These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Burlington.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about September 3, 2024 the City of Burlington will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant Program funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, Public Law 93-383, as amended 42 U.S.C. 5301 et seq. (CDBG), and funds appropriated under Congressional Directed Spending to undertake a public facilities project known as Community Resource Center/Feeding Chittenden Addition. The project is located at 228 North Winooski Avenue, Burlington, Vermont and involves the construction of a two-story addition to the Feeding Chittenden building to better accommodate the staffing and services of the food shelf and Community Resource Center (CRC). Required mitigation measures include: 1) Contaminated soils that are encountered during site activities must be excavated and shipped off site in accordance with the soil management plan of 2018; 2) SSDS piping shall be installed under the slab of the new building and vented passively unless elevated levels of contaminated vapors are identified in the piping post-construction, in which case the SSDS will be activated; 3) Post-construction testing of existing monitoring wells is also a requirement of VTDEC; and 4) all applicable, local, state and federal permits and approvals shall be obtained, all conditions shall be followed, and all permits shall be closed out upon completion. The estimated total cost of the project is approximately $2,357,474 including $1,500,000 in Congressional Directed Spending and $200,000 in CDBG funds from the City of Burlington.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City of Burlington 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. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project can be found below. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at 149 Church Street, 3rd Floor, Burlington, Vermont and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the CEDO office, located on the third floor of 149 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont, via email to ccurtis@burlingtonvt.gov, or via phone at 802-865-7144. All comments received by 5:00 p.m. on August 30, 2024 will be considered by the City of Burlington prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Burlington certifies to HUD that Emma Mulvaney-Stanak in her capacity as Mayor of Burlington 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 City of Burlington to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Burlington’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 City of Burlington; (b) the city of Burlington 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 Director Adam C. Ploetz at 10 Causeway Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02222. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
