December 21, 2022
Westmoreland County
40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, Ste 520
Greensburg PA 15601
724-830-3650
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about December 21, 2022, Westmoreland County will submit a request to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93 383) (Act), as amended, to undertake a project known as North Irwin Borough Storm Water Facilities Improvements. This project consists of repairing the storm water facilities, replacing the ADA curb ramps and street paving on First Street in North Irwin Borough. Phase 1 is First Street from the south side of Foster Avenue to the north side of Penn Avenue and Phase 2 is First Street from the north side of Penn Avenue to the north side of Franklin Avenue. Phase 1 includes 700 LF of internal sewer inspection, replacing 8 catch basins, 2 new catch basins, 2 new junction boxes, 400 LF of 15'' HDPE storm sewer pipe, 50 LF of 18'' HDPE storm sewer pipe,140 LF of 24'' HDPE storm sewer pipe, anchors and Type DW concrete end-walls for the 24'' pipe, 88 TONS of R-6 rip rap, 15 ADA curb ramps reconstructed. The 2,600 SY portion of First Street will be milled 2'', 130 SY of soft spot repair, 106 TON of leveling course, 212 tons of wearing course, 500 LF of white thermoplastic crosswalk lines, 32 LY of 24'' wide white thermoplastic stop bars and 2 white thermoplastics stop legends. Phase 2 includes 300 LF of internal sewer inspection, replace 5 existing catch basins, repair 2 existing 2X6 catch basins, reconstruct 23 deteriorating ADA curb ramps. The 3,500 SY portion of First Street will be milled 2'', 175 SY of soft spot repair, 143 TON of leveling course, 285 tons of wearing course, 840 LF of white thermoplastic crosswalk lines, 96 LF of 24'' wide white thermoplastic stop bars and 6 white thermoplastics stop legends. The two combined phases will be funded with an estimate of $404,550.00 using only FY2022 CDBG funds.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Westmoreland County 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 Westmoreland County’s Department of Planning and Development, 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, 5th Floor, Ste. 520, Greensburg PA 15601; and may be examined or copied weekdays M-F, 8 A.M to 4 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Westmoreland County Department of Planning and Development, 40 N. Pennsylvania Avenue, 5th Floor, Ste 520, Greensburg PA 15601. They may also email Janet Thomas, Deputy Director at [email protected]. All comments received by January 9, 2023 will be considered by Westmoreland County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. The comment and objection period are being run concurrently.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Westmoreland County certifies to HUD that Sean Kertes in his capacity as Chairman of the Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners, 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 Westmoreland County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
Because this is a corrective Notice, the HUD objection period will run concurrently with the County of Westmoreland’s comment period. HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and Westmoreland County’s certification for a period of eighteen (18) days following the anticipated submission date of December 21, 2022, 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 Westmoreland County (b) the Responsible Entity 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 HUD; 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 Pittsburgh Field Office CPD Director, Phillip E. McKeough via e-mail: [email protected] or phone: (412) 644-5846. Potential objectors should contact the Pittsburgh HUD Office via email or phone to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Sean Kertes, Chairman, Westmoreland County Board of Commissioners