No significant impact

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
TO ALL INTERESTED GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCIES AND PUBLIC GROUPS:
As required by guidelines for the Wyoming State Environmental Review Process, the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has performed an environmental review on the proposed State Revolving Fund (SRF) supported action below:
Project: Northwest Rural Water District (NRWD) 2020 System Upgrades Project
Location: Northern Park and Big Horn Counties, Wyoming
Total Cost/SRF share: $2,950,378/$2,300,133
The proposed project involves the replacement of approximately 2,500 pressure regulators in individual meter pits, the replacement of pumps in the three South Fork pump stations, the replacement of flow control valves in the Garland and Lovell service area control buildings, and the construction of three loop lines in the South Fork, North End, and Lovell service areas. In consultation with the Wyoming Department of Game and Fish, the South Fork loop line would be completed in early winter so as to have a minimum impact on crucial mule deer winter range, and a nearby non-core sage grouse lek.
The estimated cost of this project is $2,950,378. Of that amount NRWD is applying for a $2,300,133 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $650,245 Wyoming Water Development grant. The repayment of loan funds will come from the debt retirement portion of NRWD customers’ monthly bills. Individual customer water rates will not be increased to cover the costs associated with loan repayment.
No significant adverse environmental impacts will occur due to this project. The proposed project will not adversely affect wetlands, prime agricultural lands, threatened or endangered species habitat, historical sites, or sites with environmentally sensitive characteristics. The primary impacts of the project will be short-term and construction related. The biggest impact will be that of fugitive dust emissions during construction of the loop lines. The dust will be controlled through the use of water applied by the contractor.
The review process did not indicate significant environmental impacts would result from the proposed action. Consequently, DEQ has made a preliminary decision not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). DEQ has taken this action on the basis of a review of the environmental assessment document and other supporting data, which are on file at the DEQ Cheyenne Office. The public may review these documents upon request.
Comments supporting or disagreeing with this decision may be submitted for DEQ consideration. Address all questions and comments to Stanley Miller, SRF Project Engineer, Department of Environmental Quality, 200 W. 17th St. Suite 200, Cheyenne, WY 82002, Tel. (307) 777-6371, FAX (307) 635-1784, email: stanley.miller@wyo.gov. After evaluating comments received, DEQ will make a final decision; however, DEQ will take no administrative action for at least 30 days after publication of this Finding of No Significant Impact.
Publ., Thurs., July 18, 2019