Environmental Reviews

Empty heaEach CDBG project requires an Environmental Review Record (ERR) to be conducted by the Responsible Entity (City of Northampton) to analyze the effect that the proposed project will have on the people and the natural environment within the project area and the effect the material and social environment may have on a project. HUD rules and regulations that govern the environmental review process can be found at 24 CFR Part 58. The Certifying Officer is the Director of Planning & Sustainability and is the “responsible Federal official” to ensure compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the Federal laws and authorities cited at section 58.5 has been achieved. The Environmental Officer is the Community Development Planner, housed in the Office of Planning & Sustainability. They are responsible for conducting the environmental review including writing the project narrative, obtaining maps of the project area, soliciting comments from appropriate local, state and federal agencies, and facilitating responses to comments received on the environmental findings.

Each responsible entity must prepare and maintain a written record of the environmental review undertaken for each project. This written record or file is called the ERR and it must be available for public review upon request. The ERR shall contain all the environmental review documents, public notices (and proof of their publication), and written determinations or environmental findings required by 24 CFR Part 58 as evidence of review, decision making and actions pertaining to a particular project. Public comments, concerns and appropriate resolution by the recipient are extremely important and must be fully documented in the ERR. 

When a Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds (NOI-RROF) is published, the corresponding ERR can be found at: https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/environmental-review/environmental-review-records/ during the public comment period. All public comments can be sent to: Attn: Community Development Planner, 210 Main Street, Second Floor, Northampton, MA 01060 or to the email address provided in the NOI-RROF.

All of the Environmental Reviews for the City CDBG programs will be archived on the City's public filing cabinet.