Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds

Date of Notice: August 4^th, 2025
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Jim Wells County.

Request for Release of Funds

On or about August 25^th, 2025 Jim Wells County will submit a request to the Texas Department of Agriculture - Office of Rural Affairs (TDA-ORA) for the release of Texas Community Development Block Grant funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383), as amended , to undertake a project known as Jim Wells County Water System Improvements in Rancho Alegre (CDP) CDV23-0313, for the purpose of Administrative and Engineering Fees and Services as wells as replace approximately one thousand, nine hundred seventy-four linear feet (1,974 LF) of two inch (2") waterline with eight inch (8") PVC waterline and associated appurtenances on Rosario Street, Four (4) fire hydrants will also be placed along Rosario Street.  The replacement of these lines will lead to decreased breaks and leaks while improving safety and water access to the surrounding residents.  The project is a non-critical habitat and does not involve acquisition.  This project will also include the relocation or utility and infrastructure lines.  Jim Wells County has been awarded $500,000.00 in grant funds and shall contribute $10,000.00 in match funds.

Finding of No Significant Impact

Jim Wells County 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 the Jim Wells County County Courthouse, 200 N. Almond, Alice, Texas 78332 and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  A digital copy of the ERR may be obtained by contacting Norma Salas, Grant Administrator via email norma.salas@co.jim-wells.tx.us or by phone at (361)668-5826, (361)227-8409.

Public Comments

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to the Office of the County Judge.  Comments may also be submitted via email to norma.salas@co.jim-wells.tx.us.  All comments received by August 22^nd, 2025 will be considered by Jim Wells County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds.  Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

Environmental Certification

Jim Wells County certifies to TOA-ORA that Pedro Trevino in their capacity as County Judge 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. TOA-ORA approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities, and allows Jim Wells County to use HUD program funds.

Objections to Release of Funds

TOA-ORA will accept objections to its release of funds and Jim Wells County'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 Jim Wells County approved by TOA-ORA (b) Jim Wells County 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 TOA-ORA; 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 Annessa Lewis, Environmental Review Specialist of The Texas Department of Agriculture - Office of Rural Affairs, via email at CDBG_EnvReview@TexasAgriculture.gov. Potential objectors should contact TOA-ORA to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

Pedro "Pete" Trevino Jr., County Judge

Attachment: Notice of Finding for CDV23-0313 Aug 4 2025 - English.pdf

AVISO DE CONSTATAClÓN DE IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO Y
AVISO DE INTENClÓN DE SOLICITUD DELIBERAClÓN DE FONDOS
Fecha de notificación: DATE: 4 de agosto de 2025
Jim Wells County, 200 N. Almond, Alice, TX 78332,
Estos avisos deberan satisf acer dos requisitos de procedim iento distintos pero relacionados con las actividades
que debera llevar a cabo el Condado de Jim Wells.

SOLICITUD DE LIBERACION DE FONDOS

Alrededor del 25 de agosto de 2025, el condado de Jim Wells presentara una solicitud al Departamento de
Agricultura de Texas - Oficina de Asuntos Rurales (TOA-ORA) para la liberación de fondos de la Subvención en
Bloque para el Desarrollo Comunitario de Texas en virtud del Titulo I de la Ley de Vivienda y Desarrollo
Comunitario de 1974 (P.L. 93-383), en su version modificada, con el fin de llevar a cabo un proyecto conocido coma Mejoras del Sistema de Agua del Condado de Jim Wells en Rancho Alegre (CDP) CDV23-0313, con el fin de sufragar las gastos y servicios administrativos y de ingenieria, asi como para sustituir aproximadamente mil
novecientos setenta y cuatro pies lineales (1974 LF) de tuberia de agua de dos pulgadas (2") por tuberia de PVC
de ocho pulgadas (8") y los accesorios correspondientes en la calle Rosario. Tambien se instalaran cuatro (4)
bocas de incendio a lo largo de la calle Rosario. Las mejoras propuestas en la calle Herrera sustituiran
aproximadamente mil quinientos pies lineales (1500 LF) de tuberia de agua de dos pulgadas (2") por tuberia de
PVC de ocho pulgadas (8") y los accesorios correspondientes. La calle Herrera tambien contara con
aproximadamente cuatro (4) bocas de incendio para la protección contra incendios. La sustitución de estas
tuberias reducira las roturas y fugas, al tiempo que mejorara la seguridad y el acceso al agua de los residentes
de la zona. El proyecto no afecta a ningun habitat critico y no implica ninguna adquisicion. Este proyecto tambien
incluira la reubicacion de las lineas de servicios publicos e infraestructuras. El condado de Jim Wells ha recibido
una subvencion de 500 000 dóIares y aportara 1 O 000 dóIares en fondos de contrapartida.

CONCLUSlÓN DE IMPACTO SIGNIFICATIVO

El Condado de Jim Wells ha determinado que el proyecto no tendra un impacto significativo en el ambiente
ambiente. Por lo tanto, no es necesaria una Declaracion de lmpacto Ambiental bajo la Ley de Politica Ambiental
Nacional de 1969 (NEPA, por sus siglas en ingles). Un Expediente de Revision Ambiental (ERR, por sus siglas en
ingles) que contiene información adicional del proyecto esta disponible en el Condado de Jim Wells , 200 N.
Almond, Alice, TX 78332 y puede ser revisado o reproducida de lunes a viernes de 8:00 am a 5:00pm. Puede
obtener una copia digital del ERR comunicandose con Norma Salas, Grant Administrator via correo electronico
norma.salas@co.jim-wells.tx.us o.

COMENTARIOS DEL PUBLICO

Cualquier individuo, grupo o agencia puede enviar comentarios escritos sobre el ERR a la Oficina del County
Judge. Los comentarios tambien pueden enviarse por correo electrónico a norma.salas@co.jim-wells.tx.us. Todos
los comentarios recibidos hasta 22 de agosto de 2025 seran considerados por el Condado de Jim Wells antes de
autorizar la presentación de una solicitud de liberación de fondos. Los comentarios deben especificar a que Aviso
se dirigen.

CERTIFICAClÓN AMBIENTAL

El Condada de Jim Wells certifica a la TDA-ORAque Pedro Trevino en su capacidad como County Judge da su
consentimiento a aceptar la jurisdiccion de las cortes federales si una acción legal fuera iniciada para hacer cumplir responsabilidades relacionadas al proceso de revision ambiental y que estas responsabilidades se satisfagan. La aprobacion de la certificacion por parte de TOA-ORA satisface sus responsabilidades bajo NEPA, y las leyes y autoridades relacionadas, y permite que el Condado de Jim Wells utilice los fondos del Programa HUD.

OBJECIONES A LA LIBERAClÓN DE FONDOS

TOA-ORA aceptara objeciones a su liberacion de fondos y la certificación por parte de el Condado de Jim Wells
por un periodo de quince dias a partir de la fecha anticipada de recibo o la fecha en que en efecto se reciba la solicitud de liberación de fondos (lo que ocurra mas tarde) solamente si estas se basan en una de las siguientes
posibles razones: (a) la certificación no fuefirmada por el Oficial Certificador de el Condado de Jim Wells aprobado
por TOA-ORA (b) el Condado de Jim Wells omitio un paso o no tomó una decision o determinación que es requisito
de la reglamentación de HUD en 24 CFR Parte 58; (c) el beneficiario de la subvención u otros participantes en el
proceso de desarrollo comprometieron fondos, incurrieron en gastos o llevaron a cabo actividades no autorizadas
por 24 CFR Parte 58 antes de que TOA-ORA; o (d) otra agencia federal actuando de acuerdo con 40 CFR Parte
1504 sometió una determinacion de que el proyecto no es satisfactorio desde el punto de vista de calidad ambiental.
Las objeciones deben prepararse y someterse de acuerdo con los requisitos procesales (24 CFR Parte 58, Sección
58.76) y se dirigira a Annessa Lewis, Especialista en Revision Ambiental del Departamento de Agricultura de Texas
- Oficina de Asuntos Rurales, por correo electrónico a CDBG_EnvReview@TexasAgriculture.gov. Los posibles
objetores deben comunicarse con TOA-ORA para verificar el ultimo dfa real del perfodo de objeción.

Pedro "Pete" Trevino Jr., County Judge

Attachment: Notice of Finding for CDV23-0313 Aug 4 2025 - Spanish.pdf

Disaster Loan Outreach Center Extended Operations

The SBA's Disaster Loan Outreach Center at 601 E. Main St. has extended its operations to better serve impacted residents from the May 8, 2025, Severe Weather Event.

The center is now remain open until Friday, August 1, 2025.

Residents, Business and Private Nonprofits may still submit applications online.

The deadline to submit physical loan applications is August 1, 2025.

The deadline to return economic injury applications is March 2, 2026.

Small Business Administration
- Disaster Assistance -

SBA representatives will open a Disaster Loan Outreach Center to explain the application process, assist with completing applications, and address questions about the disaster loan programs. Starting Wednesday, June 4th at 12:00 PM, a Disaster Loan Outreach Center will be located at 601 E. Main Street in Alice, TX 78332, which will be open weekdays from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Governor Abbott continues to take action to provide all available resources to help support local communities impacted by recent severe storms, including:

• Requesting a federal disaster declaration for impacted South Texas communities.
• Requesting local, state, and federal partners joint preliminary damage assessment of homes and businesses in South Texas communities.
• Activating state emergency response resources ahead of severe weather threats.

We encourage and invite residents in the counties accepted in this disaster declaration to utilize our Disaster Loan Outreach Center.

If anyone has any questions or needing direction, please contact (361)668-5706. 

Click here to read more for more information.

Assistance Resource Guide

Guía de Recursos de Asistencia

Safety Nuisance Abatement Procedures

The Jim Wells County Commissioners Court had adopted Nuisance Abatement Procedures on May 13th, 2024. Click here to read the Jim Wells County Nuisance Abatement Procedures. Please visit the Jim Wells County Safety & Inspection Department webpage.

See All Events

Burn Ban Lifted
(March 31, 2025)

Remember to notify the Jim Wells County Sherriff's Office prior to any burning.

Order Lifting Burn Ban

State of Texas Emergency
Assistance Registry (STEAR)

The State of Texas offers the option to register with the STEAR program, a free registry that provides local emergency management planners and responders with information related to your needs during an emergency.

Who Should Register?

• People with disabilities
• People who are medically fragile
• People with functional needs such as:
  • Limited Mobility
  • Communication barriers
  • Require additional medical assistance during an emergency event
  • Require personal care assistance
• People who require transportation assistance

Register online at stear.tdem.texas.gov.

Call 2-1-1 or use your video phone relay option of choice.

Registering in STEAR DOES NOT guarantee you will receive a specific service during emergencies.