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

04/28/2021

Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 3202 Demarara Plaza
Suite 200
St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447 (340)777-4432

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about 04/28/2021 the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development of the Act of 1974, (PL93-383), as amended, to undertake a project known as Ross Taarneberg Mixed-Use Project for the purpose of construction of a mixed-use comprising of VIHFA, CDBG-DR Office and eight low-income housing units, located at Parcel 26A, 102, 103 and 104 Estate Taarneberg, St. Thomas, VI, at a total cost of
$7,663,500.00. In addition to CDBG-DR Funds, this project will be funded by The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 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). The ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority at, 3202 Demarara Plaza Suite 200 St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447, Attention Mrs. Antoinette Fleming, Director of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program or by email to [email protected]. The ERR can be accessed online at the following website https://cdbgdr.vihfa.gov . The ERR may also be examined or copied weekdays 8A.M to 5 P.M. Due to Covid-19 pandemic, person(s) interested in reviewing the ERR in-person must make an appointment prior to the interested date.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority at, 3202 Demarara Plaza Suite 200 St. Thomas, VI 00802- 6447, Attention Mrs. Antoinette Fleming, Director of Community Development Block Grant- Disaster Recovery Program, within 15 days after the date of this publication. Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to [email protected] within 15 days after the date of this publication. All comments received by May 13, 2021 will be considered by the Virgin Islands

Housing Finance Authority prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority certifies to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that Daryl Griffith in his capacity as VIHFA Executive Director 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 Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 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 Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority; (b) the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 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. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at HUD Caribbean Area Office, Region VI, 235 Federico Costa Street-Suite 200, Parque Las Américas I Building, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918. Due to the ongoing pandemic, comments and objections to the FONSI may also be submitted via e-mail to CPD_COVID-19OEE- [email protected]. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Sincerely,

Daryl Griffith, Executive Director
Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority