May 20th, 2026,
Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development  
Grace Vinson, Environmental Officer 
1 National Life Drive 
Montpelier, Vermont 05620 
(802) 622- 4336 

Request for Release of Funds

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Vermont Housing and Conservation Board and the State of Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (Agency).

On or about June 6th, 2026 the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development (the Agency) will submit a request to HUD for the release of Community Project Funding (CPF) funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (P.L 117-328), to undertake a project known as the Westons Cooperative Infrastructure Project for the purpose of upgrading drinking water and storm water infrastructure to help preserve affordable housing. The project is located at 94 3rd Street Berlin, VT 05602. The total estimate cost of the project is approximately $3,4MM, which includes $1,325,000 (ARPA HH), $795,719 (VHCB HUD Community Project Funding, B-23-CP-VT-1500), $261,945(HUD PRICE funding, B-23-PR-25-0002), and $980,687 (3-Acre MHC Stormwater Construction Initiative).

The project, a residential mobile home cooperative, exists within the 100- and 500-year floodplain of the Dog River. HUD’s 8-Step Guidance has been undertaken and mitigation measures include a flood insurance policy on proposed infrastructure and placing underground storage tanks at an elevation outside of the floodplain that will eliminate the need for locating pressurization equipment within the floodplain.

Finding of No Significant Impact

The Agency, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development, has 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), which 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  Environmental Officer, Department of Housing and Community Development, National Life Building, One National Life Drive, Davis Building 6th floor, Montpelier, Vermont 05620 or via email at Grace.Vinson@vermont.gov. 

Public Comments

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Agency, Attn: Environmental Officer, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, One National Life Drive, Davis Building, 6th Floor, Montpelier, Vermont, 05620 or via email at grace.vinson@vermont.gov. All comments received by June 5th, 2026, will be considered by the Department prior to authorizing a request for release of funds.

Environmental Certification

The Agency is certifying to HUD that Ann Kroll, in their official capacity as Director of Federal Programs, 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 Agency’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Vermont Housing and Conservation Board to use the CPF funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

The Agency will accept objections to its release of funds and the Agency’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, Ann Kroll, Director of Federal Programs; (b) the Agency 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 Agency; 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 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) by email at CPDRROFBOS@hud.gov or by mail at Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Federal Building, 10 Causeway Street, 3rd Floor Boston, MA 02222.

Responsible Entity Certifying Officer: Ann Karlene Kroll, Director of Federal Programs, Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development