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Final Notice and Public Explanation of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain
June 10, 2026
To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals
This is to give notice that Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) under 24 CFR Part 58 has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690, 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 Development Block Grant Disaster Recover, grant number B-21-DZ-41-0001. The proposed project(s) is located at 3761 South Pacific Highway in Medford, Jackson County and is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a 0.2 percent flood approach. The project site consists of one tax lot (Tax Lot 600 of Map 381W09B) with an area of 4.65 acres. The location is the previous site of the Rogue Valley Mobile Home Village, which was razed during the 2020 Almeda Fire. The proposed action would consist of the construction of an approximately 110-unit multifamily affordable housing development. The development would include two apartment complexes and a community building with a total building area of approximately 32,000 square feet. Other features include play areas, recreational open space, approximately 120 parking spaces and bicycle parking. Approximately 1.85 acres of the project site falls within the 0.2% (or 500-year) Annual Chance Flood Hazard. The portions of the project that would impact the floodplain include a stormwater facility, overflow parking, utility lines and a temporary staging area during construction. Analysis of alternatives for the project resulted in one project element (community building) being moved outside the floodplain, and overflow vehicle parking was moved into the floodplain. The proposed Project has the potential to contribute to further degradation of the floodplain, including associated ecological and flood risk mitigation benefits. The existing Bear Creek Greenway, a paved path used for walking, running and bicycling, is located along Bear Creek within the portion of the floodplain that is undeveloped. Existing mobile and residential homes occupy much of the floodplain in the area between the Project site and Bear Creek, which was also impacted by the 2020 Almeda Fire. Both the fire and ongoing residential development have degraded floodplain functions over time.
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) 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:
- Locate the project outside of the floodplain on an alternative site. Alternative sites throughout the Rogue Valley were assessed, but all have disqualifying factors including presence of wetlands, within the 100-year floodplain, and/or on contaminated soils.
- Move project elements currently slated to be located within the floodplain outside the floodplain. This would either be infeasible, too costly, or result in putting habitable structures within the floodplain to allow the other elements to be moved outside the floodplain.
- No alternative action. In the absence of the project the area would continue to lack affordable housing and would not contribute to providing housing destroyed in the 2020 fires.
- The site will be compliant with all state and local floodplain protection procedures.
OHCS 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 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 floodplains 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 floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by OHCS at the following address on or before June 18, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. to OHCS, 725 Summer St NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301 and 800-453-5511, Attention: Ryan Vanden Brink, Certifying Officer c/o Erin Nieman, Federal Cross-Cutting Analyst. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the address above. Comments may also be submitted via email at
erin.nieman@hcs.oregon.gov.
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds notifies the public about the request for release of funds for Affordable Housing Development Program project. Sharing this information offers transparency and gives the public time to submit thoughts and comments for 15 days about the project and the use of HUD funding. Public comments will be accepted until
June 25, 2026 11:59 p.m. Pacific. If you would like to provide feedback, please complete the public comment form. Please email,
erin.nieman@hcs.oregon.gov.
June 10, 2026
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
725 Summer Street NE, Suite B
Salem, OR 97301
800-453-5511
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by OHCS.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about June 26, 2026 OHCS will submit a request to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a Housing Authority of Jackson County project known as Bennu Heights for the purpose of construction of an approximately 110-unit multifamily affordable housing development with an area of 4.65 acres at 3761 South Pacific Highway in Medford, Jackson County, Oregon. Total estimated cost of the project is $64,415,276 including $61,591,276 of federal CDBG-DR funds.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
OHCS 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 OHCS, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M or by contacting
erin.nieman@hcs.oregon.gov. Any copying requested may be subject to charges as specified in OHCS Public Records Request policy #70-010.01.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Erin Nieman, Federal Cross-Cutting Analyst, OHCS, Affordable Rental Housing Division, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301 or
erin.nieman@hcs.oregon.gov.
All comments received by June 25, 2026 by 11:59 p.m. will be considered by OHCS prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
OHCS certifies to HUD that Ryan Vanden Brink in his capacity as Assistant Director of Production, Disaster Recovery and Resilience 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 Housing Authority of Jackson County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and OHCS’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 OHCS; (b) OHCS 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; 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 emailed to HUD at
Portland_RROF@hud.gov Attention: Community Planning and Development. Potential objectors should contact HUD Portland Field Office at 971-222-2618 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Ryan Vanden Brink
Assistant Director of Production Disaster Recovery and Resilience
Grant Number: B-21-DZ-41-0001
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
Lane County Community Resilience and Recovery division
The Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds notifies the public about the request for release of funds for Affordable Housing Development Program project. Sharing this information offers transparency and gives the public time to submit thoughts and comments for 15 days about the project and the use of HUD funding. Public comments will be accepted until
June 25, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific. If you would like to provide feedback, please complete the public comment form. Please email,
hcs.ahd@hcs.oregon.gov.
June 10, 2026
Oregon Housing and Community Services
725 Summer Street NE, Suite B
Salem, OR 97301-1266
800-453-5511
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Oregon Housing and Community Services or Lane County Community Resilience and Recovery division.
On or about June 26, 2026 the Oregon Housing and Community Services will authorize the
Lane County Community Resilience and Recovery division to submit a request to the HUD for the release of Community Development Block Grant -Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as McKenzie Valley Accessory Dwelling Unit for the purpose of developing an ADU program that will site small manufactured homes on private properties that will serve as ADUs. The units will be rented out for low-and moderate-income households. The units will be located throughout the McKenzie River Valley, both inside and outside the Holiday Farm Fire footprint, and sited upon multiple private properties. The estimated budget for this project is $7,625,000.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Oregon Housing and Community Services 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 Oregon Housing and Community Services, 725 Summer Street NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301-1266,
hcs.ahd@hcs.oregon.gov or 877-510-6800 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M.
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Frannie Brindle, OHCS Environmental Review Specialist, at
hcs.ahd@hcs.oregon.gov . All comments received by June 25, 2026, will be considered by OHCS prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Oregon Housing and Community Services certifies to HUD that Ryan Vanden Brink in their capacity as Assistant Director of Production Disaster Recovery and Resilience 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 Lane County Community Resilience and Recovery division to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the OHCS’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 OHCS; (b) the OHCS 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; 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 emailed to HUD at
Portland_RROF@hud.gov Attention: Community Planning and Development. Potential objectors should contact HUD at (971) 222-2618 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Ryan Vanden Brink
Assistant Director of Production Disaster Recovery and Resilience
Grant Number: B-21-DZ-41-0001 (AHD 9037)
Funding Amount: $7,625,000