Notice of Findings of No Significant Impact and
Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds
April 13, 2021
Montgomery County Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Management
9472 Airport Rd
Conroe, TX 77303
936.523.3900
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about May 3, 2021 Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management will submit a request to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) for the release of 2015/2016 Storm and Flood CDBG-DR and Hurricane Harvey CDBG-DR fund sunder Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as Montgomery County County-wide Voluntary Buyout Program for the purpose of purchasing an estimated 100 flood-prone, single-family residential structures from willing sellers, demolish the structures, and maintain the purchased property as open space in perpetuity in an effort to restore and/or conserve natural floodplain functions. These projects are funded through 2015/2016 Storm and Flood CDBG-DR Contract # 18-522-000-B262 ($8,919,523), Hurricane Harvey CDBG-DR Contract # 20-066-001-B956 ($12,896,489),and Hurricane Harvey Infrastructure CDBG-DR Contract # 20-065-136-C491 ($5,610,416) allocations for project implementation county wide.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Montgomery County 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 Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management located at 9472 Airport Rd. Conroe, TX 77303 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 4 P.M. or online at www.mctx.org/recover.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. All comments received by April 30, 2021 will be considered by Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management certifies to Texas GLO that Darren Hess in his capacity as Director of Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management 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. GLO’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Montgomery County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
GLO will accept objections to its release of fund and Montgomery County 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 Montgomery County; (b) Montgomery County 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 GLO; 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 General Land Office Community Development and Revitalization Attn: Heather Lagrone at P.O. Box 12873 Austin, TX 78711-2873 orcdr@recovery.texas.gov.Potential objectors should contact GLO to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Darren Hess
Director,
Montgomery County
Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management