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

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS and NOTICE OF TIERED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM THAT IS CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDED SUBJECT TO SECTION 58.5

*REVISED NOVEMBER 22, 2024*

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about December 3, 2024, the City of Yakima will submit a request to the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Office of Community Planning and Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 to undertake an activity known as the Single-Family Home Repair Program, serving households with incomes ranging from 0 to 80% of the Yakima County Area Median Income (AMI). The City of Yakima continues to use the bulk of its CDBG entitlement funding to address emergency home repairs for low-income homeowners city-wide through this Single-Family Home Repair Program. This program assists qualified low- to moderate-income homeowners with emergency repairs including, but not limited to, electrical, HVAC, plumbing and roofing problems. The program also includes an exterior painting program, including lead-based paint abatement, and a wheelchair ramp installation program for qualified homeowners. The program is an eligible housing rehabilitation activity under 24 CFR 570.202, because it is limited to the improvement of privately-owned single-family residential housing units. This activity does require compliance with Federal laws and authorities cited in 24 CFR 58.5, and a further review of each project site with respect to these laws will occur at a later date when additional site-specific information is available. Tier 2 site-specific reviews will be completed for those laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad review for each address under this program when addresses become known. The Tier 2 site-specific reviews will be kept on file for each individual project, and will cover the following laws and authorities not addressed in the Tier 1 broad-level review: Historic Preservation (National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, particularly sections 106 & 110: 36 CFR Part 800). Mitigation measures would be consulting with, and following the recommendations of, the WA State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) prior to carrying out any repair work on a historic building. The estimated HUD funding for this program is currently at $1,220,934.58.

TIERED ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM THAT IS CATEGORICALLY EXCLUDED SUBJECT TO 58.5:58.35(A)(3)

The City of Yakima has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. The activities proposed comprise a project for which the level of Environmental Review has been determined to be Categorically Excluded per 24 CFR 58.35(a), and subject to laws and authorities at 58.5:58.35(a)(3). An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Office of Neighborhood Development Services (ONDS), 112 S 8^th St., Yakima, WA  98901 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 A.M to 5 P.M. At ONDS, individual site-specific Tier 2 environmental reviews based on this Tier 1 review will be performed and kept for each individual project. An Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Yakima’s Office of Neighborhood Development Services, 112 S 8^th St., Yakima, WA  98901, or email to ask.planning@yakimawa.gov. All comments received by December 2, 2024, will be considered by the City of Yakima prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. Any comments received after December 2, 2024, will not be considered nor included in the official ERR.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The City of Yakima certifies to HUD that Victoria Baker in her capacity as City Manager of Yakima 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.  HUD’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Yakima to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Yakima’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 City of Yakima; (b) the City of Yakima 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 HUD; 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 HUD Office of Community Planning and Development at 909 1^st Ave. Suite 200, Seattle, WA  98104-1000.  Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Victoria Baker
City Manager
City of Yakima