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NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS May 18, 2026 Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 3202 Demarara Plaza, Suite 200 St. Thomas, VI, 00802-6477 (340)777-4HFA(4432) On or about May 25, 2026 the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority will submit a request to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (Electrical Grid) 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: Electrical Power System Improvement/Feeder 11 & 12 Rebuild Project Description: The Feeder 11 and 12 Rebuild project aims to significantly improve the reliability of the 34.5kV transmission system on the islands of St. Thomas and St. John. Of note, although the project will have beneficial impact on both islands, the work will solely happen on the island of St. Thomas. The transmission line L3-0A0B1, also known as Feeder 11, was permanently damaged during Hurricane Maria leaving only two out of three transmission lines active on the island. Over the past six years, this has caused extreme stress on the two active transmission lines and has eliminated the level of redundancy that was present when all three lines were active. The present-day condition of having two active transmission lines, one of which being the now deteriorating transmission line L3-0A0B2 (feeder 12), has resulted in multiple disruptions of power to the residents of St. Thomas and St. John. This project was created by the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA) to aid in reducing the frequency and duration of power outages by providing a level of resiliency for the St. Thomas and St. John grid. The replacement of Feeders 11 and 12 will improve the operations of the existing grid, allowing for more efficient power flow and reduced energy consumption. Additionally, expanding on the current transmission infrastructure can enhance the grid’s resilience to extreme weather events and other disruptions, ensuring that electricity remains available when needed the most. The proposed project will have minimal impact on flood zones. Several of the existing manholes along the low-lying areas of Veteran’s Drive will likely need to be pumped out on multiple occasions in order to accommodate cable removal, cable termination and cable testing efforts. Location: St. Thomas, USVI, 00802 Estimated Project Cost: The total HUD funding and estimated project cost is $13,341,775.48, fully funded by HUD through the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) – Electrical Power Systems Improvement (CDBG-EGRID) Program under Grant Number B-18-DE-78-0001. Grant Number HUD Program Funding Amount B-18-DE-78-0001 CDBG-EG $13,341,775.48 Law, Authority, or Factor Mitigation Measure Coastal Zone Management Coastal Zone Management Act, sections 307(c) & (d) To remain compliant with local regulations, dewatering of manholes must be done via dewatering bags or surrounded by absorbent pads and hay bales. No direct discharges are allowed to storm inlets or the ocean. Permitting WAPA is required to obtain all necessary permits to implement the project where applicable. The activities proposed are categorically excluded under HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58 from National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements. 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 May 25, 2026, will be considered by the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. ENVIRONMENTAL 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 Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will accept objections to its release of fund and the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority 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/Chief Disaster Recovery Officer Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority Dayna Clendinen Digitally signed by Dayna Clendinen Date: 2026.05.14 08:57:36 -04'00'