NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS October 27, 2014 Snyder County PO Box 217 Middleburg, PA 17842-0217 (570) 837-4207 On or about November 4, 2014, the Snyder County Commissioners will submit a request to the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for the release of HOME funds, in association with Contract No. C000053860 in the amount of $500,000, under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (NAHA), as amended, to undertake the following project: Snyder County HOME Housing Rehabilitation Projects The County of Snyder proposes to use federal HOME funds, C000053860, in the original amount of $500,000 to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes within the County. Anticipated activities associated with the scattered sites for housing rehabilitation throughout the County include, but are not necessarily limited to, roofs, downspouts and gutters, windows, porches, steps, balconies, exterior doors and screen doors, fascia and soffits, exterior painting or siding, sidewalks, electrical system improvements, furnace, water heater, plumbing, handrails/guardrails, lead-paint related work, interior doors, bathroom improvements, wall/ceiling/floor repair, interior painting, insulation, and weatherization. The houses identified for the housing rehabilitation work will generally not receive more than $35,000 each in HOME funding. The proposed housing rehabilitation activities to be funded under the HOME program are Categorically Excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but are subject to compliance with the environmental laws and authorities listed at 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with 58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities are being reviewed and studied for the intended target area listed above. Specifically, the target area will be studied and compliance with the following laws and authorities will be established in this Tier 1 review: Coastal Barriers Resources Act, Sole Source Aquifers, Wild and Scenic River, Coastal Zone Management Act, Air Quality, Explosive&Flammable Hazards, Farmlands Protection, Airport Hazards, and Environmental Justice. As sites are identified for rehabilitation, compliance with the following environmental laws and authorities will take place in the Tier 2 review: Floodplain Management, Wetlands Protection, Historic Preservation, National Flood Insurance Program requirements, Endangered Species Act, Noise Abatement and Control, and Contamination and Toxic Substances. Additionally, lead based paint, asbestos, and radon will be treated consistent with program requirements and federal, state, and local laws. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Teri Provost, Community Development Program, SEDA-COG, 201 Furnace Road, Lewisburg, PA 17837. All comments received by November 3, 2014, will be considered by the County Commissioners, prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The Snyder County Commissioners certify to DCED that Lee Knepp, in his capacity as Chief Clerk, 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. DCED approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Commissioners to use the program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS DCED will consider objections to its release of funds and Snyder County's certification received by November 20, 2014, or for a period of 15 days from its receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the Certifying Officer of Snyder County ; or (b) Snyder County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding by HUD regulations 24 CFR Part 58; or (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 DCED; or (d) another Federal Agency, acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding to DCED that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58), and may be addressed to the Department of Community and Economic Development, Office of Community Development, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Fourth Floor, Harrisburg, PA 17120. Potential objectors should contact DCED to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Lee Knepp, Chief Clerk Snyder County DI:10/27/2014
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