To: All interested Agencies, Groups, and Individuals
This is to give notice that the Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board has conducted an evaluation as required by Executive Order(s) 11988, in accordance with HUD regulations at 24 CFR 55.20 Subpart C Procedures for Making Determinations on Floodplain Management and Wetlands Protection. The activity is funded under ADECA’s ARC Program Project No. AL-21655-2024. The proposed project(s) is located throughout the town of Winfield, AL located in both Marion and Fayette Counties. The proposed project aims to provide efficient sewer infrastructure and safe wastewater treatment to the businesses surrounding the I-22 corridor and Industrial Business Park. Project will include the replacement of 400 linear feet of 8-inch gravity sewer mains, replacing panels, pumps and CMU blocks, and screen and telemetry units, retrofitted with a backup power supply at all three lift stations. The infrastructures in question have surpassed their usefulness of life and are essential to the quality of life for its community members by preventing continued I /I (inflow and infiltration) and improving environmental quality by preventing effluent from being discharged. Approximately 800 acres will be affected in this project.
Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board has considered the following alternatives and mitigation measures to be taken to minimize adverse impacts and to restore and preserve natural and beneficial values: The proposed project, water infrastructure rehabilitation, includes replacing several main and gravity sewer lines which have gone past its usefulness of life throughout the City of Winfield; those mains do cross over several portions of Zone A and Zone AE, requiring the activity take place in floodplain and/or wetland areas. Here is the list of alternatives considered for the project: Option 1: Do nothing and continue to operate the system in a inefficient manner and incur potential violations on NPDES Pollutant Limitations and SSO Occurrences; Option 2: Remove and replace existing Sewer Lines and Lift Station noted in the Project Area. However, the cost of doing this method would cost an estimated $13,000,000.00; Option 3: Repair the structurally unstable creek crossing, rehabilitate gravity lines in areas of known to have I/I occurrences and rehabilitate three Lift Station. The total estimated cost is $1,227,000.00; Option 4: Repair the existing Lift Station, repair unstable creek crossing, replace portion of gravity lines in Project Areas. Total Estimated Cost is $5,650,000.00.
The City will ensure this project, as modified and described above, is executed, and necessary language will be included in all agreements with participating parties. The city will also take an active role in monitoring the construction process to ensure no unnecessary impacts occur. To preserve lives, local law enforcement and the emergency broadcast system will implement an early warning system should flooding conditions arise. In addition to the warning system, law enforcement has an emergency evacuation and relocation plan in place.
Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board has reevaluated the alternatives to building and has determined that it has no practicable alternative. Upon completing the floodplain and wetland areas evaluation process, a designation of no significant, adverse effects was considered for this project. Additionally, correspondence with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency deemed the project to have no significant adverse effects to local natural habitats in the project area. Environmental files that document compliance with steps 3 through 6 of floodplain and/or wetland areas assessment is available for public inspection, review and copying upon request at the times and location delineated in the last paragraph of this notice for receipt of comments.
There are three primary purposes for this notice. First, people who may be affected by activities in a floodplain and/or wetland areas and those who have an interest in the protection of the natural environment should be given an opportunity to express their concerns and provide information about these areas. Second, an adequate public notice program can be an important public educational tool. The dissemination of information and request for public comment about floodplain and/or wetland areas can facilitate and enhance Federal efforts to reduce the risks and impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of these special areas. Third, as a matter of fairness, when the Federal government determines it will participate in actions taking place in floodplain and/or wetland areas, it must inform those who may be put at greater or continued risk.
Written comments must be received by the Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board at the following address on or before 10/10/2024 , Winfield Water Works and Sewer Board. 160 City Hall St. Winfield, AL 35594 and phone number, Attention: James Markham, Chairman. A full description of the project may also be reviewed from Weekdays 8:00 am- 5:00 pm at the same address above. Comments may also be submitted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
10/2/2024