DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Rural Development

Iredell Water Corporation: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service (RUS), USDA

ACTION: Notice of Availability of an Environmental Assessment

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that RUS, as required by the National Environmental Policy Act, is issuing an environmental assessment (EA) in connection with possible impacts related to a project proposed by the Iredell Water Corporation, of Statesville, North Carolina. The proposal is for the extension of public water distribution lines to areas east of Statesville which are currently unserved by public water in Iredell County. The Iredell Water Corporation has submitted an application to RUS for funding of the proposal.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Carswell, Area Specialist, USDA Rural Development, 844 Wallace Grove Drive, Shelby, NC, (704)471-0235 ext. 5771, Joshua.Carswell@nc.usda.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Iredell Water Corporation proposes to construct approximately 71,340
linear feet of water line, a new 500,000-gallon elevated water storage tank, three wells, and booster pump station to provide water to the proposed new service area. The water lines proposed will be installed primarily along existing rights-of-way maintained by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NC DOT). Easements will be acquired where lines will be installed outside of existing public rights-of-way, and property will be acquired for the wells, tank and pump station sites.

WithersRavenel an environmental consultant, prepared an environmental assessment for RUS that describes the project, assesses the proposed project’s environmental impacts, and summarizes as applicable any mitigation measures used to minimize environmental effects. RUS has conducted an independent evaluation of the environmental assessment and believes that it accurately assesses the impacts of the proposed project. No significant impacts are expected as a result of the construction of the project.

Questions and comments should be sent to RUS at the address provided. RUS will accept questions and comments on the environmental assessment for 14 days from the date of publication of this notice. Any final action by RUS related to the proposed project will be subject to, and contingent upon, compliance with all relevant Federal environmental laws and regulations and completion of environmental review procedures as prescribed by 7 CFR Part 1970, Environmental Policies and Procedures.

05/30/2018