Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System, Toronto, South Dakota C462453-04 CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT WITHIN THE BROOKINGS-DEUEL RURAL WATER SYSTEM, TORONTO, SOUTH DAKOTA

Brookings-Deuel Rural

Water System, Toronto,

South Dakota

C462453-04

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

DETERMINATION

 

FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT WITHIN THE BROOKINGS-DEUEL RURAL WATER SYSTEM, TORONTO, SOUTH DAKOTA

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) conducted a review of a proposal from the Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System for a Phase Tank Mainline project.

Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System proposes the construction of 22 miles of 12-inch watermain to interconnect the system's two primary water sources, the Joint Well Field and the Clear Lake Water Treatment Plant. The existing glued-joint pipe is prone to leaking, so it will be replaced with new gasket joint pipe that would reduce the amount of water loss and provide redundancy in the distribution system. The project will also include six miles of 6-inch watermain to the Lake Cochrane service area to improve low pressures around the lake during periods of peak water use.

The Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System was awarded a $5,607,560 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan. The loan has a rate of 2.125 percent and a term of 30 years.  Current residential water rates are $60.50 per month for 7,000 gallons usage.  Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System has pledged system revenues to repay the loan with 122% coverage.  The Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System was also awarded a $2,703,240 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant.

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 involves new distribution lines or storage facilities within the developed portion of the community.

3. No comments requiring mitigative action were received from the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office, 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 Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System Phase Tank Mainline 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 Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System office in Toronto, 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. After evaluating the comments received, DANR will make a final decision.

Tina McFarling

Administrator

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