FINDING OF NO PRACTICABLE ALTERNATIVE (FONPA) RND TxDOT Perpetual Easement for Widening of FM 1518
The Air Force is proposing to grant TxDOT a perpetual easement to two strips of land on JBSA-Randolph to allow TxDOT to widen FM 1518 from two lanes to four lanes from FM 78 to I-10. The northern parcel includes Air Force property that is within the current 100-year floodplain. While TxDOT is complying separately with Federal Highway Administration program requirements for roadway activities based on Executive Order (EO) 11988, Floodplain Management, the Air Force also has an obligation to comply with its EO 11988 requirements in granting use of its floodplain property for these purposes.
Air Force EO 11988 requirements include identification of alternatives to development in the floodplain, public notification of proposed action in the floodplain, an evaluation of potential adverse effects and identification of measures to minimize adverse effects, and preparation of a Finding of No Practicable Alternative document. Any roadway widening alternatives considered must be in the floodplain, as the section of FM 1518 to be widened is presently within the 100-year floodplain. The Air Force conducted an environmental analysis in accordance with 32 CFR Part 989, Air Force Environmental Impact Analysis Process. The analysis included an assessment of the impacts of the proposed action on flood risk to lives and property, and on the natural and beneficial values of floodplains, as described in the Water Resources Council’s implementation guidance to EO 11988. The proposed action will result in no adverse effects to the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain on JBSA property. This project would not cause adverse effects to the natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain, nor will it cause the height or velocity of floodwaters to create flood hazards. Due to this, this action is not considered as incompatible development in a floodplain, and widening the roadway within the 100-year floodplain is the only practicable alternative to expand the roadway to four lanes.
In accordance with the requirements of EO 11988, the Air Force provided Early Public Notice for the proposed action to occur in a 100-year floodplain. The Early Public Notice was posted on 18 March 2024 on the Joint Base San Antonio public website and was posted for 30 days. No public comments were received.