CONCURRENT NOTICE NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Publication: August 17, 2023
Town of Penney Farms, FL
4100 Clark Ave. (P.O. Box 1041)
Penney Farms, FL 32079-1041
Phone: 904-529-9078
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Town of Penney Farms.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about September 5, 2023, the Town of Penney Farms will submit a request to the Florida Department of Commerce for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development (HCD) Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project within the Town of Penney Farms that will include the use of up to $600,000 in CDBG funds for water line replacement activities.
The following provides a description, including the location, of the planned construction activities:
The funds will be used to replace deteriorated lead jointed water lines with newer, safer, and more durable water lines. The project will also involve connecting the Town's water system with the water system that serves the PRC Retirement Community. The CDBG funded replacement water lines will be located along Town streets in the following segments: Segment 1 extends from the WATER TOWER which is on the south side of Caroline Blvd. to the north side of Caroline Blvd.; Segment 2 extends along HOFFMAN ST. between Clark Ave. and Lewis Ave.; Segment 3 extends along HOFFMAN ST. from Lewis Avenue for less than 50 LF to the Penney Farms Retirement Community (PRC) interconnect meter site; Segment 4 extends along CLARK AVE. between Hoffman St. and Caroline Blvd.; Segment 5 extends along CAROLINE BLVD. between the water tower and Clark Ave.; Segment 6 extends along CAROLINE BLVD. between Clark Ave. and Lewis Ave.; Segment 7 extends along LEWIS AVE. between Hoffman Street and Caroline Blvd. The replacement of these water mains and the interconnection of the Town of Penney Farms and PRC water systems will help to improve water quality, reliability, and safety for all Town residents. After the water line segments described above are addressed, and if funds are available, the water line replacement activities will be extended to the next block. Street segments for these additional water line replacement activities include CLARK AVE. between Hoffman St. and Morton Dr.; MORTON DR. between Clark Ave. and Wilbanks Ave.; and LEWIS AVE. between Morton Dr. and Hoffman St.
CDBG project costs include $475,000 for water line replacement construction activities, $48,000 for grant administration and $77,000 for project design, inspection and construction contract administration. Also, the Town will use $400,000 in American Rescue Plan funds for additional construction and engineering costs.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Town of Penney Farms 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 Town of Penney Farms Clerk’s office located at 4100 Clark Ave. The Environmental Review Record (ERR) can be examined at this location and/or copied on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., or by appointment by contacting Anita Cooper, Town Clerk at 904-529-9078.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Town of Penney Farms (Attention: Anita Cooper, Town Clerk, P.O. Box 1041, Penney Farms, Florida 32079-1041). All comments must be received by September 4, 2023. Comments will be considered prior to the Town of Penney Farms requesting a release of funds. Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Town of Penney Farms certifies to the Florida Department of Commerce and HUD that Thomas E. DeVille 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. The State’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Town of Penney Farms to use the CDBG funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Florida Department of Commerce will accept objections to its release of funds and the Town of Penney Farms 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 Town of Penney Farms; (b) the Town of Penney Farms 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 has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the State; 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 at 24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76 and shall be addressed to the Florida Department of Commerce, CDBG Program, MSC-400, 107 East Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6508. Potential objectors should contact the Town of Penney Farms to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Contact information: Anita Cooper, Town Clerk, 4100 Clark Ave. (P.O. Box 1041), Penney Farms, Florida 32079-1041. Ms. Cooper can also be reached by email at penneyfarms@bellsouth.net, or by phone at 904-529-9078.
Thomas E. DeVille, Mayor and Certifying Officer
Legal 78885 Published 8/17/2023 in Clay County's Clay Today newspaper