NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

March 12, 2026

Ashland County Commissioners
110 Cottage Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Phone: 419-282-4263

To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals:

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Ashland County Community Development Block Grant Program

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about, but not before, April 13, 2026, the Ashland County Commissioners will submit a request to the State of Ohio for the release of Federal funds under Section 104 (g) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended; Section 288 of Title II of the Cranston Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), as amended; and/or Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, as amended; to be used for the following project(s):

 Project Name: Village of Savannah Parks & Recreation Facilities Project Purpose & Activities: The Ashland County Commissioners in Ashland County, Ohio are proposing to make updates to Academy Park and to the Baseball Park in the Village of Savannah, Ohio. These updates include basketball/pickleball courts, sidewalks, and the installation of a restroom. Source of Funds: Community Development Block funds. Single Year Project. Estimated project cost is $376,329.00.

 FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

The Ashland County Commissioners have 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 office of the Ashland County Commissioners, located at 110 Cottage Street, 2nd Floor, Ashland, Ohio 44805, and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M to 4:00 P.M.). The ERR may also be provided upon request electronically via email. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to the Ashland County Commissioners, 110 Cottage Street, Ashland, Ohio 44805, or by email to nhiller@ashlandcounty.org.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Ashland County Commissioners by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above. All comments received before April 13, 2026 will be considered by the Ashland County Commissioners prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

 ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

The Ashland County Commissioners certify to the State of Ohio that Michael E. Welch in his capacity as President of the Board of County Commissioners 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. The State of Ohio’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Ashland County Commissioners to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The State of Ohio will accept objections to its release of funds and the Ashland County Commissioner’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 the Ashland County Commissioner’s; (b) Ashland 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 the State of Ohio; 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 Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development at OCD@development.ohio.gov. Potential objectors should contact the State of Ohio to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Michael E. Welch, President, Board of Ashland County Commissioners