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Harrison Park NEPA review on hold pending HUD staffing, consultant says
Summary
Pinion Environmental project lead Benjamin Burns told the Lake County Board that the NEPA review for the Harrison Park master plan has been slowed by HUD’s requirement to complete environmental review before funding designs and by the federal shutdown.
Pinion Environmental project lead Benjamin Burns told the Lake County Board that the National Environmental Policy Act review for the Harrison Park master plan has encountered procedural delays and is effectively on hold while HUD staff remain furloughed.
Burns said HUD required completion of the NEPA review before releasing design funds, creating a circular problem because the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) requested more detailed design information to assess effects on historic resources. "We had a degree of initial bureaucratic confusion," Burns said, and described a path forward that would certify archaeological consultation now and record mitigation commitments while reserving follow‑up Section 106 consultation on built‑environment impacts after NEPA approval and when HUD staff are available.
He cautioned that the federal shutdown is the primary external impediment to finishing the process and said Pinion expects to complete the NEPA review by year‑end if HUD personnel are available; otherwise the schedule will slip into next year.
What was not decided: No new local funding or design decisions were made; the discussion focused on next steps for federal consultation and timing.
Speakers: Benjamin Burns, Pinion Environmental; Candace Bridal, Lake County manager.
