Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNCC242753_(ARPA) DWI Letter of Intent to Fund_20240905 :=-t,:STATE a",, ROY COOPER 1 a 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 o.partmentof Environmental QoR\ � 919.707.9160 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 logan.kluttz@deq.nc.gov. Sincerely, &11.4 Shadi Eskaf,Director Division of Water Infrastructure cc: James N. Struve,P.E.,Hazen and Sawyer,Charlotte NC(jstruve@hazenandsawyer.com) Michelle Lancaster,Union County,Monroe NC (e-mail: michelle.lancaster@unioncountync.gov) 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