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Notice Inviting Applications: Third Round Designation of Seven Urban Empowerment Zones
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: July 19, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 139)]
[Notices]
[Page 37877-37882]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr19jy01-135]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
[Docket No. FR-4663-N-02]
Notice Inviting Applications: Third Round Designation of Seven
Urban Empowerment Zones
AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development, HUD.
ACTION: Notice inviting applications.
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SUMMARY: The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 authorizes the
designation of nine Round III Empowerment Zones (EZs). Seven of the
Round III EZs are to be designated in urban areas by the Secretary of
HUD. The remaining two Round III EZs are to be designated in rural
areas by the Secretary of Agriculture. This Notice invites applications
for designation of nominated areas as Empowerment Zones. The
designation of the new Empowerment Zones will be made in accordance
with the designation process described in this Notice.
Application Due Date: Completed applications (one original and 2
copies) must be submitted no later than September 28, 2001. See below
for specific procedures governing the form of application submission
(e.g., mailed application or hand delivery). No facsimile (FAX)
applications will be accepted for consideration by HUD.
Delivered Applications. Completed applications (one original and
two copies) must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. eastern time, on
September 28, 2001. Up until 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date, completed
applications will be accepted at the address and room number specified
below.
Mailed Applications. Applications will be considered timely if
postmarked on or before September 28, 2001.
Applications Sent by Overnight Delivery. Overnight delivery items
will be considered filed on time if received on or before September 28,
2001.
Electronic Submission of Application Information
Information submitted electronically using the RC/EZ On-Line
Application System must be submitted not later than 5 pm, Eastern Time
on September 28, 2001. This is done by hitting the ``Submit'' button at
each appropriate location in the software. The system will not be
available after the deadline.
ADDRESSES: Address for submitting applications. Completed paper
applications (one original and two copies) should be submitted to:
Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Community
Planning and Development, c/o Processing and Control Unit, Room 7255,
451 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20410, by mail or hand delivery.
For Application and Other Materials. For a copy of the EZ Round III
Application Guidebook, which includes the Nomination Forms and the EZ
Round III rule at 24 CFR part 598 (which also implemented EZ Round II),
please call the Community Connections Information Clearinghouse at
(800) 998-9999. Round III publications are also available on the HUD
web site at:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec. Requests for application materials
should be made immediately to insure sufficient time for application
preparation. Hearing-or speech-impaired persons should use the Federal
Information Relay Service telephone number, (800) 877-8339, to obtain
application materials.
The Round III publications consist of:
Urban Application Guide for Empowerment Zones Round III
(Application Guide and Nomination forms);
The Round II and Round III Rule at 24 CFR part 598;
Tax Incentive Guide for Businesses in Renewal Communities,
Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities; and
Federal Programs Guide.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For technical questions, contact Lisa
Hill, Empowerment Zone/Enterprise Community Initiative, Office of
Community Planning and Development, Department of Housing and Urban
Development, 451 Seventh Street, SW, Room 7130, Washington, DC 20410,
(202) 708-6339. Hearing-or speech-impaired individuals may call (800)
877-8339 (the Federal Information Relay Service--TTY).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Summary
A. Purpose and Authority
The Community Renewal Tax Relief Act of 2000 (CRTR Act) authorizes,
among other things, the designation of nine Round III Empowerment Zones
(EZs). Seven of the Round III EZs are to be designated in urban areas
by the Secretary of HUD. The remaining two Round III EZs are to be
designated in rural areas by the Secretary of Agriculture. The CRTR Act
also conforms and enhances the tax incentives for Round I and Round II
EZs, and makes the new Round III EZs eligible for these incentives. The
availability of the tax incentives is extended to December 31, 2009 for
all EZs.
Section 111 of the CRTR Act adds a new subsection (h), which
authorizes the designation of nine additional EZs, to section 1391 of
Subchapter U of Chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
Subchapter U governs the designation and treatment of Empowerment
Zones, Enterprise Communities, and Rural Development Investment Areas,
and provided authorization by separate legislative enactments for the
designation of Round I EZs in 1993, and Round II EZs in 1997.
HUD promulgated Round I EZ regulations at 24 CFR part 597 in 1994,
and Round II EZ regulations at 24 CFR part 598 in 1998. Separate Round
I and Round II regulations were issued because although many of the
Round I and II submission requirements, such as the strategic plan,
were similar, there were some differences in the authorizing statutes
for each Round. For example, the legislation authorizing the Round II
designations changed the eligibility and selection criteria from the
Round I requirements. Two specific changes in the Round II eligibility
criteria were an increase in the size of zones and elimination of the
requirement that at least half of the nominated area consist of census
tracts with poverty rates of 35 percent. Round II designations were
also permitted to except up to three ``developable sites''--parcels
that may be developed for commercial or industrial purposes--from
satisfying the two poverty rate criteria that otherwise would be
applicable, but the size of the area given this special poverty rate
treatment was restricted to a total of 2,000 acres.
Unlike the differences in Round I and Round II, the eligibility and
selection criteria for the Round III EZs are the same as the criteria
that applied to the Round II EZs. HUD, therefore, implemented Round III
by making only conforming changes to include references to Round III in
part 598. The regulation at 24 CFR part 598 will apply for Round III
designations for urban areas as it did for Round II, and this Notice
Inviting Applications for Round III urban EZ designation uses the same
procedures as the Round II notice published on April 16, 1998 (63 FR
19162), with only the distribution of point values adjusted to reflect
HUD's experience in administering the program. The designation of rural
areas as EZs will continue to be implemented separately by the
Department of Agriculture.
B. Available Resources
The tax benefits that apply to EZs are the following: Tax-exempt
bond financing, Empowerment Zone
[[Page 37879]]
employment tax credit, welfare-to-work tax credit, work opportunity tax
credit, roll over capital gain from the sale or exchange of any
``original zone asset'' where assets are used to purchase a
``replacement zone asset,'' environmental cleanup cost deduction
(``brownfields'' tax incentive), and up to $35,000 of additional
section 179 (accelerated depreciation) expensing.
II. Application Preparation
A. Notice of Intent To Participate
Applicants should submit a Notice of Intent to Participate form as
soon as possible. The Notice should be submitted on the form provided
in the EZ Application Guide or on HUD's RC/EZ On-Line Application
System. Instructions for gaining access to the system appear on HUD's
web page at: www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/ezec. Submission of the Notice of
Intent to Participate is not mandatory, but it will ensure that an
applicant receives updated information. The Notice of Intent to
Participate may be mailed, or submitted by facsimile (FAX). The address
for submitting the Notice of Intent to Participate is: U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development, Ms. Lisa Hill, EZ/EC Team, Room 7130,
451 Seventh St., SW, Washington, D.C. 20410.
The facsimile number is (202) 708-3363 or (202) 401-7615.
B. Application Requirements
1. The application must include an original and two copies of the
items listed below. To facilitate review, please submit applications in
such a form that they can be taken apart. Loose leaf binders are
preferable.
2. The application submitted on behalf of a nominated urban area
shall include:
a. Nomination Form Parts I through IV, with the required
certifications and written assurances, including assurances that the
nominating governments will administer the Empowerment Zone program in
a manner which affirmatively furthers fair housing on the bases of
race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial
status (presence of children);
b. A strategic plan which meets the requirements of the 24 CFR part
598, especially the content specified in Sec. 598.215 of the rule; and
c. 1990 census maps showing:
(i) The boundaries of the local government(s); and
(ii) The boundaries of the nominated area, including developable
sites, if any.
3. Preferably, the Strategic Plan will contain no more than 75
pages excluding attachments.
4. The application should contain only the necessary documentation.
Appendices or additional information extraneous to evaluation
components will not be reviewed. Examples of such extraneous
information include: Meeting sign-in sheets, and copies of applications
for other programs or funds.
C. Strategic Plan Requirements
The Strategic Plan shall conform to the requirements set forth in
24 CFR 598.215, and the criteria stated in this Notice. Requirements
set forth in 24 CFR part 598 will be used in the evaluation process.
III. Designation Process
A. General
HUD will accept for processing those nominations meeting the
submission deadline stated in this Notice, and the Eligibility
Requirements listed in Subpart B of 24 CFR part 598. Nominating
procedures are described in Subpart C of 24 CFR part 598.
B. Exceptions
The Secretary may waive a non-statutory provision of 24 CFR part
598 for good cause where it is determined that the application of the
provision would result in undue hardship to the applicant.
C. Application Review
A threshold review will be conducted to ensure the application
requirements in Section II.B. of this Notice are satisfied, and the
applicant meets the eligibility requirements listed below. Applications
determined eligible will receive a technical review under the rating
factors described in Section IV of this Notice. Specific maximum point
scores for each rating factor are listed in Section IV. Applications
will be evaluated against the rating factors, then placed in rank
order. Evaluation and ranking of applications will be made relative to
other applications received.
To review and rate applications, the Department may establish
panels including employees of other Federal agencies to obtain certain
expertise and outside points of view.
1. Eligibility Requirements
a. To be considered for designation, a nominated urban area, with
the exception of areas described below in the Special Rules, must meet
all of the eligibility requirements of 24 CFR 598.100.
The only sources of census data that will be used in determining
the eligibility of an area are: The 1990 Decennial Census, and
information published by the Bureau of Census and the Bureau of Labor
Statistics. The boundary of an urban area nominated for designation as
an Empowerment Zone must coincide with the boundaries of census tracts.
Census tract means a census tract as the term is used by the Bureau of
the Census, or, if and only if census tracts are not defined for the
area, a block numbering area.
b. A nominated urban area, with the exception of areas described
below in the Special Rules, must demonstrate poverty, unemployment and
general distress, as described in 24 CFR 598.110. In addition, each
nominated area must satisfy the specific poverty rate criteria in 24
CFR 598.115.
c. Special Rules. (i) A nominated area in Alaska or Hawaii is
deemed to satisfy the criteria of distress, size, and poverty rate
detailed in 24 CFR 598.100(b), (c), (d), and (f), and Sec. 598.110 if,
for each census tract or block numbering area within the nominated
area, 20 percent or more of the families have income that is 50 percent
or less of the statewide median family income (as determined under
section 143 of the Internal Revenue Code).
(ii) An area within an Indian reservation (as defined in section
168(j)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code) may be included in an area
nominated as an Empowerment Zone by State and local governments. An
area completely within an Indian reservation may be nominated by the
reservation governing body, and in that case, the area is treated as if
it also were nominated by a State and a local government. Where two or
more governing bodies have joint jurisdiction over an Indian
reservation, the nomination of a reservation area must be a joint
nomination.
(iii) Any urban area nominated by an Economic Development
Corporation chartered by the State in which it is located or by the
District of Columbia shall be treated as nominated by a State and a
local government.
2. Technical Review
a. General. The technical review will evaluate the quality of the
application against the following rating factors:
(i) Quality of the Strategic Plan; and
(ii) Quality of the Commitments made in connection with the
Strategic Plan.
The criteria against which HUD will measure these factors, and the
maximum points that will be awarded for each factor are described below
in Section IV. An application may receive up to 100 total points.
[[Page 37880]]
b. Corrections to Deficient Applications. HUD will notify an
applicant in writing, or by FAX, of any technical deficiencies in the
application, and HUD will maintain a log of such communications.
The notification will specify the date by which HUD must receive
the applicant's correction of all technical deficiencies, which shall
be within 14 calendar days from the date of HUD's notification. If the
fourteenth day falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday, the correction
must be received by HUD on the next business day. The date and time of
receipt of corrections by HUD shall be determined in the same way as
the receipt of the application.
Technical deficiencies relate to items that:
(i) Are not necessary for HUD review under the rating factors; and
(ii) Would not improve the substantive quality of the proposal.
Examples of technical deficiencies would be a failure to submit proper
certifications or failure to submit an application containing an
original signature by an authorized official.
If any of the items identified in HUD's written notification of
technical deficiencies are not corrected and submitted within the
correction period, the application will be ineligible for further
consideration.
c. Clarification of Application and Request for Additional
Information. The Department may contact an applicant to obtain
clarification of information submitted in an application. Clarification
may include, for example, a request for an applicant to submit
additional information to ensure HUD's understanding of the terms of a
submitted application. In obtaining clarifying information, the
Department may contact an applicant by telephone or in person. The
Department will conduct all requests for clarification from an
applicant according to uniform procedures and will document all
requests.
In addition, the Department reserves the right to conduct
independent site inspections of proposed EZ/EC sites to accurately rate
and rank an applicant's application under the selection criteria
provided in this Notice. Should HUD decide to conduct site visits, it
will visit sites according to uniform procedures. The Department will
document site visit findings.
HUD employees involved in the review of applications and the making
of designation decisions will refrain from providing advance
information to any person (other than an authorized employee of HUD)
concerning designation decisions, or from otherwise giving any
applicant an unfair competitive advantage.
D. Designation Announcements
Designations will be made before January 1, 2002. The nominated
urban areas designated as Empowerment Zones will be published in the
Federal Register.
IV. Designation Rating Factors
In choosing among nominated areas eligible for designation, HUD
will consider the following factors:
Quality of the Strategic Plan; and
Quality of Commitments made in connection with the
Strategic Plan.
The following chart identifies the points that will be assigned to
each rating factor. The criteria HUD will use to rate the applications
on the factors follow the chart.
Rating Factors
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Points
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strategic plan
Vision/Values................................................. 5
Community Assessment.......................................... 5
Goals/Strategies.............................................. 10
Implementation Plan
Projects & Programs........................................... 10
Tax Incentive Utilization Plan................................ 30
Developable Sites (optional)
Governance Plan............................................... 5
Community Performance Assessment.............................. 5
Strategic Planning Process.................................... 5
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Total....................................................... 75
Quality of Commitments
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Resources leveraged and documented............................ 25
=========
Total....................................................... 100
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A. Quality of the Strategic Plan (Maximum Points: 75)
The strategic plan must be developed in accordance with four key
principles, described in 24 CFR 598.215: Strategic vision for change,
community-based partnerships, economic opportunity, and sustainable
community development. The elements required in the strategic plan
reflect the key principles. Innovation and creativity are encouraged in
fulfilling all elements of the plan.
1. Vision and Values (Maximum Points: 5)
This process should articulate a vision for the future and include
a graphic representation for the future physical appearances, land use
patterns, and qualities of the community. To improve the quality of the
visioning process, the community should reach out to local citizens and
encourage participation in the visioning process. Explain how the
vision creates economic opportunity, encourages self-sufficiency, and
promotes sustainable community development. HUD will consider the
extent to which this element:
a. States a clear vision for the future;
b. Develops the foundation upon which the goals are established and
specific projects and programs are based;
c. Demonstrates collaboration of the community's diverse
stakeholders in arriving at its vision and values statement;
d. Provides an effective vision for the community's long-term
transformation; and
e. Exhibits innovation and creativity.
2. Community Assessment (Maximum Points: 5)
a. Assessment of problems and opportunities: In order to be
considered for Empowerment Zone status the nominated area must be one
of pervasive poverty, unemployment and general distress as prescribed
by 24 CFR 598.110. The general rule is that 90% of the area's census
tracts must have a poverty rate of at least 25%. In addition to meeting
the minimum criteria for designation, a full account of community and
regional assets and problems should be made. Baseline data should be
collected to which outcomes can be compared and success measured. One
important area to document is the state of local infrastructure. This
includes housing, roads, transportation, water, sewer, solid waste,
sidewalks, street lights, drainage, open space, and bandwidth. The
state of local services is also crucial such as schools, police, fire,
child care, health care, and other social services. The state of human
and economic development should be documented, and barriers noted.
b. Resource analysis: An assessment of the resources available to
the community should be made, including potential resources outside the
nominated area, to address identified problems and needs and maximize
opportunities that exist within the community. Such resources may
include financial, technical, human, cultural, educational, leadership,
volunteerism, communications, transportation and commerce centers, rail
and mass transit linkages, redevelopable land, public space,
infrastructure, and other community and regional assets that form the
basis for the formulation and implementation of the strategic plan.
(2000 acres of
[[Page 37881]]
developable sites outside the zone can be included.)
3. Goals (Maximum Points: 10)
This element describes the comprehensive set of goals to be
achieved over the program period, along with the strategies that will
be used. In evaluating this element, HUD will consider the extent to
which:
a. The goals serve as the framework for specific strategies;
b. The strategies proposed to achieve the strategic plan goals have
been effectively described, and demonstrate the link between the goals
and proposed projects and programs; and
c. The goals are designed to move the community toward its desired
future.
d. Strategies: Applicants will be asked to describe how the local
plan will be coordinated with regional planning and regional growth
management. The plan should include a strategy for re-development with
minimal displacement of local residents, and if displacement occurs,
how it will be mitigated. Strategies should include how land use and
urban design will utilize transportation hubs, incorporate mixed and
flexible land use, promote the development of economically mixed and
geographically dispersed affordable housing, encourage community land
trusts, and promote urban green parks. A strategy is recommended for
remodeling and rehabilitation of existing buildings, including
modifying existing building, fire, historical preservation, and zoning
code requirements if necessary. The plan should explain a process for
evaluating the fiscal impact of every project, including a measurement
of costs and impacts, compared to revenues and benefits to the
community.
4. Implementation Plan (Maximum Points: 55)
This element contains a detailed plan of how the community will
implement its strategic plan. The components of the Implementation Plan
are: Projects and Programs, Tax Incentive Utilization Plan, a
Governance Plan, Community Performance Assessment, and the Strategic
Planning Process. These components must provide detailed information
for the first 2 years of designation.
a. Projects and Programs (maximum points: 10). Due to the lack of
grant funding in Round III, this category receives less weight than in
Round II, since project will result largely from marketing of tax
incentives, and leveraged commitments. Zones should detail how they
will leverage local and State funds for specific projects. This element
describes the specific projects and programs to be implemented during
the first two years of the designation. Timelines and budgets must be
provided for the 2-year plan. HUD will evaluate this component
considering the extent to which:
(i) The narrative clearly outlines the specific projects and
programs that will be implemented, including use of any developable
sites, and demonstrates that the projects and programs will result in
the achievement of the community's goals;
(ii) Proposed timelines for implementing identified projects and
programs are appropriate for the 2-year plan;
(iii) The lead implementing entities are identified;
(iv) Innovative partnerships that ensure maximum community
participation and project sustainability are identified;
(v) Proposed budgets are identified for each project or program,
and costs and sources of funding are realistic;
(vi) Baselines and proposed measurable outputs and outcomes are
provided; and
(vii) The component exhibits innovation and creativity.
b. Tax Incentive Utilization Plan (maximum points: 30). This
element addresses a significant aspect of the EZ initiative--the use of
the business tax incentives available to designated Empowerment Zones
to support economic revitalization. EZs need to provide a strong
marketing and technical assistance plan to encourage businesses to take
advantage of these benefits. If the applicant includes developable
sites, this element must include a statement of how developable sites
will maximize the use of tax incentives. In evaluating this element,
HUD will consider the extent to which the plan:
(i) Provides an effective strategy for integrating the new business
tax incentives into the nominated area's business development efforts.
The Round III business tax incentives include: Tax-Exempt Bond
Financing, Empowerment Zone Employment Tax Credit, Increased Section
179 Deduction, Welfare-to-Work Credit, Environmental Cleanup Cost
Deduction (i.e. ``Brownfields Tax Incentive''), and the Work
Opportunity Tax Credit. For a description of the tax incentives see the
Round III publication, ``Tax Incentive Guide for Businesses in Renewal
Communities, Empowerment Zones and Enterprise Communities.''
(ii) Addresses the involvement of all appropriate segments of the
community and the extent to which their participation will maximize the
use of the business tax incentives;
(iii) Provides a realistic strategy for marketing the incentives;
and
(iv) Exhibits innovation and creativity.
c. Governance Plan (Maximum Points: 5). This element describes how
the strategic plan will be implemented. A leadership development
program should be included here, as leadership is extremely important
to the success of EZs. Other capacity building plans could be included
here as well. A plan for mediation of disputes should also be included.
HUD will evaluate the extent to which:
(i) The proposed lead implementing entity, has or will have, the
legal status and authority to receive and administer Federal funds;
(ii) The Governance Plan demonstrates that both the lead
implementing entity and other key organizations participating in the
implementation of the strategic plan have the capacity to implement the
plan;
(iii) The proposed composition of governance boards, advisory
boards, commissions or similar bodies that will manage strategic plan
implementation is representative of the EZ area. The representation of
residents and businesses, and the method of selecting members of such
boards should provide a clear picture of the use of partnerships;
(iv) The relationships between the governance structure created and
local governments, and other major community or regional organizations,
such as a metropolitan planning organization, will strengthen the
implementation of the strategic plan;
(v) The Governance Plan includes methods by which stakeholders
within the Zone will be kept informed about Zone activities and
progress in implementing the strategic plan, including an explanation
of how the Governance Board will conduct its meetings in accordance
with applicable open meetings acts. The community should utilize modern
communication techniques and incorporate the Internet in order to
enhance the communication and access to information among all
stakeholders and participants;
(vi) The Governance Plan will ensure continuing community and
grassroots participation in the implementation of the strategic plan
and the governance of the Zone's activities; and
(vii) The plan exhibits innovation and creativity.
d. Community Performance Assessment (maximum points: 5) This
element examines the methods the
[[Page 37882]]
community will use to assess its own performance in implementing the
strategic plan, and the process it will use to continually review the
plan and amend it as appropriate. This information is crucial to the
continuing development of the EZ initiative, by learning from what
works. It is crucial to measure outcomes as well as outputs. Comparing
outcomes to baselines and benchmarks developed in the community
assessment will provide a more objective measure of success. In
evaluating community performance assessment, HUD will consider:
(i) The process the applicant will use to periodically evaluate its
performance;
(ii) The process the applicant will use to modify its strategic
plan based on the results obtained in (i);
(iii) The participation of stakeholders in (i) and (ii) above.
5. Strategic Planning Process Documentation (Maximum Points: 5).
This element provides a description of the process the community
used to select the boundaries of the proposed Empowerment Zone,
including any developable sites, and the process used to prepare the
strategic plan. In evaluating this element, HUD will consider the
extent to which the documentation:
a. Fully explains how the community participated in choosing the
area, including any developable sites; and how the area ultimately
nominated was selected over other areas considered;
b. Indicates the specific groups, organizations, and individuals
that participated in the production of the plan, describes the history
of these groups in the community, and describes their role in creating
the plan;
c. Explains how participants were selected and provides evidence
that the participants, taken as a whole, broadly represent the racial,
cultural, gender and economic diversity of the community; and
d. Identifies two or three topics addressed in the plan that caused
the most serious disagreements among participants, and a description of
how those disagreements were resolved.
B. Quality of Commitments Made in Connection With the Strategic Plan
(Maximum Points: 25)
In 24 CFR 598.210, nominated areas are required to provide written
assurances that the Strategic Plan will be implemented. In addition to
the certification, it is essential that HUD is able to evaluate the
breadth and quality of such commitments.
1. Resources Leveraged (Maximum Points: 10)
In evaluating this element, HUD will consider the extent to which
the applicant has leveraged resources, such as funding and/or in-kind
services from governmental entities, business, faith-based
organizations, non-profit organizations, foundations, educational
institutions, and other entities to implement the strategic plan.
2. Resource Commitments Documented (Maximum Points: 15).
The applicant must provide evidence of public and private sector
commitments by including letters of commitment, memoranda of
understanding or agreement, or other documentation indicating the
nature of the participation and the financial and non-financial
resources to be contributed. The letters or agreements must be signed
by an official of the organization able to make such commitments.
3. Besides the leveraging of finances, EZs need to leverage many
different types of commitments including tax and regulatory relief from
other levels of government. This could include waivers or reductions in
development fees including permit, license, inspection, impact, and
utility connection fees. It could also include state and local
abatements of taxes on wages, income, sales, personal property, and
building improvements. Additional tax and regulatory incentives can be
added to the marketing plan for the Tax Incentive Utilization Plan.
This section should cover the resources that will be committed to
perform cost-benefit studies, and to ensure coordination with regional
growth management.
V. Period of Designation
The designation period will commence on the date of designation and
will continue until December 31, 2009, except:
1. When the nominating entities have specified an earlier date; or
2. When the designation is revoked by the Secretary.
VI. Findings and Certifications
A. Information Collection Requirements
The information collection requirements contained in this Notice
have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget and assigned
control number 2506-0148. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction
Act, HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to
respond to, a collection of information unless the collection displays
a currently valid OMB control number.
B. Catalog
The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program number assigned
to this program is 14.244.
C. Environmental Impact
This Notice provides for EZ designations under, and does not alter
the environmental requirements of, 24 CFR part 598. Accordingly, under
24 CFR 50.19(c)(5), this Notice is categorically excluded from
environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321). The environmental review provisions of part 598
are set out in Sec. 598.405.
D. Documentation and Public Access Policy
HUD will ensure that documentation and other information regarding
each application submitted pursuant to this Notice are sufficient to
indicate the basis upon which assistance was provided or denied. This
material, including any letters of support, will be made available for
public inspection for a 5-year period beginning not less than 30 days
after the award of the assistance. Material will be made available in
accordance with the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552) and HUD's
implementing regulations in 24 CFR part 15.
Dated: July 12, 2001.
Donna M. Abbenante,
Acting General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and
Development.
[FR Doc. 01-18074 Filed 7-18-01; 8:45 am]
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