PUBLIC NOTICE
COMBINED NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 10, 2023
City of Natchitoches

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City of Natchitoches.
 
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about March 6, the City of Natchitoches will submit a request to the Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program for the release of LCDBG-CV Love Louisiana Outdoors Program funds under 24 CFR 570.201(c) of the CARES Act of 2021 as amended, to undertake a project known as Richardson Park Revitalization Project for the purpose of rehabilitating the park to provide accessible recreation facilities for residents of all abilities, including the addition of a walking trail, LED lighting, a new pavilion, an inclusive playground for families of all abilities, ADA-compliant benches, new trash receptacles, and pedestal-mount barbecue grills, with an estimated cost of $449,200, including local funds of $49,200.
 
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
 ii. The City of Natchitoches 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 700 Second St., Natchitoches, LA 71457 and may be examined or copied weekdays 7 A.M to 4 P.M. Monday through Thursday and 7 A.M. to Noon on Fridays or online at www.natchitochesla.gov.
 
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the City of Natchitoches, 700 Second St., Natchitoches, LA 71457. All comments received by March 3 will be considered by the City of Natchitoches prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
 
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The City of Natchitoches certifies to Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program that Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr. in his capacity as Mayor 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. Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City of Natchitoches to use Program funds.
 
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Natchitoches’ 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 Natchitoches; (b) the City of Natchitoches 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 Louisiana Community Development Block Grant Program; 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 Louisiana Office of Community Development-Local Government Assistance (OCD-LGA) at 1201 N. Third St., Suite 3-150, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Potential objectors should contact Louisiana Office of Community Development-Local Government Assistance (OCD-LGA) to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
 
Mayor Ronnie Williams, Jr.