NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
February 29, 2008
City and County of Honolulu
Department of Community Services
715 South King Street, Suite 311
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
Phone: (808) 768-7750
This Notice shall satisfy the above cited two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the City and County of Honolulu.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about March 18, 2008, the City and County of Honolulu will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of $2,962,000 of HOME Investment Partnerships Act (HOME) funds under Title II of the Cranston-Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (PL 100-625), as amended, and $100,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), as amended, for the following project:
Project: Hale Wai Vista
Location: 86-78 and 86-86 Farrington Highway, Waianae, Oahu Hawaii
Tax Map Key: (1) 8-6-001: 035
Activity Description: Development of 215 affordable rental units, a resident
managers unit, 331 parking stalls, and a multi-purpose
building. The unit mix will include 162 two-bedroom and 54
three-bedroom units. All of the rental units will be affordable
to households earning less than 60% of the median family
income for the City and County of Honolulu.
Total Estimated Cost: $62,000,000
Census Tract: 97.02
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The City and County of Honolulu 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 (NEPA) of 1969 is not required.
The reasons for the decision not to prepare such statement are as follows:
1) The project does not involve the construction of new residential units in excess
of the threshold of 2,500 units which would require the preparation and
dissemination of an Environmental Impact Statement under the provisions of
Section 58.37, Federal Register, Volume 47, No. 70 dated April 12, 1982
does not apply.
2) All necessary infrastructure will be constructed to support the proposed activity.
3) Community services, including social services, public transportation,
medical care, police and fire protection are available to project residents.
4) The proposed project will have no impact on fish and wildlife resources,
vegetation, natural features and views.
5) Short-term impacts on air quality during construction will be mitigated by
compliance with the Department of Health Administrative Rules on Air
Pollution Control (Title 11, Chapter 60.1), including frequent watering of the
project site and establishment of landscaping to reduce the escape of
fugitive dust into the environment. Increased vehicular emissions due to
construction equipment and/or commuting construction workers can be
alleviated by moving the equipment and personnel to the site during off-peak
traffic hours.
6) Short-term increases in ambient noise levels generated by construction activities
will be mitigated through compliance with Department of Health Administrative
rules on Vehicular Noise Control on Oahu (Title 11, Chapter 42) and Community
Noise Control for Oahu (Title 11, Chapter 43).
7) Compliance with the Citys Grading Ordinance will mitigate short-term increases
in storm runoff and erosion during the construction period. No long-term impacts
on ground or surface water quality are expected.
8) No displacement of residents or businesses will occur as a result of this activity.
An Environmental Review Record respecting the above project has been made by the above -named City and County of Honolulu 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 and is available for public examination and copying upon request at the Department of Community Services, 715 South King Street, Suite 311, Honolulu, Hawaii, between the hours of 7:45 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may submit written comments to Ms. Deborah Kim Morikawa, Director, Department of Community Services, 715 South King Street, Suite 311, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. All comments received by March 17, 2008 will be considered by the City and County of Honolulu prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds. Commentors should specify which Notice they are addressing.
RELEASE OF FUNDS
The City and County of Honolulu certifies to HUD that Ms.Mary Patricia Waterhouse in her capacity as Director of the Department of Budget and Fiscal Services of the City and County of Honolulu 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. HUDs approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the City and County of Honolulu to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the City and County of Honolulus certification received by April 3, 2008 or a period of fifteen (15) days following the 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 and County of Honolulu or other officer of the City and County of Honolulu approved by HUD; (b) the City and County of Honolulu has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the project have committed funds or has incurred costs 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) and shall be addressed to Hawaii State Office, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 3A, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
MARY PATRICIA WATERHOUSE, DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND FISCAL SERVICES
BY ORDER OF
MUFI HANNEMANN, MAYOR
CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU
(SB05534371 2/29/08)
