Environmental Review Process for SRF Projects
All federally funded projects are required to comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Since both the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) receive federal funds, all elements of these projects must comply with NEPA. The State of Vermont has established two State Environmental Review Procedures (SERPs) to complete the environmental reviews associated with the required NEPA review.
SRF Environmental Information Document Submission
Public Comment Process Comentario Público Commentaire Publique
Environmental Review Policies and Mapping Tools
Environmental Determinations by outcome, program, and year
Categorical Exclusions (CatEx)
Findings of No Significant Impact (FoNSI)
SRF Environmental Information Document Submission
All Environmental Reviews are now being performed by the WID Design and Construction Engineering Section.
- For CW projects, please send the EID to your assigned DCE Engineer.
- For DW projects, please send the EID to EID Inbox for assignment.
Public Comment
Do you want to understand more about how to comment on one of our projects? Here is a Citizen's Guide to Understanding NEPA.
Comentario Público
Si desea saber mas sobre como dar comentarios sobre cualquier proyecto utilice esta guía sobre el programa NEPA.
Commentaire Publique
Voudriez-vous comprendre plus au sujet de nos projets? Contactez Lynnette Claudon, Hugo Martinez Cazon.
Additional Information
The environmental review processes for Clean Water SRF and Drinking Water SRF are separate and have small differences explained in the documents below and in the table further down this page.
- CWSRF SERP
- DWSRF SERP
- DWSRF Environmental Review Guidance Document
- 1990 Environmental Review Policy
- Linear Projects Guidance Document
- Historic Preservation Review Page
Based on the 1990 Environmental Review Policy, WID requests an Environmental Information Document (EID) for all projects for both SRF programs.
Mapping tools to help screen for Natural and Cultural Resources:
- Vermont Natural Resources Atlas Mapping Tool
- NEPAssist EPA Mapping Tool
- EJ Screen Mapping Tool
- VTrans: Historic Flood Data Mapping
- Mohican Area of Interest (*.kmz, Google Earth File)
| Process/Requirements | CATEX | FONSI | EIS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60% Planning Public Meeting to discuss alternatives before the preferred project is selected. | - | X | X |
| Environmental Information Document/ Environmental Report | X | X | - |
| Environmental Assessment | - | - | X |
| Catex Request Letter | CW Only | - | - |
| Public Hearing | - | X | X |
| 30-day Public Comment Period | CW Only | X | X |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is required for public meetings under the SERP? The SERP requires certain public meetings, but does not have directions on how to perform them. Vermont, however, has public meeting law that public meetings meet certain access and warning requirements. Borrowers are obligated to follow Vermont's public meeting law. For more information on the public meeting law here are some resources:
- Vermont's Open Meeting Law (VLCT)
- Open Meetings (Vermont Secretary of States Office)
- Public Meeting Certification
2. What is the difference between a meeting and a hearing?
- Vermont Planning Information Center Publication See pages 9-10.
3. What's involved in a typical public hearing?
- The hearing is warned in accordance with state law and local practice.
- The hearing is opened by the governing body.
- The project owner or consulting engineer presents information related to the positive and negative environmental impacts of the project. This often includes posters or power point demonstrations.
- The governing body opens the floor to public comments.
- Comments are given by the public and if possible, questions are answered by the project owner, the consulting engineer, or sometimes the state official. The name of the commenter and the comment are recorded for the record and public comment responsiveness summary.
- The governing body closes the floor to public comment.
- The governing body takes minutes and sends them to the state official after they are approved.
- The governing body posts the video of the hearing, if available and makes the link available to the state official.
Environmental Review Determinations
All projects receiving federal funds must receive an Environmental Review prior to the release of construction loan funding. The level of detail and the amount of information provided in this environmental report is commensurate with the magnitude of construction activities and their potential impact on environmental and historical resources. The Environmental Reviews can result in three types of documents: Categorical Exclusions (CatEx), Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI), and Record of Decision (ROD) are issued within a certain time frame, and are located below. Note: In recent times, there have not been ROD documents issued under these programs.
| Year | CWSRF | DWSRF |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 |
RF1-338 Rutland CSO Check Valve Project, 3/28/2024. Comments accepted through 4/27/2024
|
RF3-480 Brattleboro Phase 1 Water System Improvements, 2/16/2024. Comments accepted through 3/17/2024. |
| 2023 |
RF1-277 Rutland Moon Brook Ponds Modification Project Project, 10/31/2023. Comments accepted through 11/30/2023 |
RF3-459 (planning/design) and RF3-554 (construction these contracts) Killington New Public Water System Project – Contract 1, 2, and 3A, 11/13/2023. Comments accepted through 12/13/2023 |
| 2022 |
RF1-318 Brighton Wastewater Treatment Facility Refurbishment Project, 11/15/2022, NOI-FONSI. Comments accepted through 12/15/2022. |
|
| 2021 |
RF1-266 South Woodstock WWTF Replacement Project, 9/21/21, FONSI. Comments accepted through 10/21/21 |
RF3-410-3.0 Champlain Water District, Essex West Pump Station & Transmission Main Project, dated 4/2/2021. Notice of Intent. Environmental Assessment. Comments accepted through May 3, 2021.
RF3-401-3.0 Bennington Lead Lines Replacement Project (Contract 1) dated 1/19/2021. Notice of Intent. Environmental Assessment. Comments accepted through February 22, 2021 |
| 2020 |
RF1-217 Northfield CSO and Stormwater Project, dated November 24, 2020, comments accepted through December 24, 2020 |
|
| 2019 |
RF1-187 Burlington city-wide gravity pipe assessment and rehabilitation, dated May 20, 2019, comments accepted through June 19, 2019 |
RF3-390 and RF3-467 Hartford S Main St, N Main St, and Gates St, 5/22/2019 |
| 2018 |
RF1-214 & WPL-286 Brandon Park St, dated December 11, 2018, comments accepted through January 10, 2019 |
|
| 2017 |
RF1-192 & RF3-349 Montpelier Northfield St FONSI dated April 25, 2017 RF1-195 Town of Addison Community WW System, FONSI dated March 23, 2017 |
|
| 2016 | ||
| 2015 | ||
|
2014 |
RF1-175 Saxtons River Wastewater Treatment Facility Refurbishment Project NOI Letter, Notice of Intent to Issue a Finding of No Significant Impact, dated October 21, 2014 Evaluation of Eligibility for Finding of No Significant Impact, Preliminary Engineering Report & Appendices, USDA Preliminary Engineering Report Review, Final PER & Appendices | |
| 2013 | RF1-171 Brattleboro Black Mountain Gravity Sewer FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact November 6, 2013 & PER & EID RF1-166 Rutland Northwest Neighborhood (Library Ave) CSO FONSI Finding of No Significant Impact November 6, 2013 & PER & EID RF1-164 Waitsfield Decentralized WW Project Winter Park FONSI REVISED Letter, UPDATED Environmental Assessment, REVISED Finding of No Significant Impact 5 SEP 13 EM-96143301.0 Village of Waterbury FONSI REVISED Finding of No Significant Impact dated March 11, 2013 |
|
| 2012 | EM-969142001.0 Troy-Jay WWCS Project July 19, 2012 Village of Waterbury USEPA Special Grant FONSI Letter, Determination & Phosphorus Environmental Assessment January 31, 2012 |
|
| 2011 | ||
| 2010 | ||
| 2009 | AR1-024 Brattleboro Town FONSI June 18, 2009 AR1-041 Hartford Town Quechee Expansion FONSI Environmental June 2009 Document AR1-041 Hartford Town Quechee FONSI Letter December 11, 2009 AR1-067 South Burlington City Airport Parkway FONSI May 4, 2009 AR1-067 South Burlington City Airport Parkway FONSI Letter to Colchester from EPA May 4, 2009 |
|
| 2008 | Town of Proctor: Letter; Findings; Environmental Assessment Town of Waitsfield: Letter; Findings |