FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

FINDING OF NO

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

 

TO ALL INTERESTED GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES AND PUBLIC GROUPS

As required by guidelines for the preparation of environmental impact statements, an environmental review has been performed on the proposed Drinking Water State Revolving Fund action below:

PROJECT:

Water Treatment Expansion and

New Wells

LOCATION:

Brookings County, South Dakota

PROJECT NUMBER:

C462454-02

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST:

$9.560.000

  Joint Well Field, Inc., is proposing water system improvements including two new raw water supply wells and a gravity pressure water treatment plant adjacent to the existing water treatment plant near Bruce, South Dakota. These proposed projects are planned to meet the growing demand on the Joint Well Field system and allow for the system to adequately provide water service to current and future customers. Without the improvements being made it is anticipated the water user demands will exceed the firm source water and treatment capacity for Joint Well Field based on current usage rates.

The Board of Water and Natural Resources awarded Joint Well Field, Inc., a $6,592,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and an $2,868,000 American Rescue Plan Act grant on April 13, 2022, for this project. The loan has a rate of 2.125 percent with a term of 30 years. Repayment of the SRF loan will be with system revenues. Joint Well Field, Inc., currently has a bulk usage charge of $12.18 per month based on 7,000 gallons of water usage. These rates will generate sufficient revenue to provide the necessary loan coverage.

The project will not affect any historical or archaeological resources. In the event of an archaeological or historical resource being unearthed during construction, work will be stopped, and the State Historic Preservation Office will be notified. The project should have no direct or indirect adverse effects on plant life or wildlife. The improvements, if necessary, will be flood proofed to above the 100- year base flood elevation. The proposed project will not adversely affect wetlands. The United States Department of Agriculture determined that there will be no significant impact on farmland of statewide importance, and that no further alternatives need be considered.

The review process did not indicate that significant environmental impacts would result from the proposed action. Consequently, a preliminary decision not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement has been made. This action is taken on the basis of a review of the engineering report, environmental information documents, and other supporting data which are on file at the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), Division of Financial and Technical Assistance, Pierre, South Dakota, and are available for public scrutiny at the Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System Office, 47602 SD Highway 28, Toronto, South Dakota.

Comments supporting or disagreeing with this decision may be submitted for consideration by DANR. After evaluating the comments received, the Department will make a final decision; however, no final administrative action will be taken on the project for at least 30 calendar days after release of the Finding of No Significant Impact.

/s/ Michael A. Perkovich,

Michael A. Perkovich,

Program Administrator,

Environmental Funding Program

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