March 12, 2025
Cameron County
1100 E. Monroe St.
Brownsville, Texas 78520
(956) 544-0830
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Cameron County.
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about March 27, 2025, Cameron County will submit a request to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Colonia Self Help Center Program under contract number CSH23-0519 for the purpose of providing 1 – 150 public service activities, at a cost not to exceed $10,000 per activity, and rehabilitation or reconstruction of 1 – 100 single family homes located in Cameron County, if funding becomes available. CDBG funds for rehabilitation will not exceed $80,000 and reconstruction will not exceed $105,000 per home. The total cost for reconstruction, including leveraged funding as necessary to complete the reconstruction, will not exceed $145,000. The total amount of CDBG funds expended is anticipated to be $1,000,000. TDHCA reserves the right to add supplemental CDBG funding in an amount not to exceed a total contract amount of $2,000,000, if contract performance measures are met and additional funding is available. This will be a multi-year release based on the availability of additional dollars for the following years: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.
This review is utilizing a tiered environmental approach and once homes are identified a site-specific review will be submitted to TDHCA for a final clearance. The following factors not addressed in the broad review will be analyzed in the site-specific review: airport hazards, contamination and toxic substances, explosive and flammable hazards, floodplain management, historic preservation, noise abatement and control, and wetlands protection.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Cameron County 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 the Cameron County Courthouse, 1100 E. Monroe St., Brownsville, TX 78520 and may be examined or copied weekdays 9:30 A.M. to 4:30 P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Cameron County Judge’s Office. All comments received by March 27, 2025, will be considered by Cameron County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which part of this Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
Cameron County certifies to TDHCA that Eddie Treviño, Jr., in his capacity as County Judge 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. TDHCA’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Cameron County to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
TDHCA will accept objections to its release of funds and Cameron 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 Cameron County (b) Cameron 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 TDHCA; 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 TDHCA, Program Services Environmental Staff, P.O. Box 13491, Austin, Texas 78711-3941, or by email to: environmental@tdhca.texas.gov . Potential objectors should contact TDHCA to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Certifying Officer: Eddie Treviño, Jr., Cameron County Judge