DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of Antigo, Schofield And Washburn Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Projects

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the cities of Antigo, Schofield and Washburn are applicants for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to improve their public drinking water systems.

These projects include the replacement of lead service lines. Antigo is replacing 35 lines, Schofield is replacing 20 lines and Washburn is replacing 53 lines. All numbers are approximate and subject to slight changes.

Activities related to these projects are minor actions under Chapter NR 150, Wis. Admin. Code, for which no environmental analysis is required; however, following the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program federal requirement 40 C.F.R. §35.3580, an environmental review must be conducted before funding these projects.

The Safe Drinking Water Loan Program has determined that the projects will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding these projects.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of these projects. Submit comments by Sept. 29, 2023 to:

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
C/O Michelle Brietzman, Community Financial Assistance, CF/2
101 S Webster St. P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
DNRCFELEnvironmentalReview@wisconsin.gov or 608-490-0187

Based on the comments received, the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program may prepare an environmental analysis before proceeding with the funding process. The analysis would summarize the DNR’s consideration of the projects' impacts and reasonable alternatives.