[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 12 (Thursday, January 19, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3835-3836]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-1316]



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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Rural Utilities Service


Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) To Fund 
Design and Construction of a Wastewater Collection and Treatment System 
in La Grange County, Indiana

AGENCY: Rural Utilities Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces its intent 
to prepare an EIS pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (NEPA) (U.S.C. 4231 et seq.) in accordance with the Council on 
Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of NEPA (40 CFR 1500-1508) and Farmers Home Administration 
Instruction 1940-G. The USDA invites comment on the alternatives to be 
addressed in the EIS.

DATES: Comments will be accepted until February 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Please send written comments concerning this EIS to: Mr. 
Paul Neumann, State Environmental Coordinator, USDA--Rural Economic and 
Community Development, 5975 Lakeside Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46278, 
(219) 290-3100, (219) 290-3011 FAX.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    La Grange County occupies 380 square miles in northeastern Indiana 
on the Michigan/Indiana border. La Grange County is a rural county with 
a population of 30,000. With the exception of the towns of La Grange, 
Wolcottville, and Topeka, La Grange County relies on septic systems for 
the treatment and disposal of domestic waste water. The surficial 
geology of La Grange County is typical of glacial till and outwash 
regions and contains numerous natural lakes. These areas are usually 
level to nearly level. Soil types in the area typically have seasonal 
high water tables and contain a high percentage of sand sized 
particles; conditions which create a poor filter for the treatment of 
septic effluent. Beginning in the 1960's, recreational housing 
development began around the lakes in the county. Originally, this 
development consisted of weekend and summer cottages with septic 
systems of minimal treatment capacities. More recently, many of these 
houses have been converted to year around use. Improperly sized septic 
systems and unsuitable soil types have contributed to surface and 
ground water quality degradation in the areas surrounding the lakes. 
Water quality studies indicate that phosphorous, nitrates, and enteric 
pathogens directly attributable to failing septic systems are creating 
health concerns.
    Declining water quality in the region has been evidenced by the 
increase in the number of water related complaints received by the 
County Health Department. Between 1990 and 1993, water and sewer 
complaints increased 29 percent. Most complaints consist of concerns of 
raw sewage odors, foaming agents in surface waters, algal blooms, 
nuisance vegetation, and fish kills.
    Evidence of failing septic systems from around the lakes was 
obtained from surface water monitoring conducted annually since 1988. 
Lake water samples have been taken from the 29 largest lakes in the 
County. Sample sites were selected by the use of a fluorometer 
calibrated to detect urine, and detergents typically found in domestic 
waste water. Results of this testing indicate that in all areas of 
moderate to dense development, high levels of septic indicator 
substances are present. 

[[Page 3836]]

    Public Meetings and Feasibility Studies: La Grange County has 
aggressively pursued a solution to their rural sewage disposal problems 
since 1989. In 1989, the County Board of Supervisors created the La 
Grange County Sewer District (LCSD)and empowered board members to 
identify sewage disposal problems, develop treatment options, and 
pursue funding for solutions to identified problems. The LCSD raised 
funds to conduct preliminary engineering and feasibility studies to 
identify and prioritize the most severely impacted areas and to develop 
treatment options. Public meetings have been held in all regions of the 
County to inform county citizens as to the results of the preliminary 
studies and discuss the various treatment designs and options.
    Preliminary Description of Treatment Design Alternatives for the 
EIS: The following is a preliminary list of treatment design 
alternatives identified in feasibility studies conducted for the LCSD. 
This list may be modified by additions or deletions. Public comment on 
the range of alternatives is hereby requested.
    Continued Use of On-Site Waste Disposal (septic) Systems (NO 
ACTION): This action would cause continued degradation of the natural 
environment and increased health risks.
    Regional Centralized Collection of Waste Water and Treatment by 
Conventional Activated Sludge Processes: This action will involve the 
use of either gravity or pressure sewers to convey waste water to a 
centralized facility. Collection and conveyance alternatives to be 
analyzed for this option include: Small diameter gravity systems, small 
diameter pressure systems using single connection effluent grinder 
pumps, and conventional gravity collector lines connected to pressure 
lines for conveyance to the treatment facility. Activated sludge 
process alternatives to be considered for this option include: 
Oxidation ditches and extended aeration.
    Decentralized Collection and Treatment Systems: Collection and 
conveyance systems considered for these proposals will be the same as 
those analyzed for the centralized treatment facility option. The 
evaluation of the decentralized approach will involve the use of 
pressure or gravity collection systems to convey wastewater to a 
treatment site(s). Treatment proposals to be evaluated in the EIS 
include discharge of untreated effluent into (1) multiple engineered 
wetland treatment facilities with discharge options for treated 
effluent, or (2) holding lagoons for discharge of treated effluent 
through spray irrigation systems on to dedicated parcels of 
agricultural land. Effluent discharge options for the engineered 
wetland proposal include land application, surface water discharge, and 
subsurface injection.
    Purpose of the EIS: The purpose of this EIS is to evaluate the 
potential impacts of the proposed alternative effluent collection and 
treatment strategies for La Grange County. The alternative strategies 
were developed as a result of public meetings and preliminary 
engineering studies. Discussion of each alternative's impact on the 
human environment, including risks to public health and safety, and 
effects on the natural environment will be presented. The need for the 
proposed action arises from the increased public health risks and 
degradation of surface and ground waters.

    Dated: January 10, 1994.
Wally Beyer,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-1316 Filed 1-18-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-15-P