Request release of Federal funds: Montezuma

TO ALL INTERSTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:

On or about September 6, 2019, the Town of Montezuma will request the release of federal funds from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for Community Development Block Grant Funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) for the following project:

 

Wastewater Improvements Project

The project includes: WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: (a) Phosphorus Removal System Installation: (1) Installation of a new chemical feed building to house equipment (chemical storage tank and chemical feed pumps) and 600 lineal feet (LF) of 2-inch PVC chemical feed piping to the injection points, (2) Installation of a new cast-in-place concrete phosphorus setting tank/new effluent pump station to pump wastewater from the settling tank to the existing polishing reactor, fence relocation and installation, 450 LF of 3-inch PVC sludge return force main from the settling tank to influent structure, 80 LF of 8-inch ductile iron gravity sewer with two 8-inch plug valves and installation of 3 new manholes, (3) all site restoration and grading/seeding; (b) Influent Structure & Primary Treatment Tanks Improvements: (1) Installation of a new manual bar screen rack on the existing influent structure to prevent rags and debris from entering the primary treatment tanks and (2) improve cleaning access to the primary treatment tanks by cutting access openings and adding manways down to the interior of each tank for accessibility for routine cleaning and inspection; and (c) Recirculating Sand Filter Beds Rehabilitation: Removing/disposing of existing bedding, underdrain piping, sand media, distribution piping, vinyl liners and gravel top layers in 2 of the existing 4 recirculating sand filter beds followed by the installation of new liners, new PVC underdrain systems, new sand media, new PVC wastewater distribution piping and new gravel top layers to protect piping and media and COLLECTION SYSTEM IMPROVEMENTS: Installation of Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system with remote monitoring equipment infrastructure (controllers and alarms) on 16 existing valve pits to provide immediate notification to help pinpoint issues (blockages or leaks) within the collection system.

 

Finding of No Significant Impact

It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and accordingly the above named the Town of Montezuma has decided not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190). The reasons for such decision not to prepare such statement are as follows:

 

All preliminary environmental reviews by state and county agencies indicated that the proposed project would not endanger the environment under any capacity.

 

An Environmental Review Record regarding the proposed project has been made by the above named the Town of Montezuma which documents the environmental review of the project and more fully sets forth the reasons why such statement is not required. This Environmental Review Record is on file at the above address and is available for public examination and copying upon the request at the office of the Project’s Grant Administrator, Jerrell Consulting & Grant Administration Services, LLC, 1813 W. Colonial Drive, Terre Haute, Indiana 47802, 8:00 A.M. and 4.30 P.M., Monday through Friday or you may call 812-878-0826. No further environmental review of such project is proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of funds.

 

Public Comments of Findings

All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by the Project’s Grant Administrator, Jerrell Consulting & Grant administration Services, LLC, 1813 W. Colonial Drive, Terre Haute, Indiana 47802. Such written comments should be received by September 5, 2019. All such comments so received will be considered and the Town of Montezuma will not request the release of federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed project prior to the date specified in the preceding sentences.

 

Release of Funds

The Town of Montezuma will undertake the project described above with Community Development Block Grant funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Town of Montezuma is certifying to the State that the Town of Montezuma and Charlie Bourne, in his official capacity as Town Council President, consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decision making, and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval the Town of Montezuma may use the Block Grant funds and the State will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

 

Objections to State Release of Funds

The State will accept an objection to its approval only if it is on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the certifying officer or other officer of applicant approved by the State; or (b) that the applicant’s environmental review record for the project indicated omission of a required review process. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and may be addressed to the OCRA, Environmental Specialist, One North Capitol, Suite 600, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2027.

 

Objections to the release of funds on basis other than those stated above will not be considered by the State. No objections received after September 23, 2019 will be considered by the State.

 

John W. “Jay” Norris

Town Council President

Town of Montezuma