Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds of Tiered Housing Rehabilitation Program

Date of Publication/Posting: December 21, 2022

Grantee/Responsible Entity: City of White Salmon

Grantee/Responsible Entity Address: PO Box 2139, White Salmon, WA 98672

TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS

On or after December 29, 2022 the above-named Responsible Entity (RE) will request the Washington State Department of Commerce (Commerce) to release federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383) for the following project: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Contract # 21-62210-039.

Program Title: 2021 Skamania-Klickitat County Regional Home Rehabilitation Loan Program

Estimated Project Cost: $400,000

Purpose of the Project: Home rehabilitation to improve safety and sanitary conditions of permanent residential structures for eligible low- and moderate-income property owners.

Location: The general location of the project is Skamania and Klickitat counties. Housing project locations will be assessed through site-specific environmental reviews when addresses are known.

Program Description: A $400,000 grant has been awarded to the City of White Salmon for the purpose specified above. Tier 2 site-specific environmental reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in a Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses are known.

Level of Environmental Review Citation: 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i).

Tier 2 site-specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review:  Historic Properties (National Historic Preservation Act, sec.106,) Floodplain Management (Executive Order 11988,) Protection of Wetlands (Executive Order 11990,) Noise Abatement and Control (Noise Control Act of 1972,) Toxic Chemicals and Radioactive Materials (HUD Policy 24 CFR Part 50.3(i) and 58.5(i)(2)) and Airport Clear Zones and Accident Potential Zones (HUD Policy 24 CFR Part 51 Subpart D.)

Mitigation Measures: Tier 2 project reviews will evaluate site proximity to floodplains, wetlands, hazardous facilities and airports. Historic Preservation will be addressed through outreach to the Department of Archaeology & Historic Preservation and affected Tribes.

The proposed activities are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per the Level of Environmental Review Citation above. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at 100 N. Main, White Salmon WA and may be examined or requested weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of White Salmon Clerk Treasurer at PO Box 2139, White Salmon WA 98672 or clerktreasurer@ci.white-salmon.wa.us. All comments received by December 28, 2022 will be considered by the mayor of the city of White Salmon prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of White Salmon certifies to Commerce that Mayor Marla Keethler, Certifying Official, 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. Commerce’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of White Salmon to use State Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

Commerce will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of White Salmon 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 Official of the City of White Salmon; b) the City of White Salmon 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 Commerce; 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 to Local Government Division, Community Development Block Grant Program Manager, Department of Commerce, 1011 Plum Street SE, PO Box 42525, Olympia, Washington 98504-2525. Potential objectors should contact the Community Development Block Grant Program at (360) 725-4000 to verify the actual last day of the objection period.