Legal Notices-Government

9/15/2022

The International Center for Appropriate and Sustainable Technology (ICAST) and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority (MFA)

344 4th Street SW
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102

505-843-6880

The proposed hazard control activities to be funded under this program is categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at § 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target areas listed above. Other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be complied with, when individual projects are identified for review. Specifically, the target areas have been studied and found in compliance with the following laws and authorities in this Tier 1 review: Coastal Barrier Resources, Air Quality, Coastal Zone Management, Endangered Species, Explosive and Flammable Hazards, Farmlands Protection, Floodplain Management, Noise Abatement and Control, Sole Source Aquifers, Wetlands Protection, Wild and Scenic Rivers, and Environmental Justice. Site-specific environmental reviews will include compliance with the following environmental laws and authorities for proposed projects funded under the program listed above: Airport Hazards, Flood Insurance, Contamination and Toxic Substances, and Historic Preservation. Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.

An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project, and more fully describes the tiered review process cited above, is on file at: 344 4th Street SW Albuquerque, New Mexico 87102 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 505-843-6880

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the MFA. All comments received by 9/22/2022 will be considered by the MFA prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

MFA certifies to HUD that Isidoro Hernandez in his official capacity as CEO and 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 ICAST to utilize federal funds and implement the Healthy Homes Production Grant funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and ICAST and MFA’s certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the MFA; (b) ICAST and MFA has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the ICAST has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (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), and may be addressed to HUD and sent to the email address as follows: Karen M. Griego, Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes, Program Environmental Clearance Officer, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development [email protected] Potential objectors may contact HUD directly to verify the actual last day of the objection/comment period.

Ravi Malhotra, ICAST
Isidoro Hernandez, CEO and Executive Director MFA – Certifying Officer