Saluda Grade Trail- Public Review & Comment Notice

August 27th 2025

Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed

Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain or Wetland

To: All interested Agencies, Groups and Individuals

This is to give notice that Spartanburg County, South Carolina has determined that the following proposed action under Community Project Funding Grant Agreement B-24-CP-SC-2017 is located includes activities in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and/or wetland, and Spartanburg County will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and/or wetland and the potential impacts on the floodplain and/or 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 extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the 0.2 percent flood approach. The extent of the wetlands was determined by using data from the US Fish and Wildlife Service National Wetlands Inventory.

The proposed project includes activities in the following jurisdictions:

• Inman, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
• Campobello, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
• Landrum, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
• Tryon, Polk County, North Carolina
• Saluda, Polk County, North Carolina
• Unincorporated Areas, Spartanburg County, South Carolina
• Unincorporated Areas, Greenville County, South Carolina
• Unincorporated Areas, Polk County, North Carolina

Project Name: Saluda Grade Rail Corridor

Project Description: Spartanburg County is acting as the Responsible Entity with Partners for Active Living, who are developing a community-led implementation plan for a paved trail along the former Saluda Grade rail corridor in Spartanburg and Greenville counties, South Carolina. Partners for Active Living and its partners are committed to delivering the proposed study and 1 mile of construction. Approximately half of the funds will be used in North Carolina and half of the funds will be used in South Carolina. Work will begin on these tasks in the coming months and will inform preliminary engineering tasks to be funded through the CPF grant.

• Grant Program: Economic Development Initiative Community Project Funding
• Grant Number: B-24-CP-SC-2017
• Grant Amount: $6,000,000
• Total Estimated Funding: $7,000,000

The following specific sites contain an FFRMS Floodplain and/or Wetland.

Site 1

• Location: Motlow Creek
• Longitude/Latitude: 35.10799, -82.14288
• FFRMS Floodplain Type: 100-Year Floodplain
• FFRMS Floodplain Impact Size: Approximately 16,000 square feet (80 feet x 200 feet)
• Base Flood Elevation: 832 feet
• Wetland Type: N/A
• Wetland Impacted Size: N/A

Site 2

• Location: South Pacolet River (Southern Floodplain)
• Longitude/Latitude: 35.12283, -82.15005
• FFRMS Floodplain Type: 100-Year Floodplain
• FFRMS Floodplain Impact Size: Approximately 37,600 square feet (80 feet x 470 feet)
• Base Flood Elevation: 845 feet
• Wetland Type: N/A
• Wetland Impacted Size: N/A

Site 3

• Location: South Pacolet River (Northern Floodplain)
• Longitude/Latitude: 35.12614, -82.15081
• FFRMS Floodplain Type: 100-Year Floodplain
• FFRMS Floodplain Impact Size: Approximately 29,600 square feet (80 feet x 370 feet)
• Base Flood Elevation: 845 feet
• Wetland Type: N/A
• Wetland Impacted Size: N/A

Site 4

• Location: Big Fall Creek
• Longitude/Latitude: 35.21991, -82.29891
• FFRMS Floodplain Type: 100-Year Floodplain
• FFRMS Floodplain Impact Size: Approximately 10,400 square feet (80 feet x 130 feet)
• Base Flood Elevation: 1,380 feet
• Wetland Type: N/A
• Wetland Impacted Size: N/A
• Total Size of FFRMS Floodplains Impacted: 93,600 square feet (2.15 acres)
• Total Wetlands Impacted: 0 square feet (0 acres)

Floodplains and wetlands provide a number of natural and social benefits. They provide floodwater storage and conveyance, groundwater discharge or recharge, erosion control, water quality maintenance, and habitat for flora and fauna. Floodplains also have intrinsic values, including recreational, educational, scientific, historic, and cultural.

There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in a floodplain and/or 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 floodplain and/or wetland, alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the [floodplain/wetland]. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comments about floodplain and/or 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 floodplain and/or wetland, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.

Written comments must be received by Spartanburg County at the following address on or before September 2, 2025:  

Spartanburg County

9039 Fairforest Road

Spartanburg, SC 29301

864-595-5309

Attention: Kerry S. Easler, Program Coordinator

A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 10am to 4pm at the above address. Comments may also be submitted via email at keasler@spartanburgcounty.org.

Date: Monday, August 18, 2025