Notice Of Finding Of No Significant Impact And Notice Of Intent To Request Release Of Funds

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

May 24, 2021

City of San Augustine

301 S. Harrison Street

San Augustine, TX 75972

(936) 275-2121

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

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about June 15, 2021 the City of San Augustine will submit a request to the Texas Department of Agriculture for the release of Texas Community Development Block Grant funds under Section 104(f) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as Water Improvements Project for the purpose of will rehabilitate components at the existing water treatment plant (WTP) to reduce maintenance issues. The City will install concrete foundation, metal building enclosure, electrical improvements, replace backwash discharge piping, and all associated appurtenances. All work will be conducted within the footprint of the existing WTP.  Project activities include administration, engineering and construction.  Construction will take place at the existing WTP located near FM 2213 in San Augustine, Texas. These activities will benefit the entire City, two thousand two hundred fifty (2,250) persons, of which one thousand five hundred seventy-five (1,575) or seventy percent (70%) are of low-to-moderate income. This project is being funded by the Texas Department of Agriculture in the amount of $275,000 with no local match required.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of San Augustine 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 San Augustine, 301 S. Harrison Street, San Augustine, TX 75972 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 5:00 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of San Augustine.  All comments received by June 11, 2021 will be considered by the City of San Augustine prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of San Augustine certifies to Texas Department of Agriculture that Leroy Hughes 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.  Texas Department of Agriculture approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of San Augustine to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

Texas Department of Agriculture will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of San Augustine 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 San Augustine; (b) the City of San Augustine 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 Texas Department of Agriculture; 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 Texas Department of Agriculture, Office of Rural Affairs at Luci.Cook-Hildreth@TexasAgriculture.gov or CDBG_EnvReview@TexasAgriculture.gov.  Potential objectors should contact Texas Department of Agriculture to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Leroy Hughes, Mayor