SEWARD COUNTY PROJECT NAME: ROAD DEPARTMENT’S 420TH ROAD IMPROVEMENTS HUD GRANT NUMBER: B-24-CP-NE-1365 This is the Final Notice and Public Explanation of Proposed Activity in a Wetland in regards to Seward County’s proposed federal-aid Road Department’s 420th Road Improvements project. This project is partially funded by a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Grant B-24-CP-NE-1365, so HUD’s 8 Step Decision Making Process was completed to address minor wetland impacts ensuring compliance with Executive Order 11990 Protection of Wetlands, in accordance with HUD Regulations at 24 CFR Part 55 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The Road Department’s 420th Road Improvements project will widen and pave 5.5 miles of 420th Road from US Highway 34 (US-34) to Interstate 80 (I-80) in Seward County. The Purpose of the project is to improve the reliability of the transportation system and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public. The Need is based on June 2020 traffic counts, which indicated an average of 2,237 vehicles per week as this is the main access road between the Village of Beaver Crossing and US Highway 34 (US-34). The Need is further supported because 420th Road also provides direct access for several agricultural producers in the area: two chicken farms, three feedlots, and a trucking business. Seward County, as the Responsible Entity under 24 CRF Part 58 Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities, has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures for wetlands to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values. The 3 alternatives analyzed: No Action Alternative (NAA), Action Alternative (AA), and Modified Action Alternative (MAA). The No Action Alternative (NAA) would not widen and surface 420th Road and would not fulfill the Purpose and Need to improve the reliability of the transportation system and perpetuate the mobility of the traveling public. The Action Alternative (AA) would widen and surface 420th Road but would not utilize Best Management Practices (BMPs) to lessen wetland impacts. The AA wetland impacts are 0.0450 acres. The Modified Action Alternative (MAA) would widen and surface 420th Road using BMPs to avoid and minimize wetland impacts. The MAA wetland impacts are 0.0431 acres, which is below the HUD mitigation level of 1 acre. The MAA’s BMPs to avoid and minimize impacts to wetlands included: a) Using the existing alignment to minimize wetland impacts. b) Limiting the project to the minimum area necessary to construct the project by ensuring the Limits of Construction are as small as possible. c) Designing rip rap basins to the extent possible to minimize impacts on the surrounding ground while still providing the required energy dissipation. d) Tying the grading to the existing road as soon as possible to minimize ground disturbance. e) Reducing the overall project footprint by adjusting the foreslopes from 4:1 to 3:1 to minimize impacts. f) Marking the wetlands, not impacted, on the project plans for avoidance (mitigation measure). The MAA is the Preferred Alternative of the proposed action because it meets the Purpose and Need while minimizing wetland impacts to the greatest extent possible. The MAA must be located in a small wetland as there is no other practicable alternative, as moving the road to a new location would increase impacts on all environmental resources. The wetland impacts are minor and will not require mitigation. A US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 permit and a Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) Section 401 Permit will be required. Seward County has reevaluated the alternatives to building in the wetland and has determined it has no practicable alternative. Environmental files documenting compliance with Sections 3 through 6 of Executive Order 11990, are available for public inspection and copying upon request at the times and location in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments. There are three primary purposes for this Final Notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in 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 outreach program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about wetlands 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 wetlands, it must inform those who may be put at a greater or continued risk. This project is not impacting floodplains, so there is no greater risk. With this Final Notice, Seward County fulfills the requirements of the 8 Step Decision Making Process, which included an Alternatives Analysis. Seward County selected the MAA as the Preferred Alternative because it best fulfills the Purpose and Need while minimizing the impacts to wetlands. A previous round of Public Outreach was provided May 7 to May 28, 2025, with responses to public comment mailed out on July 18, 2025. If you commented during the first round of Public Outreach you do not need to comment again if your opinion remains the same. New written comments regarding the 420th Road project must be received by Seward County at the following address or via email by October 2, 2025: Jon Regnier, Seward County Highway Superintendent, 529 Seward Street, Seward, NE 68434. jregnier@sewardcountyne.gov Telephone: 402.643.3170. A full description of the project may also be requested using the same contact information. SCI/MT — September 24, 2025 ZNEZ
