NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about Friday, March 9, 2018 the County of Ulster will submit a request to the Office of Community Renewal for the release of CDBG funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Ulster County Homeownership Program for the purpose of implementing a $450,000 CDBG-funded homeownership program for low and moderate income households. This program will fund activities to assist homebuyers to purchase existing dwelling units or dwelling units under construction, including closing costs and down payment assistance, interest buy downs, and similar activities that result in the transfer of title.

The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmentally Policy Act Requirements.  An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Ulster County Planning Department, located at the Ulster County Office Bldg., 3rd Floor, 244 Fair St., P.O. Box 1800, Kingston, NY 12402. The ERR may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 5 P.M. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Ulster County Planning Department.  All comments received by Wednesday, March 7, 2018 will be considered by the County of Ulster prior to submission of a request for release of funds. 

RELEASE OF FUNDS 

The County of Ulster certifies to the Office of Community Renewal that Dennis Doyle in his capacity as Planning 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. The Office of Community Renewal’s acceptance of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and allows the County of Ulster to use Program funds. 

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS 

The Office of Community Renewal will accept objections to its release of funds and the County of Ulster’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 County of Ulster (b) the County of Ulster 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 Office of Community Renewal; 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 Christian Leo, President, at Office of Community Renewal, Hampton Plaza, 38-40 State Street, 4th Floor, Albany, NY 12207. Potential objectors should contact the Office of Community Renewal to verify the actual last day of the objection period. 

Dennis Doyle, Planning Director

Certifying Officer

Dated February 22, 2018

Victoria A. Fabella

Clerk of the Ulster County Legislature