Iowa DNR seeking public comment regarding finding of no significant impact on upgrade project for City of New Albin wastewater treatment system


Aerial view of wastewater treatment improvement locations in New Albin ... Image courtesy of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is seeking public comment in regard to an upgrade project for the City of New Albin wastewater treatment system. Public comment will be accepted through Wednesday, September 15 and can be done so by contacting Iowa DNR Environmental Specialist Jean Mayne at Jean.Mayne@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-0487.

An environmental review has been performed on the project based on the procedures for implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). That review is available for public viewing at https://www.iowasrf.com/media/cms/New_AlbinFNSI_220DE9B29DAA7.pdf and offers the opportunity for public comment by the means and deadline listed above.

The City of New Albin has applied for financial assistance through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan program to build the project. The State Revolving Loan Program is a program authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in partnership with the Iowa Finance Authority.

NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
The environmental review process has determined that the proposed project will result in no significant impacts to the surrounding environment. This determination is based on a careful review of the engineering report, the environmental assessment and other supporting data which are on file at the Department of Natural Resources’ office in Des Moines and are available for public review upon request.

Below is a summary of reasons provided and further explained in the environmental report as to why the project will result in no significant impact to the surrounding environment:

• The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use or growth and distribution of population.
• The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies.
• The project will not impact wetlands.
• The project will not affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats.
• The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential areas, or convert significant farmlands to non-agricultural purposes.
• The project will not affect the 100-year flood plain provided all necessary floodplain development permits, state and local, are obtained and the terms of which are abided by.
• The project will not have effect on parklands, preserves, other public lands, or areas of recognized scenic or recreational value.
• No historic properties will be adversely affected by the proposed project provided that the terms of a Memorandum of Agreement are executed as written to avoid sensitive areas and monitor excavations during construction.
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality provided the applicant takes reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the proposed project.
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient noise levels, surface water quantity, groundwater quality or quantity, or water supply.
• No significant impact to surface water quality, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats is expected provided that an NPDES General Permit Number 2 (for storm water discharge associated with construction activities) is obtained and the terms of which are abided by.

CURRENT TREATMENT SYSTEM
The existing wastewater treatment facility in the City of New Albin was originally constructed in the 1950s. The existing plant consists of two clarifiers, a trickling filter, anaerobic digester, and a non-aerated polishing lagoon. There have been no major upgrades to the facility since 1969.

Due to the age and condition of the existing wastewater treatment plant, the City of New Albin has experienced numerous effluent violations, mostly for pH and total suspended solids (TSS). The City has entered into an Administrative Consent Order with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to address effluent issues.

PROPOSED TREATMENT SYSTEM
The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the wastewater treatment facilities to enhance their reliability, correct treatment to comply with discharge limits, and to replace obsolete system in order to safely and reliably operate the City of New Albin’s wastewater system for at least the next 20 years. The proposed project includes construction of a new Algae Wheel treatment system adjacent to the existing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP).

The existing treatment plant (highlighted in the top right corner of the photo accompanying this article) will be partially demolished after the new system is operational. Some of the existing structures will be repurposed. The existing polishing lagoon (also highlighted in the top right corner of the photo accompanying this article) will be removed from service by piping around the lagoon. A new lift station (highlighted in the top left corner of the photo accompanying this article) will be constructed next to the existing lift station on Ross Avenue, and the existing pump station and building will be demolished.

The treated wastewater from the proposed facility will discharge to Pool Slough Wildlife Management Area, a tributary to the Mississippi River. This is the same discharge point as the existing treatment facility. Positive environmental effects from completion of the project will include improved treatment of the wastewater from the City of New Albin, compliance with effluent discharge permit limits, reduced discharge of the pollutants pH and TSS nutrients to the receiving stream, and improved water quality in the receiving stream.

The project site was selected for its availability of land (it is already City-owned), engineering criteria, archaeological and Tribal considerations, minimal floodplain involvement, and proximity to existing infrastructure as well as minimization of the impacts to the environment.

Public input had already been sought on the project initially at a public hearing held August 9 at the New Albin Town House, where the environmental and financial impacts of the proposed improvement project were presented. No written or oral objections were received at that time.

A number of federal, state and local agencies, as well as a number of Native American tribes, were also initially asked to comment on the proposed project to better assess the potential impact to the environment. After multiple comments were received from multiple Native American Tribes, the project location was moved and notifications were resent. Since the project’s relocation, no adverse comments were received from any agencies or general public.

Those wishing to comment may do so by contacting Iowa DNR Environmental Specialist Jean Mayne at Jean.Mayne@dnr.iowa.gov or 515-725-0487. Public comment will be accepted through Wednesday, September 15.