Site work for a civil project in Corona, South Dakota. Working plans call for site work for a water / sewer project.

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) conducted a review of a proposal from the city of Corona for a Utility Improvements - Phase 1 project. The city of Corona is proposing to repair or replace mains and manholes in its wastewater collection system along Main Street to correct issues with inflow and infiltration. As the town does not currently have a storm sewer system, the proposed project will install a storm sewer system where feasible to promote more efficient storm water management and reduce surface flows. Corona is also proposing drinking water improvements to include replacement of 2,100 feet of water main, valves, and service lines within the road right-of-way on Main Street. The city of Corona received a $540,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan at 3.25 percent for 30 years. Corona also received a $772,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Water Quality grant for the wastewater and storm sewer portion of the project. The Clean Water SRF loan will be repaid with a wastewater surcharge of approximately $51.00 per customer per month. Current wastewater rates are $35.00 per user per month for 5,000 gallons. The city also received a $159,800 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) loan at 3.25 percent for 30 years. The city also received a $1,278,400 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant and a $159,800 Drinking Water Construction Grant for the drinking water portion of this project. The Drinking Water SRF loan will be repaid with a water surcharge of approximately $15.35 per month. Water rates are currently $60.00 per user per month, flat rate Listed below are the reasons for granting a categorical exclusion: 1. The project is solely directed toward minor rehabilitation of existing facilities, functional replacement of equipment, or towards the construction of new ancillary facilities adjacent or appurtenant to existing facilities. 2. The project does not affect the degree of treatment or capacity of the existing facility. 3. The project is in a sewered community of less than 10,000 persons and is for minor upgrading or minor expansion of existing treatment works. 4. The project involves sanitary sewer or storm sewer within the developed portion of the community. 5. No comments requiring mitigative action were received from the South Dakota Historical Society, South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, United States Department of Interior, United States Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conser- vation Service, or through the public participation process. The proposed action does not involve any serious local objections, nor does it meet any of the criteria for not granting a categorical exclusion as specified in [Section 6.505(c) (i) through (iii) of 40 CFR Part 6, Subpart E]. The Corona Utility Improvements - Phase 1 project will not affect any historical or archaeological resources. The project should have no direct or indirect adverse effects on plant life or wildlife. No other environmentally sensitive issues have been identified in the planning of this project. The review process did not indicate that significant environmental impacts would result from the proposed project. Consequently, a preliminary decision not to prepare an EIS has been made. This action is taken on the basis of a careful review of the engineering report, environmental information documents, correspondence with responsible governmental agencies and other supporting data which are on file at the Division of Financial and Technical Assistance, Environmental Funding Program, DANR, Pierre, South Dakota, and are available for public scrutiny at the Corona city office in Corona, South Dakota. Comments supporting or disagreeing with this decision may be submitted to DANRMail@state.sd.us for consideration by DANR after publication of the Categorical Exclusion Determination. After evaluating the comments received, DANR will make a final decision. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.