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

Posted

October 14, 2021

City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development, 3275 Post Road, Warwick, RI 02886 (401) 921-9688

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about November 2, 2021 the City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383), as amended, to undertake the projects known as:

Clegg Field Playground Accessibility & Safety Improvements. Funds will be used to replace the existing playground equipment with ADA compliant equipment and poured in place rubber safety surface, install an ADA compliant path to access the playground from parking areas, and install a shade pavilion, benches and other landscape improvements (actual equipment and pavilion are still in design). Clegg Field Playground is located off of Winter Avenue in the Conimicut section of Warwick (41.718433, -71.379404).

The existing playground equipment is not compliant with current ADA & playground safety standards and is in need of replacement.  Clegg Field is one of the passive recreation areas that serves a predominantly low moderate income area.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development 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) on file at the City of Warwick’s Office of Housing Community Development, 61 Hoxsie Avenue (former Randall Holden Elementary School), Warwick, RI 02886 where the record is available for review and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development.  All comments received by November 1, 2021; will be considered by the City of Warwick, Rhode Island prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Warwick, Rhode Island certifies to U.S Department of Housing & Urban Development that Frank J. Picozzi in his capacity as Mayor 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.  U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Warwick’s Office of Housing & Community Development to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the City of Warwick’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 City of Warwick; (b) the City of Warwick 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 U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; 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:

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development – Region 1
Office of Community Planning & Development
Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building
10 Causeway Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02222-1092

Potential objectors should contact U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Frank J. Picozzi, Mayor
City of Warwick

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