NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
March 1, 2011
Grant County Commissioners
Grant County Courthouse,
P.O. Box 37, Ephrata, WA 98823.
Telephone 509/762-5541 (John Poling at the Housing Authority of Grant County)
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Name of RE or Grantee.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about March 2nd the Grant County Commissioners will "Authorize the Housing Authority of Grant County to" submit a request to the HUD/State administering agency for the release of SHOP grant funds under Section II of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996, as amended, to undertake a project known as Farm Worker Larson Homeownership Project, for the purpose of the removal of 1950s-era single-family and duplex structures from 16 lots located in the Larson Subdivision of North Moses Lake, and the new construction of 16 single family houses for sale to low-income farm worker families. Estimated total project cost: $1,786,000.00
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Grant County Commissioners have 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 Grant County Courthouse, Commissioner's Office, Attention June Strickler, P.O. Box 37, 35 C Street Northwest, Ephrata, WA 98823. This document is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 AM to 5 PM.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the RE designated office responsible for receiving and responding to comments. All comments received by March 18th will be considered by the Grant County Commissioners prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Grant County Commissioners certifies to HUD/State that Carolyn Schwartz, in her capacity as Chair Board of County Commissioners 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/State's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Housing Authority of Grant County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD/State will accept objections to its release of funds and the Grant County Commissioner'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 Name of Responsible Entity (RE); (b) the RE 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 has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD/State; 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) and shall be addressed to HUD/State grant administration office at Address of that office. Potential objectors should contact HUD/State to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Carolyn Schwartz, Chair Board of County Commissioners
#03027/1523282
Pub.: March 10, 2011