The NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) environmental review process is typically triggered for projects that are applying for/receiving federal funding from programs such as the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and new Tax Credit Assistance Program (TCAP), which are administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Peer has completed NEPA environmental reviews for clients on a variety of multi-family housing projects for various state housing agencies such as Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC), and the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency (Minnesota Housing). Peer works closely with its clients and the designated housing agency in order to provide timely and cost effective NEPA environmental review services.
The NEPA Environmental review process starts by identifying the proposed action, and then determining the level of environmental review, which include Statutory Exclusion (STATEX); Categorical Exclusion (CATEX); Environmental Assessment (EA); and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The environmental review includes an evaluation of key issues and associated standards, policies, and regulations that may have a potential environmental impact on the project as specified in 24 CFR Part 58.5 including:
- historic preservation
- floodplain management
- wetlands protection
- coastal zone management
- sole source aquifers
- endangered species
- wild and scenic rivers
- air quality
- farmland protection
- environmental justice
- noise abatement and control
- toxic/hazardous/radioactive materials, contamination, chemicals or gases
- siting of HUD assisted projects near hazardous operations
- airport clear zones and accident protection zones
Once the various environmental issues and regulatory criteria are evaluated, an environmental review record/document is completed.