MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENV...
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENV...
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT Water and Science Administration PRELIMINARY DECISION TO GRANT CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION (CE #627) Project Name/Number: Flintstone WWTP Upgrade WQBL/PF-1085-01L, SWQH 63.01, FMG 02.01 Project Applicant: Allegany County Commissioners Project Location/County: Flintstone, Allegany County Total Project Cost/Grant/Loan: $3,683,000 / $1,875,00 / $1,808,000 Project Description: The proposed project includes the planning, design, and construction of an upgrade of the 0.045 MGD Flintstone Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Allegany County to improve the plant’s reliability, meet the plant’s new ammonia limits, and mitigate existing flood issues at the plant. The existing WWTP was constructed in 1980 and several key components of the plant are reaching their useful life. The existing steel tanks are failing and the plant struggles with issues related to flooding and electrical reliability. The upgrade at the plant includes the construction of new aeration basins, clarifiers, post-aeration basin, UV disinfection system, influent pumping station, influent grinder, and other ancillary upgrades and improvements. The upgrade also includes moving the plant to an adjacent lot where critical infrastructure can be built out of the 100-year floodplain. The Allegany County Commissioners have applied for financial assistance from the Maryland Department of the Environment's State Revolving Loan Fund for the proposed project as described above. In accordance with requirements for complying with the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) under COMAR 26.03.11 for such assistance, a review has been performed by the Department on the applicant’s request for a Categorical Exclusion from a comprehensive environmental review under SERP. The Department has determined that the proposed project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion pursuant to COMAR 26.03.11.04 because the project constitutes functional replacement of equipment or structures. This determination is based on a careful review of the supporting documentation provided by the applicant and other documents available to the Department. In concert with this preliminary determination, the Department has also found the project to be consistent with the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy in accordance with Executive Order 01.01.1992.27, and Maryland’s Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Policy, in accordance with Executive Order 01.01.1998.04. As a result of the above determination, the applicant will not need to prepare and/or finalize an Environmental Information Document, and the Department is prepared to approve the applicant's request for financial assistance without further environmental review. Comments supporting or disagreeing with the above preliminary decision may be submitted for consideration by writing to: Rajiv Chawla, Division Chief Region I Project Management Division Engineering and Capital Projects Program Maryland Department of the Environment 1800 Washington Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21230 After evaluating any comments received, the Department will make a final decision no sooner than 20 calendar days from the date of this notice. No administrative action will be taken with respect to this proposal during this timeframe. Walid Saffouri, P.E., Program Administrator Engineering & Capital Projects Program Water and Science Administration Maryland Department of the Environment Adv.: Cumberland Times - News August 5, 2024
MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT Water and Science Administration PRELIMINARY DECISION TO GRANT CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION (CE #627) Project Name/Number: Flintstone WWTP Upgrade WQBL/PF-1085-01L, SWQH 63.01, FMG 02.01 Project Applicant: Allegany County Commissioners Project Location/County: Flintstone, Allegany County Total Project Cost/Grant/Loan: $3,683,000 / $1,875,00 / $1,808,000 Project Description: The proposed project includes the planning, design, and construction of an upgrade of the 0.045 MGD Flintstone Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Allegany County to improve the plant’s reliability, meet the plant’s new ammonia limits, and mitigate existing flood issues at the plant. The existing WWTP was constructed in 1980 and several key components of the plant are reaching their useful life. The existing steel tanks are failing and the plant struggles with issues related to flooding and electrical reliability. The upgrade at the plant includes the construction of new aeration basins, clarifiers, post-aeration basin, UV disinfection system, influent pumping station, influent grinder, and other ancillary upgrades and improvements. The upgrade also includes moving the plant to an adjacent lot where critical infrastructure can be built out of the 100-year floodplain. The Allegany County Commissioners have applied for financial assistance from the Maryland Department of the Environment's State Revolving Loan Fund for the proposed project as described above. In accordance with requirements for complying with the State Environmental Review Process (SERP) under COMAR 26.03.11 for such assistance, a review has been performed by the Department on the applicant’s request for a Categorical Exclusion from a comprehensive environmental review under SERP. The Department has determined that the proposed project qualifies for a Categorical Exclusion pursuant to COMAR 26.03.11.04 because the project constitutes functional replacement of equipment or structures. This determination is based on a careful review of the supporting documentation provided by the applicant and other documents available to the Department. In concert with this preliminary determination, the Department has also found the project to be consistent with the Maryland Economic Growth, Resource Protection, and Planning Policy in accordance with Executive Order 01.01.1992.27, and Maryland’s Smart Growth and Neighborhood Conservation Policy, in accordance with Executive Order 01.01.1998.04. As a result of the above determination, the applicant will not need to prepare and/or finalize an Environmental Information Document, and the Department is prepared to approve the applicant's request for financial assistance without further environmental review. Comments supporting or disagreeing with the above preliminary decision may be submitted for consideration by writing to: Rajiv Chawla, Division Chief Region I Project Management Division Engineering and Capital Projects Program Maryland Department of the Environment 1800 Washington Boulevard Baltimore, Maryland 21230 After evaluating any comments received, the Department will make a final decision no sooner than 20 calendar days from the date of this notice. No administrative action will be taken with respect to this proposal during this timeframe. Walid Saffouri, P.E., Program Administrator Engineering & Capital Projects Program Water and Science Administration Maryland Department of the Environment Adv.: Cumberland Times - News August 5, 2024
Posted Online 41 weeks ago
