Government : NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Publication: 3/14/2024

Benton County Conservation

5718 20th Ave. Dr. Vinton, IA 52349

(319) 472-4942

On or after at least one day after the end of the comment period, the Benton County Conservation will submit a request to the State of Iowa, Iowa Economic Development Authority for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title 1 of the HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 as amended (P.L. 97-35), to undertake the following project:

Project Title: Benton County Conservation Tree Replanting Purpose: Replacement of lost tree canopy from 2020 derecho Location: Atkins Roundhouse Area, 50 Railroad St, Atkins, IA 52206

Estimated Cost: HUD Funding: $750,000. Total Project Cost: $750,000.

The activities proposed: are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at 5718 20th Ave. Dr. Vinton, IA 52349 and may be examined or copied weekdays _8_A.M to _4_P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Shelby Williams, Director, Nature Center, 5718 20th Ave. Dr. Vinton, IA 52349. All comments received by if notice is published: notice date plus seven days; if notice is mailed and posted: mailing and posting date

plus ten days will be considered by Benton County Conservation prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

Benton County Conservation certifies to the Iowa Economic Development Authority that Rick Primmer in his capacity as Board of Supervisors Chair 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 Iowa Economic Development Authority approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Benton County Conservation to use HUD program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Iowa Economic Development Authority will accept objections to its release of funds and Benton County Conservation'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 Benton County Conservation; (b) Benton County Conservation 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 the Iowa Economic Development Authority; 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 (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to Iowa Economic Development Authority at 1963 Bell Avenue, suite 200, Des Moines, IA 50315. Potential objectors should contact the Iowa Economic Development Authority to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Rick Primmer, Board of Supervisors Chair

Note: The 7 day (published) or 10 day (posted) public comment periods are the minimum time periods required by regulation prior to submission of a Request for Release of funds and Certification (form HUD-7015.15 to HUD/State. The Responsible Entity may choose to allow a longer comment period. The fifteen-day objection period is a statutory requirement. The objection period follows the submission date specified in the Notice or the actual date of receipt by HUD/State, whichever is later