NOTICE OF INTENT

CONCURRENT NOTICE

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Green Cove Springs.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about May 18, 2022, the City of Green Cove Springs will submit a request to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) 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 to make the following improvements:

Activities:

 Service Area #1 Storm Water Piping Replacement Service Area:

03I Flood & Drainage – The existing storm water piping within West Street between Martin Luther King Boulevard on the north and Idlewild Avenue on the South is old and is no longer functioning and needs to be replaced. Approximately 1,000 linear feet of stormwater piping needs to be replaced within Service Area #1. As part of the stormwater piping improvements, the existing sidewalk and curb will have to be removed and replaced and the roadway will need to be rebuilt. The replacement of the storm water piping will include all components required for a complete installation.

Activity:                      03I Flood and Drainage Replacement of Existing Stormwater Piping

CDBG Amount:         $280,000.00

Local Match:              $  50,000.00

Total:                          $330,000.00

Service Area #1 is bound on the north by Martin Luther King Boulevard, on the south by Idlewild Avenue, on the east by the rear property lines of the parcels of property located on the east side of West Street and on the west by the rear property lines of the properties located on the west side of West Street in Green Cove Springs, located in Clay County, Florida.

None of the activities in Service Area #1 will be carried out within a floodplain and/or wetland.  The activities in Service Area #1 are within Zone X on a flood map.

Service Area #2 New Sidewalk Service Area:

Activity: 03L Pedestrian malls/Sidewalks – The proposed project includes the installation of approximately 7,700 linear feet of new sidewalk along the following streets:

• Highlands Avenue between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Idlewild Avenue
• Center Street between Oakridge Avenue and Vermont Street

Activity:                      03L Pedestrian Malls/Sidewalks - Install New Sidewalks

CDBG Amount:         $241,000.00

Local Match:              $0.00

Total:                          $241,000.00

None of the activities in Service Area #2 will be carried out within a floodplain and/or wetland.  The activities in Service Area #1 are within Zone X on a flood map.

 Service Area #3 The Vera Francis Park Improvements Service Area:

03F - Parks, Playgrounds - The proposed project includes improvements to Vera Francis Park located at 1503 Martin Luther King Boulevard, in Green Cove Springs, located in Clay County, Florida. The activity proposed in Vera Francis Park is the installation of a shade cover over the existing playground equipment and new picnic facilities.

Activity:                      03F Parks, Playgrounds Improvements to Vera Francis Park

CDBG Amount:         $ 70,000.00

Local Match:              $ 0.00

Total:                          $ 70,000.00

Vera Francis Park is located adjacent to Estuarine, Subtitle, Unconsolidated Bottom, Subtidal-salt water (E1UBL) and Palustrine, Forested, Broad Leaved Deciduous, Seasonally Flooded-Tidal (PFO1R) wetlands.

A portion of the activities in Service Area #3 may be carried out within close proximity to or within a floodplain and/or wetland.

Administration and Engineering

Activity:                       21A-Administration

CDBG Funds:             $56,000.00

Local Match Funds:    $0.00

Total:                           $56,000.00

 Activity:                       03J-Engineering

CDBG Funds:             $53,000.00

Local Match Funds:    $0.00

Total:                           $53,000.00

Total Addressed Need

Total CDBG Cost:  $700,000.00

Total City’s Local Match Claimed for Points:  $50,000.00

Total CDBG Funding and City’s Local Match Claimed for Points:  $750,000.00

These activities will have no significant impact on the environment for the following reason:

A portion of the project will be located adjacent to or in close proximity to a floodplain and/or wetland.  Although a portion of the project will be located adjacent to or in close proximity the 100-year floodplain and/or wetland, the improvements cannot be undertaken in any other location due to the scope of the project.  There is, therefore, no practicable alternative than to continue with the project.

Some additional impervious areas will be created in the Service Areas included in this project.  In the case where new impervious surfaces are being created, storm drainage improvements will be included in the design and construction of the project to offset the impact of the additional impervious surfaces being created.

Failure to provide these improvements would result in the City of Green Cove Springs not being able to carry out the activities in the project.

 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Green Cove Springs 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 321 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043, and may be examined or copied weekdays 7:00 A.M. to 5:30 P.M., Monday through Thursday.

 PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Mike Null, Assistant City Manager, City of Green Cove Springs, 321 Walnut Street, Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043.  Comments may also be submitted via email at mnull@greencovesprings.com.  All comments must be received by May 17, 2022.  Comments will be considered prior to the City of Green Cove Springs requesting a release of funds.  Comments should specify which notice they are addressing.

 RELEASE OF FUNDS

The City of Green Cove Springs certifies to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and HUD that Edward Gaw 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 City of Green Cove Springs to use the CDBG funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

DEO will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Green Cove Springs 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 Green Cove Springs; (b) the City of Green Cove Springs 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 Economic Opportunity, CDBG Program, MSC-400, 107 East Madison Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-6508.  Potential objectors should contact the City of Green Cove Springs to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Edward Gaw, Mayor

Environmental Certifying Official

City of Green Cove Springs

321 Walnut Street

Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043

Telephone (904) 297-7500

Legal 34682 Published April 28, 2022 in Clay County's Clay Today Newspaper