Request for Release of Funds

Combined Notice of Finding of No Significant Impact and
Notice of Intent to Request a Release of Funds

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NOTICE OF FINDING OF NO SIGNFICANT IMPACT AND
NOTICE OF INTENT TO REQUEST RELEASE OF FUNDS

11/25/2019

Colleton County
PO Box 157
Walterboro, SC 29488
(843) 549-5221

These notices shall satisfy two separate but related procedural requirements for activities to be undertaken by Colleton County.

REQUEST FOR RELEASE OF FUNDS

On or about December 16, 2019, Colleton County will submit a request to the SC Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division for the release of CDBG funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended, to undertake a project known as the Colleton County Project with a total of $550,000 including $500,000 CDBG funds where the County proposes to use funding to upgrade the water lines in the identified neighborhood. The primary activity with this project is to replace the old, small water lines with larger water lines and add fire hydrants. Approximately 7,001 LF of new 6” water line will replace the existing small water line to connect the water line to provide a looping effect and improve water pressure and flow to allow for installing fire hydrants to cover the area with better fire protection. Additionally, the project will include the installation of 5 new fire hydrants, 12 new gate valves, replacement of all service assemblies, and looped interconnections to an existing 12-inch water main, an existing 8-inch water main, and an existing 6-inch water main. The looping improves flow capabilities, reduces pressure losses, and helps to maintain fresh water.

Proposed 6-inch water main along Live Oak Street will cross wetlands depicted on the USFWS National Wetlands Inventory Maps beginning approximately 1,135 south of Live Oak Street’s intersection with Barracada Road. The crossing is proposed to be made by the directional drill method using fused HDPE pipe extending approximately 300 feet southward in a manner such that there will be no impacts to these wetlands. Both the entry point and the exit point will be positioned outside the boundaries of the wetlands. Directional drilling of utility pipelines has now advanced to the point that such wetlands crossings need not be designed with one continuous arc but rather can be turned as needed to extend under streams and associated wetlands such as Shereau Branch without having to go excessively deep. This will allow the design to proceed such that there will be a minimum of 4 feet of earth cover, but not so deep that access is restricted if a leak or rupture were to occur. A wetlands crossing in this manner would be allowed by the US Army Corps of Engineers Nationwide Permit #12-Utility Line Activities and would not require the submittal of a Pre-Construction Notification.
Since there are no wetlands within the right-of-way of Barracada Road and the water mainalong that road is proposed to be completely within that right-of-way, there will be no water mains crossing wetlands along that road.
The design of the proposed project will incorporate the use of Best Management Practices (BMP’s) particularly as it relates to sediment/erosion control and the protection of the wetlands to be crossed.

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT

Colleton County has determined that the project will have no significant impact on the human environment. Therefore, an Environmental Impact Statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) is not required. Additional project information is contained in the Environmental Review Record (ERR) on file at Colleton County Administration Office, 109 Benson Street, Walterboro, SC and may be examined or copied weekdays 9A.M to 5P.M.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Any individual, group, or agency may submit written comments on the ERR to Colleton County, 109 Benson Street, Walterboro, SC , (843) 549-5221, Attention: Kevin Griffin, Administrator and it may be examined or copied weekdays 9A.M to 5P.M. All comments received by December 13, 2019 will be considered by Colleton County prior to authorizing submission of a request for release of funds. Comments should specify which Notice they are addressing.

ENVIRONMENTAL CERTIFICATION

Colleton County certifies to SC Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division that Kevin Griffin in his capacity as County Administrator consents to accept the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts if an action is brought to enforce responsibilities in relation to the environmental review process and that these responsibilities have been satisfied. The SC Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division approval of the certification satisfies its responsibilities under NEPA and related laws and authorities and allows Colleton County to use Program funds.

OBJECTIONS TO RELEASE OF FUNDS

The SC Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division will accept objections to its release of funds and the County’s certification for a period of fifteen days following the anticipated submission date or its actual receipt of the request (whichever is later) only if they are on one of the following bases: (a) the certification was not executed by the Certifying Officer of Colleton County; (b) the County has omitted a step or failed to make a decision or finding required by HUD regulations at 24 CFR part 58; (c) the grant recipient or other participants in the development process have committed funds, incurred costs or undertaken activities not authorized by 24 CFR Part 58 before approval of a release of funds by the Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division; or (d) another Federal agency acting pursuant to 40 CFR Part 1504 has submitted a written finding that the project is unsatisfactory from the standpoint of environmental quality. Objections must be prepared and submitted in accordance with the required procedures (24 CFR Part 58, Sec. 58.76) and shall be addressed to SC Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division at 1201 Main Street, Suite 1600, Columbia, SC, 29201. Potential objectors should contact SC Department of Commerce/Grants Administration Division to verify the actual last day of the objection period.

J. Kevin Griffin, County Administrator