On or about June 17, 2020 the County of Lawrence, Pennsylvania, will submit a request to PA Department of Community & Economic Development for the release of HOME Investment Partnership funds under 24 CFR Part 58, for Lawrence County’s Housing Rehabilitation Programs.
The County of Lawrence proposes to use HOME funds to rehabilitate owner-occupied homes within the counties of Bedford, Butler, Lawrence, Mercer, and McKean. Assessed on a tiered review, anticipated activities associated with the scattered sites for housing rehabilitation throughout the county include, but are not necessarily limited to, roofs, downspouts and gutters, windows, porches, steps, balconies, exterior doors and screen doors, fascia and soffits, exterior painting or siding, sidewalks, electrical system improvements, furnace , water heater, plumbing, handrails, etc.
The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project. 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 the Lawrence County Government Center, 430 Court St, New Castle, PA 16101 or Lawrence County Social Services Inc., 1745 Frew Mill Road Suite 9, New Castle, PA 16101 or by email to sschwartz@lccap.org. The ERR can also be accessed online at the following website: www.lccap.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Lawrence County Government Center, 430 Court St, New Castle, PA 16101 or Lawrence County Social Services Inc., 1745 Frew Mill Road Suite 9, New Castle, PA 16101 or by email: Lawrence County – sschwartz@lccap.org, Butler County – losche@co.butler.pa.us, Bedford County – jlang@bedfordcountypa.org, Mercer County – mmcconnell@mcc.co.mercer.pa.us, McKean County – PJBurlingame@mckeancountypa.org. All comments received by June 16, 2020 will be considered by Lawrence County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The County of Lawrence certifies to PA Department of Community & Economic Development that Morgan Boyd
(Chairman Commissioner – Lawrence County), Leslie Osche (Chairman Commissioner – Butler County), Joshua Lang (Chairman Commissioner – Bedford County), Matthew McConnell (Chairman Commissioner – Mercer County), and Cliff Lane (Chairman Commissioner – McKean County) all have consented 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. PA Department of Community & Economic Development’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the County of Lawrence to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
PA Department of Community & Economic Development will accept objections to its release of fund and the County of Lawrence’s 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 County of Lawrence (b) the County of Lawrence 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 development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by PA Department of Community & Economic Development; 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 in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to the Department of Community and Economic Development at: chrhowe@pa.gov Potential objectors should contact the PA Department of Community & Economic Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
This Notice for the County of Lawrence’s Owner-Occupied Housing Rehabilitation Programs has been posted at the Municipal Buildings and Post Offices in Bedford, Butler, Mercer, Lawrence, and McKean counties, at Lawrence County Social Services Inc. (Grant Street and Frew Mill Offices), and online at www.lccap.org and their social media outlet.
- Morgan Boyd, Chairman Commissioner, Lawrence County, PA
- Leslie Osche, Chairman Commissioner, Butler County, PA
- Joshua Lang, Chairman Commissioner, Bedford County, PA
- Matthew McConnell, Chairman Commissioner, Mercer County, PA
- Cliff Lane, Chairman Commissioner, McKean County, PA
