20072198 Ver 1_Finding of No Significant Impact_20080623

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Ja?ZEO ST,?T?S
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
REGION 4
i ATLANTA FEDERAL CENTER
;Fti ?o= 61 FORSYTH STREET
it PROA?G ATLANTA, GEORGIA 30303-8960
JUN 7 6 2008
FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
Lake Rogers Water Quality Improvement Project
City of Creedmoor, Granville County, North Carolina
XP-964949-08
The National Environmental- Pelicy Act requires federal a-encies to determine whether a
proposed major agency action will significantly affect the environment. One such major action is
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) award of certain grants for projects authorized by
Congress through the Agency's annual Appropriations Acts. Based on a review of the
environmental information documentation submitted by the applicant and other supporting
documents, EPA has determined that the above referenced project will not have a significant
impact on the environment and is issuing a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI).
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199), authorized EPA funds in the
amount of $385,700 to the City of Creedmoor, North Carolina for drinking water improvements.
The total project cost is estimated to be $1,885,700. The proposed project includes the dredging of
110,000 cubic yards of sediment from 74 acres of Lake Rogers, the City's sole water system. This
will eliminate the settled dead algae and other plant debris, remove accumulated phosphorus
available for algae growth and reduce the organic content of the raw water supply in the City's
reservoir. The project is located in the Upper Neuse watershed, Hydrologic Unit Code 03020201.
Enclosed is an Environmental Assessment containing detailed information supporting this
action. It includes the following sections: A) Proposed Project and Funding Status; B) Existing
Environment; C) Existing Facilities; D) Need for Proposed Project; E) Analysis of Alternatives;
F) Environmental Consequences and Mitigative Measures; and G) Public Participation.
This FONSI will be available for review and comment for thirty (30) calendar days.
Written comments supporting or disagreeing with the proposed EPA action should be sent to:
Caroline Ejimofor, Construction and Technical Assistance Section
Water Management Division
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-8960 FAX: [phone]
JUN 2 3 2008
DENR - WATER QUALITY
WETLANDS AND STORMWATER BRANCH
Intemet Address (URL) • http:Uwww epa.gov
Recycled/Recyclable . Painted .vtlh Vegetatle 04 Based Inks on Recycled Paper Minimum 30% Postconsumer)
If no substantive comments are received before the end of the 30-day comment period, the
FONSI will become final, and EPA will proceed with the action subject to any mitigation measures
as described. If substantive comments are received, EPA will respond to the comments prior to
proceeding with the action. If any received comments are significant to the extent that they cannot
be adequately mitigated or are otherwise significant in accordance with 40 CFR 1508.27, EPA will
no longer support the FONSI and it will be withdrawn.
Sincerely,
v??
JJ1. Palmer, Jr. !!?
4gional Admikstrator
Enclosure
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT
Lake Rogers Water Quality Improvement Project
City of Creedmoor, Granville County, North Carolina
XP-964949-08
A. Proposed Project and Funding Status
Proposed Project:
The City of Creedmoor, North Carolina proposes a project to reduce organic carbon and internal
nutrient cycling from Lake Rogers, the City's sole water supply reservoir. Along with severe
sedimentation, high nutrient loading to Lake Rogers contributes to problems with eutrophication,
nuisance algae blooms, fluctuations in dissolved oxygen, excessive manganese and organic carbon,
and the musty taste and odor in the City's drinking water. The proposed project includes the
dredging of 110,000 cubic yards of sediment from 74 acres of the lake bed using a hydraulic
dredge mounted on a barge to pump the dredged sediment to a City-owned disposal site located
northwest of Lake Rogers. The disposal site will be cleared and graded to create two diked cells
with beams and sediment traps, allowing dewatered sediment to remain in the disposal cells while
the clear supernatant drains back to the lake. Sediment pumping will alternate between the two
diked cells, allowing one to dewater while the other is filled. After filling and dewatering is
complete in both cells, the dewatering structures will be removed and the entire area re-vegetated.
This project will eliminate the settled dead algae and other plant debris, remove accumulated
phosphorus available for algae growth and reduce the organic content of the raw water supply in
the City's reservoir. The location of the proposed water dredging and disposal site is shown in
Figure 1. A diagram of the proposed sediment retention facilities is provided in Figure 2.
Funding Status:
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004 (P.L. 108-199), authorized EPA funds in the amount
of $385,700 to the City of Creedmoor, North Carolina for the purpose of funding the Lake Rogers
Water Quality Improvement Project. The total capital cost for the project is estimated to be
$1,885,700. Additional funding sources for the project include a North Carolina Water Resources
Development Grant in the amount of $1,000,000, and local funds from the City of Creedmoor in
the amount of $500,000.
B. Existing Environment
Lake Rogers is the City of Creedmoor's sole raw water supply. It is located in southwestern
Granville County, 1.3 miles west of downtown Creedmoor. The northern portion of Creedmoor's
water service area extends into the southern portion of Lake Rogers. The area is predominantly
forested and agricultural, but residential, and commercial developments have been increasing over
the past few years. Lake Rogers is a class WS-H-CA-NSW 150 acre water supply reservoir, built
in 1939 on Ledge Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River. The original volume of Lake Rogers in
1939 was approximately 979 acre-feet (1.58 million cubic yards) but had decreased to 661 acre-
feet (1.06 cubic yards) by 1998 due to heavy sediment deposition, as documented in a 1998 USDA
study.
Lake Rogers supports a typical piedmont reservoir fishery including sunfish, largemouth bass,
crappie and channel catfish. The proposed sediment disposal area comprises of mostly forested
uplands located north of the lake and west of Ledge Creek. The sediment disposal areas comprise
about 20 acres, and will be planted with groundcover and trees after the sediment has drained. The
remaining land not used for sediment disposal will be preserved as conservation lands to protect
the Lake Rogers area. The proposed dredging and pumping operation will occur in the FE MA
100-year floodplain of Lake Rogers and the tributary, Ledge Creek. The sediment disposal
property also contains extensive floodplain areas. None of the sediment disposal area footprint is
within FEMA floodplain areas.
C. Existing Facilities
The City of Creedmoor draws water from Lake Rogers to operate a surface water treatment plant
with a permitted capacity is 0.46 MGD. The City owns and operates Lake Rogers, and the
proposed sediment disposal site in Granville County. The proposed sediment disposal area is
about 70 acres of mostly forested uplands. The City also operates a public wastewater collection
and pumping system but has no wastewater treatment facility. Creedmoor's sanitary wastewater is
pumped to the Town of Butner wastewater treatment plant which discharges to Knap of Reeds
Creek. The City is coordinating with Granville County to improve erosion control and ensure
nutrient management in the Upper Neuse watershed. Granville County's average annual
precipitation is 45 inches, of which about 30 percent becomes stream flow.
Based on USDA's area and volume determinations in 1998, the mean depth of Lake Rogers is 4.4
feet, and its mean hydraulic residence time is approximately 23 days. During dry weather, the
hydraulic residence time can increase to several months.
There are no residences on the proposed dredge disposal site, and no homes will be displaced by
this proposed project.
D. Need for Proposed Project
Heavy sediment loading into Lake Rogers since its construction in 1939 has reduced the lake's
volume by one-third and its average depth by approximately two feet, based on a 1998 USDA
sediment study. This sedimentation has resulted in high nutrient loading to Lake Rogers, which
has recurring problems with eutrophication, nuisance algae blooms, excessive manganese and
organic carbon, and musty taste and odor in the City's drinking water supply. Algae and bacterial
blooms create a musty taste and odor problems in the City's treated water. Also low dissolved
oxygen concentrations at the bottom of the Lake cause iron, manganese, and phosphorus to
dissolve into the water column. Dead algae settle and decompose, releasing their assimilated
nutrients into the sediment. The Lake's shallowness exacerbates this internal nutrient cycling by
increasing the re-suspension of settled organics and nutrients. The sediment at the surface of Lake
Rogers is rich in organic carbon and nutrients that contribute to water quality problems in the lake
and in the City of Creedmoor's potable water supply. This proposed project to remove the top
sediment from the Lake's bed using a hydraulic dredge is necessary in order to restore water
quality in Lake Rogers.
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E. Analysis of Alternatives
The following alternatives were developed and analyzed as potential solutions:
Alternative No. 1: No Action Alternative.
This alternative would leave the City of Creedmoor with recurring water quality problems that are
difficult and expensive to treat at the water treatment plant. Nutrient loading to Lake Rogers
would continue and the phosphorus levels will increase. The resulting algae blooms would result
in potable water with bad taste and odor and high dissolved manganese content. This option was
rejected as it does address the need for better water quality to residents of the City of Creedmoor.
Alternative No. 2: Using Enhanced Coagulation.
This alternative consists of employing enhanced coagulation to achieve increased removal of Total
Organic Carbon and turbidity in the water entering the water treatment plant. This increased use of
treatment chemicals and resulting sludge is acceptable as a short-term solution; however, this
alternative does not eliminate the cause of the taste and odor problems in the City's water.
Alternative No. 3: Construction of a New Water Treatment Plant.
This alternative was considered and eventually ruled out due to the lack of funds available for the
proposed construction of a new water treatment plant in Granville County, North Carolina.
Alternative No. 4: Sediment Skimming.
This alternative allows for the removal of the top part of the nutrient rich sediment from the Lake's
bottom. The sediment would be hydraulically dredged to a depth of at least three (3) feet across
the entire lake. The sediment removed will be pumped to an upstream disposal site. Removal of
the top portion of Lake's sediment layer will result in a phosphorus reduction which will improve
the water quality in the Lake. No new construction at the water treatment plant is needed for this
alternative, as water quality can be adequately managed through operational procedures at the
water treatment plant. Dredging to remove the uppermost sediment layer could effectively remove
much of the accumulated phosphorus that is a factor in algae blooms. This selected alternative also
mitigates years of inadequate erosion control and nutrient management in Lake Rogers.
F. Environmental Consequences and Mitigative Measures
In order to ensure that potential environmental issues were addressed, the following agencies were
contacted for review of the proposed project:
Endangered Species and Critical Habitats: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) reviewed
the plans for this proposed project and issued a letter on November 20, 2007, stating that the
requirements of section 7(a)(2) of the Endangered Species Act had been satisfied for the proposed
project.
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The FWS believes that the obligations under section 7 of the Act must be reconsidered if: (1) new
information reveals impacts of this identified action that may affect listed species or critical habitat
in a manner not previously considered; (2) this action is subsequently modified in a manner that
was not considered in this review; or (3) a new species is listed or critical habitat determined that
may be affected by the identified action.
Historical and Archaeological Preservation: The Natural Heritage Program of the North Carolina
Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a letter (Ref: 08-0189) on January 16,
2008, stating that they had no record of rare species, significant natural communities, significant
natural heritage areas, or conservation/managed areas at the proposed project area nor within 0.6
miles of the proposed project area.
Floodplain'Mana eg ment:" The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Raleigh
Regulatory Field Office, commented in an e-mailed document dated December 26, 2007, that the
proposed project can be authorized by Nationwide General Permits without formal written
notification to the USACE and without written approval from the USACE.
Clean Air Act: Air emissions will not be associated with the proposed project with the exception
of those normally associated with construction equipment. These emissions and odors will be
temporary and will cease at the end of construction.
Wetland and Stream Protection: In a letter (DWQ Project #07-2198) dated December 31, 2007,
the Division of Water Quality, North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
granted the City of Creedmoor, North Carolina, an approval of 401 Water Quality Certification, an
Isolated Wetland General Permit (IWGP100000), and an Authorization Certificate per the Neuse
River Buffer Protection Rules (15A NCAC 2B .0233) with additional comments as noted. in the
December 31, 2007, letter. This letter gives the City of Creedmoor, NC, approval to place fill
within or otherwise impact 0.108 acres of 404 wetlands, 70 linear feet of intermittent stream, and
1,800 square feet of Zone 1 Neuse River basin protected riparian buffers and 2,000 square feet of
Zone 2 Neuse River Basin protected riparian buffers, to conduct dredging operations at Lake
Rogers. The authorization to proceed with these proposed impacts to Isolated Wetlands shall
expire upon the expiration of Permit #IWGP100000 on September 30, 2008, or unless otherwise
rescinded by the Director of the Division of Water Quality, NCDENR.
Farmland Protection Policy Act: During the planning process for the proposed project, the Natural
Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was not solicited for comments regarding the potential
impact of this project on prime farmland. No prime farmland should be adversely affected by this
project
Environmental Justice: This proposed project area is located in Granville County, North Carolina.
The proposed project is expected to improve water quality in Lake Rogers, which serves all
residents in the City of Creedmoor. This proposed project will not disproportionately affect the
minority or low-income residents in the area.
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Miscellaneous Considerations: The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission reviewed the
proposed project and stated in a letter dated February 21, 2008, that they concur with the project as
proposed provided no dredging or in-water work occurs from March 0 to June I", to minimize
impacts to spawning fish. Based on the information provided, it is anticipated that operation of the
hydraulic dredge would create very little turbidity and no measures will be used to reduce turbidity.
If turbidity is a problem, a Habitat Conservation Program Coordinator would work with the City to
determine measures that could be used to minimize turbidity and impacts to aquatic resources.
This will be included as a grant condition by EPA.
G. Public Participation
The City of Creedmoor advertised a public hearing, o discuss and receive input from the general
public about the proposed Lake Rogers Dredging and Sediment Disposal project in the Butler-
Creedmoor Newspaper. The public hearing was held on October 29, 2007, at 7:30pm at the
Creedmoor City Hall.
EPA is not aware of any adverse comments or unresolved public objections that have been voiced
before and/or after the meeting in relation to the proposed project.
a. Figure USGS Topographic Map of Lake Rogers
and Sediment Disposal Site. Stem Ouadrangle.
it Robert J. Goldstein & Associates, Inc
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