PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT, NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS, AND FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FLOODPLAIN April 20, 2026 Lorain County Community Development Community Development Department 226 Middle Ave RM 400 Elyria, Ohio 44035 440-328-2564 To All Interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals: These notices shall satisfy three separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about, but not before, May 5th, 2026, the Lorain County Board of Commissioners will submit a request to the State of Ohio for the release of Federal funds under Section 104 (g) of Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended; Section 288 of Title II of the Cranston Gonzales National Affordable Housing Act (NAHA), as amended; and/or Title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, as amended; to be used for the following project(s): Project Name and Activity North Ridgeville Aurensen, Noll, Behm Waterline Replacement- Phase 1 Source of Federal Funds Community Development Block Grant Description Replace Waterline in Aurensen Neighborhood Length Multi-year Project Location North Ridgeville, Ohio CDBG Funds $150,000.00 Total Estimated Cost $1,521,500.00 FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A FLOODPLAIN This is to give notice that Lorain County Board of Commissioners under 24 CFR Part 58 has determined that the following proposed action under Community Housing Impact & Preservation Program (CHIP) HUD grant 25NO-1BQ-25CDBG is located in the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS) floodplain and Lorain County Board of Commissioners staff will be identifying and evaluating practicable alternatives to locating the action within the floodplain and the potential impacts on the floodplain from the proposed action, as required by Executive Order 11988 in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 in Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands. The proposed project location is Aurensen, Noll, Behm Neighborhood in North Ridgeville, Lorain County. The extent of the FFRMS floodplain was determined using the FEMA Floodplain Map Service Center. Behm Road is currently serviced by 1,880 linear feet of waterlines that are a combination of cast iron and asbestos cement, with both 6-inch and 8-inch sections. All waterline on Behm Road will be replaced and upgraded to 8-inch PVC pipe, which is the current city standard for new construction. New hydrants, valves and service lines will be installed. The neighborhood has one existing connection to a 12-inch watermain on Avon Belden Road. This project will additionally connect waterlines on Behm Road to the Cross Creek subdivision to the west, providing a loop for redundancy and improved water quality. As a result of the project, 2,030 linear feet of new waterline will be installed. This project involves the removal and replacement of existing 6-inch water main with 8-inch diameter water main along Behm Drive (Phase 1), Noll Drive (Phase 2), and Aurensen Road (Phase 3) with 4-inch diameter water main along cul-de-sacs. The waterline replacement project located on Aurensen Rd, Behm Dr, and Noll Dr. is located within a 500-year flood plain and 0.2% chance Flood Hazard Area. The project located on Aurensen Rd is within the floodplain, sparking the need for the 8-step decision making process. The project area is within less than 0.10 acres of Zone AE and the Flood Hazard zone. There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in the floodplain and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Commenters are encouraged to offer alternative sites outside of the floodplain alternative methods to serve the same project purpose, and methods to minimize and mitigate project impacts on the [floodplain/wetland]. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about the floodplain can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplain it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. Written comments must be received by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners at the following address on or before April 27, 2026 Lorain County Board of Commissioners, 226 Middle Ave, Suite 400, Elyria Ohio 44035 and 440-328-2362, Attention: David Moore, President of Lorain County Board of Commissioners. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from 8am to 4:30pm at 226 Middle Ave, Suite 400, Elyria Ohio 44035 and https://www.loraincountyohio.gov/202/Community-Development. Comments may also be submitted via email at ksmith@loraincounty.us. FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT The Lorain County Board of Commissioners 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 is available for review on Lorain County’s website at https://loraincountyohio.gov/202/Community-Development or on file at The Lorain County Administration Building located at 226 Middle Ave 4th Floor, Elyria, Ohio 44035 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8 am to 4:30 pm. The ERR may also be provided upon request electronically via email. Please submit your request by U.S. mail to 226 Middle Ave RM 400, Elyria, Ohio 44035 or by email to ksmith@loraincounty.us. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Lorain County Board of Commissioners by U.S. mail or email at the addresses above. All comments received before May 5th, 2026 will be considered by the Lorain County Board of Commissioners prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION The Lorain County Board of Commissioners certifies to the State of Ohio that David J Moore in his capacity as President of Lorain County Board of Commissioners 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 State of Ohio’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Lorain County Board of Commissioners to use Program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS The State of Ohio will accept objections to its release of funds and the Lorain County Board of Commissioners 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 Lorain County Board of Commissioners; (b) the Lorain County Board of Commissioners 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 State of Ohio; 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 Ohio Department of Development, Office of Community Development at OCD@development.ohio.gov. Potential objectors should contact the State of Ohio to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Lorain County Community Development Kelly Smith ksmith@loraincounty.us 2808032/April 20, 2026