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NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS August 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200 St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447 (340)777-4HFA(4432) These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 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) on file at Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority at, 3202 Demarara Plaza Suite 200 St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447, Attention Ms. Dayna Clendinen, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program or by email to environmental@vihfa.gov. The ERR can be accessed online at the following website https://cdbgdr.vihfa.gov/. The ERR may also be examined or copied weekdays 8A.M to 5 P.M. Law, Authority, or Factor Mitigation Measure/Special Condition Historic Preservation The applicant is required to report any discoveries of archaeological resources, as required by law. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or after September 9, 2025, the Virgin Islands Finance Housing Authority will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant – Mitigation funds under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, (PL93-383), as amended, to undertake the following project: Program/Project Title: Economic Resilience & Revitalization/VI Aqua Farm Purpose: The island of St. Croix is commonly known for their agriculture. After Hurricanes Irma and Maria, many farms and their livestock were left affected as the strong winds destroyed barriers that were protecting the farm. Currently, due to the state of security and fencing around the proposed site, VI Aqua Farm is susceptible to losing their livestock and subsequently, they would not be able to provide fresh food and produce to the community. The proposed project of fencing around VI Aqua Farm will allow locally grown food to be readily available in times of disaster. It is not uncommon for a livestock farmer to lose up to fifty animals in one night due to stray dog attacks or for produce farmers to lose entire fields of crops due to deer eating and demolishing their produce. Fencing will also prevent the potential for injury or loss of life as a result of livestock venturing into roadways, creating detrimental safety hazards. Location: #9 Enfield Green, Frederiksted St. Croix, 00840. Project Description: VI Aqua Farm is a 5-acre plot that is owned by the VI Department of Agriculture. The proposed project of installing proper fencing infrastructure around VI Aqua Farm can lead to food security and measurable reductions in the risk of loss of life and property from future disasters. Changes in land will include the erection of fence posts, rails, chain link mesh, tension wires and gates. By ensuring proper containment of animals and securing the farm perimeter, the project enhances safety and reduces the likelihood of accidents, such as animals wandering onto roads. This resilience not only reduces losses for the farm but also mitigates the potential hardship experienced by its workers, fostering economic stability and security within the community. The farm will produce quality locally grown food at an affordable price that lower income customers can afford. In addition, they would be able to participate in programs such as Farm-to-School Programs, WIC and EBT as the losses would be greatly reduced. Estimated Project Cost: The total HUD funding & estimated project cost is $192,000, fully funded by HUD through the Community Development Block Grant - Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) Program under Grant Number B-18-DP-78-0002. Grant Number HUD Program Funding Amount B-18-DP-78-0002 CDBG-MIT $192,000 The activity/activities proposed are categorized as an environmental assessment under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements per 24 CFR Part 58.40. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200, St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447, Attention Ms. Dayna Clendinen, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer, or via email at environmental@vihfa.gov and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority, 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200, St. Thomas, VI 00802-6447, Attention Ms. Dayna Clendinen, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer, or via email at environmental@vihfa.gov. All comments received by September 9, 2025, will be considered by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIROMENTAL CERTIFICATION The Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority certifies to HUD that Ms. Dayna Clendinen, in her capacity as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer, 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 Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority to use HUD program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of funds and the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority’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 Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority; (b) the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 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 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, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to HUD at U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at HUD Caribbean Area Office, Region VI, 235 Federico Costa Street, Suite 200, Parque Las Américas I Building, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00918. Potential objectors should contact HUD to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Sincerely, Dayna Clendinen Chief Operating Officer and Chief Disaster Recovery Officer Virgin Islands Finance Housing Authority