HUD Environmental Reviews

Environmental Control Opportunities, LLC (ECO) has more than 10 years of experience providing Environmental Reviews related to HUD funded projects.  These projects have included provision of the ASTM E 1527 Phase I Environmental Site Assessments, as well as completion of either the HUD 1428 Environmental Review Checklists or the Section 58 Environmental Review Records, as required by the specific project. 

ECO currently has an on-going project with Prince William County in Virginia to provide Environmental Reviews and Annual Update Reviews on all of their HUD Funded Projects.  Similar individual projects have been completed for many cities, Redevelopment and Housing Authorities, Habitat for Humanity Chapters, and other organizations throughout Virginia. 

We have also been available throughout the U.S. to provide any of the above-listed services (including the ASTM E2600 Vapor Intrusion Assessments) for HUD MAP (Multifamily Accelerated Processing) Approved Lenders. 

The National Environmental Protection Act of 1969 (NEPA), and a collection of other laws and authorities stipulate the minimum environmental standards that projects and activities receiving Federal money must meet.  After the enactment of NEPA, Federal agencies incorporated these environmental standards and responsibilities into their own regulations.

HUD incorporated NEPA into Parts 50, 51, 55, and 58 of Title 24 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). In Part 50, HUD assumes responsibility for performing environmental reviews and ensuring that environmental standards are met.  In Part 58, grantees of certain HUD programs, including the HOME Program, must assume this responsibility.

PJs, state recipients, and insular areas are the Responsible Entities (REs) charged with ensuring that environmental standards are met when implementing the HOME Program. As the enforcers of federal, state, and local environmental standards, it is vital for PJs to understand the environmental review process and areas of environmental compliance covered under NEPA.

What is an Environmental Review?

An environmental review is the process of reviewing a project and its potential environmental impacts to determine whether it meets federal, state, and local environmental standards. There are four main stages to an environmental review. 

The environmental review process is triggered when HUD, a HUD program participant, or a HUD grantee purchases, or intends to purchase, property with HUD funds. All properties intended to be developed with HUD assistance (including HOME funds) must have an environmental review to ensure that the proposed project does not negatively impact the surrounding environment and that the property site itself is safe for development.