NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
November 20, 2024
Powhatan County
3834 Old Buckingham Road, Suite A
Powhatan, VA 23139
804-598-5612
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Powhatan County.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about December 10, 2024, Powhatan County will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Richmond Field Office, Community Planning and Development Division, for the release of a Community Project Funding (CPF)/Congressional Directed Spending grant under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (P.L. 117-103), as amended, to undertake a project known as the Education Connection Trail, for the purpose of constructing an approximately 2.4-mile trail extension to Powhatan County’s existing Fighting Creek Park Trail network. The project generally located south of Old Buckingham Road behind the Powhatan Middle and Elementary Schools and within the northern portion of Fighting Creek Park, within the community of Powhatan in the central portion of Powhatan County, VA 23139. The estimated amount of the CPF grant is $150,173, which is the estimated total cost of project construction.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Powhatan County 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 Powhatan County, County Administration Department, 3834 Old Buckingham Road, Suite A, Powhatan, VA 23139 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M. to 5 P.M. Requests for copies must be made to Will Hagy, Deputy County Administrator via e-mail at whagy@powhatanva.gov or via telephone at 804-598-3719.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Powhatan County by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above. All comments received by December 9, 2024 will be considered by Powhatan County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Powhatan County certifies to HUD that Mr. Bret Schardein in his capacity as County Administrator 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. HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Powhatan County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Powhatan County’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 Powhatan County; (b) Powhatan County 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 HUD; 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 emailed to HUD at CPDRROFRIC@hud.gov, Attention: Mr. Ronnie J. Legette, Sr., Director, Community Planning and Development Division. Potential objectors should contact HUD at (800) 842-2610, Extension 4881, to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Mr. Bret Schardein
County Administrator