Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Wetland To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals This is to give notice that the Bryan County Board of Commissioners has determined that the following proposed action under the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief Infrastructure Program is located adjacent to, may be partially located in, and may affect wetlands, and Bryan County Board of Commissioners will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the wetland and the potential impacts on the wetland from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988, as amended by Executive Order 13690 and/or 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 location is parcel 061056001, 66 Captain Matthew Freeman Drive, Richmond Hill in Bryan County. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using a freeboard value approach. In accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 55, Bryan County evaluated the project using the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) based on the effective FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map and LOMR 19-04-3361P. The proposed Emergency Operations Center and all associated access are located entirely within FEMA Zone X--outside both the 100-year and 500-year (FFRMS) floodplains--thereby avoiding floodplain impacts and meeting siting requirements for a critical action. The northern portion of Parcel 061056001 is located within the FEMA-mapped 500-year floodplain Zone X, which has no special requirements and is not a special flood hazard area. The wetland is associated with the Ogeechee River basin and its tributary systems, with potential localized floodway conveyance functions. The wetland system in this area is best classified as palustrine forested and emergent wetland with riverine influence, characteristic of the lower coastal plain of Bryan County. Existing natural and beneficial functions including floodwater storage and conveyance; groundwater recharge and discharge; erosion control; water quality maintenance; and habitat for flora and fauna. The proposed project is adjacent to approximately 1.53 acres of palustrine wetland located in the northern portion of the parcel. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in wetland 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 wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the wetland. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about the wetland 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 wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the Bryan County Board of Commissioners at the following address on or before June 5, 2026: Bryan County Board of Commissioners, 51 N. Courthouse Street, Pembroke and 912-312-2986, Attention: Carter Infinger, Chair, Board of Commissioners c/o Eric Van Otteren. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8AM to 4:30 PM at 51 N. Courthouse Street, Pembroke and at BryanCountyGa.gov. Comments may also be submitted via email to evanotteren@bryancountyga.gov. Date: May 21, 2026 53710 5.21.26 RL