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Learn about the environmental review process for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program and understand the requirements outlined in 24 CFR Part 58. Discover when an environmental review is required, the documentation needed, and how the process can be expedited.
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Environmental Review Process for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 24 CFR Part 58
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Environmental Review Requirements Official Welcome: Charles Bien, Director, Environmental Review Division
Environmental Training Today’s Instructors: Linda Poythress, Regional Environmental Officer, Atlanta Office David Blick, Deputy Federal Preservation Officer, Washington, DC
Goals for the Course When is an ER required? What is the process? What is qualified documentation? What is the timing? How can the ER process be expedited?
First Principle: Call Your Field Environmental Officer
Second Principle: Find more information on the environmental website: www.HUD.gov/offices/cpd/environment/index.cfm
Next Principle: The ER process must be complete PRIOR to commitment of funds
One More Principle: The environmental review is a study of the site
Why? • Project is Federally Funded In whole, or In Part • Requires Compliance with NEPA and the Laws and Authorities
National Environmental Policy Act NEPA: • Federal Environmental Policy • Federal Law • Protect, Restore and Enhance the Human Environment
NEPA Shared Responsibility: • The President • The Courts • The Federal Agencies (RE)
Environmental Study Agency Comments Public Document NEPA
Environmental Study Agency Comments Public Document Scientific Analysis Relevant Issues NEPA
NEPA • Established the CEQ • Exec. Office of the President • CEQ Regs 42 CFR 1500 • Agency Regs Consistent w/NEPA • Oversees Federal Agencies ERs • Cooperating Agreements
24 CFR Part 58 Procedure for REs 24 CFR Part 51 Hazards 24 CFR Part 55 Floodplains 24 CFR Part 50 HUD Procedure HUD Regulations
Activity Project Individual Action Recipient Responsible Entity Certifying Official Exempt CENST Categorically Excluded RROF NOI/RROF EA FONSI TERMS
Grant to a Unit of Local Government Must assume Part 58 for: Formula Grants Neighborhood Stabilization Grant is a formula grant Who’s Responsible? --58.4
State Funds Grants to LG LG Responsible RROFs to State Grants to Others State Responsible RROF to HUD Who’s Responsible? --58.4
Overview Steps In the Process
Define the project Aggregate Alternatives Level of Review Conduct Review Publish or Post When required RROF Receive ATUGF Commit Funds and Implement Project Steps
Overview Steps In the Process: Define the Project
Project Area: Existing Conditions Features Character Resources Trends Define the Project
Activities: Define the Project • HUD Funded • Programs Used • Other Funding • Time Frame • Action Plan • Maps/location
Overview Steps In the Process: Aggregate activites into projects
Aggregation 24 CFR Part 58.32 A logical way to group activities into projects for the purpose of environmental review.
Types of Aggregation24 CFR part 58.32 --Geographic
Types of Aggregation24 CFR part 58.32 • Functional • Geographic
Overview Steps In the Process: --Alternatives
Overview Steps In the Process: -- Level of Review and Public Notice
Level of Review Full Assessment Categorically Excluded, Subject to 58.5/6 Categorically Excluded NOT Subject to 58.5 Exempt
Exempt Activities24 CFR Part 58.34(a) • Environmental, planning & design costs • Information & financial services • Administrative/management activities • Public services (no physical impact) • Inspections • Purchase of tools/insurance • Technical assistance & training • Temporary assist. for imminent threats • Payment of principal and interest on HUD loan
Exempt “Level of Review”24 CFR Part 58.34 • Document determination in writing • Document compliance with 58.6 • SIGN and DATE • No RROF or further approval from HUD or the State is required
Categorically Excluded Activities not subject to 58.5at 24 CFR Part 58.35(b) • Tenant-based Rental Assistance • Supportive Services (Hsg. Counseling) • Operating Costs (maintenance, supplies) • ED Costs (non-construction) • Down-payment Assistance on Existing • Pre-development Costs • Supplemental Assistance (NEW to Regs)
Categorically ExcludedNot subject to 58.5 • Document determination in writing • Document compliance with 58.6 • SIGN and DATE • No RROF or further approval from HUD or the State required SAME AS EXEMPT:
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.524 CFR Part 58.35(a)(1) • Public Facilities: • Acquisition • Repair • Reconstruction • Improvement • If Facility in place • 20% or less change in size or capacity
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.5 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(2) • Special Projects for removal of: • Material • Architectural Barriers • That restrict mobility and accessibility
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.5 (24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3(i)) Rehabilitation of 1 to 4 family Dwellings • Density is not > 4 units • Land use is not changed • The site is not in FP • The footprint is not expanded
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.524 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(ii) • Rehab of Multifamily residential when: • Density is not changed > 20% • Does not involve change in land use • Cost is < 75% cost of replacement
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.5 24 CFR Part 58.35(a)(3)(iii) • Rehab of Non- residential when: • < 20% change in size and capacity • does not change land use
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.524 CFR Part 58.34(a)(4) 1. An individual action on a 1-to-4 family dwelling 2. A project of five or more units • more than 2,000 ft apart • developed on scattered sites
Categorically Excluded subject to 58.524 CFR Part 58.35(a)(5) • Acquisition or Disposition Existing Structure or Land IF • Structure will be used for the same use • Land will be used for the same use
Categorically Excluded Clearance • Complete Statutory Checklist • If Compliance is triggered: • Publish/Post NOI/RROF • Wait 7 /10days, • Send RROF to HUD/State • HUD Waits 15 days
Categorically Excluded Clearance • Complete Statutory Checklist • If Compliance is NOT triggered: • Project reverts to exempt • document determination in writing (58.34(a)(12) and (b)) • place all documentation in ERR (sign and date)
Environmental Assessment Activities 24 CFR 58.36 Project Activities that are: • Not Categorically Excluded • See Conditions 58.35(a) • Change in Use • Major Rehab • Increase in size or capacity > 20% • New Const > 4 SF together Require a FULL ASSESSMENT
Environmental Assessment Activities • Greater potential for Impact • Always requires a FONSI and RROF • Determines if EIS is required • Requires study of alternatives
Environmental Assessment • Requires NEPA study • Includes the Laws and Authorities at 58.5 and 6 • Studies: • Human Environment • Built Environment
Environmental AssessmentClearance • Complete EA Checklist • Make Finding • Publish/Post Combined Notice • Wait 15/18 days • RROF and certifications to HUD) • HUD waits 15 days
Environmental Impact Statement “EIS” 24 CFR Part 58.37 Completed for: • Controversial Projects • Findings of Significant Impacts (FOSI) • Large projects (2,500 or more units)
Overview of Public Notification • EA: Combined Notice (FONSI and NOI) • CE that “trigger” compliance: NOI/RROF only • CE No Compliance Triggered None • CE Not Subject to 58.5 : None • Exempt: None
Public Comment Periods24 CFR part 58.45 • NOI/FONSI - 15 days from Publication or 18 days from Posting • NOI - 7 days from Publication or 10 days from Posting • RE must consider comments prior to submitting its RROF to HUD