Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact And Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds State of Vermont

April 14th, 2025,

Jeremiah Ward

WISP Director

Cooperative Development Institute
P.O. Box 1051
Northampton, MA 01061-1051

Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
Grace Vinson, Environmental Officer
1 National Life Drive
Montpelier, Vermont 05620
(802) 622- 4336

Request for Release of Funds

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Cooperative Development Institute and the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (Agency).

On or about May 3rd, 2025 the organization of Cooperative Development Institute will submit a request to the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (the Agency) to release the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), the National Affordable Housing Act, as amended, to undertake a project known as the North Avenue Co-op Infrastructure Improvement Project for the purpose of replacing and upgrading drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to help preserve affordable housing. The project is located at 4 Avenue A, Burlington, VT 05408. The total estimated cost of the project is $5,133,862, which includes approximately $1,302,000 (ARPA HH), $255,000 (Burlington Housing Trust Fund), $500,000 (VHCB), $1,800,000 (Congressionally Directed Spending), $49,999 (3-Acre Permit Obtainment Program), and $1,066,827 in CDBG funding.

There are no mitigation factors.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Cooperative Development Institute and Agency have 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), which 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 Environmental Officer, Department of Housing and Community Development, National Life Building, One National Life Drive, Davis Building 6th floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620 or via email at Grace.Vinson@vermont.gov.

Public Comments

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Agency, Attn: Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont, 05620 or via email at grace.vinson@vermont.gov. All comments received by May 2nd, 2025, will be considered by the Department prior to authorizing a request for release of funds. Comments must specify which Notice they are addressing—the Finding of No Significant Impact or the Request for the Release of Funds.

Environmental Certification

The Agency is certifying to HUD that Ann Kroll, in their official capacity as Director of Federal Programs, 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. The Agency’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Agency to use the CDBG funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

The Agency will accept objections to its release of funds and the Agency’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, Ann Kroll, Director of Federal Programs; (b) the Town 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 the Agency; 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 the Attn: Grace Vinson, Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620. Potential objectors should contact the Agency to verify the actual last date of the objection period.