SW3240204_(ARPA) DWI Letter of Intent to Fund_20240402

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Governor
ELIZABETH S.BISER L1211� ter''
Secretary *f#f DUAH loto-_
SHADI ESKAF NORTH CAROLINA
Director Environmental Quality
September 7,2023
Mr. Brian Matthews,Interim Manager
Union County
500 North Main Street/Suite 900
Monroe,North Carolina 28112
Subject: Letter of Intent to Fund—AMENDED
American Rescue Plan Act—Earmark
Lower Crooked Creek Wastewater
Reclamation Facility—Site B and
Grassy Branch Water Reclamation
Facility Expansion
DWI Project No.: SRP-W-ARP-0103
Dear Mr. Matthews:
The Division of Water Infrastructure(Division)has reviewed your amended Request for Funding and
determined your project is eligible to receive American Rescue Plan Act(ARPA)funding from the State Fiscal
Recovery Fund(SFRF), established in Session Law(S.L.) 2021-180. Projects funded from the SFRF must meet
applicable federal law and guidance for the ARPA funds. The ARPA project grant will be one-hundred percent
(100%)of eligible project costs,up to a maximum of$8,000,000.
The first milestone is the submittal of a bid-and-design package by 01-February-2024. Please note that
this intent to fund is contingent on meeting all the following amended milestones:
Milestone Date (Original) Date (Amended)
Apply for all Necessary Permits* ASAP ASAP
Bid-and-Design Package Submittal(obtain all permits) 01-Feb-2023 01-Feb-2024
Bid-and-Design Package Approval 01-Jun-2023 01-Apr-2024
Advertise Project,Receive Bids, Submit Bid Information, and 02-Oct-2023 03-Jun-2024
Receive Authority to Award
Execute Construction Contract(s) 01-Nov-2023 01-Aug-2024
Receive Last Reimbursement-Statutory 31-Dec-2026 31-Dec-2026
*An engineering alternatives analysis(EAA)may be required on certain projects.
See:https://deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/water-resources/water-quality-permitting/npdes-wastewater/permitting-process
Failure to meet any milestone may result in the forfeiture of funding for the proposed project.
All costs incurred prior to March 3,2021,are not eligible for ARPA funds, and all ARPA funds must be
expended prior to December 31,2026: The Division will make no reimbursement of ARPA funds after
December 31,2026.Please also note that upon a detailed review of the project during the funding process,
it may be determined that portions of your project are not eligible for funding.
Upon detailed review of the project during the funding process, it may be determined that portions of your
project are not eligible for funding and the total funding amount may be reduced.Additionally, changes in the
D E Q' North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality I Division of Water Infrastructure
NORTH CAROLINA
OOO 512 N.Salisbury Street 1 1633 Mail Service Center I Raleigh,North Carolina 27699-1633
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Mr.Matthews
Union County
07-Sep-23
Page 2 of 2
scope or priority points awarded—based on additional information that becomes apparent during project
review—may also result in changes to the total funding amount and loan terms.
Environmental Review Requirements
The State Environmental Policy Act exempts projects funded by the State Reserve (such as this project)
from state-mandated environmental review.Federal requirements may still apply. [North Carolina General
Statute(N.C.G.S.) 113A-12(2)h.]
US Treasury Requirements
Projects with an expected total cost of ten million dollars($10,000,000)or more must meet US Treasury
requirements for prevailing-wage rates,project labor agreements, and related requirements. Recipients can either
certifymeeting the requirements or provide plans and reports as the SLFRF Compliance and Reporting
Guidance (treasury.gov) specifies.
Permitting Assistance
We are offering a free,permit-assistance service to address any questions you may have about potential
permitting requirements,pitfalls, fees, and timelines. If interested,please complete our online form at
https://deq.nc.gov/permits-rules/permit-assistance-and-guidance/permit-assistance-request-form and a regional
environmental coordinator will contact you.When applying for a permit, attach a copy of this letter to your
permit application. We find it is helpful to identify ARPA projects not only to get your permit to you faster but
also to assist with meeting the federal expenditure deadline of December 31,2026.
If you have any questions concerning this matter, or require general assistance regarding your project's
Division-awarded funding,please contact your project's assigned project manager,Logan Kluttz,P.E., either by
telephone at 919.618.6064 or by e-mail at [e-mail].
Sincerely,
&11.4
Shadi Eskaf,Director
Division of Water Infrastructure
cc: James N. Struve,P.E.,Hazen and Sawyer,Charlotte NC([e-mail])
Michelle Lancaster,Union County,Monroe NC (e-mail: [e-mail])
Trupti Desai P.E. (DWI,via e-mail)
Antonio V. Evans,P.E. (DWI,via e-mail)
Logan Kluttz,P.E. (DWI,via e-mail)
Mark Hubbard,P.E. (DWI,via e-mail)
ARPA Project File(COM—LOIF)
DWI Agreement ID 2000059416