Bryan County Water Treatment Facility - NOTICE OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT

NOTICE OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT TO ALL INTERESTED AGENCIES, GROUPS AND PERSONS

2022-155 - North Bryan WRF - 2023.03.22 - NONSI

Bryan County Board of Commissioners has made an application to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division (EPD), and the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) for a loan through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the Georgia Office of Budget and Planning for a grant through the State American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The project consists of the construction of a new 8.0–MGD North Bryan Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) discharging to the Ogeechee River. The applicant has certified that the project is environmentally sound. As required by the Federal Clean Water Act, an environmental review has been performed on the project described below:

The Bryan County Board of Commissioners proposes to construct a new 8.0–MGD North Bryan WRF discharging to the Ogeechee River. The project will accommodate flow/population projections for the area. The new facility will include an influent pump station, screening, grit removal, equalization tank, biological treatment (anaerobic, pre–anoxic, pre–aeration, and post­ anoxic basins) membrane bioreactors, chemical additions, UV disinfection, and post–aeration. Sludge will be treated in aerobic digesters, membrane thickener basin, and dewatered before being transported to a landfill.

Anticipated Impacts

The proposed project will serve Bryan County, including the Bryan County mega–site, Bulloch County, and the City of Savannah. The project will provide reliable treatment and effluent quality for the future population and industrial development.

Minor negative temporary impacts may include noise, dust and erosion/sedimentation associated with construction activities. Best Management Practices will be in place during construction. Portions of the project may be located in 100–year floodplain as indicated by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maps. However, all proposed structures and mechanical equipment will be constructed or installed above the 500–year flood elevation, as required by the Federal Flood Risk Management Standard (FFRMS), and after installation of the effluent force main the surface elevation will be restored to original grade . Detailed mitigation measures will be described in the construction documents (plans and specifications) for the project.

The project will take place primarily on County property (or right–of–way) and/or previously disturbed land and no impacts to existing buildings are anticipated as a result of the project.

The current rates for wastewater are not anticipated to increase for existing users.

No anticipated adverse secondary impacts are associated with the project. Consequently, a preliminary decision not to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement has been made.

The reason for the decision not to prepare such a statement is as follows: Project activity is not anticipated to result in adverse environmental impacts beyond those that can be easily mitigated with minimal extra expense or delay in project implementation.

Public Notice

A public information meeting was held on September 7, 2022 at the Bryan County Board of Commissioners Room to discuss the proposed project. No adverse comments were received during the 30–day advertisement period or during the meeting.

An Environmental Review Record concerning the proposed project has been made by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that documents the environmental review of the project and provides more detail explaining why an environmental impact statement is not required. The Environmental Review Record is on file at the Division's address listed below. A copy of the Environmental Review and Planning Document (ERPD) is available for public review upon request at the Bryan County Board of Commissioners offices during business hours and at the Division between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

No further environmental review of this project is proposed to be conducted prior to the release of loan funds.

All interested agencies, groups and persons supporting or disagreeing with this decision are invited to submit written comments within 30 days of the issuance date of this notice via email to august.lutkehus@dnr.ga.govor to the following address:

Environmental Protection Division Watershed Protection Branch Wastewater Regulatory Program ATTN: August Lutkehus

2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Suite 1470A East

Atlanta, Georgia 30334

After evaluating the comments received, a final decision regarding the loan will be made. No administrative action will be taken on the project for thirty (30) calendar days after issuance of this Notice.

Loan Recipient: Bryan County Board of Commissioners

Post Office Box 430 Pembroke, Georgia 31321