As required by the guidelines for the preparation of environmental impact statements (EIS), a preliminary evaluation has been performed on the proposed State of Utah, Drinking Water Board project identified below to determine if an environmental review or EIS is warranted. The State of Utah has elected to “Categorically Exclude from further environmental review” the proposed drinking water project.
Project: East Carbon City Water Treatment Plant
Water System No: UTAH 04012
Office Location: 101 W Geneva Drive, East Carbon, UT 84520
Project Number: 3F1792
Total Estimated Cost: $3,988,000
Funding:
Drinking Water Loan (20 years, 1% interest) – $994,000
Drinking Water Loan (100% Principal Forgiveness) – $995,000
Community Impact Board Loan (30 years, 0.5% interest) – $547,000
Community Impact Board Grant – $1,442,000
The proposed project is located on private land in Whitmore Canyon, 3 miles north of East Carbon City and 23 miles east of Price in Carbon County. This project consists of constructing a new 1.5 MGD surface water treatment plant to replace East Carbon’s existing 34-year-old water treatment plant. The project includes installation of a new 110 ft x 55 ft steel building next to the existing plant, a new 50,000-gallon concrete back-wash storage tank, approximately 1,350 total linear feet of raw and finished waterlines 4 feet below grade, a new septic tank and drain field, geothermal heating system with heat exchange piping buried 4.5 feet below grade, solar panels, new asphalt paving in the parking lot and driveway, and new chain-link fencing for security. The project is not anticipated to affect any wetlands, endangered or threatened species, or any cultural or historical properties, and will be constructed within previously disturbed areas. The project is needed for East Carbon City to meet current and future demand for drinking water.
The review process indicated that there are no extraordinary circumstances related to the proposed project that may result in a significant individual or cumulative environmental effect.
Consequently, a decision has been made to not prepare an EIS. The State of Utah has elected to “Categorically Exclude from further environmental review” the proposed drinking water project.
All contractors and sub-contractors will be required to comply with all relative federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and executive orders, such as Utah State air quality regulations R307-309. If any cultural resources are uncovered or otherwise discovered during construction of the water system improvements, East Carbon City will be required to stop construction and notify both the Division of Drinking Water (the Division) and the State Historic Preservation Officer for consultation. If it appears that construction work may be causing an adverse environmental impact, East Carbon City will be required to stop construction and notify the Division. The Division will investigate any such discoveries.
A Categorical Exclusion (Cat Ex) from environmental review does not require a formal public hearing or a formal public comment period prior to the Cat Ex becoming effective. Therefore, this Cat Ex will become effective on the day it is published in a local newspaper, which is expected to occur on or about January 5, 2022. Questions or comments may be directed to Skye Sieber at (385) 515-0038 or sasieber@utah.gov.
DIVISION OF DRINKING WATER, DEQ, STATE OF UTAH
Michael J. Grange, PE
Technical Assistance Section Manager
Published in the ETV Newspaper January 5, 2022.