COMBINED NOTICE

Notice to Public of No Significant Impact on the Environment and

Notice to Public of Request for Release of Funds

Brown County Government Board of Commissioners, 201 Locust Lane,

2nd Floor County  Office Building, P.O. Box 151, Nashville, IN  47448

TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:

On or about March 7, 2013, the above named Brown County will request the State of Indiana to release federal funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) for the following project:

  Volunteer Fire Department of Van Buren Township Project

The project is for the construction of a new fire station at 4040 South State Road 135.

  Brown County, Indiana

  Finding of No Significant Impact

It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and accordingly the above named Brown County has decided not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190).  The reasons for such decision not to prepare such statement are as follows:

All preliminary environmental reviews by state and county agencies indicated that the proposed project would not endanger the environment under any capacity.

An Environmental Review Record respecting the proposed project has been made by the above named Brown County which documents the environmental review of the project and more fully sets forth the reasons why such statement is not required.  This Environmental Review Record is on file at the above address and is available for public examination and copying upon request at the Brown County Administrator’s Office, 201 Locust Lane, 2nd Floor County Office Bldg, P.O. Box 151, Brown County, IN 47448.  No further environmental review of such project is proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of funds. 

Public Comments of Findings

All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by the Brown County Commissioner’s Office, 201 Locust Lane, 2nd Floor County Office Bldg, P.O. Box 151, Nashville, IN 47448.  Such written comments should be received before March 6, 2013.  All such comments so received will be considered and Brown County will not request the release of federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed project prior to the date specified in the preceding sentences.

  Release of Funds

Brown County will undertake the project described above with Community Development Block Grant funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.  Brown County is certifying to the State that the Brown County and John Kennard, in his official capacity as the County Commissioner President, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decision making, and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied.  The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval, Brown County may use the Block Grant funds and the State will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

  Objections to State Release of Funds

The State will accept an objection to its approval only if it is on one of the following basis:  (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the certifying officer or other officer of applicant approved by the State; or (b) that the applicant's environmental review record for the project indicated omission of a required review process.  Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and may be addressed to the State of Indiana, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, Environmental Officer, One North Capitol, Suite 600, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 - 2288.

Objections to the release of funds on basis other that those stated above will not be considered by the State.  No objections received after March 22, 2013 will be considered by the State.

John Kennard, County Commissioner President

2/20/2013  31621506  13-41