NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
STATE OF VERMONT
September 30, 2024
Village of Swanton: William Sheets, Village Manager
Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager
Village of Swanton
120 First Street
PO Box 279
Swanton, VT 05488
802-868-3397 / 802-868-3930 (fax)
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Village of Swanton.
Request for Release of Funds
On or about October 18, 2024, the Village of Swanton will submit a request to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (the Agency) to release the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake the project known as the Maquam Bay of Missisquoi Abenaki Food Pantry for the purpose of building renovations. project is located at 100 Grand Ave., Swanton, VT 05488. The total estimated cost of the project is $1,416,770; approximately $1,005,719 from various grant funding sources, and $411,051 in anticipated CDBG funding. The scope of work includes mitigation of lead-hazards in soils by removal and disposal of soils at a licensed facility.
Finding of No Significant Impact
The Village of Swanton 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) that will be placed on file at the municipal office of the Village of Swanton at 120 First St, Swanton, VT 05488 as of the date of this Notice, if anticipated funds are awarded, and may be examined or copied during Village office hours from 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12:30 p.m to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding holidays, & otherwise as posted on the website: https://www.swantonvt.gov/village/welcome.
Public Comments
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Village of SwantonAttn: William Sheets, Village Manager and/or Lynn Paradis, Assistant Village Manager at the following email address: village@swanton.net. All comments received by October 18, 2024 will be considered by the Village of Swanton prior to authorizing the submission of a request for release of funds. Comments must specify which Notice they are addressing—the Finding of No Significant Impact or the Request for the Release of Funds.
Environmental Certification
The Village of Swanton is certifying to the Agency that William Sheets,in his official capacity as Village Manager, 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 Agency’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Village Manager to use the CDBG funds.
Objections to Release of Funds
The Agency will accept objections to its release of funds and the Village of Swanton’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, William Sheets; (b) the Village 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 Agency; 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 tothe Attn: Grace Vinson, Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620. Potential objectors should contact the Agency to verify the actual last date of the objection period.