NOI to Request Release of Funds: Escambia County HOME Substantial Housing Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Project

In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the proposed project. Other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be complied with, when individual projects are ready for review. Specifically, the proposed Project has been studied and compliance with the following laws and authorities have been established in this Tier 1 Review:  Coastal Barrier Resources Act, Clean Air Act, Explosive and Flammable Hazards, Farmlands Protection Policy Act, Noise Control Act, Sole Source Aquifers, Wild and Scenic Rivers and Environmental Justice.

Tier 2 Site Specific Review: The site specific reviews will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review: Airport Hazards, Coastal Zone Management Act, Contamination and Toxic Substances (including Radon), Endangered Species Act, National Flood Insurance Program, Floodplain Management, Historic Preservation, and Wetlands Protection. 

Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.

The table above represents the funding for grant years 2020-2021 through 2024-2025. The amounts have been previously presented in the public notice(s) of the Escambia Consortium’s Annual Action Plans.

The activity/activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 50.12 & 58.32; 40 CFR 1508.25.35(a)(3)(i).  An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Neighborhood Enterprise Division office, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305, Pensacola, FL 32502; and can be examined and name and address of other locations where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M. 

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR for consideration by Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division. Such written comments should be received at the address listed above on or before December 3, 2024, indicating the project and which notice comments are meant to address. All such comments received by December 3, 2024, 5:00 p.m. CDT, will be considered by the County. The County will not request the release of Federal funds or take any administrative action on the described activities prior to the date specified in the preceding sentence.

Escambia County is certifying to HUD that Escambia County and Wesley J. Moreno in his official 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 Escambia County to use HUD program funds. 

HUD will accept objections to its approval of the release of funds and Escambia 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) That the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer for Escambia County (the Responsible Entity); or b) that Escambia County's environmental review record 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 participant in the development process has 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 may be addressed to HUD at the following address: Field Environmental Officer, HUD-Jacksonville Field Office, 400 W. Bay Street, Suite 1015, Jacksonville, FL 32202. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.