NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN

NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS AND FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF A PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN November 6, 2025 Winnebago County Health Department 555 N Court St PO Box 4009 Rockford, IL 61110 815-720-4114 Yaroslav Sobal, Program Manager TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS, AND PERSONS: This Notice shall satisfy the above-cited two separate but related procedural notification requirements for activities to be taken by the Winnebago County Health Department (WCHD). REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or about November 17, 2025, WCHD will submit a request to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the release of Healthy Homes Production funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, as amended, to undertake the multi-year Winnebago County Healthy Homes (WCHH) program, for the purpose of performing healthy homes interventions in qualified, privately-owned residential structures in the target area of Winnebago County. The WCHD is requesting the release of $1,547,750 from HUD. The proposed activities to be funded under this program are categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act requirements, but subject to compliance with some of the environmental laws and authorities listed at §58.5 of 24 CFR Part 58. In accordance with §58.15, a tiered review process has been structured, whereby some environmental laws and authorities have been reviewed and studied for the intended target area listed above. Compliance with other applicable environmental laws and authorities will be met when individual projects are reviewed (i.e. flood insurance, historic preservation, and site contamination/toxic materials). Should individual aggregate projects exceed the threshold for categorical exclusion detailed at §58.35(a), an Environmental Assessment will be completed and a separate Finding of No Significant Impact and Request for Release of Funds will be published. Copies of the compliance documentation are available at the address below. An Environmental Review Record (ERR) that documents the environmental determinations for this project is on file at the WCHD, located at 555 N Court Street in Rockford, Illinois and may be examined or copied weekdays from 8am to 5pm. Documentation may be requested electronically by contacting Yaroslav Sobal, WCHH Program Manager by phone at 815-720-4114 or by e-mail at ysobal@publichealth.wincoil.gov. FINAL NOTICE AND PUBLIC EXPLANATION OF PROPOSED ACTIVITY IN A 100-YEAR FLOODPLAIN The WCHD, under 24 CFR 58, has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management. The proposed Winnebago County Healthy Homes program is funded under HUD's Healthy Homes Production grant (#ILHHP0166-24) and will conduct healthy homes interventions at existing privately-owned residential structures throughout Winnebago County which may be located in floodplains designated by FEMA as Flood Zones A, AE, and 0.2. Interventions will involve minor rehabilitation including but not limited to: radon testing and mitigation, addressing moisture through ventilation and leak repair, and correcting fall/trip hazards. Activities will not involve new construction, conversion of land use, or increases in residential density. WCHD has considered alternatives and mitigation measures to minimize adverse impacts to existing floodplains. WCHD has determined that it has no practicable alternative to floodplain development. Environmental files documenting compliance with Executive Order 11988 (as amended by Executive Order 13690 and/or Executive Order 11990) are available for public inspection, review, and copying upon request at the information listed above. There are three primary purposes for this Notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in a 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. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment can facilitate and enhance 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 a floodplain, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR and/or Proposed Activity in a Floodplain to WCHH Program Manager Yaroslav Sobal by mail at: PO Box 4009; Rockford, IL 61110 or by e-mail at: ysobal@publichealth.wincoil.gov. Comments should specify which notice (ERR or Proposed Activity in a Floodplain) they are in response to. All comments received by November 14, 2025 will be considered by WCHD prior to authorizing submissions of a Request for Release of Funds and Environmental Certification to HUD. RELEASE OF FUNDS The WCHD certifies to HUD that Sandra Martell, RN, DNP, in her official capacity as Public Health Administrator for Winnebago County, 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. HUD's approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the WCHD to utilize Federal funds and implement the WCHH program. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS HUD will consider objections to its release of funds and the WCHD certification for a period of fifteen days following either the anticipated submission date cited above or HUD's actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if the objections are on one of the following bases: a) that the Certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of the WCHD; b) the WCHD has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR Part 58; c) the WCHD has committed funds or incurred costs not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by HUD; 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), and may be addressed to HUD and sent to the e-mail address: OLHCHHPECOS@hud.gov. Sandra Martell, RN, DNP Public Health Administrator Winnebago County Health Department November 6 2025 LILS0401292