (503.7’ NAVD88) and bridge abutments and foundations capable of withstanding scour and erosional forces. The project will be located within the existing Dettman Drive right-of-way. The project is located in the 1% occurrence and 0.2% occurrence flood area of a FFRMS floodplain. The Whetstone and the Haladay Brooks are the flood sources. The current bridge is undersized; flood heights upstream of the replacement bridge should be lower over an area of 2 acres; elevations for an area of 0.25 acres directly below the bridge may be higher. The project will include the removal of an artificial berm and the regrading and reconnection of the floodplain with the right of way. There will be minimal or no tree cutting. The riparian buffer will be restored with native plantings. The project will not have any adverse impact over existing conditions. The project will allow for access to the more than 270 households of Mountain Home and Deepwood Parks during large flood events. The project will reduce costs and risks of displacement for residents and the cost and risks of town emergency response during flood events.
The town of Brattleboro 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: The preferred action must take place in a floodplain as it is a water dependent structure, a bridge. The bridge cannot safely be removed as it provides access to more than 270 homes. The town considered alternative actions: 1. Remove Dettman Bridge at end of useful life: this alternative does not address accessibility during flood events. It increases risk as the Winding Hill Bridge is susceptible to total failure in a flood event. 2. Construct new bridge accessed by Brookwood Drive: the site does not allow for improved geometry; construction costs would be similar. The project would require acquisition of right of way, increasing costs. There would be no additional hazard reduction as compared to a Dettman replacement bridge. 3. Construct new access along the Pleasant Valley Brook: this would create a 2 mile detour from access to Route 9, the primary arterial for the area. The road would only be suitable as an emergency backup. The route runs parallel to the Pleasant Valley Brook. Flood Hazard mapping currently under development shows the route is located in Zone A; there would still be flood hazard and a probable risk of damage to the route during flood events. The route would have unacceptable environmental risks: it would pass through areas of Class II wetlands and an intact forest block. There may be archeological resources present. 4. Construct new access from Sunset Lake Road: this route would require a minor bridge. The route would require acquisition of right of way. The route would pass through a class II wetland. It would pass through a flood hazard area and would run through or parallel to the regulatory floodway. There would be considerable flood risk. There would be a minor increase in travel times.
The preferred action will mitigate risks by extending the span length and height and building flood resistant foundations and abutments; the design will convey floodwaters during a 100 year event and withstand flood forces. The action will plant trees and native vegetation in the riparian buffer. The ground will be regraded to remove the existing berm. Stormwater will discharge into a swale or bioswale for infiltration and treatment before flowing into the brook. The project will conform to the Vermont Stream Alteration Rule, River Corridor Rule, and Floodplain Management Rule.
The town of Brattleboro has reevaluated alternatives to building in the floodplain and has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 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 the FFRMS designated 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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about a FFRMS designated 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 a FFRMS designated floodplain it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the town of Brattleboro at the following address on or before August 16, 2026, Town of Brattleboro, 230 Main St, Ste 202, Brattleboro, VT 05301 and 802-251-8111, Attention: Brian Bannon, Assistant Planning Director. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the address above and at Brattleboro.gov. Comments may also be submitted via email at [email protected].
Date: August 1, 2026
COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
STATE OF VERMONT
August 1, 2026
Town of Brattleboro [RE]
230 Main St, Ste 202
Brattleboro, VT 05301
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Town of Brattleboro
Request for Release of Funds
On or about August 16, 2026, the town of Brattleboro will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the release of U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR1) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, and under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.) in FEMA Disaster Declaration FEMA Disaster Declaration 4720 (July 7, 2023- July 21, 2023 flooding). These federal funds are authorized by Section 239 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4, approved March 15, 2025) through a grant to the Agency by HUD under the CDBG-DR program, to undertake a project known as the Dettman Bridge Replacement project for the purpose of building a replacement for Dettman Drive Bridge that has a span length and elevation necessary to convey a 100 year flood, with new foundations, abutments and deck and a regraded approach road, with $1.7 million CDBG-DR funding and $256,725 town of Brattleboro capital funding.
There is no required mitigation; the project will reduce flood heights, increase public safety, reconnect a portion of the floodplain to the Whetstone Brook, treat stormwater, and restore a segment of riparian buffer with native plantings.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The town of Brattleboro has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. 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) on file at Planning, 230 Main St, Ste 202, Brattleboro, VT 05301 and at brattleboro.gov and may be examined or copied weekdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Public Comments
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Planning Department, Town of Brattleboro. All comments received by August 16, 2026 will be considered by the town of Brattleboro prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
Environmental Certification
The Agency is certifying to HUD that Alex Farrell in his official capacity as Commissioner of the VT Department of Housing and Community Development, 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 the Agency to use the CDBG-DR1 funds.
Objections to Release of Funds
HUD & the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the town of Brattleboro’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 town of Brattleboro; (b) the town of Brattleboro 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 & Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development 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 the HUD Director of Community Planning and Development [email protected]. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.