20071421 Ver 1_More Info Received_20070825

v~M~IQMFaCREED
To: NCDENR/401 Wetlands Unit
2321 Crabtree Blvd. Suite 250
Raleigh, NC 27604
ATTENTION: Ian McMillan
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
DATE: 8/22/2007
PROJECT NO: 000690029 TASK NO: 4A
RE: PCN for West Brunswick Regional
TRANSMITTAL NO: PAGE 1 OF 1
WE ARE SENDING: ®Originals ^ Prints
^ Specifications ^ Calculations
^ Shop Drawings ^ Samples
^ Other -
Quantity Drawing No. Rev. Description Status
1 FONSI
Issue Status Code:
Action Status Code:
REMARKS:
A. Preliminary B. Fabrication Only C. For Information D. Bid
E. Construction F. For Review & Comments G. For Approval H. See Remarks
1. No Exceptions Taken 2. Make Corrections Noted 3. Other
4. Amend & Resubmit 5. Rejected -See Remarks
200 MacKenan Court, Cary, NC 27511 919/233-8091 Fax [phone]
AUG 2 ~ 2007
OE~VR _ VYAi'Ek QufiLiTY
~AN03A;yQ ST~.R!~Y,A~ ~~ BRANCH
McKIM & CREED, PA
Signed ~

FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
TOWN OF OAK ISLAND
WASTEWATER TREATMENT, TRANSMISSION, AND COLLECTION FACILITIES
RESPONSIBLE AGENCY: NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT
AND NATURAL RESOURCES
CONTACT: JOHN R. BLOWE, P.E., CHIEF
CONSTRUCTION GRANTS AND LOANS SECTION
DIVISION OF WATER QUALITY
1633 MAIL SERVICE CENTER
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27699-1633
[phone]
July 30, 2007

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ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
A. Proposed Facilities and Actions
Figures 1, and la through if show the location of the proposed wastewater collection and
transmission facilities, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) expansion, and reclaimed water
spray irrigation facilities.
Wastewater Treatment Facilities: The proposed Town of Oak Island, North Carolina wastewater
facilities improvements project includes the expansion of the existing West Brunswick Regional
Water Reclamation Facility from 3.0 MGD to 6.0 MGD, the construction of a new intermediate
pumping station at Middleton Road, and a new vacuum sewer collection system.
To provide the Town of Oak Island with 3.0 MGD of wastewater treatment capacity, the existing
West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility will be expanded from 3.0 MGD to
6.0 MGD, by duplicating the design of the existing facility. The additional 3.0 MGD of treated
effluent will be applied to two additional disposal sites (the Mercer Mill Tract and International
Paper Tract). These two sites total approximately 880 acres, and approximately 390 acres will
be used for irrigation.
The new wastewater transmission facilities consist of a 6.48 MGD pump station and
approximately 29,000 linear feet of 20-inch force main. The force main will extend from the
Middleton Road pump station to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility.
The new vacuum sewer collection system consists of approximately 420,000 linear feet of
collection piping, ranging in size from 4-inch to 10-inch, and nine vacuum collection stations to
serve the Town of Oak Island.
B. Existing Environment
Topography. The Town of Oak Island, as well as the project area lie within the lower Coastal
Plain, and are located in Brunswick County. Three geomorphic surfaces encompass Brunswick
County: the Wicomico, Talbot, and Pamlico surfaces. Elevations along the collection system on
Oak Island range from sea level to 25 feet mean sea level (MSL). Elevations along the pipeline
transmission route range from 10 feet MSL at the Intracoastal Waterway to 50 feet MSL along
the pipeline route. The elevation at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility is
approximately 31 MSL. Elevations at the Mercer Mill Tract and International Paper (IP) Tract
range from 18 feet MSL to 25 feet MSL, and 12 feet MSL to 30 feet MSL, respectively.
Soils. Soils encompassing the wastewater collection system and transmission pipeline include
Wando, Kureb, Newhan, Leon, Duckston, Bohicket, Newhan ,Corolla, and Carteret soils. The
West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility site includes Baymeade, Lynchburg,
Torhunta, Marvyn, Muckalee, Blanton, Leon, and Rains soils. The Mercer Mill Tract contains
Wando, Kureb, Torhunta, and Muckalee soils. Last, the IP Tract contains Bayemeade,
Muckalee, Foreston, Lynchburg, Onslow, Norfolk, Goldsboro, and Leon Soils. Baymeade-
Blanton-Norfolk soils are moderately- to well-drained soils that are nearly level to gently

sloping. These soils are found on uplands. Bohicket-Newhan-Lafitte soil associations contain
poorly drained to excessively drained soils that are sandy throughout and are found on tidal flats,
coastal ridges, and barrier dunes. Goldsboro-Lynchburg-Rains soils are well- to poorly-drained
soils that are nearly level. These soils are found on uplands. Kureb-Wando soils are excessively
drained, nearly level to sloping soils found on uplands. Leon-Murville-Mandarin soils are nearly
poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained soils that are nearly level and found on uplands.
Muckalee-Dorovan-Chowan soils are poorly drained and very poorly drained, nearly level soils
that are found on floodplains. Torhunta-Croatan-Pantego soils are very poorly drained, nearly
level soils that are found on uplands. Woodinton-Foreston soils are nearly level, poorly drained
to moderately well-drained soils that are found on uplands. Carteret soils are very poorly drained
soils in tidal marshes that are saturated continuously with water and flooded twice a day with
seawater. Corolla soils are moderately well-drained and somewhat poorly-drained soils with
zero to two percent slope. These soils are found in sandy sediments along the Atlantic Coast.
Duckston soils are poorly-drained soils with slopes of zero to two percent. These soils are found
in shallow depressions between coastal dunes and on nearly level flats between dunes and
marshes. Marvyn soils are deep, well-drained, and moderately permeable soils formed on loamy
marine sediments formed on the Coastal Plain uplands. Slopes range from zero to 15 percent.
Slopes for these soils range from zero to 30 percent. Onslow soils are moderately well-drained
and somewhat poorly-drained soils that are formed from moderately fine-textured Coastal Plains
sediments. These soils are found on nearly level to slightly convex divides of uplands and have
slopes ranging from zero to three percent.
Surface Water. The project is located within the Lumber River Basin. The Intracoastal
Waterway, Montgomery Slough and Atlantic Ocean surround Oak Island, which contains the
wastewater collection system. The wastewater transmission system crosses the Intracoastal
Waterway, Mill Creek, and Lockwood Folly River. Mill Creek borders the Mercer Mill Tract,
and the Lockwood Folly River bisects the IP Tract. Downstream portions of Lockwood Folly
River are rated SA HQW while other portions are rated SC HQW and C Sw. Mill Creek near its
mouth is rated SA HQW while other portions are rated C Sw HQW. Class SA waters are salt
waters that are used for shellfishing. SC waters are tidal waters used for secondary recreation
activities such as fishing, boating, and other activities with minimal skin contact as well as for
maintaining aquatic life and wildlife propagation. Class C waters are freshwaters with similar
activities as those for Class SC. HQW waters are high quality waters that are protected more
stringently than the State Water Quality classifications require. Sw waters are swamp waters.
Water Supply. The Town of Oak Island operates a water utility and obtains most of its drinking
water from Brunswick County. It also obtains some of its water from two drinking water wells,
which pull water from the Pee Dee Aquifer.
C. Existing Wastewater Facilities
The Town of Oak Island owns and operates a wastewater collection system that contains
approximately nine miles of gravity sewers, six miles of force mains, 220 manholes, and 13 lift
stations. Gravity sewer pipes range in size from six to 15 inches. The force main pipe sizes
range from two to eight inches. The existing collection system provides service to
approximately 904 homes and businesses in two major areas. The first area is on the east end of

the island and includes home and businesses within the previous town limits of Yaupon Beach,
the Oak Island Golf Course, and the Oak Island Beach Villas within the Town of Caswell Beach.
The second area is the Business District along Oak Island Drive from N.E. 46th Street east to NE
65th Street.
Wastewater treatment facilities for the sewered portions of Oak Island are located at the Oak
Island Biological Treatment Plant and Water Reuse Facilitiy (also known as the East Oak Island
Water Reclamation Facility [WRF]). The East Oak Island WRF is currently permitted to treat a
monthly average flow of 400,000 gallons per day (GPD). It contains an influent bar screen, an
aerated equalization basin with dual pumps, three aeration basins (two at 100,000 gallons and
one at 200,000 gallons) that contain coarse bubble diffusers, two 28-foot diameter circular
secondary clarifiers, afour-cell gravity sand filter, and effluent chlorine disinfection. Sludge is
managed using an aerobic digester and a sludge holding tank. Effluent is routed into an
infiltration pond or sprayed onto non-food crops such as pine trees and different types of grasses.
Currently, the reclaimed water is being used for the Town's Beach Renourishment Project in the
greenhouses where sea oats and other plant material are grown.
The existing West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility is a permitted 3.0 million
gallon per day (MGD) wastewater treatment plant that provides tertiary treatment. It consists of
an influent pumping station, influent flow equalization basin, bar screens, two aerated grit
removal tanks, two extended aeration oxidation ditches with biological nutrient removal
capabilities, two secondary clarifiers, four tertiary filters, ultra-violet disinfection, and an effluent
pumping station. Sludge is managed in atwo-reactor autothermal thermophilic aerobic digestion
facility. The reuse quality effluent is conveyed to a dedicated reclaimed water disposal site and
to existing disposal sites at the Winding River Plantation and the Town of St. James.
Oak Island residences that are part of the former community of Long Beach (approximately
6,708 homes and a small number of commercial establishments along the beach) are not served
by the East Oak Island WRF. Instead, they use septic tanks to treat wastewater.
The non-discharge water quality permit limits for the East Oak Island WRF are:
Parameter Limit
Infiltration flow (monthly average) 180,000 GPD
Irrigation flow (monthly average) 224,951 GPD
Plant capacity (monthly average) 400,000 GPD
Turbidity (daily maximum) 10 NTU
BODS (monthly average) 10 mg/L
NH3-N (monthly average) 4 mg/L
TSS (monthly average) 5 mg/L
Fecal coliform (monthly average) 14 per 100 mL
The non-discharge permit limits for the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility
are:

Parameter Limit
Permitted flow (monthly average) 3.0 MGD
Turbidity (daily maximum) 10 NTU
BODS (monthly average) 10 mg/L
NH3-N (monthly average) 4 mg/L
TSS (monthly average) 5 mg/L
Fecal coliform (monthly average) 14 per 100 mL
D. Need for Proposed Facilities and Action
The portion of the Town of Oak Island that is the former Long Beach is not served by the East
Oak Island WRF and currently uses septic systems to treat wastewater from residential dwellings
and a small number of businesses along the beach. Each year, approximately 100 septic tank
replacements or repairs occur, which means that in a five-year period, approximately ten percent
of the septic tank systems on Oak Island will fail and need to be either replaced or repaired.
These septic system failures have been identified in the Lumber River Basinwide Water Quality
Plan, prepared by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ) in the North Carolina Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), as contributors to elevated fecal coliform counts to
the waters in and around the Town. Removal of these septic systems from service would reduce
coliform counts and pollutant contributions to the waters in and around Oak Island. Also, the
centralization of the sewer systems and continued growth within the Town and its jurisdiction
will cause increased flows, which will outstrip the capacity of the East Oak Island WRF. Since
growth on Oak Island will continue, the project is needed to protect the water quality of the
waters surrounding Oak Island and to expand the capacity of the Town's wastewater treatment
capabilities to accommodate this growth.
E. Alternatives Analysis
An alternative analysis was performed to determine the best way to fulfill the need for the
project. Alternatives for the following components of the project were evaluated: (1) Oak Island
collection system; (2) wastewater transmission facilities; (3) wastewater treatment facilities; and
(4) wastewater effluent disposal.
Oak Island Collection System
Six alternatives were considered for the Oak Island Collection System. They are described
below.
No-Action Alternative: This alternative would consist of making no improvements to the
collection system for the Town. Wastewater from the former Yaupon Beach portion of the Town
and from the Oak Island Business District would continue to be sent to the East Oak Island WRF
for treatment, and the residences and beachside businesses in the former Long Beach portion of
the Town would continue to utilize septic systems and other on-site treatment options. This
4

alternative was rejected because it would place the water quality of the water bodies surrounding
the town at greater risk for increased fecal coliform contamination.
Gravity Collection System Alternative: This alternative would consist of installing
approximately 434,000 feet of 8-inch polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe and 900 manholes feeding
52 lift stations that would be clustered along Yacht Drive, the east-west centerline of the island
near Oak Island Drive, and the south side of the island along Beach Drive. This alternative was
rejected due to costs and the higher maintenance that would be required to maintain the lift
stations.
GravityNacuum Combination Collection System Alternative: This alternative would combine
gravity and vacuum collection systems. Oak Island would be divided into zones, and each zone
would be served by one type of system or the other. Areas of extremely flat topography and high
water tables that are closer to the beach would utilize vacuum systems while the higher
elevations on the northern parts of the island would be better suited for gravity sewer. This
alternative was rejected because of the lack of topographic variation that would favor splitting
the collection system into distinct gravity and vacuum components. Also, the Town would incur
higher costs associated with maintaining two types of collection systems.
Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) Collection System Alternative: This alternative would
consist of each home discharging to its own individual septic tank to remove solids, oil, and
grease. A pump located either in the septic tank or in an adjacent wetwell would convey the
septic tank effluent to aloes-pressure force main, which would discharge into a lift station,
nearby gravity manhole, or to the wastewater treatment facility. This alternative was eliminated
from further consideration because of the cumulative adverse environmental effects resulting
from septic system failures and the potentially high costs for retrofits and repairs.
Vacuum Collection System Alternative: This alternative would consist of installing a vacuum
collection system throughout the unsewered portion of the Town. The system would include
300,000 feet, 62,000 feet, 33,000 feet, and 26,000 feet of 4-inch, 6-inch, 8-inch, and 10-inch
PVC collection piping, respectively, and nine vacuum collection stations. Each vacuum
collection station would also contain a lift station to convey the collected wastewater to a
centralized lift station. Generally, these vacuum collection stations would be grouped in the
north side of the island along Yacht Drive and the south side of the Island along Beach Drive.
This alternative was selected as the preferred alternative due to project cost.
Wastewater Transmission Facilities
No-Action Alternative: This alternative would consist of not constructing an intermediate lift
station and wastewater force main to convey wastewater from the Town of Oak Island to the
West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility for treatment. This alternative was
rejected because it would not be feasible to implement the other portions of the project without
installing a force main and intermediate lift station to convey wastewater.
Individual Lift Stations Alternative: Under this alternative, wastewater would be pumped from
individual pump stations on Oak Island directly to the West Brunswick Regional Water
5

Reclamation Facility for treatment via a force main installed along road right-of--ways. This
alternative would require that each pump be sized to pump the wastewater directly to the West
Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility and the common force main to be sized to
handle the peak wastewater flows generated on the island during the summer at regular scouring
velocities. Though this alternative was the more inexpensive alternative, it was rejected because
it would not produce sufficient scouring velocities during the winter months when flow drops by
75 percent.
Intermediate Lift Station Alternative: This alternative would consist of collecting wastewater
from the vacuum collection stations in a wetwell and pumping it to the West Brunswick
Regional Water Reclamation Facility via an intermediate lift station on Oak Island near
Middleton Drive. This would eliminate the force main from each of the individual collection
system pumping stations to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility. The
force main from the intermediate lift station to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation
Facility would follow road right-of--ways. This alternative is the preferred alternative because
the two sizes of variable speed pumps in the intermediate lift station would maintain steady
flows at sufficient scouring velocities to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation
Facility.
Wastewater Treatment
No-Action Alternative: This alternative would consist of not expanding the West Brunswick
Regional Water Reclamation Facility to accommodate the predicted future flows from the Town
and continuing to rely on the East Oak Island WRF to treat wastewater from the former Yaupon
Beach area and the commercial district and septic systems in the former Long Beach area of the
Town. This alternative was rejected because it would not provide sufficient capacity to
accommodate those additions and the future growth in a manner that would protect water quality.
Connection to the East Oak Island WRF Alternative: This alternative would consist of
connecting the former Long Beach portion of the Town to the existing East Oak Island WRF.
This alternative was rejected because the existing East Oak Island WRF's capacity would be
insufficient to accommodate the additional flow that would come from connecting the former
Long Beach portion of the Town to sewers.
Optimal Operation of Existing Facilities Alternative: Under this alternative, the operation of the
East Oak Island WRF would be optimized. This alternative was rejected because even with the
East Oak Island WRF optimized operationally, its capacity would be insufficient to handle the
increased flow that would come from connecting the former Long Beach residential portion of
the Town to the sewer system.
Construction of the West Oak Island WRF Alternative: This alternative would consist of
constructing an additional wastewater treatment facility, the West Oak Island WRF, to
accommodate additional flows. This alternative was rejected because it would increase the
operations and maintenance costs for the Town due to operating multiple facilities. Also, the
Town would have limited access to disposal fields and would have to maintain these fields
themselves. Any disposal areas chosen by the Town would most likely be located closer to the
6

coast, thus resulting in the potential for the reused water to impact sensitive coastal waters. Last,
constructing the West Oak Island WRF would require that the septic systems in operation on the
former Long Beach portion of the Town be left in service longer, thus resulting in a higher risk
of water quality degradation due to septic system failures.
Regionalization with Other Municipalities Alternative: Under this alternative, the Town would
regionalize its wastewater treatment with the City of Southport and the Town of Caswell Beach.
However, the City of Southport opted to regionalize with the Southeast Brunswick Sanitary
District WWTP, and the Town of Caswell Beach was unable to commit to regionalization.
Therefore, this alternative was rejected.
Regionalization with Brunswick County Alternative: This alternative would consist of
regionalizing with Brunswick County and expanding the capacity of the West Brunswick
Regional Water Reclamation Facility to accommodate the additional flow from the Town.
Though this alternative initially would cost more, it was selected as the preferred alternative
because: (I) multiple treatment facilities run by the Town would be eliminated; (2) more access
to reuse facilities, especially golf course irrigation, would be available; (3) some of the multiple
disposal areas would be eliminated; (4) disposal areas would be located further from the coast;
(5) a future, larger customer base would absorb future increases in operation and maintenance
costs; and (6) a portion of the construction schedule for the collection system would be advanced
and thus would help reduce potential septic system impacts on the island.
Wastewater Disposal
No-Action Alternative: This alternative would consist of continuing to dispose of wastewater
treated at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility via existing spray fields
either at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility site or the existing East Oak
Island WRF. This alternative was rejected because neither the existing West Brunswick
Regional Water Reclamation Facility spray fields nor the existing reuse facilities on Oak Island
would provide sufficient land to treat the additional flow from the Town.
Discharge to the Cape Fear River Alternative: Under this alternative, wastewater from the Town
would be treated at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility and then
discharged into the Cape Fear River where the water quality classification is not SA. This
alternative was rejected because the distance required to reach the portions of the Cape Fear
River suitable for discharge is significant and would increase costs. Also, discussions with
DENR officials have indicated that it would be very difficult to obtain a discharge permit
anywhere near the Town or even a considerable distance inland.
Discharge to the Lockwood Folly River or Atlantic Ocean Alternative: This alternative would
consist of locating a point discharge either in the Lockwood Folly River or the Atlantic Ocean.
This alternative was rejected because of the SA classifications for these waters and because it
would be extremely difficult to obtain a point discharge permit from DENR for these areas.
Discharge to the Progress Energy Cooling Water Discharge Canal Alternative: Under this
alternative, the treated effluent from the Town would be discharged into Progress Energy's
7

Brunswick Nuclear Plant Cooling Water Discharge Canal. This alternative was rejected because
any discharge to the canal would be considered an ocean discharge and would require a full
environmental impact statement (EIS) considering the impacts on all aspects of the ocean
environment. The EIS and required permitting would be costly and time consuming, and the
discharge would impact the ocean environment. Therefore, this alternative was rejected.
Land Application Alternative: This alternative would consist of the use of spray irrigation and
infiltration basins on the Mercer Mill Tract and IP Tract as a way to dispose of wastewater
effluent treated to reclaimed water standards. This is the preferred alternative because the
effluent produced would be low in total nitrogen and better than the reused water quality
required by North Carolina regulations.
Reclaimed Water Alternative: This alternative would consist of selling all reclaimed water to a
variety of customers, including golf courses. Though this alternative may be viable in the future,
it was rejected for this project because the short-term projection for reused water purchase by
other entities would not supply the capacity needed by the Town to dispose of treated
wastewater.
Overall, the preferred alternative for the project would consist o£ (1) installing a vacuum
collection within the unsewered portions of the Town to collect wastewater; (2) transmitting the
water from the island to the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility. via an
intermediate lift station and new force main; (3) expanding the West Brunswick Regional Water
Reclamation Facility from 3.0 MGD to 6.0 MGD to accommodate the flow from the Town; and
(4) disposing of the treated effluent at the Mercer Mill Tract and IP Tract using high-rate
infiltration basins and spray irrigation onto wooded terrain.
F. Environmental Consequences and Mitigative Measures
Top~,raphy and Soils: Construction of the collection and wastewater transmission systems will
temporarily impact the topography and soils where the pipeline is installed. However, since the
collection and wastewater transmission pipelines are located within previously disturbed terrain,
no significant impact will occur. Construction of the vacuum pump stations and intermediate lift
station will cause minor permanent impact to topography. Excess soil generated from the
installation of the wastewater collection and transmission systems will be stored by the Town
and used for future projects. Portions of the collection system on Oak Island and force main will
travel through the 100-year floodplain without encroaching on it. At the West Brunswick
Regional Water Reclamation Facility, permanent impacts will occur on approximately 18.5 acres
of land and soil where the facility is expanded, including the expansion of the five-day retention
pond. Excess soil from expanding the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility
will be utilized for mounding around the five-day retention pond. Expansion of the West
Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility will not encroach upon the 100-year floodplain.
On the Mercer Mill and IP Tracts, installing the spray irrigation equipment will cause temporary
impacts to approximately 3.81 acres of land. Approximately 67.35 acres of land and soil will be
disturbed during construction of the wet weather storage basins and high-rate infiltration ponds
on these sites. Construction on these tracts will not encroach upon the 100-year floodplain.
Since these sites were previously disturbed, no significant impact is expected to occur. Before
8

construction begins, the Town will prepare an Erosion and Sedimentation Plan and adhere to the
requirements of the Sedimentation and Pollution Control Act of 1973 (SPCA). Also, per
stormwater control ordinances for Brunswick County, the Town must provide an on-site
stormwater management plan and adhere to stormwater control standards. Also, silt fences,
diversion ditches, sediment traps, and other appropriate controls will be utilized to capture
sediment runoff from construction areas. Hydric soil areas will be flagged, and no construction
activities will be allowed on the hydric soil areas. On the Mercer Mill and IP Tracts, no
irrigation will be allowed on hydric soils or in the 25-foot buffer area required under 15A NCAC
02T.
Land Use: The installation of the wastewater collection and transmission systems will not
impact current and future land use patterns. Additionally, neither the expansion of the West
Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility or the installation of the spray irrigation
infrastructure and high-rate infiltration basins on the Mercer Mill and IP Tracts will impact
current and future land use patterns.
Wetlands: The installation of the wastewater collection system on the island will cause
insignificant impacts to wetlands because the installation of the system will occur in previously
disturbed rights of way. Installation of the force main will temporarily and permanently impact
approximately 0.75 acre and 3.05 acres of wetlands, respectively. The pipeline corridor will also
cross approximately 540 feet of Mill Creek. No wetlands will be impacted during the expansion
of the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility. Installation of the spray irrigation
system and construction of the high-rate infiltration basins will not impact wetlands, as these
facilities will be placed away from these areas. Based on discussions with the U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers (USACOE), permitting is underway for a Section 404 Individual Permit for
construction activities on the mainland and a Nationwide #12 permit for construction activities
on the island will be required (Action ID #SAW2007-01776-0101). Furthermore, trenchless
technology will be utilized during construction of the collection system and force mains where
possible or constructed along existing road right-of--ways. Installation of the irrigation
infrastructure and high-rate infiltration basins will adhere to buffers of at least 25 feet in
accordance with 15A NCAC 02T around all wetland areas to capture potential surface runoff.
Erosion and sedimentation controls and adherence to the SPCA will also be required, and silt
fences, diversion ditches, sediment traps, and other appropriate measures will be utilized during
construction to capture any sediment runoff.
Important Farmlands: No impacts will occur to prime and unique agricultural lands.
Public Lands and Scenic, Recreational. and State Natural Areas: No public lands or scenic,
recreational, or state natural areas will be impacted by the construction of the project.
Cultural Resources: In a letter dated November 14, 2006, the North Carolina State Historic
Preservation Office (SHPO) stated that no historic resources would be impacted by the proposed
project (Project No. ER 03-1441).
Air ualit :The construction of the project will not have any long-term impacts on air quality.
To mitigate any odor problems, odor controls will be installed at the vacuum stations and

intermediate lift stations. However, minor impacts may occur during construction of the project
and periodic operation of generators. If required, any necessary air quality permits will be
obtained. Also, during construction, the contractor will abide by local provisions pertaining to
open burning during land clearing and will also provide adequate wetting, reseeding, and
covering of disturbed areas during construction to minimize fugitive dust emissions.
Noise Levels: No long-term impacts related to noise will result from the construction of the
project. Buildings housing the generators for the pump station and the intermediate lift station
will contain noise attenuation. Also, monthly operational status checks of the generators will
occur during normal working hours (8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday). Minor,
localized noise impacts will occur during the construction of the project. To mitigate these noise
impacts, construction activities will typically occur during normal daylight working hours, which
are Monday through Friday from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Contractors will also be required to
install sound attenuation devices on construction equipment. As a way to protect citizens from
noise impacts; temporary barriers will limit access to the area around construction activities
related to the project.
Water Resources: The operation of the project will benefit the surrounding groundwater and
surface water. The treated effluent applied at the disposal sites will be utilized by the
surrounding vegetation and percolate into the water table, thus positively impacting the vigor of
the vegetative community and improving the quality of the recharged aquifer. Installing the
collection system in the Town will eliminate approximately 400,000 GPD and 1.3 MGD of
wastewater discharged to septic systems during the winter and summer months, respectively.
Furthermore, the Town will be requiring mandatory connections to the collection system.
Temporary impacts to water resources may occur during construction. At the West Brunswick
Regional Water Reclamation Facility, temporary impacts will occur due to using wellpoints to
lower groundwater for construction. Once construction is complete, the wellpoints will be
removed and the holes sealed in accordance with DENR requirements. Also, installation of the
wastewater collection and transmission systems may require dewatering due to localized high
groundwater levels. This dewatering would be temporary and of short duration. Furthermore,
the erosion and sedimentation control plan will be prepared as required and pursuant to 15A
NCAC 4 for all land disturbance and earthmoving activities. Also, construction activities will
adhere to the SPCA. The contractor will also be required to prepare and submit a stormwater
management plan to the County for approval before any construction can commence. All reuse
activity will be required to comply with at least a 25-foot buffer to prevent any impacts to
surface waters.
Forest Resources: Construction of the wastewater collection and transmission systems will occur
mainly on disturbed rights of way or within a power line easement and thus not cause a
significant impact. Where the pipeline crosses a 1.25-acre corridor north and south of Mill
Creek, pipeline design will minimize disturbance of trees greater than 12 inches in diameter. No
permanent impacts will occur due to the expansion of the West Brunswick Regional Water
Reclamation Facility because of the previously disturbed nature of the site. Tree removal for the
construction of the high-rate infiltration basins and irrigation infrastructure corridors on the
Mercer Mill and IP Tracts will impact approximately 26.72 and 44.44 acres, respectively.
10

Though these trees will be removed, a positive impact will occur because the applied reuse water
will enhance the growth rate and overall health of the forest.
Shellfish or Fish and Their Habitat: Construction of the collection system will benefit the habitat
of shellfish and fish by the removing septic systems that have failed or have the potential to fail
from service. Removal of these systems will reduce ground and surface water contamination.
No impacts are expected during the construction of the wastewater collection and transmission
systems because most of the construction will occur in previously disturbed rights of way. Also,
directional drilling will be utilized where possible for all stream crossings, including the ICW.
The expansion at the West Brunswick Regional Water Reclamation Facility will not impact any
shellfish or fish habitats. No impacts to fish or shellfish and their habitats will occur from the
application of reused water at the Mercer Mill and IP Tracts because the appropriate buffer
distances and application measures will be implemented.
Wildlife and Natural Ve etation: No protected species, neither flora nor fauna, are expected to
be impacted by the proposed project. The rare plant species, Coralbean (Erythrina herbacea),
which was documented at Vacuum Station #6, will be protected with fencing to keep out
construction traffic and to minimize site disturbance.
Introduction of Toxic Substances: As part of the construction process, substances such as fuels,
lubricants, and antifreeze will be used and may be introduced into the environment through
accidental spillage or other events. All construction activity will be performed in accordance
with Federal, State, and local rules and regulations to avoid any environmental impact. Also,
agents of the Town will monitor contractors to assure compliance with best management
practices.
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the Division of Coastal Management, the
Division of Air Quality, Division of Forestry, the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program,
DWQ Land Application Unit, DWQ Wilmington Regional Office, and the DWQ PERCS Units
concur with the proposed project. The North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources is not
aware of any properties of architectural, historical, or archaeological significance that would be
affected by the project. Other state agencies and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service did not
submit objections to this project.
G. Public Participation, Sources Consulted
A public hearing was held on November 8, 2006 on the proposed project. The current residential
user charge for 5,000 gallons per month is $43.62. The proposed project will result in an
increased charge of $23.53 for a total of $67.15 for 5,000 gallons per month for the typical user.
No opposition to the plan was presented at the public hearing.
Sources consulted about this project for information or concurrence included:
1) The Town of Oak Island
2) North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources
-Wildlife Resources Commission
11

-DWQ Wilmington Regional Office -Surface Water Protection Section
-DWQ PERCS Unit
-DWQ Land Application Unit
-Natural Heritage Program
-Division of Air Quality
-Division of Forestry
-Division of Coastal Management
-Division of Environmental Health
-Division of Marine Fisheries
-Division of Water Resources
-Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
3) North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources
4) North Carolina State Clearinghouse
5) U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
6) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
12

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