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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIowa State Revolving Fund-6/17/2019 Why You Should Read This: The document below reviews the environmental impact likely from a project.This project is planned to be federally funded through your tax dollars; therefore,you are entitled to take part in its review.If you have concerns about the environmental impact of this project,raise them now.We encourage public input in this decision making process. IOWA STATE REVOLVING FUND ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT PROJECT IDENTIFICATION Applicant:City of Waterloo SRF Number:CS1920884 01 County:Black Hawk Iowa DNR Project Number:W2018-100A State:Iowa COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION Location: The City of Waterloo is located in Black Hawk County,Iowa approximately 90 miles west of Dubuque,Iowa and 114 miles south of Rochester,Minnesota. Population: The population of Waterloo according to the 2010 US Census was 68,406. Project Background: The City of Waterloo is the sixth largest city in Iowa and is located on the Cedar River in the northeastern part of the state. The City is protected from flooding by the Cedar River via a system of levees and walls that are approximately 20 miles long. In locations where a sanitary sewer crosses the levee or wall system,a gate well or valve well is located on the sewer such that the gate or valve can be closed if there is a failure in the sanitary pipe on the wet(river)side of the line of protection(levee or wall.) In a recent inspection,the Army Corps of Engineers(ACOE)found that a majority of these gates and valves were nonfunctional. In the event of a pipe failure during a flood,the sanitary lines can only be blocked using these valves and gates;were they to not work in this situation, untreated sewage would flow into the river. PROJECT DESCRIPTION Purpose: The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the wastewater control system to replace nonfunctioning components of the gate well control system to INVESTING IN IOWA'S WATER www.iowasrf.com EID Page 2 City of Waterloo CS1920884 01 better safely and reliably operate the City of Waterloo's wastewater system for at least the next 20 years. Proposed Improvements: The proposed project includes the repair of gate wells (25) along the Cedar River levee system so that sanitary sewer lines can be blocked in case of pipe failure during a flood. This project also includes the construction of a new sanitary sewer on the "dry" side of the levee between West 6th and West 11th Street to consolidate the sewer in this area and install two new gate wells. Installation of new valve wells to replace existing valve wells in 2 locations is also proposed as is replacement of a gate well with a valve well in one location and checking the operability of 3 gate wells, which would be repaired if needed. ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED Alternatives Considered: Due to the nature of flood forces, few alternatives other than repair or replacement are feasible. Reasons for Selection of Proposed Alternative: The No-Action alternative is not viable due to the potential for flood waters to break sanitary sewer pipes that cross rivers causing discharges of untreated waste into the environment. In instances when repair isn't feasible, replacement may be warranted. MEASURES TAKEN TO ASSESS IMPACT Coordination and Documentation with Other Agencies and Special Interest Groups: The following Federal, state and local agencies were asked to comment on the proposed project to better assess the potential impact to the environment: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Natural Resources Conservation Service State Historical Society of Iowa (State Historical Preservation Office) Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division Iowa DNR Water Resources Section Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe Delaware Tribe of Indians Flandreau Santee Sioux Ho-Chunk Nation Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma Lower Sioux Indian Community Council Miami Tribe of Oklahoma Omaha Tribal Council INVESTING IN IOWA'S WATER www.iowasri.corn EID Page 3 City of Waterloo CS1920884 01 Osage Tribal Council Otoe-Missouria Tribe Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma Ponca Tribe of Nebraska Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Prairie Island Indian Community Sac&Fox Nation of Mississippi in Iowa Sac&Fox Nation of Missouri Sac&Fox Nation of Oklahoma Santee Sioux Nation Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Spirit Lake Tribal Council Three Affiliated Tribes Mandan,Hidatsa&Ankara Nations Upper Sioux Tribe Winnebago Tribal Council Yankton Sioux Tribal Business and Claims Committee Waterloo Community Planning and Development No adverse comments were received from any agencies.Conditions placed on the applicant by the above agencies in order to assure no significant impact are included in the Summary of Reasons for Concluding No Significant Impact section. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY Construction: Traffic patterns within the community may be disrupted and above normal noise levels in the vicinity of the construction equipment can be anticipated during construction and should be a temporary problem.Adverse environmental impacts on noise quality will be handled by limited hours of contractor work time during the day.Other adverse environmental effects from construction activities will be minimized by proper construction practices,inspection,prompt cleanup,and other appropriate measures.Areas temporarily disturbed by the construction will be restored. Solid wastes resulting from the construction project will be regularly cleared away with substantial efforts made to minimize inconvenience to area residents. Care will be taken to maintain dirt to avoid erosion and runoff.The proposed project will disturb soils over an area greater than one acre;therefore,the applicant is required to obtain an NPDES General Permit Number 2(for storm water discharge associated with construction activities)and abide by its terms.Provided this permit is obtained and the terms of which are abided by,no significant impact to surface water quality,fish, shellfish,wildlife,or their natural habitats is expected. INVESTING IN IOWA'S WATER www iowasrf.corn EID Page 4 City of Waterloo CS 1920884 01 Temporary air quality degradation may occur due to dust and fumes from construction equipment. The applicant shall take reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the proposed project (567 Iowa Administrative Code IAC 23.3(2)"c"). This project may require the disposal of sewage sludge. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the disposal of any sewage sludge complies with applicable requirements found in 40 CFR Part 503 and 567 Iowa Administrative Code IAC 67. Historical/Archaeological: Various Native American tribes with an interest in the area and the Certified Local Government were provided information regarding the project. A Phase I Archeological investigation of the proposed project area is currently underway. Results from this investigation will be submitted to the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) for review. The project will only proceed as planned if a determination of either "no historic properties affected" or "no adverse affect on historic properties" can be appropriately reached with or without mitigation. Environmental: A Joint Application was submitted by the City's consultant to the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The DNR Flood Plain Management Section will determine if the proposed project requires a permit for impacts to the 100-year floodplain. The DNR Conservation and Recreation Division will determine if the project will impact any State-owned lands or State-listed threatened or endangered species. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will determine if the proposed project will impact wetlands or jurisdictional waters of the United States. While the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division has not yet commented, it is not anticipated that the project would interfere with any State-owned parks, recreational areas or open spaces. To date, the USACE has responded only to seek more information from the project engineer; while consultation has not yet concluded, it is anticipated that this project will qualify for an appropriate permit for the work that may impact the waters of the United States, including wetlands, and that such a permit will be abided by. The project will not impact any wild or scenic rivers as none exist within the State of Iowa. While the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division has not yet commented, it is not anticipated that the project would impact federally or state-listed threatened or endangered species; additional information will be obtained through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Section 7 Technical Assistance website. If any State- or Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or communities are found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies and/or mitigation may be required. While the Iowa DNR Water Resources Section has not yet commented, it is not anticipated that this project would impact the 100-year floodplain provided that any required state and local floodplain development permits are obtained and the terms of which are abided by. No adverse impacts are expected to result from this project, such as those to surface water quantity, or groundwater quality or quantity. 'NVESTIING IN IOWA'S WATER www.iowasrf.com EID Page 5 City of Waterloo CS1920884 01 Land Use and Trends: The project will not displace population nor will it alter the character of existing residential areas. No significant farmlands will be impacted. This project should not impact population trends as the presence or absence of existing water/sewer infrastructure is unlikely to induce significant alterations in the population growth or distribution given the myriad of factors that influence development in this region. Similarly, this project is unlikely to induce significant alterations in the pattern and type of land use. Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources: Fuels, materials, and various forms of energy will be utilized during construction. POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TO BE REALIZED FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT Positive environmental effects will be improved control of raw wastewater in the existing sanitary sewer system in the event of damage from flood events to sewer lines that cross under the river. This control is intended to minimize or prevent releases of raw sewage into in the river and corresponding human environment. SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR CONCLUDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT • The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial, agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of population. • The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies. • While the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division has not yet commented, it is not anticipated that the project would interfere with any State-owned parks, recreational areas or open spaces. • To date, the USACE has responded only to seek more information from the project engineer; while consultation has not yet concluded, it is anticipated that this project will qualify for an appropriate permit for the work that may impact the waters of the United States, including wetlands, and that such a permit will be abided by. • The project will not impact any wild or scenic rivers as none exist within the State of Iowa. • While the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division has not yet commented, it is not anticipated that the project would impact federally or state-listed threatened or endangered species; additional information will be obtained through the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Section 7 Technical Assistance website. If any State- or Federally-listed threatened or endangered species or communities are found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies and/or mitigation may be required. • While the Iowa DNR Water Resources Section has not yet commented, it is not anticipated that this project would impact the 100-year floodplain provided that any www.iowasrf.corn EID Page 6 City of Waterloo CS1920884 01 required state and local floodplain development permits are obtained and the terms of which are abided by. • The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential areas, or convert significant farmlands to non-agricultural purposes. • A Phase I Archeological investigation of the proposed project area is currently underway. Results from this investigation will be submitted to the State Historical Preservation Office for review. The project will only proceed as planned if a determination of either "no historic properties affected" or "no adverse affect on historic properties" can be appropriately reached with or without mitigation. • The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality provided the applicant takes reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the proposed project (567 IAC 23.3(2)"c"). • The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient noise levels, surface water quantity, groundwater quality or quantity, or water supply. • No significant impact to surface water quality, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats is expected provided that an NPDES General Permit Number 2 (for storm water discharge associated with construction activities) is obtained and the terms of which are abided by. The project description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed above are accurate and complete to the best to my knowledge. i gNbb n t rl Signature of the Mayor, City of Waterloo Date Clue_AA-4—kr Printed Name of the Mayor, City df Waterloo' INVESTING IN IOWA'S WATER www.iowasrf.com