North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary_Stormwater ImprovementsTO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage
Improvements Project, State Revolving Loan Funds, State Environmental
Information Document
DATE: June 10, 2008
In November 2006, the City Council approved the use of State Revolving Loan Funds
for the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements.
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos recommends City Council approval of the State
Environmental Information Document that is a prerequisite for the use of State
Revolving Loan Funds.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Mich el C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
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TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Mangy ~~~
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer , .,,, ,,....~-~
SUBJECT: North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage
Improvements Project, State Revolving Loan Funds, State
Environmental Information Document
DATE: June 2, 2008
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to request that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign
the attached State Environmental Information Document as a prerequisite for the use of
state revolving loan funds (SRF) for the construction of the North Fork Catfish Creek
Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project.
BACKGROUND
In November of 2006, the City Council approved the use of State Revolving Fund (SRF)
Loans for the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage
Improvements.
The interest rate for General Obligation (GO) bond financing was estimated to cost
4.5% for 20 years. The terms for the use of SRF is only 3% interest plus a .25% annual
servicing fee. Therefore, the City will save an estimated $2.8 million on debt service
over the life of the borrowing relating to the Stormwater Basin Master Plan improvement
projects.
DISCUSSION
Prior to authorizing the City of Dubuque to proceed with the construction of the North
Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project, the Iowa
Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) performs an assessment to outline the
environmental impacts of the project. They have almost completed the process. One of
the final steps is to require the Mayor to sign the attached State Environmental
Information Document.
Engineering staff has reviewed the document and believe that "the project description,
scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed (within) are accurate and
complete to the best to (the Engineering staffs) knowledge."
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the Mayor sign the attached State Environmental Information
Document acknowledging that to the best of his (and City staff's) knowledge "the project
description, scope, and anticipated environmental impacts detailed (within) are accurate
and complete" as required by the IDNR for the City's use of SRF for the construction of
the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
respectfully request that the City Council authorize the Mayor to sign the attached
State Environmental Information Document for the North Fork Catfish Creek Sanitary
and Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project.
Prepared by Deron Muehring
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Jenny Larson, Budget Director
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II
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Date: 2006
Project location estimated based on information from the East Central
Intergovernmental Association
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Aerial Photograph
Dubuque Northfork Catfish Creek Sewer Replacement State Revolving Fund
Dubuque, Iowa 401 SW 7th, Suite M
Des Moines, IA 50309
STATE ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION DOCUMENT
PROJECT IDENTIFICATION
Applicant: City of Dubuque Project No.: CS192341 01 -North Fork Catfish Creek
County: Dubuque State: Iowa
COMMUNITY DESCRIPTION
Location: The City of Dubuque is located in Dubuque County approximately 90 miles east of
Waterloo, Iowa and 70 miles north of Davenport, Iowa.
Population: The population of Dubuque according to the 2000 US Census was 57,686.
System Background: Due, in part, to infiltration and inflow, the existing sewer in this area is
insufficiently sized for the quantity of flow during wet weather. Heavy rainfall events have often
caused sewer surcharging resulting in sewage system bypassing into the North Fork of Catfish
Creek, a creek which is located in a residential area. This sewer surcharging is also associated with
basement back-ups. This situation poses a significant risk to human health and safety in this
neighborhood.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Purpose: The purpose of this project is to make improvements to the wastewater and storm
water conduits in the North Fork Catfish Creek basin to increase their capacity and integrity to
significantly reduce the frequency of bypassing, to reduce basement back-ups, and generally to
better safely and reliably operate the City of Dubuque's wastewater system for at least the next
20 years.
Proposed Improvements: The proposed improvements include replacement of approximately
11,780 lineal feet of sewer pipeline near an existing pipeline. Improvements to the stormwater
pipeline will reduce sewer inflow and reduce the frequency of obstruction; these improvements
include replacement of two storm water structures (approximately 174' of conduit), and
adjustments to approximately 5,000 feet of the existing channel of the North Fork Catfish Creek.
The creek adjustments will involve widening of the channel, as well as relocation of the channel
closer to its original alignment and modification of existing storm water outlets that currently
protrude from the creek bank. Phase I of this project will be the replacement of just less than
4,000 feet of 12-inch diameter sewer with 24-inch diameter sewer at the southern end of this
larger project.
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
Alternatives Considered: Reduction of infiltration and inflow is a possible alternation to complete
replacement of the sewer pipeline. An equalization basin was also considered.
Reasons for Selection of Proposed Alternative: The No-Action alternative is not viable due to
the existing bypassing violations and the risk to human health and safety posed by current
conditions. A program of infiltration and inflow reduction has been conducted in Dubuque for several
years, however it has not proven to be sufficient to eliminate the need to replace this sewer pipeline.
An equalization basin was eliminated as an option due to capital and operational costs.
EID Page 2 City of Dubuque CW192341 01-North Fork Catfish Creek
The project site was selected for the availability of land, engineering concerns, and minimization of
the impacts to the environment.
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. Army Corps of Engineers
State Historical Society of Iowa
Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Iowa DNR Water Resources Section
Citizen Band Potawatomi Indian Tribe
Delaware Tribe of Indians
Flandreau Santee Sioux
Ho-Chunk Nation
Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
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
No adverse comments were received from any agency. 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: Above normal noise levels in the vicinity of the construction equipment can be
anticipated during construction and should be a temporary problem. Temporary air quality
EID Page 3 City of Dubuque CW192341 01-North Fork Catfish Creek
degradation may occur due to dust and fumes from construction equipment. Traffic patterns within
the community may be disrupted during construction.
Adverse environmental effects from construction activities will be minimized by proper construction
practices, inspection, prompt clean up, and other appropriate measures. Areas temporarily
disturbed by the construction will be restored. Care will be taken to maintain dirt to avoid erosion
and runoff. Adverse environmental impacts on air and noise quality will be handled by limited hours
of contractor work time during the day and the reduction of dust problems by wetting as necessary.
Solid wastes resulting from the construction project will be regularly cleared away with substantial
efforts made to minimize inconvenience to area residents.
Historical/Archaeological: The State Historical Preservation Office and various Native American
tribes with an interest in the area were provided information regarding the project. The DNR has
determined, and the SHPO has concurred (R&C #071031046), that this undertaking will result in
'no historic properties affected' based on the scope of the project and the prior disturbance of the
project area.
Environmental: According to the Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division, the proposed
project will not interfere with any State-owned parks, recreational areas or open spaces. While
consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet concluded, if needed, any
impacts wetlands will be mitigated through the use of a 404 permit. The project will not impact
any wild and scenic rivers as none exist within the State of Iowa. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
and Iowa DNR Conservation and Recreation Division agree that the project will not impact rare or
endangered species or their habitats. According to the Iowa DNR Water Resources Section, this
project will not impact the 100-year floodplain, provided a Floodplain Development Permit is
obtained from the Department and the terms of which are abided by. No adverse impacts are
expected to result from this project, such as those to surface water or groundwater quality or
quantity, water supply, fish, shellfish, wildlife, or their natural habitats.
Land Use and Trends: The project will not displace population nor will it alter the character of
existing residential areas. 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 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.
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS TO BE REALIZED FROM THE PROPOSED PROJECT
Positive environmental effects will be improved water quality in Catfish Creek as well as a near
elimination of the human health and safety hazard posed by the current situation. This project will
significantly reduce the frequency of bypassing to the creek and will reduce the frequency of sewer
back-ups into residential basements.
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.
• While consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has not yet concluded, if needed, any
impacts wetlands will be mitigated through the use of a 404 permit.
• The project will not affect threatened and endangered species or their habitats.
EID Page 4 City of Dubuque CW192341 01-North Fork Catfish Creek
The project will not displace population, alter the character of existing residential areas, or impact
farmlands.
• According to the Iowa DNR Water Resources Section, this project will not impact the 100-year
floodplain, provided a Floodplain Development Permit is obtained from the Department and the
terms of which are abided by.
• The project will not have effect on parklands, preserves, other public lands or areas of recognized
scenic, recreational, archaeological, or historic value.
• The project will not have a significant adverse effect upon local ambient air quality, local ambient
noise levels, surface water or groundwater quality or quantity, water supply, fish, shellfish, wildlife,
and their natural habitats.
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
Roy D. Buol
Printed Name of the Mayor, City of Dubuque