Legal Notices

NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS Date of Publication: May 13, 2026 Webster County Commission Recipient of the Community Development Block Grant 2 Court Square Webster Springs, WV 26288 (304) 847-5780 Cowen Public Service District Recipient of the Appalachian Regional Commission Grant P.O. Box 457 Cowen, WV 26206 (304) 226-3541 These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Webster County Commission and Cowen Public Service District. REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS On or after May 29, 2026 both the Webster County Commission and Cowen Public Service District will each submit a request to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development for the release of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (PL 93-383), as amended, to undertake the following project: Project Title: Cowen Public Service District Route 82 Waterline Extension Project Purpose: Extension of water service to approximately 60 new customers along Route 82 in Webster County, West Virginia Location: Along Route 82 in Webster County, West Virginia Estimated Cost: $6,000,000.00 ($3,000,000.00 ARC Grant, $2,000,000.00 CDBG Grant and $1,000,000.00 West Virginia Infrastructure Jobs and Development Council Grant) FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Both the Webster County Commission and Cowen Public Service District have 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 office of Region 4 Planning and Development Council, 885 Broad Street, Suite 100, Summersville, WV 26651 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8:30 A.M to 4:30 P.M. PUBLIC COMMENTS Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to either the Webster County Commission, Cowen Public Service District or both. It is requested that a courtesy copy be provided to the Region 4 Planning and Development Council. All comments received by May 28, 2026 will be considered by the Webster County Commission and/or Cowen Public Service District prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing. RELEASE OF FUNDS Both the Webster County Commission and Cowen Public Service District certify to the West Virginia Department of Economic Development that Kimble Tanner in his capacity as President of the Webster County Commission and James Gamble in his capacity as Chairman of the Cowen Public Service District each consent 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 West Virginia Department of Economic Development’s approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows the Webster County Commission and Cowen Public Service District to use HUD and ARC program funds. OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS The West Virginia Department of Economic Development will accept objections to its release of funds and the Webster County Commission and Cowen Public Service District’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 the Webster County Commission and/or Cowen Public Service District; (b) the Webster County Commission and/or Cowen Public Service District 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 West Virginia Department of Economic Development; 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 West Virginia Department of Economic Development, Community Advancement and Development, Building 3, Suite 700, 1900 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25305. Potential objectors should contact the West Virginia Department of Economic Development to verify the actual last day of the objection period. Kimble Tanner, President, Webster County Commission James Gamble, Chairman, Cowen Public Service District LW-458066 05-13;2026