NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION
Airport Water Line
City and Borough of Yakutat, Alaska
The Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s (Department) State Revolving Fund Program has conducted a review of the above referenced project in accordance with the Operating Agreement between the Department and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for implementing the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan program. The Department is issuing a notice of adoption of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Categorical Exclusion (CE) determination in accordance with 18 AAC 76.040 and 18 AAC 76.235. The EPA’s determination, dated April 1, 2024, was prepared in regard to a Congressionally Directed Spending award or Community Grant associated with Federal Fiscal Year 2023 and administered by EPA. Accordingly, the Department is exempting the project from further environmental review requirements under the Department’s EPA-approved State Environmental Review Process.
Due to PFAS contamination, the project will design an extension of the existing City and Borough of Yakutat water distribution system from the Yakutat townsite to serve the affected properties. Approximately 18,000 linear feet of 8-inch water main and approximately 150 linear feet of water service lines as well as a booster system would be required to connect municipal water service to the properties. Existing wells at the airport and surrounding properties would be decommissioned per the guidelines in 18 AAC 80.015(e), and water services lines will connect with existing water piping in each of the buildings or where an abandoned well connects into each building. Routing for the water pipeline would follow the paved Airport Road from the present edge of the water distribution system in the Yakutat townsite to the airport. The pipe would be constructed within a cleared right-of-way on the side of the existing road. A DWSRF loan in the amount of $1,500,000 was issued for this project on May 17, 2024 for planning and design work
The project is eligible for a CE because undertaking this action:
- Will not significantly affect the degree of treatment or capacity of the existing facility;
- Will not directly or indirectly affect cultural resources, habitats of endangered or threatened species, or environmentally important natural resources area;
- Will not have a significant effect on the quality of the human environment;
- Will not cause significant public controversy.
The determination shall become effective upon distribution by the Department and can be revoked at any time that adverse information is made available. The documentation to support this decision will be on file with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation’s State Revolving Fund Program. To request a copy of the CE, contact:
Adele Fetter, Environmental Impact Analyst
Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation - State Revolving Fund Program
555 Cordova Street Anchorage, AK 99501 Phone: (907) 269-7428
Email: adele.fetter@alaska.gov
The State of Alaska, Department of Environmental Conservation complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If you are a person with a disability who may need a special accommodation in order to participate in this public process, please contact Megan Kohler at (907) 269-4198 or TDD Relay Service 1-800-770-8973/TTY or dial 711 to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.
Issued on the 13th day of November 2024 in Anchorage, Alaska.