U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Washington, D.C 20410-7000

Special Attention of: TRANSMITTAL

Field Housing Division Directors

Field Multifamily Housing Division Directors

Field Public Housing Division Directors Handbook No: 1390.2 - CHG-1

Field CPD Division Directors Issued: October 23, 1996

Field Environmental Officers

Field Multifamily Housing Production Chiefs

Field Multifamily Housing Program Staff

1\. This Transmits the new HUD Form-4128, \"Environmental Assessment

and Compliance Findings for the Related Laws.\" The final rule, 24

CFR Part 50, \"Protection and Enhancement of Environmental

Quality\" requires HUD approving officials and their program

staffs to use this form to document compliance with the National

Environmental Policy Act and the related laws and authorities

listed at \' 50.4 (61 FR 50914). If the form does not meet

specific program needs, the Departmental Environmental Clearance

Officer must approve any equivalent format that is to be used in

lieu of HUD Form-4128.

2\. Summary. The form replaces both HUD Form-4128, entitled

\"Environmental Assessments for Subdivision and Multifamily

Projects\" (last issued 07/93) and HUD Form-4128.1, entitled

\"Compliance and LAC Conditions Record\" (last issued 07/93).

Handbook 1390.2, entitled \"Environmental Assessment Guide for

Housing Projects\" will be revised to conform with Part 50. The

Sample Field Notes Checklist (SFNC) or its equivalent should be

used to document and support the environmental assessment and

compliance findings. A draft SFNC will be available pending

revision of Handbook 1390.2. Suggestions for inclusion in

Handbook 1390.2 may be addressed to Departmental Environmental

Clearance Officer: Richard H. Broun, Director, Office of

Community Viability, Room 7240.

3\. For all HUD programs subject to Part 50, the HUD approving

official authorized to make the approval decision for any project

is responsible for complying with 24 CFR Part 50 prior to

approval of a specific site, project, disposition program,

financial assistance for projects or the issuance of Site

Appraisal and Market Analysis (SAMA) Letter or initial equivalent

indication of HUD approval. The form shall also be used to

record compliance decisions for the related laws for projects

that are categorically excluded from NEPA in accordance with \'

50.20.

4\. Environmental officers should provide technical assistance in the

implementation of this notice.

DPVR: Distribution: W-3-1, Special Distribution to Field Counsels,

Area and State Coordinators, and Secretary\'s Representatives

ATTACHMENT IS FORM HUD-4128, ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND COMPLIANCE

FINDINGS FOR THE RELATED LAWS.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Office of Community Planning and

Development

Office of Housing

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Special Attention of: Transmittal Handbook No.: 1390.2

Program Staff Issued: June 1985

1\. This Transmits

Handbook 1390.2, Environmental Assessment Guide for Housing

Projects.

2\. Explanation of Materials

The Guide is not a HUD regulation. It is intended to be a

comprehensive instructional manual to assist HUD staff in

preparing environmental assessments for housing projects

when required by Departmental environmental regulations at

24 CFR Part 50.

3\. Filing Instructions

Insert: Handbook 1390.2

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Handbook 1390.2

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Washington, D.C. 20410

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Departmental

Staff

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June 1985 Environmental

Assessment Guide for

Housing Projects

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FOREWORD

The purpose of the Guide is to provide assistance to HUD staff

preparing environmental assessments for housing projects when an
assessment

is required by HUD\'s environmental regulations. The objective is to

simplify documentation and expedite the environmental review process.

The Guide is not a HUD regulation. The environmental requirements are

contained in 24 CFR Part 50, \"Procedures for Protection and Enhancement
of

Environmental Quality.\"

The Guide is a comprehensive instructional manual for assessing

environmental impacts. It defines the substantive issues, sets forth the

critical assessment questions, indicates methods for analysis and

determining impacts, suggests mitigation measures, and provides sources
of

information both in terms of written materials and resource individuals.

The Guide covers the environmental factors that are on the new HUD

environmental assessment forms (HUD-4128 and HUD 4128.1), which are

included as appendices to 24 CFR Part 50.

The Guide was developed jointly by staff from CPD, Office of the Deputy

Assistant Secretary for Program Development and Housing, Office of the

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Policy, Financial Management and

Administration. The work was coordinated with and reviewed by the
Council

on Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, the
Veterans

Administration, the Farmers Home Administration and the National

Association of Home Builders.

The Guide will be revised and supplemented as additional materials are

prepared. Comments should be sent to Headquarters CPD, Office of

Environment and Energy and to Housing, Environmental Clearance Officer.