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For the City of Cheyenne Board of Public Utilities (BOPU) and the Sherard Sodium Hypochlorite Conversion Project, Laramie County, Wyoming
The Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division (DEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Sherard Sodium Hypochlorite Conversion 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 project will include conversion of the existing chlorine gas disinfection system with an on-site generated sodium hypochlorite system and an interim bulk sodium hypochlorite delivery system. Based on current cost estimates, BOPU plans to borrow four million dollars ($4,000,000) from the Wyoming Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund administered by the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments. Loan terms will be 1.5% interest rate for a twenty-year term with an annual payment of two hundred twenty-seven thousand dollars ($227,000). Increased user rates (up to 3%) will be used to repay the loan. However, the project is expected to reduce operating costs at the water treatment plant due to reduction of chemical costs, operational and safety costs, and the availability of onsite hydro-generated electricity.
The BOPU is aware of and accepts the fact that they will be responsible for any required mitigative actions associated with the project, including but not limited to storm water runoff, erosion control, archeological/historic artifacts, and air quality concerns. These actions will be part of the standard State Revolving Funds Program contract conditions.
DEQ is granting an exclusion because the project is replacing equipment within the existing plant and no work is anticipated in undisturbed areas. This project will be completely constructed in previously disturbed ground, specifically ground disturbed by the construction of the existing water treatment plant. 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 area of Cheyenne and Laramie 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:
Stan Miller, SRF Principal 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
Para española, visite deq.wyoming.gov. Americans with Disabilities Act: special assistance or alternative formats will be made available upon request for individuals with disabilities. Please provide at least fourteen (14) days before the close of the public comment period for such requests.
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