Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds
NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
STATE OF VERMONT
June 8, 2020
City of St. Albans, Dominic Cloud, City Manager
PO Box 867
100 No. Main St.
St. Albans, VT 05478
(802) 524-1500
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of St. Albans.
Request for Release of Funds
On or about June 25, 2020 the City of St. Albans will submit a request to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (the Agency) to release the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake a project known as Almond Blossoms Schoolhouse Implementation for the purpose of Purchase and renovation of an existing property for the purposes of expanding a childcare business. The project is located at 233-235 Lake St., St. Albans, VT 05478. The total estimated cost of the project is $600,789; approximately $98,789 in commercial financing, $2,000 in local matching funds and $500,000in anticipated CDBG funding.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The City of St. Albans has 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 of St. Albans City Hall, 100 No. Main St., St. Albans, VT 05478, and may be examined or copied Monday-Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Public Comments
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of St. Albans, Attn: Dominic Cloud, City Manager, at info@stalbansvt.com or mailed to PO Box 867, St. Albans, VT 05478. All comments received by June 24, 2020 will be considered by the City of St. Albans prior to authorizing the submission of a request for release of funds. Comments must specify which Notice they are addressing—the Finding of No Significant Impact or the Request for the Release of Funds.
Environmental Certification
The City of St. Albans is certifying to the Agency that Dominic Cloud,in his official capacity as City Manager, 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. The Agency’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of St. Albans to use the CDBG funds.
Objections to Release of Funds
The Agency will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of St. Albans’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, Dominic Cloud; (b) the City 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 or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Agency; 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed tothe Attn: James Brady, Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620, or by emailing james.brady@vermont.gov. Potential objectors should contact the Agency to verify the actual last date of the objection period.