DNR Seeking Public Comment For Environmental Review Of Kaukauna And Oshkosh Safe Drinking Water Loan Program Projects

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

Both projects are in the northeast region and include:

• The city of Kaukauna is replacing lead service lines, watermains and relays on Keneth Avenue, Park Street, Miner Street, Fifth Street, Fourth Street, Main Avenue, Canal Street, Thilmany Road and the Fox River Canal crossing.
• The city of Oshkosh is replacing approximately 650 lead service lines.

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

The public is encouraged to submit comments regarding this decision and the potential environmental impacts of these projects. Submit comments by Nov. 10, 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

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.