Newsroom_News Release_2023-10-26 DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of Edgar, Hayward, Medford, Mellen And Phillips Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Projects

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2023-10-26

Contact: Michelle Brietzman, DNR Community Financial Assistance Specialist
MichelleE.Brietzman@wisconsin.gov or 608-490-0187

DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of Edgar, Hayward, Medford, Mellen And Phillips Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Projects

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the village of Edgar and the cities of Hayward, Medford, Mellen and Phillips are applicants for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to address deficiencies in their public drinking water systems.

These projects are all located in the northern region and include:

  • The village of Edgar is replacing watermains on Wisconsin Avenue and George Wagner Drive.
  • The city of Hayward is replacing watermains on West Second Street and connecting streets.
  • The city of Medford is replacing watermains on State Highway 64.
  • The city of Mellen is replacing watermains on State Highway 13.
  • The city of Phillips is replacing watermains on Fifield Street.

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 these 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 Nov. 8, 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

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.