NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

Publication Date: October 12, 2023

To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals:

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners.  

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about, but not before, October 30, 2023, the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners will submit a request to the State of Ohio for the release of Federal funds under Section 104 (g) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended; Section 288 of Title II of the Cranston Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), as amended; and/or Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, as amended; to be used for the following project(s):

Project Name: Wilkshire Hills Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrade Phase 2

Source of Federal Funds: Appalachian Regional Commission – ARC OH-21493-2023

Project Description: The proposed upgrade of the Wilkshire Hills WWTP includes conversion of the existing gaseous chlorine disinfection system to UV disinfection. Two (2) existing sludge tanks will be replaced with two (2) new sludge holding tanks totaling 0.100 MG of storage capacity, and a new standby generator and automatic transfer switch will be installed. Approximately 320 LF of sanitary sewer will be rehabilitated via Cured in Place Pipe (CIPP) Relining.  Also included at the WWTP are painting of clarifier platform, rehabilitation of handrails and concrete tanks, underpinning/replacement of the control building loading dock, and new LED site lighting. A maintenance garage that will be replaced with a new storage building. Single-Year Project

Location: The Wilkshire Hills WWTP is situated in Tuscarawas County, Lawrence Township at 9944 Wilkshire Blvd NE, Bolivar, OH.

Estimated Cost of Project: $2,350,000.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners (BOC) 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) which is on file at 9944 Wilkshire Boulevard NE, Bolivar, OH 44612, and available for review weekdays from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm. The ERR may also be provided upon request electronically via email.  Please submit your request by U.S. mail to the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners c/o the Tuscarawas County Sanitary Engineer, 9944 Wilkshire Boulevard NE, Bolivar, OH 44612 or by email at mjones@tcmsd.org.  

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Tuscarawas County BOC by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above.  All comments received before October 27, 2023, will be considered by the Tuscarawas County BOC prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners certifies to the State of Ohio that Chris Abbuhl in his capacity as Board President, 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.  The State of Ohio’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The State of Ohio will accept objections to its release of funds and the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners 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 Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners; (b) the Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners  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 the State of Ohio; 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 Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development at OCD@development.ohio.gov.  Potential objectors should contact the State of Ohio to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Chris Abbuhl, Certifying Officer

Board President, Tuscarawas County Board of Commissioners