CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT WITHIN THE CITY OF MILBANK, SOUTH DAKOTA
CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT WITHIN THE CITY OF MILBANK, SOUTH DAKOTA
The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) conducted a review of a proposal from the city of Milbank for a Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Phase 1 project.
The city of Milbank is proposing improvements to portions of its wastewater treatment facility. This phase will include replacement of the SCADA system, construction of the influent pumping and pretreatment building improvements.
The city of Milbank was awarded a $15,500,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $2,000,000 Consolidated grant. The loan has a rate of 4.0 percent and a term of 30 years. Current residential sewer rates are $35.74 per customer per month for 5,000 gallons usage. Milbank has pledged a project surcharge to repay the loan. This surcharge will be $55.00 per user per month.
Listed below are the reasons for granting a categorical exclusion:
1. The project is solely directed toward minor rehabilitation of existing facilities, functional replacement of equipment, or towards the construction of new ancillary facilities adjacent or appurtenant to existing facilities.
2. The project is in a sewered community of less than 10,000 persons and is for minor upgrading or minor expansion of existing treatment works.
3. No comments requiring mitigative action were received from the South Dakota Historical Society, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, United States Department of Interior, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, or through the public participation process.
The proposed action does not involve any serious local objections, nor does it meet any of the criteria for not granting a categorical exclusion as specified in [Section 6.505(c) (i) through (iii) of 40 CFR Part 6, Subpart E].
The Milbank Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements Phase 1 project will not affect any historical or archaeological resources. The project should have no direct or indirect adverse effects on plant life or wildlife. No other environmentally sensitive issues have been identified in the planning of this project.
The review process did not indicate that significant environmental impacts would result from the proposed project. Consequently, a preliminary decision not to prepare an EIS has been made.
This action is taken on the basis of a careful review of the engineering report, environmental information documents, correspondence with responsible governmental agencies and other supporting data which are on file at the Division of Financial and Technical Assistance, Environmental Funding Program, DANR, Pierre, South Dakota, and are available for public scrutiny at the Milbank city office in Milbank, South Dakota.
Comments supporting or disagreeing with this decision may be submitted to DANRMail@state.sd.us for consideration by DANR after publication of the Categorical Exclusion Determination. Categorical Exclusion determinations are final upon publication.
Tina McFarling
DANR may consider comments provided if determined necessary.
