ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

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2 DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OFFICE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL LOAN FUND ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT A. PROJECT IDENTIFICATION Project Name: WPCLF #: Project Contact: Barberton - Norton Acres Package Plant Elimination CS Dennis Weaver, Utilities Manager, City of Barberton B. PROPOSED PROJECT 1. Summary The City of Barberton (Barberton) in Summit County has requested $663,164 from the Ohio Water Pollution Control Loan Fund (WPCLF) to eliminate the existing Norton Acres Package Plant (package plant) and install a gravity sewer to link current flow to the Barber Road Trunk Sewer and ultimately to the Barberton Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). This is the first of three projects to eliminate small public WWTPs in the City of Norton (Norton). New sewers will be constructed to carry those wastewater flows to existing Barberton sewers. The proposed project involves the elimination of the package plant located near I-76/US 224 and installing a sewer to the Barber Road Trunk Sewer (See Figures 1-3). The new sewer includes a branch connecting residences along Clark Mill Road. This installation consists of 21-inch, 18-inch, and 8-inch gravity sanitary sewers and associated manholes. Construction will occur in sewer easements and in the public rights-of-way, primarily paralleling Van Hyning Run. 2. Background a. History and Existing Conditions This project is part of a larger goal to connect all Norton sewer systems to the sewer system and public WWTP operated by Barberton. Norton is primarily suburban with the majority of developed areas used for single-family residences. Most of these residences have septic systems for sewage treatment. There are four developments that are served by small WWTPs and collection systems, previously owned and operated by Summit County, until transferred to Barberton ownership in Elsewhere, commercial and light industrial businesses rely on private package plants for wastewater treatment. One of the four WWTPs formerly owned by Summit County and now under Barberton s ownership is Norton Acres (Plant 13) which provides treatment for sanitary sewage from the Norton Acres allotment as well as a sixteen-unit apartment building, a restaurant, a pastry shop, Environmental Assessment Page 1 of 9

3 a service station, and the Greenridge Plaza retail and office complex. This plant has a capacity of 120,000 gallons per day (GPD) and was upgraded in The Barber Road/Wolf Creek Trunk Sewer allows for the abandonment of the Norton Acres package plant. b. Water Quality The Norton Acres Package Plant is located within the Muskingum River Watershed and discharges into Van Hyning Run which flows into Wolf Creek, a tributary of the Tuscarawas River. Van Hyning Run is currently designated as a Warmwater Habitat (WWH) Aquatic Life Use in Ohio Water Quality Standards, whereas Wolf Creek is currently designated as a Modified Warmwater Habitat (MWH). As these streams are currently listed as partial attainment or impaired, removal of this discharge source could contribute to improved water quality. c. Population and Water Demand Projections/Flow Projections Although the City of Norton has experienced a decrease in population over the past several decades, the population of Norton is not able to support any new significant growth unless sewer and water facilities are extended. Current undeveloped areas within Norton are zoned as low-density residential. The potential for these future units is taken into account when calculating the predicted sewer design population. With this, wastewater flow projections were developed using the Ohio EPA Projected Flow Guide published in For residential areas, this yielded a flow of 100 GPD, per person, multiplied by an average of 3.25 persons per housing unit, resulting in a rate of 325 GPD per unit. The proposed sanitary sewer system is designed to accommodate the projected peak flows in the collectors and trunks. The abandonment of the Norton Acres package plant and construction of new sewer lines would create immediate average daily flow of approximately 150,000 GPD. The proposed system will service an area with a design average daily flow of 720,000 GPD. Barberton s existing sewer system and WWTP has enough capacity to accept this additional flow. 3. Feasible Alternatives No Action: Leaving the Norton Acres Package Plant to operate as-is would leave the system and surrounding service area susceptible to the inefficiencies of a small WWTP. The plant could encounter failed infrastructure or other associated problems which would require increasingly costly maintenance and management. Ultimately another alternative would need to be sought in the long-term or failure of this plant could have significant adverse effects in the future. Upgrade: Capital could be invested in performing an upgrade to the existing package plant which would allow infrastructure to be improved. This plant was updated as recently as 1991, meaning further improvements could extend the life of this plant, but would not eliminate long-term maintenance and operation costs and susceptibility to failure as the plant ages. Therefore, this option could merely postpone an alternative such as replacement or elimination. Replace: The existing package plant could be completely replaced. Although more costly than simply updating the existing plant, this could ensure a longer life of the package plant. However, this would leave the plant susceptible to the inefficiencies of a small WWTP whereas larger systems maintain greater managerial, financial, and technical capabilities. Environmental Assessment Page 2 of 9

4 Eliminate: The existing package plant could be eliminated. This is a feasible option because construction of a gravity sewer can provide service to this area through connection to the Barber Road Trunk Sewer and ultimately the Barberton WWTP. Tying this area into the Barberton sewer system would create an overall larger system with more strength and resiliency. Larger systems have managerial, financial, and technical capabilities to ensure continued compliance with current and future requirements of environmental laws and regulations. This consolidation of water systems would also allow for the decommissioning of inefficient and failing systems, such as the Norton Acres package plant. 4. Selected Alternative The proposed project involves the elimination of the existing package plant and the subsequent construction of the Van Hyning Run Trunk from this location, adding service to residences along Clark Mill Road, with connection to the existing Barberton sewer. The Van Hyning Run trunk proceeds from the Wolf Creek trunk in a northwesterly direction parallel to Van Hyning Run. To Clark Mill Road, the trunk is 18 pipe and as the trunk continues northwesterly, the pipe size decreases to 8 and the capacity also decreases incrementally to match the design flow. The Van Hyning Run Trunk will consist of 21-inch gravity sewer approximately 550 feet long, 18-inch gravity sewer approximately 3,880 feet long, and 8-inch gravity sewer approximately 975 feet long, with a maximum depth of 29 feet. Horizontal directional drilling will occur underneath wetlands with 18-inch sewer for approximately 1,125 feet and 8-inch sewer for approximately 325 feet, with a maximum depth of 20 feet. Existing rights-of-way are utilized whenever possible and sewer depth is set at a minimum which will allow service to be provided to basements. Construction will occur through previously disturbed areas along the road and through wetlands. The existing package plant will be demolished manually including the draining and cleaning of liquid, sludge, and debris from all tanks and piping, proper disposal of debris and soil, and backfilling the area with soil as necessary. 5. Project Implementation a. Project Costs For this project, Barberton plans to borrow approximately $663,164 from the WPCLF. Barberton will also receive $938,400 from the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) and $100, 000 from local sources for a total project cost of $1,703,885. During the 20-year loan period, Barberton will save approximately $454,930 by using WPCLF dollars at the regionalization rate of 0%, compared to the market rate of 3.43%. b. Project Schedule The anticipated loan award will occur in October Construction is expected to begin the following month and be completed by November C. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Construction of this project could affect environmental features. Because the project is designed to eliminate the existing Norton Acres package plant and install new sewer lines to the existing Barberton Environmental Assessment Page 3 of 9

5 sewer system and WWTP, the project is not expected to lead to new development or associated indirect or cumulative environmental impacts. Construction will occur parallel to Van Hyning Run with horizontal directional drilling under wetland areas. All other construction will occur within previously disturbed areas from the creation of residential subdivisions, industrial sand and gravel excavating, and along road rights-of-way. No change to land use or topography will occur. 1. Air Quality Summit County is in attainment for the six regulated criteria air pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, lead, particulate matter, and ozone). The contractor will prevent unnecessary creation of dust from construction activities and shall prevent dust attributable to the operations from entering the atmosphere. Dust on unsurfaced streets or parking areas and any remaining dust on surfaced streets shall be controlled with water as needed. Because of this approach, there will be no significant adverse short-term or long-term impacts on local air quality. 2. Archaeological and Historical Resources Ohio EPA determined that this project will not cause a significant adverse effect to properties listed or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Approximately one-third of the project alignment has previously been surveyed by Phase I and Phase II archaeological investigations completed November 23, This was conducted for the purpose of locating any previously unrecorded archaeological resources within the area of the proposed Barberton/Wolf Creek 201 Facilities Plan in Norton, and Copley and Chippewa Townships. It was determined that the area contained no properties listed in or determined eligible for the inclusion in either the National Register of Historic Places or in the Ohio Register of Historic Places. In the event of archaeological finds during construction, Ohio Revised Code Section requires contractors and subcontractors to notify the State Historic Preservation Office of any archaeological discoveries in the project area, and to cooperate with the Office in archaeological and historic surveys and salvage efforts when appropriate. Work will not resume until a survey of the find and a determination of its value and effect has been made, and Ohio EPA authorizes work to continue. 3. Terrestrial and Aquatic Habitat Five federally listed species occur in Summit County: the endangered Indiana bat, the threatened northern long-eared bat, the threatened northern monkshood, the threatened eastern massasauga rattlesnake, and the species of concern bald eagle. No habitat suited to the northern monkshood or bald eagle is in the project area. Horizontal directional drilling will minimize surface impacts to the eastern massasauga s habitat. The Indiana and northern long-eared bats have similar summer maternity and roosting habitat preferences (trees with large crevices or loose, sloughing bark higher than ten feet above the ground). Tree and vegetation removal will occur from October 1 through March 31 when bats are presumed absent from the area. Based on this information, the project will have no significant adverse short-term or long-term impacts occur. 4. Farmland Protection Based on the review of the project planning and design, the project will not remove or change the use of prime farmland, so agriculture will be unaffected by this project. 5. Floodplains The City of Barberton coordinated in-house review of the project, delineation study, and nationwide Environmental Assessment Page 4 of 9

6 permit for internal approval that concluded that this proposed construction will comply with local floodplain development regulations. 6. Ground Water Resources To avoid adverse impacts to ground water resources, the construction contract includes specifications for appropriate and safe dewatering and management of ground water. Public water is available in the project area. 7. Safety, Noise, Traffic, and Aesthetics The contractor will provide suitable and satisfactorily trained and properly attired flagmen for use at any location where existing roadway is less than two full lanes. They will hold responsibility for maintaining local access to all residences and businesses along the route of the construction and provide suitable barricades and flashers where needed. Additionally, the contractor has agreed to eliminate all unnecessary noise, dust, and odors. Local aesthetics will be unchanged after construction is complete. For these reasons, the project will not adversely affect noise, traffic, public safety, or aesthetics. 8. Surface Water Resources An Ohio EPA General Storm Water NPDES Permit for Construction Activities was obtained and the contractor will minimize soil from eroding or otherwise entering onto all paved areas and into natural watercourses, ditches, and public sewer systems. Designated Wild and Scenic Rivers will be unaffected by this project as there are none located within the project s vicinity. 9. Wetlands Impacts to wetland areas will be minimized due to planned horizontal directional drilling. A nationwide permit has been obtained for the purpose of ensuring minimal impact to these resources. Temporary impacts to Category 1 and 2 wetlands are less than 1/2 acre total and no impacts greater than 1/10 acre will occur to any individual water of the United States. 10. Major Landforms Major landforms will not be affected by this project as no change to topography will occur aside from temporary excavations. 11. Energy Use This project will have little to no effect on local or regional energy supplies because the service area will be served by gravity sewers. The decommissioning of the Norton Acres Package Plant will eliminate the energy use of the facility. 12. Local Economy The current Barberton residential sewer bill is approximately $211/year. Projected residential sewer bills with the implementation of this project are expected to increase to approximately $231/year, which is approximately 0.3% of median household income (MHI) of Norton, which is $62,355. A sewer bill less than 1.8% of MHI is typically considered affordable. The Ohio average residential sewer bill of $655 is 1.2% of state MHI ($53,301). By using the WPCLF financing for this project, Barberton has minimized the economic impact on customers. Environmental Assessment Page 5 of 9

7 D. COORDINATION 1. Planning Reviews of the respective environmental resources were completed by Ohio EPA, Division of Environmental and Financial Assistance. The following agencies were consulted for technical input, or for conformance with legislation under their jurisdiction: Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Ohio Department of Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Office, and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. No review agency opposes the project. 2. Public Participation Barberton discussed this project at various City Council/Committee meetings which are open to the public to attend. An article was also published on July 7, 2018 in the Norton Post entitled County joins grant applications to describe efforts to fund the elimination of several package plants around Norton. Ohio EPA will make a copy of this document available to the public on its web page: (Under the What s New tab, scroll to Documents Available for Review and Comment WPCLF Documents for Review and Comment ) and will provide it upon request to interested parties. Information supporting this Environmental Assessment (EA) is available from the project contact named below. Ohio EPA is unaware of any public opposition to the project. E. BASIS FOR PRELIMINARY FINDING OF NO SIGNIFICANT IMPACT Based upon the available facilities plans, detail plans, and other information for this project, Ohio EPA concludes that no significant short-term or long-term adverse direct environmental impacts will result from the project as related to the environmental features discussed in this Environmental Assessment. This is because these features do not exist in the project area, the features exist but will not be adversely affected, or the impacts of construction will be temporary and mitigated. For these reasons, this project, alone or in combination with other projects, is not expected to result in any significant indirect or cumulative short-term or long-term adverse environmental impacts on the quality of the human environment or on sensitive resources such as surface waters, coastal zones, riparian areas, floodplains, wetlands, state-designated scenic or recreational rivers, prime or unique agricultural lands, aquifer recharge zones, archaeologically or historically significant sites, or threatened or endangered species. This project equally serves the entire affected community and no particular segment of the community will be faced with additional adverse impacts or be deprived of environmental benefits, compared to any other segment. The project will eliminate an inefficient small wastewater treatment plant and its associated operation and maintenance costs. Environmental Assessment Page 6 of 9

8 F. CONTACT Kristin Parrish Ohio EPA-DEFA P.O. Box 1049 Columbus, OH (614) Environmental Assessment Page 7 of 9

9 Exhibit 1: Project Location Map Exhibit 2: Project Location Map Environmental Assessment Page 8 of 9

10 Exhibit 3: Project Location Map (as provided by applicant) Environmental Assessment Page 9 of 9