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Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS (Tiered Review)

8/12/2026

Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program
185 Old Ferry Rd, Brattleboro VT 05301
Elisha Underwood, Program Manager, 802-212-1548

On or about August 31, 2026 the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Lead Hazard Reduction Capacity Building Grant Program funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, as amended, The funds will support a multi-year program to reduce lead hazards in up to 8 homes in Windham County by December 2027, while building local capacity to address lead hazards. The program may apply for additional funding to support lead hazard reduction in up to a total of 115 homes in Windham County by December 2030 through the Windham County Sheriff’s Office. The Windham County Lead Haard Control and Heathy Homes Capacity Building Program is requesting the release of $1,100,000 federal Lead Hazard Control funds and will provide $205,911.16 in matching funds to be used before December 2027.

The proposed lead hazard reduction, and general rehabilitation activities to be funded under these programs include lead testing and mitigation, mechanical systems, radon testing and mitigation, upgrade of bathrooms and kitchens, and removal of other safety hazards are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at § 58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area(s) listed above. Compliance with other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be met when individual projects are reviewed, i.e., Flood Insurance, Historic Preservation, Contamination/Toxics. Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds published. Copies of the compliance documentation worksheets are available at the address below.

An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Windham County Sheriff’s Office at 185 Old Ferry Rd, Brattleboro, VT, as well as the Windham County Lead Hazard Control website, https://lead.windhamcountyvt.gov, and a HUD website for this purpose, https://cpd.hud.gov/cpd-public/environmental-reviews and/or email Elisha Underwood at eunderwood@windhamcountyvt.gov to request an electronic copy and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 a.m. to 3p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Program Manager, Elisha Underwood at eunderwood@windhamcountyvt.gov. All comments received by August 31, 2026,
will be considered by the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program prior to authorizing submission of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD.

RELEASE OF FUNDS

The Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program certifies to HUD that the Sheriff of Windham County in his/her official capacity as the Project Director of the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program at the Windham County Sheriff's Office 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 Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Program to utilize federal funds and implement the Program.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date (cited above) or HUD’s actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: (a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program (b) the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; (c) the Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; (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 may be addressed to HUD and sent to the email address: OLHCHHPECOS@hud.gov

Sheriff of Windham County, Windham County Sheriff's Office, Windham County Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes Capacity Building Program.