DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review For The City Of Madison Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Projects

Contact: Michelle Brietzman, DNR Community Financial Assistance [email protected] or 608-490-0187

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the city of Madison is an applicant for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to address deficiencies in its public drinking water system.

The first project includes the replacement of watermains on Hammersley Road, Russell Street and University Avenue, repairs to improve the resiliency of two transfer vaults and the replacement of a booster pump. The second project will treat Well #15 for PFAS to meet all federal and state drinking water regulations.

Activities related to these projects are minor actions under Chapter NR 150, Wis. Admin. Code, for which no environmental analysis is required; however, following the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program federal requirement 40 C.F.R. §35.3580, an environmental review must be conducted before funding these projects.

The Safe Drinking Water Loan Program has determined that the projects will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding the projects.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of these projects. Submit comments by Sept. 1, 2023 to:

Department of Natural ResourcesC/O Michelle Brietzman, Community Financial Assistance, CF/2101 S. Webster St.P.O. Box 7921 Madison, WI [email protected]

Based on the comments received, the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the funding process. The analysis would summarize the DNR’s consideration of the projects’ impacts and reasonable alternatives.