CITY OF EAST LANSING NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about Friday, September 1, 2023, the City of East Lansing will submit a request to the U.S. 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 (Pub. L. 93-383), as amended, to undertake a project known as the Stoddard Park Improvement Project. The existing site will continue to serve as a public park. The primary scope of the project is to replace the outdated playground equipment with new, ADA accessible equipment, replace the east-west sidewalk with a wider accessible pathway, add a dog agility course, and add native plant landscaping to enhance the environmental health of the park and serve as a natural barrier from the housing adjacent to the north of the park. 

The proposed Stoddard Park Improvement Project has total project CDBG funding of $205,670. Stoddard Park is located on 343 Stoddard Avenue in East Lansing’s Bailey Neighborhood. 

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of East Lansing 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 East Lansing, City Hall located at 410 Abbot Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823.  Files may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of East Lansing Planning, Building, and Development Department, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823. All comments can be addressed to Matt Apostle via email at mapostle@cityofeastlansing.com. All comments received by 5PM on Friday, September 1, 2023, will be considered by the City of East Lansing prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice the public is addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of East Lansing certifies to HUD that Randall Talifarro in his capacity of Interim City Manager 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 City of East Lansing to use CDBG Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the City of East Lansing’s certification received by Monday, September 18, 2023, or a period of fifteen days from its 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 or other officer of the City of East Lansing approved by HUD;  (b) the City of East Lansing 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 project have committed funds or incurred costs 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 (e)  the City of East Lansing has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 55.  Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58 or 24 CFR Part 55) and shall be emailed to CPD_COVID-19OEE-DET@hud.gov. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Date: August 16, 2023

Randall Talifarro, Interim City Manager

City of East Lansing

410 Abbot Road

East Lansing, MI 48823 CP#23-198