Rico, Co Categorical Exclusion Waterline Replacement Project
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UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 8 1595 Wynkoop Street DENVER, CO 80202-1129 Phone 800-227-8917 http://www.epa.gov/region08 February 22, 2012 Rico, Colorado – Water System Improvements Categorical Exclusion for Special Appropriation Act Grant For categories of projects that are so minor in scope that they may be determined by EPA not to need a full environmental review. EPA makes the determination if a project will qualify for a Categorical Exclusion based on information provided by the grantee. Project Description: The Town of Rico, Colorado proposes to replace some of the Town’s existing drinking water distribution system. The proposed Project will consist of replacement of approximately 10,300 linear feet of existing 4 and 6 inch pipelines with 6 and 8 inch pipelines and associated valves, hydrants and bends. The majority of the pipelines are located in the north half of Rico (north of Mantz Avenue) as shown on the map in Attachment 1. The water system is over 30 years old and was bedded in mine waste shortening the life of the pipes. Numerous leaks have occurred in the last five years and the repairs indicate the distribution pipelines are in poor condition. [Information used to prepare categorical exclusion: Harris Engineering memorandum dated November 2, 2011sent via e-mail from Mike England.] Purpose and Need: The project will replace deteriorating water lines reducing leaks and increasing reliability of the water distribution system. 1 Cross-Cutters: Cross-Cutters still apply to all Special Appropriations Act Projects (SAAP) even if they are granted a categorical exclusion from the NEPA. The entire list of Cross-Cutters can be found in the SAAP Guidance memorandums. For additional information on potential Cross-Cutters see EPA's "Environmental Review Guide for Special Appropriations Grant," Appendix C (http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/ policies/nepa/environmental-review-guide-grants- pg.pdf). Typical Cross-Cutters that might apply to a Special Appropriations Act Project Historic, Archaeological or Cultural Sole Source Aquifer—mainly Missoula Resources in Region 8 Air Conformity -- Is the Project in a Near a Wild and Scenic River? Nonattainment Area? Any wetlands or waters of the U. S. Within a Floodplain? crossings? Environmental Justice On Prime Farmland? Threatened and Endangered Species Special Wildlife Habitat, Wildlife corridor The proposed water project will replace water lines in the vicinity of numerous historic structures. However, because the construction will take place in existing street and alley right- of-ways and the roadways were previously excavated to install the original waterline, EPA determined that the project is unlikely to adversely affect any historic properties. EPA's determination of effects to historic structures is included in the attachments to this document. The Colorado State Historic Preservation Officer concurred with EPA's finding in January 25, 2012 letter (copy attached). No other Cross-Cutters issues are anticipated for this project since the construction will be in existing roadways. The following Cross-Cutters have been considered and determined not to be of concern in this project: o Threatened and Endangered Species: The proposed project will not involve any federally listed threatened or endangered species or their habitats. o Within a Floodplain: No floodplains or flood hazards were identified that are associated with the proposed project. o Prime Farmland: The project will have no effect on prime or important farmland. o Wetlands: No previously inventoried wetlands or plants or soils characteristic of wetlands were found within the project area. 2 CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION CRITERIA (40 CFR 6.204(a)(1)(ii)) 1. NO known or expected potentially significant environmental impacts on public Yes health or the environment either individually or cumulatively over time. No □ 2. Is the project for minor upgrade or minor expansion of system capacity? Yes This includes, but is not limited to: minor extensions of sanitary sewers or force mains or No □ drinking water extensions to primarily serve existing development; stormwater detention pond and retention pond cleaning and dredging or minor storage increase or culvert upgrades to serve existing development. 3. Is the project for rehabilitation of existing facilities? Yes This includes, but is not limited to: functional replacement of existing systems and No □ components, infiltration and inflow corrections in the existing wastewater collection system or equipment rehabilitation at the existing wastewater plant, pumping, or storage facilities; drinking water system equipment replacement or modifications at an existing water plant, or pumping and storage facilities; stormwater culvert and outlet rehabilitation and repair. 4. Is the project for new minor ancillary facilities adjacent to or on the same Yes property as existing facilities? No □ This includes, but is not limited to: new wastewater facilities and equipment for sludge handling, screening, flow equalization, disinfection, or laboratory facilities; new drinking water facilities such as alum sludge handling, filtration, flow equalization, chemical storage, chlorination, or laboratory facilities; facilities at existing stormwater control locations, such as sedimentation basins, infiltration trenches, detention pond to retention pond retrofits, or oil and grit separators. If the answer to 1 is yes and at least one of answers to 2 through 4 are yes; then proceed to the next section: Excluding Factors. Conversely, if the answer to 1 is no, or if all answers to 2 through 4 are no then the project does not qualify for a categorical exclusion. Excluding Factors (40 CFR 6.204(b) (1) Project will have disproportionate impacts on any community: EJ, minority, etc. Yes □ No (1) Project will involve new or relocated discharges to surface or ground water Yes □ No (2) Project will result in substantial increases in the volume of discharge or the loadings Yes □ of pollutant to the receiving water No 3 (3) Project will provide capacity to serve a population 30 percent greater than the Yes □ existing population. No In the future, the project could provide additional capacit, if a higher-quality source of water is found. The increased water capacity would be used by the cheese plant located in this very small town of less than 600 people. Little to no additional population growth is anticipated as a result of this project. (4) Project will be in conflict with state or other regional growth plan or strategy Yes □ No (5) Project will directly or indirectly relate to upgrading or extending infrastructure Yes □ systems primarily for the purposes of future development No Categorical Exclusion Finding: Upon review of the application materials and NEPA regulations pertaining to the granting of a categorical exclusion determination, the EPA Region 8 finds that the Town of Rico Water Drinking Water Distribution System Improvements Special Appropriation Act Project Grant has met the criteria to be categorically excluded from further NEPA review. Prepared by: Dana Allen, Environmental Engineer 8EPR-N (303)312-6870 4 E<f~ HISTORY~ January 25, 2012 Suzanne Bohan Director NEPA Compliance and Review Program Office of Ecosystems Protection and Remediation United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 1595 Wynkoop Street Denver, CO 80203 Re: Town of Rico Replacement of Drinking Water Lines. (CHS #61125) Dear Ms. Bohan: Thank you for your correspondence dated January 9, 2012 and received by our office on January 11, 2012regarding the review of the above-mentioned project under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (Section 106). After review of the provided information, we do not object that the Area of Potential Effects (APE) encompasses the buildings adjacent to the waterline replacement project. After review of the surveyed information, we concur that there is the potential to have buildings eligible for the National Register of Historic Places within the APE. We concur that the scope of the project does not have the potential to adversely affect historic properties located within the APE. Therefore, we concur with the recommended finding of no adverse effect [36 CFR 800.5(b)] under Section 106 for the proposed undertaking. If unidentified archaeological resources are discovered during construction, work must be interrupted until the resources have been evaluated in terms of the National Register criteria, 36 CRF 60.4, in consultation with this office. We request being involved in the consultation process with the local government, which as stipulated in 36 CFR 800.3 is required to be notified of the undertaking, and with other consulting parties. Additional information provided by the local government or consulting parties might cause our office to re-evaluate our eligibility and potential effect fmdings. Please note that our compliance letter does not end the 30-day review period provided to other consulting parties. If we may be of further assistance, please contact Amy Pallante, our Section 106 Compliance Manager, at (303) 866-4678. A_ Edward C. Nichols cr--state Historic Preservation Officer WWW.HISTORyCOLORADO.ORG HISTORY COLORADO CENTER 1200 BROADWAY DENVER COLORADO 80203 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION 8 1595 Wynkoop Street DENVER, CO 80202-1129 Phone 800-227-8917 http://www.epa.gov/region08 Ref: 8EPR-N Edward C. Nichols State Historic Preservation Officer History Colorado 1200 Broadway Denver, CO 80203 Re: Section 106