CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT OF: LSWTP Pretreatment Rehabilitation Fargo (Cass County), North Dakota DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROJECT NUMBER: 0900336-04 The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Lime Softening Water Treatment Plant (LSWTP) Pretreatment Rehabilitation project for the City of Fargo in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Part 6).

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION
DETERMINATION
FOR THE PROPOSED PROJECT OF: LSWTP Pretreatment Rehabilitation
Fargo (Cass County), North Dakota
DRINKING WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROJECT NUMBER: 0900336-04
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) has conducted a review of the proposed Lime Softening Water Treatment Plant (LSWTP) Pretreatment Rehabilitation project for the City of Fargo in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (40 CFR Part 6). The NDDEQ has determined that this project is eligible for a Categorical Exclusion and is exempt from further substantive environmental review.
Because the proposed project meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion, a full Finding of No Significant Impact and Environmental Assessment will not be required. Following is a description of the proposed project and a brief statement of how the project meets the criteria for a categorical exclusion.
The proposed project will rehabilitate the existing pretreatment system by improving the electrical, mechanical and flow process. Significant improvements include replacement of baffle walls and mixing equipment in the flocculation basins, installation of a permanent sludge blowdown pump, basin modifications to improve the cleaning process, area lighting improvements and upgrades to existing control panels and motor control centers. This project will positively impact the LSWTP's ability to comply with the Surface Water Treatment Rule and provide safe drinking water to the public.
The City of Fargo has obtained a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to finance the project. The City has the legal authority and financial and administrative capability to construct the proposed improvements.
This project is being granted an exclusion because the improvements will occur within the existing water treatment plant. No previously undisturbed areas will be affected by the construction activities. The North Dakota State Historic Preservation Officer has concluded that no Historic Properties will be affected. It has been determined that exempting the proposed project from further review under the National Environmental Policy Act will not result in adverse impacts to the population or area of Fargo or Cass County.
The documentation to support this decision will be on file and available for public review at the NDDEQ, Division of Municipal Facilities.
Comments concerning this decision may be addressed to Bryan R. Schmitt, Environmental Engineer, Division of Municipal Facilities, North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality, 918 East Divide Avenue, 3rd Floor, Bismarck, ND, 58501-1947.
Dated the January 6, 2020.
David J. Bruschwein, P.E.
Director
Division of Municipal Facilities
(Jan. 13, 2020) 2816771