DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of Baraboo And Edgerton Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Projects

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) today announced the cities of Baraboo and Edgerton are applicants for funding through the Safe Drinking Water Loan Program (SDWLP) to improve their public drinking water systems.

The projects are in the south central region and include:

• The city of Baraboo is replacing watermains along 8^th Avenue and 8^th Street and adding new looping with adjacent mains. They will also be replacing lead service lines throughout the city.
• The city of Edgerton is replacing watermains along Quigley Street. They will also be replacing lead service lines throughout the city.

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 the projects will not result in significant adverse environmental effects, and no further environmental review or analysis is needed before proceeding with funding the projects.

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of these projects. Submit comments by Oct. 25, 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 or 608-490-0187

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.