COMBINED NOTICE
NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
Town of Milford, Kosciusko County
121 S. Main St., Milford
Milford, Indiana 46542
TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
On or about 10/31/2024, the Town of Milford will request the release federal funds from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for Community Development Block Grant Funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) for the following project:
Milford Water Meter Replacement Project
The Milford water meter replacement project addresses the urgent need to upgrade outdated infrastructure while minimizing disruption and environmental impact. Aimed at resolving billing inaccuracies and financial strain, especially heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, the project involves replacing 635 outdated water meters. The construction phase is carefully planned to minimize disturbance to residents and surroundings, with thorough environmental assessments ensuring no adverse effects on the local ecosystem. This strategic intervention enhances the town’s water infrastructure while prioritizing environmental sustainability and community well-being.
Finding of No Significant Impact
It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and accordingly the above named Town of Milford has decided not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190). The reasons for such decision not to prepare such statement are as follows:
All preliminary environmental reviews by state and county agencies indicated that the proposed project would not endanger the environment under any capacity.
An Environmental Review Record regarding the proposed project has been made by the above named Town of Milford which documents the environmental review of the project and more fully sets forth the reasons why such statement is not required. This Environmental Review Record is on file at the above address and is available for public examination and copying upon request at the Milford Town Hall between the hours of 9:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Should town offices be closed, the ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to [227 W. Jefferson Boulevard South Bend, IN 46601] or by email to [onix@macog.com]. No further environmental review of such project is proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of funds.
Public Comments of Findings
All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by the Town of Milford to the Milford Town Hall, 121 S. Main St, Milford, Indiana 46542 or by email to [onix@macog.com]. Such written comments should be received by April 10, 2024. All such comments so received will be considered and the Town of Milford will not request the release of federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed project prior to the date specified in the preceding sentences.
Release of Funds
The Town of Milford will undertake the project described above with Community Development Block Grant funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Town of Milford is certifying to the State that the Town of Milford and Doug Ruch, in his official capacity as Council President consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decision making, and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval the Town of Milford may use the Block Grant funds and the State will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.
Objections to State Release of Funds
The State will accept an objection to its approval only if it is on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the certifying officer or other officer of applicant approved by the State; or (b) that the applicant’s environmental review record for the project indicated omission of a required review process. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and may be submitted to Grant Services & OCRA through the ER Report in GMS.
Objections to the release of funds on basis other that those stated above will not be considered by the State. No objections received after April 27, 2024 will be considered by the State.
Doug Ruch
Council President
Town of Milford