FLOOD09102

• County: Logan
• Community: Sterling
• Basin: South Patte
• Title: Sterling Flood Control Interceptor Channel Project
• Date: 4/1/2002
• Prepared For: Sterling
• Prepared By: URS
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Project

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SEmOIPOUR

Summary

Three alternatives were evaluated in this EA. They include: No Action, Construction of the
Sterling Flood Control Interceptor Channel, and Improving Routing of Pawnee Creek Flood
Flows. Potential environmental impacts for each of the three alternatives are summarized in
Table I.

The No Action Alternative would have no direct impacts on the environment. Flooding and the
associated impacts on Sterling would continue as in the past.

Alternative 2 (Proposed Action) involves the construction of the Sterling Flood Control
Interceptor Channel. Combined, the constructed facilities would disturb approximately 60 acres
ofland. Ofthese 60 acres, 55 acres are classified as prime farmland. Of the 55 acres of prime
farmland, 45 of the acres would be returned to hay production. All project activities are
consistent with zoning in Sterling and Logan County. Hydrologic modeling indicated that
Sterling would not be flooded by the 100-year flood event. No populations within the
community would be adversely affected, including minority and low-income populations. Ifthe
proposed flood control structures had been in place during the 1997 flood event, flood damages
would have been reduced from $19 million to less than $8 million. Less than 0.50 acres of
wetland would be disturbed by the construction of Alternative 2. Traffic (both vehicular and
rail), air quality, and noise would cause minor, short-term adverse impacts during construction.
Cultural resources would not be adversely affected by the proposed construction.

Alternative 3 involves the construction of flood control/flood management structures near the
Riverside Cemetery in Sterling. The alternative would disturb approximately 45 acres of land.
Ofthese 45 acres, 33 acres are classified as prime farmland. Ofthese 33 acres, 28 acres would
be restored to production. All project activities are consistent with zoning in Sterling and Logan
County. Hydrologic modeling indicated that Sterling would not be flooded by the 100-year
flood event. No populations within the community would be adversely affected, including
minority and low-income populations. If the proposed flood control structures had been in place
during the 1997 flood event, flood damages would have been reduced from $19 million to less
than $8 million. Traffic (both vehicular and rail), air quality, and noise would cause minor,
short-term adverse impacts during construction. Cultural resources would not be adversely
affected by the proposed construction.

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