NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

AGENCY: Bureau of Indian Affairs

ACTION: Notice of Availability

SUMMARY: The St. Regis Band of Mohawk Tribe’s (Tribe) Akwesasne Housing Authority (AHA) is currently evaluating a large construction project to support veterans and elders in Akwesasne, New York. The Tribe has identified the need for additional housing and support services for elders and veterans. The Veterans Supportive Housing (8,091 sq. ft.) and the Senior Supportive Housing (17,919 sq. ft.) projects will both be located on Lot #229 within the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory. The Veterans Supportive Housing project will be a 6 unit apartment complex with on-site supportive services and facilities for veterans within the Administration building. The Senior Supportive Housing Complex will provide supportive services, facilities and communal spaces for the senior residents and their families. The proposed site is located on the south portion of Lot #229. Both projects will share infrastructure which will include 62 parking spaces, 800 feet of sidewalk, and 1000 feet of roadway. To move forward with the project the Tribe will need lease approvals from the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Due to the need for federal approvals, this project was reviewed in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.

The BIA has reviewed and adopted the Environmental Assessments (EAs), titled Veterans Supportive Housing and Senior Supportive Housing, prepared by the St. Regis Mohawk’s Environmental Division to determine the environmental impacts associated with the projects in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969.

NOTICE: This is a Notice of Availability that the EAs and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the project are available for public review. This FONSI is a finding on environmental effects, not a decision to proceed with an action, therefore cannot be appealed.

For further information please contact Chet McGhee, Regional Environmental Scientist, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Eastern Regional Office, 545 Marriot Drive, Suite 700, Nashville, TN 37214, telephone (615) 564-6830.