All federally funded projects are required to comply with NEPA, the National Environmental Policy Act. Since both the CWSRF and 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.
Additional Information
The environmental review processes for Clean Water and Drinking Water are separate and have small differences.
Based on the 1990 Environmental Review Policy, WID requests an EID for all projects. We have a standard EID form for each SRF program:
Mapping tools to help screen for Natural Resources:
- Vermont Natural Resources Atlas Mapping Tool
- NEPAssist EPA Mapping Tool
- EJ Screen Mapping Tool
- VTrans: Historic Flood Data Mapping
| Process/Requirements | CATEX | FNSI | 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 |
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 Environmental Impact Statements (EIS)s are issued within a certain time frame, and are located below. Note: In recent times, there have not been EIS documents issued under these programs.
Findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Issued:
| Year | CWSRF | DWSRF |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NRBC-REPA West Burke Test Pits, dated May 14, 2021, comments accepted through June 13, 2021. RF1-229 Hinesburg WWTF Upgrade and Expansion, dated April 30, 2021, comments accepted through June 3, 2021 RF1-241 Proctor Willow Street Pump Station, dated February 24, 2021, comments accepted through March 27, 2021 RF1-XXX Burlington Manhattan Drive Outfall Project, dated January 14, 2021, comments accepted through February 25, 2021 |
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 Hartford South Main Street Improvements, dated May 21, 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 | ||
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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 |
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| 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 |
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| 2008 | Town of Proctor: Letter; Findings; Environmental Assessment Town of Waitsfield: Letter; Findings |