COMBINED NOTICE
NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPANT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
Date of Publication: March 11, 2013

HIDALGO COUNTY – URBAN COUNTY PROGRAM
3304 W. ALBERTA RD.
EDINBURG, TX 78539
(956)787-8127

TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS, AND PERSONS:
These notices shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural notification requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Hidalgo County Urban County Program (UCP).

REQUEST OF RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about March 29, 2013 the Hidalgo County Urban County Program will submit a request to the Texas General Land Office - Disaster Recovery (GLO-DR) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Section 104(f) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 as amended, to undertake a project known as Pct. 3 Flood Drainage Improvements (Peñitas Drain), for the purpose of providing street and storm sewer drainage improvements to a system which failed to function properly during Hurricane Dolly. The proposed improvements will take place in Hidalgo County, Texas, Precinct No. 3, for the Peñitas Drain project from Rodriguez Road to U.S. Expressway 83. The proposed project will provide drainage improvements to include the installation of approx. 825 ft. of storm pipe (box and RCP) along with an associated outfall for the proposed system within the Colonias of Puerta Blanca, Daniel Ozuna, Reina, and Ramona. Work will include the installation of drainage inlets, manholes, driveway and pavement repairs, ditch excavation, concrete riprap, headwalls, associated appurtenances, and site work associated with the construction.


FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Hidalgo County Urban County Program has determined that the projects 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 Hidalgo County Urban County Program located at 3304 W. Alberta Rd., Edinburg, Tx 78539 and can be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. No further environmental reviews of said projects are proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of federal funds.

PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on this project may submit written comments on the ERR to Hidalgo County Urban County Program at 3304 W. Alberta Rd., Edinburg, Tx 78539. All comments received by March 26, 2013 will be considered by the Hidalgo County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Commenters should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Hidalgo County Urban County Program certifies to the Texas General Land Office – Disaster Recovery that Ramon Garcia, in his capacity as Hidalgo County Judge, 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. GLO-DR approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Hidalgo County Urban County Program to use Program funds.


OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
GLO-DR will consider objections to its release of funds and Hidalgo County certification received until April 15, 2013, or 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, or other officer, of Hidalgo County; or (b) Hidalgo County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; or (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 the Texas General Land Office; (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) and shall be addressed to the Disaster Recovery Program, Environmental Regulatory Officer at 301 Congress Avenue, Suite 600, Austin, Texas 78701. Potential objectors should contact the Disaster Recovery Program to verify the actual last day of the objection period.









DIANA R. SERNA, UCP Director RAMON GARCIA, Hidalgo County Judge