NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

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December 14, 2022

City of Lansing

316 N. Capitol Avenue

Lansing, MI 48933

(517) 483-4040

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Lansing, MI.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about January 2, 2023, the City of Lansing, MI will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-383) as amended and HOME Investment Partnerships Programs under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C 12701), to undertake the following projects:

Tier 1 Broad Review Project/Program Title: Community Development Block Grant and                            HOME Investment Partnerships

Purpose: The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides funding for community revitalization purposes and activities must meet at least one of the three National Objectives:  Benefit to persons of low and moderate income, elimination of slum and blight, urgent community need. The HOME program provides funding for down payment assistance, new construction, and housing rehabilitation.

Location: The City of Lansing

Project/Program Description:

Homeowner Housing Construction and Homebuyer Repairs

Level of Environmental Review Citation:

Homeowner Housing Rehabilitation - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)

Rental Unit Rehabilitation - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i)

Blight Removal - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1)

Homeowner Housing Construction and Homebuyer Repairs - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4)(i)/24 CFR 58.36

CHDO Set-aside (15% minimum required) - 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4)(i)/ 24 CFR 58.36

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(i), 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1), 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(4)(i) )/ 24 CFR 58.36

An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at

https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review-records

and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M..

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Lansing, MI 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 City of Lansing, Department of Economic Development and Planning, 316 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933, and may be reviewed on the City of Lansing’s website at www.lansingmi.gov/development

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Lansing Department of  Economic Development and Planning, 316 N. Capitol Ave., Lansing, MI 48933, Attn: Doris Witherspoon, Senior Planner, or e-mail to doris.witherspoon@lansingmi.gov.  All comments received by December 30, 2022 will be considered by the City of Lansing prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Lansing certifies to the Department of Housing and Urban Development that Andy Schor, Certifying Officer, in his capacity as Mayor 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 Department of Housing and Urban Development’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Lansing to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Department of Housing and Urban Development  will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Lansing’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 City of Lansing (b) the City of Lansing 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 Department of Housing and Urban Development; 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 e-mailed to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community Planning and Development offices at  CPD_COVID-19OEE-DET@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact the Department of Housing and Urban Development – Office of Community Planning and Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Andy Schor, Mayor, City of Lansing, Certifying Officer

Note: The fifteen or eighteen-day public comment periods are the minimum time periods required by regulation prior to submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Certification (form HUD-7015.15) to HUD/State.  The Responsible Entity may choose to allow a longer comment period.  24 CFR Part 58 requires, at Section 58.46, “Time delays for exceptional circumstances,” a 30-day comment period for controversial or unique projects or those similar to projects normally requiring preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.  The fifteen-day objection period is a statutory requirement.  The objection period follows the submission date specified in the Notice or the actual date of receipt by HUD/State, whichever is later.   

        Following completion of the comment period recipients may FAX the form HUD-7015.15 to HUD/State together with a copy of the public notice and a cover letter stating whether comments were received and, if so, how the recipient responded to the comment.  The Request for Release of Funds and Certification should not be submitted before the recipient has responded.  If the request is sent by FAX, the original signed form should be e-mailed to HUD/State.  The date of receipt by FAX will be counted as the submission date.  However, HUD will not issue the 7015.16 “Authority to Use Grant Funds” until after the original signed form is received. 

CP#22-282