Opportunities for public input
ReOregon offers multiple ways for community members, local leaders, and stakeholders to stay informed and provide feedback:
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Public meetings – Scheduled events where residents can learn about funding decisions, program updates, and policy changes. These hearings provide an opportunity to ask questions and share feedback on disaster recovery efforts.
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Public comment periods – Open comment periods allow community members to submit feedback on proposed recovery projects, policy changes, and funding allocations before key decisions are made.
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Environmental Notices – Notifications about federally funded projects that may have environmental impacts. These notices ensure transparency and provide details on environmental assessments and compliance requirements.
Public meetings/hearings
Public comment periods
Notice types
Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds
The Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds informs the public that ReOregon is requesting funding for disaster recovery projects under the CDBG-DR program. These projects have been found to have
no significant impact on the environment.
This notice gives community members a chance to review and give feedback on how HUD funds will be used. The public has seven days to submit comments before the funds are released.
Early notice and review of projects in areas at risk of flooding
The Early Notice and Public Review of a Proposed Activity in a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard Designated Floodplain or Wetland informs the public about projects in federally designated floodplains or wetlands under disaster recovery programs. Managing these areas helps prevent unsafe stormwater runoff. This notice gives the public 15 days to share their comments on the use of HUD funding.
Notices of impact and release of funds
The Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and Notice of Request Release for Funds is for projects that need an environmental review, and the review shows no harm to the human environment. Sharing this information offers transparency and gives the public time to submit thoughts and comments for 15 days about the use of HUD funding.
NOTICE OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS
The Notice of No Significant Impact and Notice of Intent to Request Release of Funds notifies the public of no significant impact on the human environment and about the request for release of funds for Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization Program project. It tells the public about funds for activities that would not harm the environment. Sharing this information offers transparency and gives the public time to submit thoughts and comments for 7 days about the project and the use of HUD funding.
Public comments will be accepted until 12/11/25, 11:59 p.m. Pacific. If you would like to provide feedback, please complete the public comment form. Please email,
pier@hcs.oregon.gov.
December 4, 2025
Oregon Housing and Community Services
725 Summer St. NE Ste B
Salem, OR 97301
(503) 986-2000
These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS).
REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS
On or about December 12, 2025
the Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
will authorize Columbia Pacific Economic Development District (ColPac)
to submit a request to HUD
for the release of Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR)
funds under Title I
of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended,
to undertake a project known as Highland Estates Road Repair Project
for the purpose of repairing existing roadways in the Highland Road Area of the Echo Mountain Complex in Otis, Oregon that were drastically degraded during the fire recovery response and mitigation effort. Highland Estates Homeowners Association (HEHA) maintains the Local Access Roads (ORS 368.031) in the area and applied for CDBG-DR funding through the Planning, Infrastructure, and Economic Revitalization (PIER) program for the project. ColPac was awarded $830,501.83 to administer and construct the Project for HEHA. At present, the roads proposed for repair, NE Highland Road, Highland View Lane, and NE Ridgecrest Court, continue to deteriorate after fire recovery operations. Deteriorated road surfaces pose ongoing unsafe driving conditions on the only access roads to the emergency communications repeater and tower at the end of Highland View Lane, which is a critical component to Lincoln County’s public safety communications system for emergency and disaster response and management. Road repairs would consist primarily of repaving damaged road areas with asphalt concrete, with the potential for some spot improvements (rather than repaving) to repair potholes and rutting, and establishment of a temporary mobile workstation adjacent to NE Highland Road on tax lot 01700- 00. Repair work is limited to the footprint of existing roadways and would not expand or alter the existing amount of impervious (paved) or pervious surfaces on site. The proposed repairs would help return the roads to a pre-disaster level of service and would support the various users of these roads, which include but are not limited to residents, emergency service vehicles, school buses, and construction vehicles needed to rebuild and repair homes lost or damaged by the fires. The proposed repairs would not require full road closures but would result in delays for through traffic. HEHA volunteers and paving company personnel would monitor traffic flow. Precise activities at the mobile workstation are not currently known at this time, but could include equipment storage, equipment refueling, and portable toilets for workers.
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
has 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 Oregon Housing and Community Services, ReOregon Program, 725 Summer St. NE, Suite B, Salem, OR 97301, PIER@hcs.oregon.gov or 877-510-6800 and may be examined or copied weekdays 8A.M to 5P.M.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Frannie Brindle, OHCS Environmental Review Specialist, at pier@hcs.oregon.gov. All comments received by December 11, 2025,
will be considered by
OHCS
prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.
ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION
The Oregon Housing and Community Services
certifies to HUD
that Ryan Vanden Brink
in their
capacity as Assistant Director of Production Disaster Recovery and Resilience
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 Columbia Pacific Economic Development District (ColPac)
to use Program funds.
OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS
HUD
will accept objections to its release of fund and the OHCS’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 OHCS;
(b) the OHCS
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 HUD;
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 emailed to HUD
at Mark.Mitchell@hud.gov, Attention: Mark Mitchell, Director, Community Planning and Development.
Potential objectors should contact HUD at (971) 222-2612
to verify the actual last day of the objection period.
Ryan Vanden Brink
Assistant Director of Production Disaster Recovery and Resilience
Grant Number: B-21-DZ-41-0001
Funding Amount: $830,501.83