NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
FREEPORT GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN AND MAIN STREET IMPROVEMENTS
FREEPORT VILLAGE HALL (45 NORTH OCEAN AVENUE) AND SOUTH MAIN STREET MALL, VILLAGE OF FREEPORT, NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK
NOVEMBER 8, 2017
Name of Responsible Entity and Recipient: New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), 99 Washington Avenue, Suite 1224, Albany, New York 12260, in cooperation with the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC), 25 Beaver Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10004. Contact: Matt Accardi (212) 480-6265. The Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery (GOSR), an office of HCR’s HTFC, is responsible for the direct administration of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program in New York State.
On or about November 17, 2017, the HCR certifying officer will submit a request and certification to HUD for the release of CDBG-DR funds appropriated under Public Law 113-2, as amended and as authorized by related laws and policies for the purpose of implementing the New York CDBG-DR Action Plan.
Project Description: GOSR proposes to provide $1,290,000.00 in CDBG-DR funding for the implementation of two (2) green infrastructure projects. One will be located in the Village of Freeport’s municipal parking lot located at 46 North Ocean Avenue and the second will be located in a pedestrian plaza located at the intersection of South Main Street and Smith Street. The improvements will incorporate rain gardens and bio swales to demonstrate green infrastructure practices (the “Proposed Project”). The Proposed Project will also include educational components such as informative signage to raise public awareness of green infrastructure strategies and their environmental benefits to encourage and promote utilization in other areas.
The Proposed Project is categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) by HUD regulations at 24 C.F.R. Part 58.35(a). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file and available for review and copying in person.
Public Review: Public viewing is available in person Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the following address: Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 25 Beaver Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10004. Contact: Matt Accardi (212) 480-6265.
Further information or a copy of the ERR may be requested by writing to the above address, emailing [email protected] or by calling (212) 480-6265. This notice is being sent to individuals and groups known to be interested in these activities, local news media, appropriate local, state and federal agencies, the regional office of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency having jurisdiction, and to the HUD Field Office, and is being published in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected community.
Public Comments on NOIRROF: Any individual, group or agency may submit written comments on the Project. Comments should be submitted via email, in the proper format, on or before November 16, 2017 at [email protected]. Written comments may also be submitted at the following address, or by mail, in the proper format, to be received on or before November 16, 2017, to: Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, 25 Beaver Street, 5th Floor, New York, New York 10004. All comments must be received on or before 5:00 PM on November 16, 2017 or they will not be considered. If modifications result from public comment, these will be made prior to proceeding with the expenditure of funds.
Environmental Certification: HCR certifies to HUD that Matt Accardi, in his capacity as Certifying Officer, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the U.S. 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 approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows GOSR to use CDBG-DR program funds.
Objection to Release of Funds: HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and GOSR’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later). Potential objectors may contact HUD or the GOSR Certifying Officer to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
The only permissible grounds for objections claiming a responsible entity’s non-compliance with 24 CFR Part 58 are: (a) Certification was not executed by HCR’s Certifying Officer; (b) the responsible entity has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the responsible entity or has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before release of funds and approval of environmental certification; 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 Tennille Smith Parker, Director, Disaster Recovery and Special Issues Division, Office of Block Grant Assistance, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, 451 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20410, Phone: (202) 402-4649.
Matt Accardi
Certifying Officer
November 8, 2017
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