Setting Public Hearing for Private Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program State Revolving Fund (SRF) LoanCity of Dubuque
Copyrighted
August 5, 2024
Items to be set for Public Hearing #
City Council Meeting 06.
ITEM TITLE:
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED
DISPOSITION:
Resolution Setting Public Hearing for Private Lead Service Line
Replacement Pilot Program State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan -
Environmental Review Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Revolving
Fund (SRF)
City Manager recommending City Council adopt the attached resolution
and set the public hearing for September 16, 2024, to review the revised
Environmental Information Document (EID) for the Private Lead Service
Line Replacement Pilot Program.
RESOLUTION State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan - Environmental
Review Private Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program - Set the
Date for a Public Hearing of the City Council of the city of Dubuque, Iowa
on Approval of an Environmental Review as Provided By S RF's
Department of Natural Resources for the Private Lead Service Line
Replacement Pilot Program
Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s), Set Public Hearing for
September 16, 2024Suggested Disposition:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
MVM Memo
Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program Memo
Setting the Public Hearing for Revised EID
Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program
Resolution EID and Setting the Public Hearing
Revised Environmental Impact Document
Revised EID Project Location Maps
SRF FONSI Public Notice of Public Hearing
Type
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Resolutions
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Supporting Documentation
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Dubuque
heal
All -America City
111111
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
SUBJECT: Resolution Setting Public Hearing for Private Lead Service Line
Replacement Pilot Program State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan -
Environmental Review Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Revolving Fund
(SRF)
REVISED PROJECT AREA MAPS
DATE: July 31, 2024
Water Department Director Christopher Lester is recommending City Council adopt the
attached resolution and set the public hearing for September 16, 2024, to review the
revised Environmental Information Document (EID) for the Private Lead Service Line
Replacement Pilot Program.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
Charlie Gau, Water Engineering Assistant
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director
DATE: July 30, 2024
RE:
Dubuque
breal
AIIimerica City
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Resolution Setting Public Hearing for Private Lead Service Line Replacement
Pilot Program State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan - Environmental Review
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law State Revolving Fund (SRF)
REVISED PROJECT AREA MAPS
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to request the City Council adopt the attached
resolution and set the public hearing for September 16, 2024, as required for all
designated projects receiving assistance from the State Revolving Fund (SRF) with a
Finding of No Significant Impact.
The purpose of the public hearing is to review the revised Environmental Information
Document (EID) project area maps for the Private Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot
Program.
BACKGROUND
On November 15, 2021, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) was signed by President
Biden, which includes $50 billion to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to
strengthen the nation's drinking water and wastewater systems —the single largest
investment in clean water that the federal government has ever made.
The City of Dubuque has a unique opportunity to assist approximately 585 homes (owner
occupied or rented) within the City with the functional replacement of private lead water
service lines by trenching or pull -through methods to prevent the potential for drinking
water contamination at a house -by -house level.
This Pilot Program is 100% voluntary and is open to those residents with a verified
drinking water lead service line meeting the socioeconomic guidelines established by the
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The City is moving forward with this unique opportunity and
has secured a level of BIL funding to conduct the first of its kind in the community, Lead
Service Line Replacement Pilot Program. The pilot program will be conducted over three
(3) phases starting in 2024 with the completion of all three phases no later than December
2026. The BIL funds are being administered locally through the Iowa Department of
Natural Resources' State Revolving Fund (Iowa SRF) program, and as part of the loan
process, the project is subject to a federally required environmental review.
The environmental review is summarized in the revised Environmental Information
Document (EID) which is provided to the City by DNR and SRF environmental staff.
The EID is available to the public 30 days prior to the public hearing and will also be
available at the hearing. Any public comments received during the public hearing will be
submitted to the DNR/SRF staff.
Following the public hearing and completion of the environmental review period the DNR's
environmental specialist will seek to provide environmental clearance for the project.
DISCUSSION
The hearing is part of the SRF loan environmental review process and will allow
concerned citizens the opportunity to come forward with any comments or questions
about any potential environmental impact of the proposed project.
The project area maps were revised to include additional eligible properties for the first
phase of the Private Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program. The first phase of
the pilot program will include the replacement of 200 lead service lines.
Following the public hearing, the city will submit a record of the public hearing, the
certification of publication, and an executed Environmental Information Document (EID)
to the SRF Environmental Review Specialist.
REQUESTED ACTION
I respectfully request that the City Council adopt the attached resolution and set the public
hearing for September 16, 2024, to review the revised Environmental Information
Document (EID) for the Private Lead Service Line Replacement Pilot Program.
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Randy Gehl, Public Information Officer
Carl Plumley, Water Distribution Supervisor
Charlie Gau, Water Engineering Assistant
F:\Users\Water\ENGINEERING\Projects - City Projects\Projects - ACTIVE (City)\Private Lead Service Line Replacement
Program BILSRF 2023\Council\Public Hearing\Environmental Clearance\Lead Service Line Public Hearing Memo to
council 8-5-2024.doc
2
Prepared by: Christopher Lester, Water Department Director, 901 Hawthorn St., Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589-4290
Return to Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50 W. 13th St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 249-24
STATE REVOLVING FUND (SRF) LOAN - ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
PRIVATE LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PILOT PROGRAM
SET THE DATE FOR A PUBLIC HEARING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA ON APPROVAL OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AS
PROVIDED BY SRF'S DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THE
PRIVATE LEAD SERVICE LINE REPLACEMENT PILOT PROGRAM
Whereas, the City of Dubuque is pursuing an engineered solution to reduce the
number of private lead service lines in the City of Dubuque through an Iowa, State
Revolving Fund assisted pilot program; and
Whereas, as part of the SRF loan process, the City is required to complete an
environmental review through the public hearing process; and
Whereas, a discussion is to be held on the environmental impacts of the project;
and
Whereas, a transcript of the public hearing and a summary of public comments
will be available for public review; and
Whereas, before said obligations may be approved, Chapter 403 of the Code of
Iowa requires that the City Clerk publish a notice of the proposal and of the time and
place of the meeting at which the City Council proposes to take action thereon and at
which meeting the City Council shall receive oral and/or written objections from any
resident or property owner of said City to such proposed action.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
Section 1. The City Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to cause this
Resolution and a Notice to be published as prescribed by Iowa Code Section 364.7 of
a public hearing on the City Council's intent to approve the proposed Development
Agreement, to be held on the 16th day of September 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Section 2. The City Clerk is hereby directed to cause at least one publication to
be made of a notice of said meeting, in a newspaper, printed wholly in the English
language, published at least once weekly, and having general circulation in said City,
said publication to be not less than thirty (30) days before the date of said hearing. At
the hearing, any interested person may appear and file objections to the environmental
impact document or attachments relating to the project.
Passed, adopted, and approved this 5th day of August, 2024.
Attest:
#.4),t.e/nie, /SI) '12-aht
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
Why You Should Read This: The document below reviews the environmental impact likely from a project.
This project is planned to be federally funded through your tax dollars; therefore, you are entitled to take
part in its review. If you have concerns about the environmental impact of this project, raise them now.
We encourage public input in this decision making process.
IOWA STATE REVOLVING FUND
ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Applicant: City of Dubuque SRF Number: FS-31-23-DWSRF-012
County: Dubuque Iowa DNR Project Number: W2022-0489
State: Iowa Revised
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION
Location: The City of Dubuque is located in Dubuque County, Iowa approximately 70 miles north of Davenport,
Iowa and 200 miles northwest of Des Moines, Iowa.
Population: The population of Dubuque according to the 2020 US Census was 59,667 persons.
Background: Lead piping is a major danger to a community due to corrosion. While typical systems manage
their water chemistry to prevent corrosion, the lead material is still present and poses a potential hazard to
the community. Lead from lead pipes, solder and brass fittings can dissolve into water and sometimes can
enter as flakes or small particles.
When lead pipe corrosion occurs and lead -contaminated water is consumed, there are usually spikes in
premature birth, increased blood pressure, and anemia. No safe level of lead exposure has been identified,
and it is especially harmful to children and pregnant women. This has resulted in a nationwide effort to
inventory and replace lead service lines due to the health dangers. The Iowa Department of Natural
Resources program to replace lead service lines started in 2021. Its objective is to inventory and start the
process of replacing all lead service lines in the state.
The City of Dubuque operates its own water utility, which includes publicly owned water mains and service
lines that are both publicly and privately owned. The City has identified a total of 5,756 lead service lines for
replacement (2,451 service lines for full replacement and 3,305 service lines for partial replacement) through
the City. Services that require a full -service line replacement typically have fully lead piping from the water
main in the street right-of-way to the water meter located in the building/residence. Services that require
partial replacements have sections of the service line that have previously been replaced but there is still a
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City of Dubuque — Lead Service Line Replacement FS-31-23-DWSRF-012
portion of the service line (typically curbstop to the meter in the residence/building) that is lead. Additionally,
any galvanized service lines that are, or were formerly, downstream of a lead service line are considered
"galvanized requiring replacement" and are included on the list.
In Dubuque, the entire service line from water main to building is privately owned. Replacing these lead pipes
requires clear communication and coordination with private landowners. The City of Dubuque proposes to
replace lead lines over several phases that will take place over several years. The City also intends to initially
focus on census tracts and neighborhoods with socioeconomic scores qualifying those replacements for loan
forgiveness under the current Iowa SRF financing structure.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the water supply system to better prevent
contamination due to lead pipes to better safely and reliably operate the City of Dubuque water system for at
least the next 20 years. Additional phases of work will continue over the next several years.
Proposed Improvements: The project consists of the functional replacement of lead water service lines within
Dubuque by trenching or pull -through methods to prevent the potential for drinking water contamination at a
house -by -house level. At this time, Dubuque intends on replacing approximately 600 lead service lines in
phases in the near future; each individual service line may be considered separately from the others. The
most current proposal has determined approximately 200 addresses to take part in the first round of
replacements.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Alternatives Considered: Replacement of lead pipes can be done one of two ways —boring or pull -through. In
the case of boring, the lead pipe is detached from the rest of the system and abandoned in place. A new pipe
is then bored into place to functionally replace the lead section. In the pull -through method, the new pipe is
attached to the lead pipe nearest the home/business connection and the existing lead pipe section is pulled
out at the street end, pulling the new pipe along behind it; then the new pipe is connected and the lead pipe is
physically removed.
Reasons for Selection of Proposed Alternative: The No -Action alternative is not viable due to the continued
threat of water contamination due to lead piping. Both pull -through and boring methods will be used; which
method is chosen for which particular service lines will be determined on a case -by -case basis.
MEASURES TAKEN TO ASSESS IMPACT
Coordination and Documentation with Other Agencies and Special Interest Groups: The following Federal,
state and local agencies were asked to comment on the proposed project to better assess the potential impact
to the environment:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
State Historical Society of Iowa (State Historical Preservation Office)
Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe
Flandreau Santee Sioux
Ho -Chunk Nation
Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
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City of Dubuque — Lead Service Line Replacement FS-31-23-DWSRF-012
Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma
Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas
Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
Lower Sioux Indian Community Council
Miami Tribe of Oklahoma
Omaha Tribal Council
Osage Tribal Council
Otoe-Missouria Tribe
Pawnee Nation of Oklahoma
Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Ponca Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
Ponca Tribe of Nebraska
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation
Prairie Island Indian Community
Sac & Fox Nation of Mississippi in Iowa
Sac & Fox Nation of Missouri
Sac & Fox Nation of Oklahoma
Santee Sioux Nation
Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
Spirit Lake Tribal Council
Three Affiliated Tribes Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nations
Upper Sioux Tribe
Winnebago Tribal Council
Yankton Sioux Tribal Business and Claims Committee
Dubuque County Historical Society
Dubuque Historic Commission
No adverse comments were received from any agencies. Conditions placed on the applicant by the above
agencies in order to assure no significant impact are included in the Summary of Reasons for Concluding No
Significant Impact section.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT SUMMARY
Construction: Traffic patterns within the community may be disrupted and above normal noise levels in the
vicinity of the construction equipment can be anticipated during construction and should be a temporary
problem. Adverse environmental impacts on noise quality will be handled by limited hours of contractor work
time during the day. Other adverse environmental effects from construction activities will be minimized by
proper construction practices, inspection, prompt cleanup, and other appropriate measures. Areas
temporarily disturbed by the construction will be restored. Solid wastes resulting from the construction
project will be regularly cleared away with substantial efforts made to minimize inconvenience to area
residents.
Care will be taken to maintain dirt to avoid erosion and runoff. Temporary air quality degradation may occur
due to dust and fumes from construction equipment. The applicant shall take reasonable precautions to
prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts beyond the lot line of the property during the
proposed project (567 Iowa Administrative Code IAC 23.3(2)"c").
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City of Dubuque — Lead Service Line Replacement FS-31-23-DWSRF-012
If construction activities find an unknown area of contamination, it is the responsibility of the applicant to
follow the procedure for notification of hazardous conditions (567 IAC 131.2). Excavated soil that contains a
hazardous substance must be assessed and properly disposed of (567 IAC 100.4).
All lead pipe shall be abandoned in place and physically disconnected from the active distribution system or
physically removed in entirety. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends that any lead pipe
materials removed from water services be managed through reclamation rather than disposal. A provision in
federal rules (40 CFR 261) allows for management of what would otherwise be waste scrap metal to be
managed as a solid waste provided the scrap metal is reclaimed. Municipalities are encouraged to carefully
evaluate scrap dealers who might take this waste to ensure the lead pipe materials will be properly recycled.
Recycled lead can be put back into use through lead -acid batteries, lead shielding and other valuable uses. If a
municipality chooses to dispose of the lead materials, it will be necessary to characterize the waste to
determine whether it exhibits a hazardous characteristic for lead. Lead pipe materials would likely fail TCLP for
lead and would then need to be managed as a hazardous waste. No landfills in Iowa can accept hazardous
wastes. Lead pipe materials determined to be non hazardous could be disposed of in a solid waste landfill.
Historical/Archaeological: Various Native American tribes with an interest in the area and the Certified Local
Government were provided information regarding the project. A preliminary archeological investigation of the
proposed project area is currently underway. Results from this investigation will be submitted to the State
Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) for review. The project will only proceed as planned if a determination of
either "no historic properties affected" or "no adverse effect on historic properties" can be appropriately
reached with or without mitigation. However, if project activities uncover any item(s) that might be of
archaeological, historical, or architectural interest, or if important new archaeological, historical, or architectural
data should be encountered in the project APE, the applicant should make reasonable efforts to avoid further
impacts to the property until an assessment can be made by an individual meeting the Secretary of the Interior's
professional qualifications standards (36 CFR Part 61).
Environmental: This project will not affect wetlands according to the National Wetland Inventory. Based on
maps accessible through Google Earth, the proposed project will not interfere with any State-owned parks,
recreational areas or open spaces. This project will not impact the 100-year floodplain, so long as ground
contours are restored and any necessary local floodplain permits are obtained.
The project will not impact any wild and scenic rivers as none exist within the State of Iowa. The U.S. Fish &
Wildlife Service Section 7 Technical Assistance website consultation determined that the project will not
impact protected species or their habitats. However, if any State- or Federally -listed threatened or
endangered species or communities are found during the planning or construction phases, additional studies
and/or mitigation may be required. No adverse impacts are expected to result from this project, such as those
to surface water quantity, or groundwater quality or quantity. No significant impact to surface water quality,
fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats is expected from this project.
Land Use and Trends: The project will not displace population nor will it alter the character of existing
residential areas. The proposed project is within the present corporate limits of Dubuque in areas zoned
residential, commercial, or industrial. No significant farmlands will be impacted. This project should not impact
population trends as the presence or absence of existing water/sewer infrastructure is unlikely to induce
significant alterations in the population growth or distribution given the myriad of factors that influence
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City of Dubuque — Lead Service Line Replacement FS-31-23-DWSRF-012
development in this region. Similarly, this project is unlikely to induce significant alterations in the pattern and
type of land use.
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources: Fuels, materials, and various forms of energy will be
utilized during construction
Nondiscrimination: All programs, projects, and activities undertaken by DNR in the SRF programs are subject
to federal anti -discrimination laws, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, and section 13 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972. These laws prohibit
discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age.
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TO BE REALIZED FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Positive environmental effects will be maintained or, potentially improved, water quality for the citizens of
Dubuque by removal of a potential source of contamination in the form of lead pipes.
SUMMARY OF REASONS FOR CONCLUDING NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT
• The project will not significantly affect the pattern and type of land use (industrial, commercial,
agricultural, recreational, residential) or growth and distribution of population.
• The project will not conflict with local, regional or State land use plans or policies.
• The project will not impact wetlands.
• The project will not affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats. If any State- or
Federally -listed threatened or endangered species or communities are found during the planning or
construction phases, additional studies and/or mitigation may be required.
• The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential areas, or convert
significant farmlands to non-agricultural purposes.
• The project will not affect the 100-year flood plain, so long as ground surface contours are restored
and any necessary local floodplain permits are obtained.
• The project will not have effect on parklands, preserves, other public lands, or areas of recognized
scenic or recreational value.
• A preliminary archeological investigation of the proposed project area is currently underway. Results
from this investigation will be submitted to the State Historical Preservation Office for review. The
project will only proceed as planned if a determination of either "no historic properties affected" or
"no adverse effect on historic properties" can be appropriately reached with or without mitigation.
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality provided the
applicant takes reasonable precautions to prevent the discharge of visible emissions of fugitive dusts
beyond the lot line of the property during the proposed project (567 IAC 23.3(2)"c").
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient noise levels, surface water
quantity, groundwater quality or quantity, or water supply.
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect to surface water quality, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or
their natural habitats is expected.
• All lead pipe shall be abandoned in place and physically disconnected from the active distribution
system or physically removed in entirety according to state and federal regulations.
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City of Dubuque — Lead Service Line Replacement FS-31-23-DWSRF-012
The project description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed above are accurate and
complete to the best to my knowledge.
Signature of the Mayor, City of Dubuque Date
Printed Name of the Mayor, City of Dubuque
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STATE
REVOLVING FUND
IOWA
Topographic Map
USGS 7.5' Quad: Dubuque North
S 11-14, 24, T89N, RO2E
S 07 and 18, T89N, RO3E
Date: 1972
Original Lead Service Line Replacement Area
Current Lead Service Line Replacement Area
0
Scale: 1 inch = 2,000 feet
Dubuque Lead Service Line Replacement- Revised Project Area
Dubuque, Iowa (Dubuque County)
Feet
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000
STATE
REVOLVING FUND
IOWA
2019
o
Original Lead Service Line Replacement Area
Current Lead Service Line Replacement Area
Aerial Photograph
Scale: 1 inch = 1,667 feet
Feet
0 870 1,740 2,610 3,480
Dubuque Lead Service Line Replacement- Revised Project Area
Dubuque, Iowa (Dubuque County)
STATE
REVOLVING FUND
LiDAR
IOWA
2010
t)
Original Lead Service Line Replacement Area
Current Lead Service Line Replacement Area
Scale: 1 inch = 1,667 feet
Feet
0 870 1,740 2,610 3,480
Dubuque Lead Service Line Replacement- Revised Project Area
Dubuque, Iowa (Dubuque County)
SRF Public Notice
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The City of Dubuque will be holding a Public Hearing to review an application for a State
Revolving Fund (SRF) loan and to make available to the public the contents of an
environmental information document and the City's project plan. These documents include
design and environmental information related to the proposed improvements as part of a
Pilot- Private Lead Service Line Replacement Program.
The project consists of the functional replacement of private lead water service lines within
Dubuque by trenching or pull -through methods to prevent the potential for drinking water
contamination at a house -by -house level. At this time, Dubuque intends on replacing
approximately 585 lead service lines in three phases starting in 2024.
The purpose of this Public Hearing is to inform area residents of this proposed work, discuss
costs associated with this project, and to address citizens' concerns, if any, with the plan.
The Public Hearing location and time are as follows:
September 16, 2024 @ 6:30 p.m.
Historic Federal Building
350 W. 6th Street, 2nd Floor Council Chambers
Dubuque, Iowa 52001
All interested persons are encouraged to attend this hearing, or watch via live stream on the
City Channel Dubuque webpage, https://www.cityofdubuque.org/446/Video, or live on the
City of Dubuque Facebook page, or on CityChannel Dubuque (Dubuque Mediacom channels 8
and 117.2).
Written comments on this proposal may also be submitted prior to the hearing addressed to
Private Lead Service Line Replacement EID, City of Dubuque, Water Department, 1902
Hawthorne Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001. Questions regarding this hearing or the availability
of documentation may be directed to Christopher Lester, Water Department Director at
563.589.4291.