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

February 5, 2025

Escambia County, Florida

221 Palafox Place, Suite 305

Pensacola, FL 32502

(850) 595-4968

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Escambia County.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about February 21, 2025, Escambia County will authorize Pensacola Habitat for Humanity (Pensacola Habitat) to submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Self-help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP) funds under Section 11 of the Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996 to undertake a project known as Hancock Meadows. Escambia County, on behalf of Pensacola Habitat for Humanity, is proposing to develop the Hancock Meadows housing subdivision on Hancock Lane in Brent, Escambia County, Florida, 32503 (30.48549, -87.237689). The project will be constructed on an approximately 6.9-acre parcel (Parcel ID 351S307114000010) north of Hancock Lane between Antietam Drive and Mockingbird Lane. The project will include construction of 34 residential single-family homes, a public park, and two retention ponds that will be a maximum size of 550 feet long, 100 feet wide, and 7 feet deep. The project will connect to existing sewer, water, and electric utilities located adjacent to the project site. All staging will occur within the parcel boundary and no offsite work is anticipated. Land acquisition is not required. Twenty-seven units (80%) will be reserved for low- to moderate-income residents, while the remaining seven units will be reserved as rentals for military personnel. The total funding for the project is estimated at approximately $8,000,000 of which $250,000 will be funded through HUD SHOP Funding under Grant Number S-H2-30-00-0002; the remaining funding will be from local sources and state appropriations.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Escambia County, on behalf of Pensacola Habitat 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 Escambia County Neighborhood Enterprise Division, 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305 Pensacola, FL 32502, and may be examined or copied weekdays 9 A.M to 5 P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Escambia County via email at grgriffin@myescambia.com or in person at 221 Palafox Place, Suite 305 Pensacola, FL 32502. . All comments received by February 20, 2025, will be considered by Escambia County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Escambia County certifies to HUD that Garett Griffin in his capacity as Division Manager 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 approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Pensacola Habitat to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and Escambia County's 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 Escambia County; (b) Escambia County 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 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at FL_Webmanager@HUD.gov or the HUD Jacksonville Field Office, 400 West Bay Street , Suite 1015 Jacksonville, FL 32202. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Garett Griffin, Division Manager

Escambia County

Neighborhood Enterprise Division

Neighborhood & Human Services Department

February 5 2025

LSAR0233961