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

November 8, 2023

Augusta Housing & Community Development Department
510 Fenwick Street
Augusta, GA 30901
(706) 821-1797

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Augusta Housing & Community Development (HCD).

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about November 14, 2023, HCD will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C 12701 et seq.).   The Project is known as The Lenox. This source of funds will help to finance the construction of The Lenox, a new construction general occupancy 4-story elevator building located at 1016 Laney Walker Boulevard, Augusta, GA 30901, August, Richmond County, Georgia.  The Lenox is located on a 1.5-acre site, and will be an affordable housing development and will help revitalize the Laney Walker Blvd corridor that is part of the Laney Walker/Bethlehem Revitalization Plan.  Funding information is as follows:

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Housing & Community Development 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 HUD Environmental Review Online System (HEROS) file number: 900000010354551 and titled The Lenox where the record is available for review through online access. A hard copy can be reviewed at HCD office located at 510 Fenwick Street Augusta, GA 30901 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 9 A.M to 5 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to HCD for receiving and responding to comments.  All comments received by November 18, 2023, will be considered by HCD prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

HCD certifies to HUD that Hawthorne E. Welcher, Jr. in his capacity as Director of HCD and Certifying Officer 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 the Housing Authority of Augusta, Georgia and HCD to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the HCD’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 HCD; (b) the HCD 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 addressed to HUD at 40 Marietta Street, Atlanta, GA 30303.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Hawthorne E. Welcher, Jr.
Director