In accordance to guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), notice is hereby given that the City of Bowie, as an entitlement participant in the Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, solicits public participation in the development of the Annual Action Plan for fiscal year 2005 at a Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday May 4, 2004 at 6 p.m. at Bowie City Hall, 2614 Kenhill Drive, Bowie, Maryland. The Annual Action Plan provides a yearly accounting of CDBG and other funds allocated towards the implementation of objectives outlined in the Five Year Strategy Plan, which is included in the Consolidated Plan for Community Development. The Five Year Strategy Plan identifies community needs and proposed solutions in the areas of Housing, Special Needs, Economic Development, and Non-Housing Community Development. The City’s CDBG activities will benefit low and moderate- income persons by making infrastructure improvements in the Old Town Bowie/Huntington section of the City as it has been for the last seventeen years. These street improvements have been prioritized by residents and are an objective in the Master Plan for Redevelopment for Old Town Bowie. All City CDBG documents are posted on the City’s website: www.cityofbowie.org under Community Information. Accommodation for persons with disabilities and non-English speaking residents will be provided upon request. For additional information, please call 301-809-3075.

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Community Development Block Grant
Finding of No Significant Impact
Intent to Request Release of Funds
Public Hearing and Comment Period

This notice shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for HUD funded activities to be undertaken by the City of Bowie.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about January 6, 2004 the City of Bowie will submit a request to the HUD for the release of Community Development Block Grant funds under Title/Section I of the Housing Act of 1974, PL 93-383, as amended, to undertake a project known as Old Town Bowie Public Infrastructure Reconstruction and Improvement, for the purpose of addressing roadway and drainage deficiencies. The Scope of this project may include engineering design, utility relocation, street reconstruction, and the installation of sidewalks, storm drains and inlets, gutters, driveway aprons, street lighting, crosswalks and landscaping.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The City of Bowie is Categorically Excluded from the Environmental Review requirement because the proposed Street Improvement project consists of the “repair, improvement, reconstruction or rehabilitation of existing public facilities”as stated in Sec. 58.35 (a) (1). The City of Bowie, therefore, has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment and 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 City Manager’s Office, Bowie City Hall, 2614 Kenhill Drive, Bowie, MD 20715 open weekdays 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M and on the City’s website at www.cityofbowie.org .

The City of Bowie certifies to HUD that David Deutsch in his capacity as City 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 the City of Bowie to use Program funds.

HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the City of Bowie’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, David Deutsch, City Manager of the City of Bowie; (b) the City of Bowie 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 has committed funds or incurred costs 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) and shall be addressed to Frances Bush, CDP Director at HUD, Community Planning and Development 820 First Street NE, Suite 450, Washington, DC 20002. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

PUBLIC HEARING

Any individual, group or agency disagreeing with this determination or wishing to comment on the project may attend a Public Hearing scheduled for January 5, 2004 at Bowie City Hall, 2614 Kenhill Drive, Bowie, MD 20715 at 8 PM . This location is ADA accessible. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request.

PUBLIC COMMENTS