Item 24 - On-Call Environmental Review Services for Federally Funded Programs

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RFP #24-038A: On -Call Environmental Review Services for CHAMBERS the Housing Division GROUP City of Santa Ana assist City Staff in developing scoping meetings and identify the appropriate responsible/trustee agencies and other relevant stakeholders should the project require these meetings (such as during the preparation of an EIS. While it is not necessary to conduct scoping meetings during the preparation of Environmental Assessment, this could be helpful in data collection for a project. NEPA Documents: NEPA Literature Review and Scoping Meeting(s): After receiving NTP from the City, Chambers Group will be prepared to meet with the City's Project Manager and staff, when applicable, at a Project Initiation/Kick-off Meeting to discuss the project. Chambers Group will receive project plans, and other project related information and studies. This information will be reviewed in order to determine the appropriate NEPA documentation to be prepared. Chambers Group will assist City Staff in developing scoping meetings and identify the appropriate responsible/trustee agencies and other relevant stakeholders should the project require these meetings (such as during the preparation of an EIS). While it is not necessary to conduct scoping meetings during the preparation of an EA, this could be helpful in data collection for a project. Categorical Exclusion: There are certain conditions under which NEPA does not apply to an action. These conditions include, but are not limited to statutory exemptions, emergencies, and classified information. Any of these, and some additional exempted actions, may involve the City to some degree, by way of location of the action within the City. Thus, the City may have a role in the NEPA process as a Review Agency, or as a Lead or Co -Lead Agency. As such, the City may be responsible for the preparation of some type of record of environmental consideration, documenting the applicability of the NEPA Categorical Exclusion. EA/Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI): An EA is to be a concise public document that focuses on those environmental areas where potential adverse impacts are anticipated. It will provide sufficient evidence and analysis to determine whether or not an EIS is required. The EA would be limited to an analysis of potential significant environmental issues which are identified through a scoping process with the public and review agencies. The EA will include brief descriptions of the need for the proposed project, alternatives to the proposed project, the environmental impacts of the proposed project and its alternatives, and a listing of agencies and persons consulted. Based on the Final EA, Chambers Group will prepare the FONSI that outlines the reasons why the federal agency has concluded that no significant environmental impacts would result from implementation of the proposed action. The FONSI will inform the decision record for the federal agency. EAs and Compliance Findings - 24 CFR Part 580: Chambers Group will prepare an EA in accordance with HUD's format for EA Determinations and Compliance Findings for HUD -assisted Projects (24 CFR Part 58). The EA will be prepared utilizing the format preferred by HUD, which includes the following sections: 1. Project Information 2. Funding Information 3. Compliance with 24 CFR 50.4, 58.5, and 58.6 Laws and Authorities 4. EA Factors 5. Mitigation Measures and Conditions The analysis of the environmental effects and significance will address direct, indirect, and cumulative impacts of all the alternatives considered. These include the discussion of the Project's compliance with statutes, executive orders, and regulations listed at 24 CFR 50.4, 58.5 and 58.6, and environmental assessment factors including land development, socioeconomic, community facilities and services, and natural features as appropriate. Upon completion of the EA, Chambers Group will enter the EA and associated documents into the HUD HEROS. HUD HEROS: To help Responsible Entities facilitate the environmental review process, HUD's Office of Environment and Energy (OEE) has developed HEROS. HEROS is a web -based system for Responsible Entities to prepare and manage their Environmental Review Records (ERR). HEROS applies to all environmental reviews for HUD -assisted projects. HEROS streamlines the environmental review process for Users by replacing the existing paper -based process with a comprehensive web -based system. Users can create electronic Environmental Review Records and manage their reviews from a single, electronic portal. HEROS facilitates easier organization, sharing, and communications between a Responsible Entity and its partners. Chambers Group has experience working within the HEROS system. Est 1979 16 www.chambersgroupinc.com