SmallBusinessFinalERREnvironmental Review
for Activity/Project that is Exempt or
Categorically Excluded Not Subject to Section 58.5
Pursuant to 24 CFR 58.34(a) and 58.35(b)
Project Information
Project Name:
Small-Business-Counseling-Center-Valley-CDC
HEROS Number:
900000010184881
Responsible Entity (RE):
NORTHAMPTON, 210 Main St Northampton MA, 01060
State / Local Identifier:
RE Preparer:
Keith Benoit
Grant Recipient (if different than Responsible Entity):
Point of Contact:
Consultant (if applicable):
Point of Contact:
Project Location:
, Northampton, MA 01060
Additional Location Information:
Suite A
Description of the Proposed Project [24 CFR 50.12 & 58.32; 40 CFR 1508.25]:
Valley's Economic Development program offers a range of free counseling and referral services to LMI small business owners and entrepreneurs in Northampton. Their ongoing work with
low/mod business owners in Northampton's downtown area and the business centers of Florence and Leeds continues to build visibility and accessibility to new clients. In 2020 Valley's
bylaws were amended to expand services area to include both Hampshire and Franklin counties and this larger footprint is building a strong collaborative network that adds valuable
regional resources that they pass along to clients. The core work of Valley's staff with LMI clients includes business plan development, financial projections, strategic marketing
and use of social media, and access to local, statewide and federal loan and grant funds available to help them weather these most difficult times. LMI small business owners have limited
financial capacity to cushion the impact of dramatic reductions in sales, continue paying rent on retail space, or adapt their operations to ensure the health and safety of staff
and customers.
Level of Environmental Review Determination
Activity / Project is Exempt per 24 CFR 58.34(a):
58.34(a)(4)
Signature Page
Small_Business_Counseling_CenterErrSigned.pdf
Funding Information
Grant / Project Identification Number
HUD Program
Program Name
B-19-MC-25-0027
Community Planning and Development (CPD)
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) (Entitlement)
Estimated Total HUD Funded, Assisted or Insured Amount:
$35,000.00
Estimated Total Project Cost [24 CFR 58.2 (a) (5)]:
$160,930.00
Compliance with 24 CFR §50.4 & §58.6 Laws and Authorities
Compliance Factors:
Statutes, Executive Orders, and Regulations listed at 24 CFR §50.4 & §58.6
Are formal compliance steps or mitigation required?
Compliance determination
(See Appendix A for source determinations)
STATUTES, EXECUTIVE ORDERS, AND REGULATIONS LISTED AT 24 CFR §50.4 & § 58.6
Airport Runway Clear Zones and Clear Zones
24 CFR part 51
( Yes ( No
Coastal Barrier Resources Act
Coastal Barrier Resources Act, as amended by the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990 [16 USC 3501]
( Yes ( No
This project is not located in a CBRS Unit. Therefore, this project has no potential to impact a CBRS Unit and is in compliance with the Coastal Barrier Resources Act.
Flood Insurance
Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a]
( Yes ( No
Based on the project description the project includes no activities that would require further evaluation under this section. The project does not require flood insurance or is excepted
from flood insurance. While flood insurance may not be mandatory in this instance, HUD recommends that all insurable structures maintain flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). The project is in compliance with Flood Insurance requirements.
Flood Insurance
Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 and National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 [42 USC 4001-4128 and 42 USC 5154a]
( Yes ( No
Based on the project description the project includes no activities that would require further evaluation under this section. The project does not require flood insurance or is excepted
from flood insurance. While flood insurance may not be mandatory in this instance, HUD recommends that all insurable structures maintain flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). The project is in compliance with Flood Insurance requirements.
Mitigation Measures and Conditions [CFR 40 1505.2(c)]: Summarized below are all mitigation measures adopted by the Responsible Entity to reduce, avoid or eliminate adverse environmental
impacts and to avoid non-compliance or non-conformance with the above-listed authorities and factors. These measures/conditions must be incorporated into project contracts, development
agreements and other relevant documents. The staff responsible for implementing and monitoring mitigation measures should be clearly identified in the mitigation plan.
Law, Authority, or Factor
Mitigation Measure or Condition
Comments on Completed Measures
Complete
Mitigation Plan
No mitigation measures are need at this time because the project does not involve activities that alter the environment and is compliant with all related laws. If anything were to change
in the project scope, the RE would revisit this environmental review.
Supporting documentation on completed measures
APPENDIX A: Related Federal Laws and Authorities
Airport Runway Clear Zones
General policy
Legislation
Regulation
It is HUD’s policy to apply standards to prevent incompatible development around civil airports and military airfields.
24 CFR Part 51 Subpart D
Does the project involve the sale or acquisition of developed property?
(
No
Based on the response, the review is in compliance with this section.
Yes
Compliance Determination
Supporting documentation
Are formal compliance steps or mitigation required?
Yes
(
No
Coastal Barrier Resources
General requirements
Legislation
Regulation
HUD financial assistance may not be used for most activities in units of the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). See 16 USC 3504 for limitations on federal expenditures affecting
the CBRS.
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) of 1982, as amended by the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990 (16 USC 3501)
Is the project located in a CBRS Unit?
(
No
Document and upload map and documentation below.
Yes
Screen Summary
Compliance Determination
This project is not located in a CBRS Unit. Therefore, this project has no potential to impact a CBRS Unit and is in compliance with the Coastal Barrier Resources Act.
Supporting documentation
Are formal compliance steps or mitigation required?
Yes
(
No
Flood Insurance
General requirements
Legislation
Regulation
Certain types of federal financial assistance may not be used in floodplains unless the community participates in National Flood Insurance Program and flood insurance is both obtained
and maintained.
Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 as amended (42 USC 4001-4128)
24 CFR 50.4(b)(1) and 24 CFR 58.6(a) and (b); 24 CFR 55.1(b).
1. Does this project involve financial assistance for construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition of a mobile home, building, or insurable personal property?
(
No. This project does not require flood insurance or is excepted from flood insurance.
Based on the response, the review is in compliance with this section.
Yes
Screen Summary
Compliance Determination
Based on the project description the project includes no activities that would require further evaluation under this section. The project does not require flood insurance or is excepted
from flood insurance. While flood insurance may not be mandatory in this instance, HUD recommends that all insurable structures maintain flood insurance under the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). The project is in compliance with Flood Insurance requirements.
Supporting documentation
Are formal compliance steps or mitigation required?
Yes
(
No