Legal Notices-Government

August 30, 2021

FINDING OF NO

SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

TO ALL INTERESTED

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND PUBLIC GROUPS:

In accordance with the environmental review guidelines of the Council on Environmental Quality found at 40 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1500 and with the use as guidance of the implementing environmental review procedures of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) found at 40 CFR Part 6 entitled “Procedures for Implementing the National Environmental Policy Act,” the New Mexico Environment Department Construction Programs Bureau has performed an environmental review of the following proposed action.

Village of Bosque Farms, Wastewater Treatment

Plant Improvements

Valencia County, New Mexico

EPA Project Number:

CWSRF 073

Estimated Total Project

Funding: $7,504,286

State of New Mexico

CWSRF 073 Loan:

$4,760,000

State of New Mexico

CWSRF 073 Grant:

$140,000

State of New Mexico Capital Outlay Grant

19-2565-GF: $786,491

State of New Mexico Capital Outlay Grant SAP 21-F2401-STB: $895,000

American Rescue Plan Act Grant: $958,277

The Village of Bosque Farms applied for and received loan funding from the Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (CWSRF) through the State of New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) for improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) in Bosque Farms, New Mexico.

The existing WWTP currently treats wastewater from both the Village of Bosque Farms and the neighboring Town of Peralta. Though population growth in both communities has oscillated over the past few decades, in 2016 Peralta began connecting residents to the sewer system, thereby gradually increasing flows to the WWTP. The existing WWTP is over 20 years old and given the shape and configuration of the connected treatment basins, there are no safe or cost-effective means to take individual treatment basins out of service to replace aging equipment while continuing to treat wastewater. Failure of aging equipment could lead to treatment failure and a risk to human health and the environment. Thus, a redundant treatment plant is needed to reduce the risk of health and sanitation problems, meet increased flows from Peralta, and to be able to take the WWTP offline for repairs and rehabilitation.

The purpose of this project is to provide, in three phases, a redundant treatment plant, repair of the ultraviolet disinfection channel, repair and replacement of aging equipment at the existing WWTP including the aeration system, provide central plant-wide controls with a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system, and improve solids handling. The Village’s existing NPDES Permit (NPDES No. NM0030279) allows the Village to discharge up to 0.5 million gallons per day (MGD). The existing treatment capacity is 0.5 MGD but lacks redundancy. This project will result in redundant treatment units and increased treatment capacity of the facility, but the current allowable discharge volume per NPDES Permit No. NM0030279 will remain unchanged. Construction is expected to take place in three phases and is entirely within the existing footprint of the WWTP.

Construction of a redundant treatment structure would expand the current treatment capacity of the facility, allow for proper maintenance and repairs to the existing treatment structure, as well as provide a failsafe if the existing treatment unit becomes inoperable. Other proposed improvements to the WWTP would improve operational functionality and flexibility and allow for continuous operations during construction.

The environmental review process, which is documented by the enclosed Environmental Assessment, indicates that no potential significant adverse environmental impacts will result from the proposed action. The project individually, cumulatively over time, or in conjunction with other actions will not have a significant adverse effect on the quality of the environment. On the basis of the environmental review determination that there are no predicted or cumulative significant adverse impacts associated with the project, I have determined that the project is not a major Federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment, and that preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement is not necessary. My preliminary decision is based upon the enclosed Environmental Assessment, a careful review of the Environmental Information Document prepared for the project, the results of the public participation process, and other supporting data which are on file in the office listed below and available for public review upon request. Therefore, I am issuing this preliminary Finding of No Significant Impact pertaining to the project.

Comments supporting or disagreeing with my preliminary decision may be submitted for consideration to the attention of Judi Kahl, PE, judi.kahl@state.nm.us, Bureau Chief, New Mexico Environment

Department, Construction

Programs Bureau,

P.O. Box 5469

Santa Fe, NM 87505-5469.

After evaluating any comments received, the Construction Programs Bureau will make a final decision. No administrative action will be taken on this preliminary decision for at least 30 calendar days after release of this Finding of No Significant Impact. The preliminary decision and finding will then become final after the 30-day comment period expires if no new significant information is provided to alter this finding.

Published in the Valencia County News-Bulletin on

September 9, 2021