NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND NOTICE TO PUBLIC OF REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

Town of Mentone, Kosciusko County
201 West Main Street,
Mentone, IN 46539

TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS:
On or about April 30, 2024, the Town of Mentone will request the release federal funds from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) for Community Development Block Grant Funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) for the following project:

Mentone Mentzer Park Enhancements Project

The Town of Mentone is proposing a revitalization project for Mentzer Park. The park currently has outdated equipment, limited accessibility features, and lacks facilities for safe gatherings during COVID-19. The project will address these issues by installing modern, ADA-compliant equipment, constructing a new pavilion suitable for safe events, and improving walkways and parking. This focus on safety, inclusivity, and accessibility will transform Mentzer Park into a vibrant and welcoming outdoor space for all residents of Mentone.

Finding of No Significant Impact

It has been determined that such request for release of funds will not constitute an action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and accordingly the above named Town of Mentone has decided not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (P.L. 91-190). The reasons for such decision not to prepare such statement are as follows:

All preliminary environmental reviews by state and county agencies indicated that the proposed project would not endanger the environment under any capacity.

An Environmental Review Record regarding the proposed project has been made by the above named Town of Mentone 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 at the above address and is available for public examination and copying upon request the Mentone Town Hall between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday (except Wednesday.) Should town offices be closed, the ERR will be made available to the public for review either electronically or by U.S. mail. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to [227 W Jefferson Blvd. South Bend IN 46601] or by email to [[email protected]]. No further environmental review of such project is proposed to be conducted prior to the request for release of funds.

Public Comments of Findings

All interested agencies, groups, and persons disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments for consideration by the Town of Mentone to the Mentone Town Hall located at 201 West Main Street, Mentone, IN 46539 or by email to [[email protected]]. Such written comments should be received by May 02, 2024. All such comments so received will be considered and the Town of Mentone will not request the release of federal funds or take any administrative action on the proposed project prior to the date specified in the preceding sentences.

Release of Funds

The Town of Americana will undertake the project described above with Community Development Block Grant funds from the State of Indiana under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. The Town of Americana is certifying to the State that the Town of Mentone and Jill Gross in her official capacity as Council President consents to accept the jurisdiction of the federal courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to environmental reviews, decision making, and action; and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The legal effect of the certification is that upon its approval the Town of Mentone may use the Block Grant funds and the State will have satisfied its responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969.

Objections to State Release of Funds

The State will accept an objection to its approval only if it is on one of the following basis: (a) that the certification was not in fact executed by the certifying officer or other officer of applicant approved by the State; or (b) that the applicant’s environmental review record for the project indicated omission of a required review process. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedure (24 CFR Part 58) and may be submitted to Grant Services & OCRA through the ER Report in GMS.

Objections to the release of funds on basis other that those stated above will not be considered by the State. No objections received after May 02, 2424 will be considered by the State.

Jill Gross
Council President,Town of Mentone