Public Notice - FONSI Issued

Mar 29, 2012

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Date of Notice: March 29, 2012
Name of Responsible Entity (RE): Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe
Address:412 State Route 37 Akwesasne, NY 13655
Telephone Number of RE Preparer Agency: 518-358-2272

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about April 14, 2012, the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe will to submit a request to the Office of Native American Programs for the release of Indian Community Development Block Grant Funds ($600,000.00) under the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act of 1996, as amended, to undertake a project known as the St. Regis Mohawk Diabetes Center for Excellence, for the purpose of constructing a 13,000 square foot facility to provide education and wellness activities for the Mohawk People of the Akwesasne Community. The construction of this facility will take place at 66 Business Park Road in the vicinity of the Akwesasne Seniors Center, Generations Park and the Tewathahita Walking Trail.

The funding sources are:

Akwesasne Housing Authority: $1,000,000.00
HUD (Indian Housing Development Block Grant) 600,000.00
USDA 338,500.00
DOE 106,500.00
Community Fundraising 285,000.00
The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe 800,000.00

Total Available Funding: $3,130,000.00

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe has determined that the project 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 the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe Community Building, 412 State Route 37, Akwesasne, NY 13655, and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to the Executive Director, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe. All comments received by April 16, 2012 will be considered by the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe certifies to HUD’s Office of Native American Programs that Mark H. Garrow, Tribal Chief of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, 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 Office of Native American Programs approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe to use grant funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD’s Office of Native American Programs will accept objections to its release of funds and the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of request (whichever is later) only if they are on the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe; (b) the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe 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 has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Office of Native American Programs; 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) and shall be addressed to the Office of Native American Programs at U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, Eastern/Woodlands Office of Native American Programs, Ralph H. Metcalfe Federal Building, 77 West Jackson Boulevard, Room 2400, Chicago, IL 60604-3507. Potential objectors should contact the Office of Native American Programs to verify the actual last day of the objection period.