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CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION
for the Town of Pinedale,
Sublette County, Wyoming
The Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division (DEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Pinedale Shallow Main Waterline Replacement project in accordance with EPA and State of Wyoming procedures for implementing the State Environmental Review Process. DEQ has determined that this project is eligible for a categorical exclusion. Accordingly, DEQ is exempting the project from further substantive environmental review requirements under the State Environmental Review Process. Neither an Environmental Assessment/Finding of No Significant Impact nor an Environmental Impact Statement/Record of Decision will be required for the proposed action. The following is a brief description of the situation and the proposed action and a brief statement of how the action meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion.
The Pinedale Shallow Main Waterline Replacement project consists of removal of existing water mains and services beneath Quartz Avenue, Shanley Avenue, and Jade Street and replacement with approximately 2800 linear feet of six and eight-inch diameter pipe intended to reduce the risk of freezing and conserve water currently used for winter bleeding. This area of Town has common freezing issues resulting in: 1) costly repairs passed on to the residents, and 2) a waste of Town resources. Work includes the completion of necessary street repairs due to the location of the underground infrastructure and is anticipated to be constructed in 2024. Based on current cost estimates, the Town of Pinedale plans to borrow $1,258,000 from the Wyoming Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments. Increased user fees and reserves from the water enterprise fund will repay the loan. The average rate increase is estimated to be $2.10 per month per user to repay the loan. Loan terms will be, at maximum, 2.5% interest rate and 20 years.
Town personnel has inspected and is familiar with the project area. Town personnel found no evidence and has no knowledge that the project area contains endangered/threatened species, suitable habitat for endangered/threatened species, migratory birds, eagles, jurisdictional waters of the United States, or prime agricultural lands. The Town is aware of and accepts responsibility for any required mitigative actions associated with and including storm water runoff, erosion control, archeological/historic artifacts, and air quality concerns. These will be part of the standard State Revolving Funds Program contract conditions.
DEQ is granting an exclusion because the project will be constructed in previously disturbed ground, more specifically roadways and road rights-of-way. DEQ has determined that exempting the proposed project from further review under the State Environmental Review Process will not result in adverse impacts to the population or the Town of Pinedale in Sublette County, Wyoming.
The documentation to support this decision will be on file in the DEQ Cheyenne Office and is available for public scrutiny upon request. Comments concerning this decision may be addressed to Shawn King, SRF Project Manager, Department of Environmental Quality, 200 W. 17th St. Suite 200, Cheyenne, WY 82002, Tel. (307) 777-6941, FAX (307) 635-1784, email: shawn.king2@wyo.gov.
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