If you have any questions on the EAW, please contact Barbara Conti of my staff at (651)

Transcription

1 November 22, 2000 TO INTERESTED PARTIES: RE: Enclosed is the Worksheet (EAW) for the proposed Crane Lake Wastewater Treatment Facility, St. Louis County. The EAW was prepared by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and is being distributed for a 30-day review and comment period pursuant to the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) rules. The comment period will begin the day the EAW availability notice is published in the EQB Monitor, which will likely occur in the November 27, 2000, issue. Comments received on the EAW will be used by the MPCA in evaluating the potential for significant environmental effects from this project and deciding on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A final decision on the need for an EIS will be made by the MPCA Commissioner after the end of the comment period. If a request for an EIS is received during the comment period, or if the Commissioner recommends the preparation of an EIS, the nine-member MPCA Citizens Board (Board) will make the final decision. The final EIS need decision will also be made by the Board if so requested by the project proposer, other interested parties or MPCA staff and if this request is agreed to by one or more members of the Board or the MPCA Commissioner. The Board meets once a month, usually the fourth Tuesday of each month, at the MPCA office in St. Paul. Meetings are open to the public and interested persons may offer testimony on Board agenda items. A listing of Board members is available on request by calling (651) Please note that comment letters submitted to the MPCA do become public documents and will be part of the official public record for this project. If you have any questions on the EAW, please contact Barbara Conti of my staff at (651) Sincerely, Beth G. Lockwood District Planning Supervisor Operations and Planning Sections North, South, and Metro Districts BGL:sjs Enclosure

2 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET Note to reviewers: The Worksheet (EAW) provides information about a project that may have the potential for significant environmental effects. This EAW was prepared by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), acting as the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU), to determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should be prepared. The project proposer supplied reasonably accessible data for, but did not complete the final worksheet. Comments on the EAW must be submitted to the MPCA during the 30-day comment period which begins with notice of the availability of the EAW in the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board (EQB) Monitor. Comments on the EAW should address the accuracy and completeness of information, potential impacts that warrant further investigation, and the need for an EIS. A copy of the EAW may be obtained from the MPCA. An electronic version of the EAW is available at the MPCA Website 1. Project Title: (WWTF) 2. Proposer: Crane Lake Water Sanitary District 3. RGU: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Contact Person James Sanborn Contact Person Barbara Conti and Title Chair, Crane Lake Water Sanitary District and Title Project Manager Address 7400 Handberg Road Address 520 Lafayette Road North Crane Lake, Minnesota St. Paul, Minnesota Phone (218) Phone (651) Fax Fax (651) barbara.conti@pca.state.mn.us 4. Reason for EAW Preparation: EIS Scoping Mandatory EAW X Citizen Petition RGU Discretion Proposer Volunteered If EAW or EIS is mandatory give EQB rule category subpart number and name: Subp. 18.B. Wastewater Systems 5. Project Location: Treatment Facility County St. Louis City/Twp Unorganized #6717 NE 1/4 of SE Section 26 Township 67N Range 17W TDD (for hearing and speech impaired only): (651) Printed on recycled paper containing 100% fibers from paper recycled by consumers

3 Collection System County St. Louis City/Twp Unorganized #6716 1/4 NW 1/4 Section 23 Township 67N Range 17W 1/4 SW 1/4 Section 23 Township 67N Range 17W W 1/2 SE 1/4 Section 23 Township 67N Range 17W 1/4 NW 1/4 Section 26 Township 67N Range 17W 1/4 NE 1/4 Section 26 Township 67N Range 17W Managed On-site System County St. Louis City/Twp Unorganized #6717, #6716 SW 1/4 SW 1/4 Section 13 Township 67N Range 17W SE 1/4 SE 1/4 Section 14 Township 67N Range 17W 1/4 NE 1/4 Section 23 Township 67N Range 17W E 1/2 SE 1/4 Section 23 Township 67N Range 17W 1/4 W 1/2 Section 24 Township 67N Range 17W SE 1/4 SW 1/4 Section 7 Township 67N Range 16W SW 1/4 SE 1/4 Section 7 Township 67N Range 16W 1/4 1/4 Section 18 Township 67N Range 16W Tables, Figures, and Appendices attached to the EAW: Figure 1: A map of the State of Minnesota showing the general location of the project; Figure 2: Map of Crane Lake Water Sanitary District planning area; Figure 3: Proposed Wastewater Facility and Collection System Improvements for Western Service Area; Figure 4: Wetland map of Crane Lake Water Sanitary District planning area; Figure 5: 100-year Floodplain delineation of Crane Lake Water Sanitary District planning area; and Figure 6: Schematics of Proposed Treatment Systems. 6. Description: a. Provide a project summary of 50 words or less to be published in the EQB Monitor. The Crane Lake Water Sanitary District proposes to install or replace wastewater treatment systems. The Western Service Area would have a central collection system with an average wet weather design flow of 51,000 gallons per day (GPD). The Eastern Service Area would have a combination of cluster and individual septic systems. All the proposed wastewater collection and treatment systems would be owned, operated, and managed by the Crane Lake Water Sanitary District. b. Give a complete description of the proposed project and related new construction. Attach additional sheets as necessary. Emphasize construction, operation methods and features that will cause physical manipulation of the environment or will produce wastes. Include modifications to existing equipment or industrial processes and significant demolition, removal or remodeling of existing structures. Indicate the timing and duration of construction activities. PROJECT LOCATION Crane Lake is a small, unincorporated community located in St. Louis County in northern Minnesota (see figure 1). The community serves as a gateway for several nearby State and Federal wilderness and park areas. In 1994, St. Louis County formed the Crane Lake Water Sanitary District (District) to address failing septic systems within the area. The District encompasses parts of Superior National Forest, and is adjacent to Voyageurs National Park. It is two miles west of the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Elbow Lake, Minnesota 2 Worksheet

4 Area, and is also near the Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. The Vermilion River, Echo River, and Rollick Creek feed Crane Lake. Water flows north from Crane Lake to King Williams Narrow, which leads to Sand Point Lake, Namakan Lake, and eventually Rainy Lake. The international boundary with Canada is four miles northeast of Crane Lake. It is estimated that there are 125 year-round residents and 200 to 250 seasonal residents within the planning area, plus thousands of visitors annually. Because of the geography of the District, four planning sub-areas were formed (see figure 2). The subareas include the Gold Coast area, Handberg Road area, Baylis Island and Bear Island, and the East Bay area. The Western Service Area is the Gold Coast sub-area and western Handberg Road sub-area. It is on the western shore of Crane Lake, has the greatest density of wastewater generating structures, and contains the majority of businesses within the planning area. The other three sub-areas comprise the Eastern Service Area. The Handberg Road sub-area is adjacent to the Gold Coast but with a lower density of homes and businesses. The islands are situated in the middle of Crane Lake. East Bay is a large bay on the eastern side of Crane Lake. The Islands and East Bay areas are only accessible by boat or float plane during the summer. In the winter these two areas are accessible by snowmobile or car by driving across the ice. BACKGROUND Currently all residences and businesses in the Crane Lake Water Sanitary District are served by Individual Sewage Treatment Systems (ISTSs). The systems vary in age and include seepage pits, septic systems (at-grade or mound systems), holding tanks, composting toilets, incinerating toilets, privies, and gray water filters. The St. Louis County Health Department has determined that the majority of the ISTSs in the Gold Coast sub-area are not functioning properly. Some systems within the planning area do not meet Minn. R. 7080, which regulates on-site systems. Causes for not meeting requirements include improperly designed drainfields, inadequate design capacity, insufficient vertical separation between the drainfield and the seasonal high ground water level, and improperly constructed septic tanks. Poor receiving soils and inadequate drainfields have resulted in the inadequate treatment of wastewater effluent. Inadequate wastewater treatment has resulted in public health concerns, limited community development, and the creation of conditions that may potentially be harmful to the environment and ground water. PROPOSED PROJECT The proposed project is to construct municipal wastewater treatment systems and/or upgrade ISTSs to properly collect, treat, and dispose of wastewater. Most municipal wastewater systems have each household or business connected to a sewer and common treatment facility. The proposed municipal project is unique since natural barriers created by lakes and bays prevent the construction of a centralized collection system for the entire planning area. Therefore, to serve each of the four sub-areas, two types of wastewater systems are being proposed: central sewer and ISTSs. Options include clustered ISTS systems on Handberg Road, Bear Island, Baylis Island, and the East Bay. Individual or clustered ISTSs would be managed and operated under the authority of the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District. The construction for the Western Service Area facility is expected to begin in The Eastern Service Area proposal is a future project with the timing to be determined. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 3 Worksheet

5 Western Service Area For the Western Service Area, the proposal is a Septic Tank Effluent Pump (STEP) pressure sewer for collection, a recirculating sand filter for treatment, and surface water discharge for disposal. The STEP system includes a house connection, septic tank, pumping vault, service connection, low-pressure lines, and cleanouts. The effluent would be pumped from the tank to the sand filter treatment system. Effluent from the sand filter will pass through an ultraviolet light disinfection unit and have chemical phosphorus removal before it is discharged. This treatment system for the Western Service Area is described in more detail in Item 18. Eastern Service Area Handberg Road Sub-Area For the Handberg Road sub-area, a combination of ISTSs and new cluster systems is proposed. Cluster systems would unite dwellings where it would be more feasible and economical to share a common treatment and disposal area. Dwellings that were isolated would utilize an ISTS for treatment. An ISTS treats sewage through a combination of biological, physical, and chemical processes. An ISTS typically consists of a septic tank and some type of a soil treatment system, such as a mound, trench, or at-grade effluent distribution system. The preferred type of soil treatment system depends on local soil and ground water conditions. This type of system is described further in Item 18. Baylis Island and Bear Island Sub-Area and East Bay Sub-Area For these sub-areas, a site-by-site evaluation of existing systems needs to be completed. The systems that are found to be out of compliance with State and County regulations would be repaired, modified, or replaced. The Baylis Island and Bear Island Sub-Area could have a cluster system of ISTSs. In the East Bay sub-area, dwellings are relatively isolated and clustering may not be economically feasible. c. Explain the project purpose; if the project will be carried out by a governmental unit, explain the need for the project and identify its beneficiaries. The purpose for this wastewater project is to install wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal facilities. It would provide effective treatment and disposal of the wastewater in the Crane Lake Water Sanitary District. Sewage from homes and businesses contains bacteria, viruses, nutrients, and some chemicals that must be treated to prevent disease transmission and environmental contamination. The proposed project would reduce or eliminate potential health and environmental impacts for residents and nearby sensitive resources. d. Are future stages of this development including development on any outlots planned or likely to happen? Yes No If yes, briefly describe future stages, relationship to present project, timeline and plans for environmental review. Additional service areas could be added to the District s wastewater planning area in the future but none are planned at this time. e. Is this project a subsequent stage of an earlier project? Yes No If yes, briefly describe the past development, timeline and any past environmental review. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 4 Worksheet

6 7. Project Magnitude Data Total Project Area (acres) 645 * or Length (miles) Number of Residential Units: Unattached Attached maximum units per building Commercial/Industrial/Institutional Building Area (gross floor space): total square feet Indicate area of specific uses (in square feet): Office Manufacturing Retail Other Industrial Warehouse Institutional Light Industrial Agricultural Other (specify) 1,200 (est.) Maintenance Building Building height If over 2 stories, compare to heights of nearby buildings * Area to be served by proposed project. The actual construction area will be smaller and will depend on how many ISTSs are replaced or clustered. The collection system is proposed to have 17,400 feet of pipe. To help further define the scope of the proposal, the following is an estimate of the structures to be served, including future growth projections: Western Service Area Eastern Service Area Residential: 109 Commercial: 3 Residential: 104 Commercial: 1 8. Permits and approvals required. List all known local, state and federal permits, approvals and financial assistance for the project. Include modifications of any existing permits, governmental review of plans, and all direct and indirect forms of public financial assistance including bond guarantees, Tax Increment Financing and infrastructure. Unit of Government Type of Application Status St. Louis County Community Development Block Awarded Grant (CDBG) 1996 CDBG 1999 Awarded Septic permits In effect Land alteration permit Pending MPCA Wastewater facility plan and Under review Wastewater system design ISTS grant program Awarded Intended Use Plan Ranked National Pollutant Discharge Pending Elimination System (NPDES), Operating Permit NPDES Construction Storm Pending Water Permit Section 401 Wetland To be determined Certification U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Section 569 N.E. Minnesota Pending Section 404 Wetlands Permit To be determined Elbow Lake, Minnesota 5 Worksheet

7 Unit of Government Type of Application Status US Department of Agriculture Water/Wastewater Grant Program Approved (USDA) - Rural Development preliminary engineering report USDA - Forest Service Special Use Permit Pending MN Department of Natural Utility Lines License Pending Resources (DNR) Stream Crossing To be determined 9. Land use. Describe current and recent past land use and development on the site and on adjacent lands. Discuss project compatibility with adjacent and nearby land uses. Indicate whether any potential conflicts involve environmental matters. Identify any potential environmental hazards due to past site uses, such as soil contamination or abandoned storage tanks, or proximity to nearby hazardous liquid or gas pipelines. Various areas of the proposed project are on federal land and forestland. There are no known potential environmental hazards from past land use. Most of the East Bay Sub-Area is federal land, including all of Section 18. The twenty-two homes in that area are federal summer home permittees within the Superior National Forest. The proposed forcemain and access road from the Western Service Area to the treatment site would cross federal land which includes Superior National Forest. The treatment site for the Western Service Area is on private land that currently is owned by Potlatch, a paper production company, but would be purchased by the District. This parcel of land, part of Kabatogama State Forest, had been logged in the past but has currently regrown. Impacts to land use would be minimized by, when possible, placing collection lines and transmissions lines in established right-of-ways (ROW). Traffic over ISTS disposal and treatment areas would be restricted to prevent soil compaction and damage to the drainfield. Land use in the treatment and effluent disposal area would be limited to the provision of a public wastewater utility, thereby restricting the use of this land for agriculture, forestry, recreation, or housing. 10. Cover Types. Estimate the acreage of the site with each of the following cover types before and after development: Before After Before After Types 1-8 wetlands 0 0 Lawn/landscaping 0 0 Wooded/forest Impervious Surfaces 0 2 Brush/grassland 0 0 Other (WWTF site) 0 1 Cropland 0 0 TOTAL Less than three acres of forest will be cleared for a roadway (20 ft. wide and 1,400 ft. long), and the Western Service Area treatment facility site (approx. 300 ft. by 300 ft.). Two acres of impervious surface will be added with paved roadway (12 ft. by 1,700 ft.), a sand filter treatment system (approximately 100 ft. by 100 ft.), plus parking area and a small maintenance building. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 6 Worksheet

8 11. Fish, Wildlife, and Ecologically Sensitive Resources. a. Identify fish and wildlife resources and habitats on or near the site and describe how they would be affected by the project. Describe any measures to be taken to minimize or avoid impacts. The proposed project is not expected to adversely affect federally listed threatened and endangered species. The DNR indicated in a letter dated June 11, 1998, that it did not believe endangered or threatened species would be affected if the project construction were limited to the planning areas. The project would eliminate numerous non-point pollution sources within the watershed area of Crane Lake, which is expected to have a cumulative effect of improving the water quality, including fish habitat and recreational resources. b. Are any state (endangered or threatened) species, rare plant communities or other sensitive ecological resources such as native prairie habitat, colonial waterbird nesting colonies or regionally rare plant communities on or near the site? Yes No If yes, describe the resource and how it would be affected by the project. Indicate if a site survey of the resources has been conducted and describe the results. If the DNR Natural Heritage and Nongame Research program has been contacted give the correspondence reference number. Describe measures to minimize or avoid adverse impacts. A biological survey was conducted by staff from the University of Minnesota, Duluth Natural Resources Research Institute for the East Bay Sub-Area and the proposed treatment site for the Western Service Area. The survey was completed in June of 1999 and did not identify the presence of threatened and endangered species of plants. During construction, there will be disturbance to local vegetation. The impact to vegetation would be temporary during construction and is not expected to affect any vegetation that has been identified as being threatened, endangered, or of special concern. The biological survey noted that the soils in the project area, especially in parts of the East Bay sub-area, are very thin and slow forming thus creating a rather fragile environment which should be considered before any construction takes place. Upon request, copies of the biological survey can be obtained from the District. Areas within East Bay and the east and southeast ridge areas of the Western Service Area treatment site were observed to have some old conifers that may qualify for old growth status. The US Forest Service may monitor tree cutting in these areas. The project proposer has indicated that any threatened and endangered species found prior to or during construction would be protected by using one or more of the following types of mitigation: Perform construction activities during seasons of low wildlife activity; Use an existing ROW to minimize new clearing where possible; Coordinate new planting with the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), Soil Water Conservation District, and/or individual landowners; Schedule construction to minimize disturbance during wet seasons; Identify old-growth conifers that may be in the project area and avoid cutting if possible; and Use construction practices and equipment that will minimize disturbances to the soil structure and profile. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 7 Worksheet

9 12. Physical Impacts on Water Resources. Will the project involve the physical or hydrologic alteration (dredging, filling, stream diversion, outfall structure, diking, and impoundment) of any surface waters such as a lake, pond, wetland, stream or drainage ditch? Yes No If yes, identify water resource affected. Describe alternatives considered and proposed mitigation measures to minimize impacts. Give the DNR Protected Waters Inventory (PWI) number(s) if the water resources affected are on the PWI. A small-diameter pressure sewer pipe would cross a stream (Forty Mile Creek) at one point, most likely suspended from an existing bridge. Most of the proposed treatment facility location for the Western Service Area is upland; however, a wetland determination would be completed prior to construction. The collection route was chosen with the intent to avoid wetlands and sensitive areas to the maximum extent possible. The route, as currently proposed, does not cross wetlands. Work in wetlands and sensitive areas (such as along lakeshores) will utilize best management practices (BMPs) to ensure that these areas are returned to their predisturbed condition when this aspect of the project is completed. 13. Water Use. Will the project involve installation or abandonment of any water wells, connection to or changes in any public water supply or appropriation of any ground or surface water (including dewatering)? Yes No If yes, as applicable, give location and purpose of any new wells; public supply affected, changes to be made, and water quantities to be used; the source, duration, quantity and purpose of any appropriations; and unique well numbers and DNR appropriation permit numbers, if known. Identify any existing and new wells on the site map. If there are no wells known on site, explain methodology used to determine. 14. Water-related land use management districts. Does any part of the project involve a shoreland zoning district, a delineated 100-year flood plain, or a state or federally designated wild or scenic river land use district? Yes No If yes, identify the district and discuss project compatibility with district land use restrictions. St. Louis County participated in the National Flood Insurance Program and manages floodplains within the county via their Floodplain Management Ordinance No. 43. There have been no detailed studies of flood elevations in the project area. The best estimate of the 100-year flood is believed to be 3 feet above the highest known water elevation. The normal summer pool elevation of Namakan Lake (# ) is 1,118.6 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) and the flood level is 1,119.1 feet AMSL. These elevations are approximately the same for Crane Lake. The 100-year flood level is therefore estimated as 1,122 feet AMSL. The treatment site for the Western Service Area does not lie within a designated floodplain. Certain forcemains may lie with in 100-year floodplain areas. The Floodplain Management ordinance for St. Louis County states that new or replacement ISTSs must be designed to minimize or eliminate infiltration of flood waters into the system and discharges from the system into flood waters. Any sewage treatment system design in accordance with the St. Louis County On-Site Sewage Treatment Ordinance is expected to be in compliance with the floodplain ordinance. The proposed plan is compatible with the usage for floodplain management. Components of the system that are within the floodplain will be below ground and would not interfere with floodwaters. The collection system will be a totally enclosed, pressurized system which would prevent floodwaters from entering the wastewater collection system and prevent wastewater from leaking onto the surface water during high, flood level elevations. Above ground components of the collection system that will lie within flood plain areas (i.e. inspection or clean-out points) would be designed to prevent surface water contamination. 15. Water Surface Use. Will the project change the number or type of watercraft on any water body? Elbow Lake, Minnesota 8 Worksheet

10 Yes No If yes, indicate the current and projected watercraft usage and discuss any potential overcrowding or conflicts with other uses. 16. Erosion and Sedimentation. Give the acreage to be graded or excavated and the cubic yards of soil to be moved: 3 acres; 1,000* cubic yards. Describe any steep slopes or highly erodible soils and identify them on the site map. Describe any erosion and sedimentation control measures to be used during and after project construction. * Estimated: graded and/or filled at treatment plant site for leveling. In the Western Service Area, construction of wastewater sewer lines would have temporary effects to the environment. Most sewers will be placed in existing public road ROW, with a few exceptions. Construction activity would consist of disturbance to the soil and environment from trenching, digging, and movement of machinery over the surface. Upon completion of the collection system, most locations would be returned to preconstruction appearances and usage. In the areas identified as the locations for the wastewater treatment systems, some impacts would be long-term and permanent. A permanent structure will remain for the treatment of the wastewater and the area will be used solely for wastewater treatment. Excavation on steep slopes is expected to be limited to one road (Bowser Court), where a sewer main will be trenched into existing roadbed over a distance of approximately 300 feet. Another area of steep slope that may receive a sewer main is Handberg Road at the eastern edge of the Western Service Area, subject to further investigation. That property is being considered for an on-site system instead, which would eliminate the need for construction of a sewer on a steep slope. The disturbance of five or more acres of land requires a storm water permit for construction activities. The Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District would ensure that all land disturbing activity associated with this project, including installation of service lines and equipment, will incorporate BMPs to minimize impact to the environment. BMPs may include overland flow management with silt fences and/or bales, mulching, sodding and/or seeding; flow diversion for runoff; sediment trapping with basins, filters, and diversions; a permanent drainageway along the new road; temporary settling basins for dewatering; and avoidance of tracking near water bodies. 17. Water Quality - Surface Water Runoff. a. Compare the quantity and quality of site runoff before and after the project. Describe permanent controls to manage or treat runoff. Describe any storm water pollution prevention plans. Site runoff is expected to be improved following completion of the project. Release of inadequately treated wastewater will be eliminated, and permanent BMPs will manage surface runoff in selected areas for stormwater pollution prevention. A permanent detention pond would be required when more than one acre of new impervious surface is added. A permanent detention pond would have to meet the requirements of the MPCA s general permit. A possible location for a permanent detention pond has not yet been determined; however, one option is that space may be available along the access roadway. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 9 Worksheet

11 b. Identify routes and receiving water bodies for runoff from the site; include major downstream water bodies as well as the immediate receiving waters. Estimate impact runoff on the quality of receiving waters. As noted in Item 16, construction site BMPs are intended to prevent runoff from entering the Crane Lake water body either directly or indirectly. The quality of the receiving water is expected to be improved, as explained above. 18. Water Quality Wastewater. a. Describe sources, composition and quantities of all sanitary, municipal and industrial wastewater produced or treated at the site. The physical and chemical characteristics of the wastewater that would be sent to the collection system are consistent with typical domestic wastewater. There are commercial sources in the planning area consisting primarily of lodging and dining facilities. No industrial sources are in the planning area and no future industrial development is planned. Any additional commercial development in the proposed service area in the future will likely be limited to restaurant, lodging, or retail. Any existing on-site treatment systems that would need to be abandoned would be abandoned in accordance with St. Louis County code. A design capacity for a proposed system is the volume of wastewater that can effectively be treated and disposed. The proposed design capacity, discussed below, for each sub-area is based upon current wastewater treatment needs and additional treatment capacity for growth projected over a twenty-year period. b. Describe waste treatment methods or pollution prevention efforts and give estimates of composition after treatment. Identify receiving waters, including major downstream water bodies, and estimate the discharge impact on the quality of receiving waters. If the project involves on-site sewage systems, discuss the suitability of site conditions for such systems. Western Service Area The proposed wastewater treatment system for the Western Service Area would receive wastewater from residential and commercial sources. It would replace existing private, on-site systems. The proposal is for STEP systems to be installed at each residential and each commercial property for the Western Service Area. The major components of a STEP system are septic tanks, pumps, small diameter sewer lines, and a wastewater treatment facility, see Figure 6. The parts of the STEP system at a home or business would have two collection compartments. The first compartment is a septic tank in which solids are settled out. A screen is installed on the outlet of the first compartment, which retains solids. The second compartment contains a pump. From the STEP systems, wastewater would be pumped through a proposed force main collection system to the new treatment facility. The proposed collection system would include approximately 13,600 linear feet (LF) of insulated pressure main and 3,800 LF of 1.5-inch service lines. One main lift station is proposed to pump the effluent to the treatment area. Pipes will be sized to accommodate flows from the population projected for a 20-year period. Flow estimates are for an average wet weather 20-year design flow of 51,000 GPD, see Table 1. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 10 Worksheet

12 The proposed WWTF would consist of a recirculating sand filter system, a phosphorus removal system, and ultraviolet disinfection. At the treatment facility, wastewater would enter a recirculation tank and then through the sand filter. A recirculating sand filter is a method of secondary wastewater treatment that consists of repeated filtration through 2-3 feet deep beds of granular material, disinfection, and discharge. Treatment occurs by recirculating the wastewater through the sand filter several times. The more the wastewater passes through the filter, the higher the level of treatment. This system would have a minimum recirculation ratio of 3:1. Ultraviolet disinfection will further improve the quality of the effluent by destroying pathogens prior to discharge. Phosphorus removal is proposed using chemical precipitation with ferric chloride. The outfall (discharge) structure is designed to provide low-velocity flow dispersal using two perforated pipes protected by rock. Sand filters can be well suited to rural communities because they are moderately inexpensive to construct, have low energy requirements, and are relatively easy to operate. They also produce highquality effluent, potentially better than effluent produced by extended aeration plants or stabilization ponds. The treatment process is extremely stable, requiring limited intervention by operating personnel. The proposed discharge point for the treated wastewater is on upland area adjoining a wetland with multiple assigned use classifications, including consideration for aquatic life and recreation, aesthetic enjoyment and navigation, and other beneficial uses not specifically listed. The semipermanently flooded and wooded wetland (National Wetland Inventory type: PFO5Fb) at the discharge site is about 13 acres in size, but part of a much larger wetland complex draining into Crane Lake. The proposed outfall structure is located about 0.4 miles upstream of Crane Lake. The proposed effluent limitations in Table 2 should be adequate to protect the designated uses of this wetland and Crane Lake. From published literature and experience with other wastewater discharges to wetlands, however, the addition of treated wastewater to this wetland complex would slowly convert it to a vegetative community dominated by nutrient tolerant species such as Typha sp. To address potential impacts to water quality and the wetland plant community, the draft permit would contain requirements for chemical and biological monitoring of the wetland. Maintenance on STEP systems includes occasional pump maintenance, pumping septic tanks, system monitoring, and record keeping. It is likely that regular sampling of both the influent and effluent to the sand filter would be required. Table 1. Western Service Area Wastewater Flows and Loadings. EXISTING FUTURE SOURCE Flow (GPD) CBOD 1 TSS 2 Flow (GPD) CBOD TSS (lb./day) (lb./day) (lb./day) (lb./day) Domestic 9, , Commercial 21, , TOTAL 30, , Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand 2. Total Suspended Solids Elbow Lake, Minnesota 11 Worksheet

13 Table 2. Preliminary Effluent Limitations for Western Service Area Substance or Characteristic 5-Day Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand Total Suspended Solids Fecal Coliform Group Orgs. 1 Total Residual Chlorine 2 ph Range Total Phosphorus 3 Continuous Discharge Limiting Concentration or Range 25 milligrams per liter (mg/l) 30 mg/l 200 org/100ml mg/l mg/l 1. Applicable year-round to protect Crane Lake for domestic water consumption 2. If chlorine is used to achieve the effluent limitation for fecal coliform group organisms, then dechlorination must also be provided. 3. Applied as a monthly average Eastern Service Area In the Eastern Service Area, the proposal is to repair, modify or replace the existing ISTSs with new ones. Some locations may have a clustered ISTS, where several buildings share one treatment system. In a typical septic system, raw sewage is piped from a home or business to a buried, watertight septic tank. The tank is sized to retain wastewater for about 36 hours. This gives time for the physical processes of settling solids and floating greases and fats to occur. Inside the tank, bacteria break down organic matter in the sewage through an anaerobic, biological process. Septic tanks alone do not remove disease-causing microorganisms such as coliform bacteria, therefore effluent from septic tanks must be further treated to ensure public safety. The typical ISTS does this through soil treatment. A soil treatment system is designed to create suitable conditions for the breakdown of disease causing microorganisms. The typical soil treatment system consists of a piping network connected to the septic tank and some type of distribution medium (rock, sand, or manufactured media), see Figure 6. The design relies on the development of a biomat for treatment. A biomat is a sub-surface, biological layer formed by microorganisms. This biomat forms only under aerobic conditions along the drainfield bottom. The biomat acts as a valve to slow the flow of effluent into the soil, creating a "trickle" flow in the soil beneath the biomat. This allows the soil to remain in an unsaturated condition, meaning the soil pores contain air necessary to continue the aerobic activity that breaks down pathogenic microorganisms. Additionally, other bacteria that grow on the biomat use the nutrients in the effluent to produce a slimy film over the soil particles. The slime acts as a further filter for additional bacteria and viruses, which then die off due to temperature changes and lack of moisture and food. If the bottom of a drainfield is located at or near the water table, the soil outside the drainfield will be saturated, denying the environment that aerobic bacteria need. This also may allow pathogens to move quickly through the soil without being adsorbed or filtered, thus polluting shallow ground water. The shallow ground water can then infiltrate into deeper aquifers, contaminating wells or discharging into lakes and streams where the public can come into contact with disease causing organisms. In these cases, mound systems or other systems are built to increase the vertical separation between the drainfield and ground water level and/or a medium more conducive to the formation of a biomat is added to the drainfield. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 12 Worksheet

14 Present wastewater generated in the Handberg Road sub-area is calculated to have an average dry weather flow rate of 2,900 GPD. The proposed systems collectively would be designed to have an average dry weather flow rate of 4,300 GPD to meet present usage requirements and future growth needs. Present wastewater generated in the Baylis Island and Bear Island sub-area is calculated to have an average dry weather flow rate of 4,300 GPD. The proposed system would be designed to have an average dry weather flow rate of 5,210 GPD to meet present usage requirements and future growth needs. Present wastewater generated in the East Bay sub-area is calculated to have an average dry weather flow rate of 4,000 GPD. The proposed system would be designed to have an average dry weather flow rate of 4,880 GPD to meet present usage requirements and future growth needs. c. If wastes will be discharged into a publicly owned treatment facility, identify the facility, describe any pretreatment provisions and discuss the facility s ability to handle the volume and composition of wastes, identifying any improvements necessary. Not Applicable. d. If the project requires disposal of liquid animal manure, describe disposal technique and location and discuss capacity to handle the volume and composition of manure. Identify any improvements necessary. Describe any required setbacks for land disposal systems. Not Applicable. 19. Geologic hazards and soil conditions. a. Approximate depth (in feet) to Ground water: 2 minimum; 10 average. Bedrock: 0 minimum; 3 average. Describe any of the following geologic site hazards to ground water and also identify them on the site map: sinkholes, shallow limestone formations or karst conditions. Describe measures to avoid or minimize environmental problems due to any of these hazards. These features have not been identified in the project area. Bedrock is granitic rock (gneiss) that forms the Canadian Shield. b. Describe the soils on the site, giving SCS classifications, if known. Discuss soil granularity and potential for groundwater contamination from wastes or chemicals spread or spilled onto the soils. Discuss any mitigation measures to prevent such contamination. There are four principal geographic regions contained within the project boundaries: 1) Gold Coast, 2) Handberg Point, 3) Baylis and Bear Islands, and 4) East Bay. Soils on Gold Coast, Handberg Point, and the islands primarily consist of 8 to 16 inches of clay and silty clay over gravelly till over bedrock at 1 to 5 feet below land surface. The USDA Forest Service in 1973 had prepared soil surveys of the East Bay sub-area. Generally the typical profile were shallow layers of loamy sand, fine sand, silt loam, or fine loamy sand (0-12 inches) over bedrock. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 13 Worksheet

15 In general, soils in the project area are considered to be part of the Tower-Ely drift and bedrock complex. This is predominantly brown, acid, cobbly and gravelly till over bedrock with inclusions of lacustrine clay and silty clay deposits overlying the till. These lacustrine deposits are located primarily on lower elevation valley bottoms and adjacent to water bodies. Inter-ridge areas and depressions can contain organic soils typically associated with wetlands. Coarser-textured soils are generally on steeper slopes with shallow depths to bedrock. Potential for groundwater contamination through these soils is considered low. The USDA has not published a detailed soil survey for St. Louis County, Minnesota. Soil information for the project is based on a 1977 compilation provided by the University of Minnesota Department of Soil Science, Minnesota Geological Survey, and US NRCS; a 1983 soil survey provided by the U.S. Forest Service; and soil borings conducted by Ayres Associates' soil scientists. 20. Solid Wastes, Hazardous Wastes, Storage Tanks. a. Describe types, amounts and compositions of solid or hazardous wastes, including solid animal manure, sludge and ash, produced during construction and operation. Identify method and location of disposal. For projects generating municipal solid waste, indicate if there is a source separation plan; describe how the project will be modified for recycling. If hazardous waste is generated, indicate if there is a hazardous waste minimization plan and routine hazardous waste reduction assessments. Solid waste resulting from the project is expected to be normal construction debris, and will be disposed of via approved landfills. The Crane Lake Water Sanitary District would likely retain salvageable materials from the project. Wastewater sludge, consisting mostly of water and biological solids, would be generated during the operation of the WWTF for the Western Service Area. Sludge may have to be stored over the winter months. This sludge would be treated, stored, and land applied in accordance with Federal and State requirements. Wastewater septage, consisting mostly of water and biological solids, will be generated during the operation of the ISTS facilities for the Eastern Service Area. The septage would be land applied in accordance with State requirements. b. Identify any toxic or hazardous materials to be used or present at the site and identify measures to be used to prevent them from contaminating groundwater. If the use of toxic or hazardous materials will lead to a regulated waste, discharge or emission, discuss any alternatives considered to minimize or eliminate the waste, discharge or emission. No toxic, hazardous, or radioactive substances would be utilized or produced as a result of the proposed WWTF project. Any such materials present during the construction phases would be managed to prevent or minimize potential environmental impacts. c. Indicate the number, location, size and use of any above or below ground tanks to store petroleum products or other materials, except water. Describe any emergency response containment plans. A standby, diesel-powered, electrical generator and its fuel tank will be located at the treatment plant. The proposed fuel tank would comply with state and federal regulatory standards. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 14 Worksheet

16 21. Traffic. Parking spaces added: 4 Existing spaces (if project involves expansion): 0 Estimated total average daily traffic generated: 2 vehicles/day Estimated maximum peak hour traffic generated (if known) and its timing: Provide an estimate of the impact on traffic congestion affected roads and describe any traffic improvements necessary. If the project is within the Twin Cities metropolitan area, discuss its impact on the regional transportation system. Four parking spaces will be provided at the treatment plant. No changes to the existing transportation patterns are expected as a result of the proposed project. During construction, minor delays or detours may occur on certain village streets or roads. Any construction related delays would be temporary in duration. 22. Vehicle-related Air Emissions. Estimate the effect of the project s traffic generation on air quality, including carbon monoxide levels. Discuss the effect of traffic improvements or other mitigation measures on air quality impacts. Note: If the project involves 500 or more parking spaces, consult EAW Guidelines about whether a detailed air quality analysis is needed. Because of the small traffic volume, no air quality impacts are expected because of traffic. 23. Stationary Source Air Emissions. Describe the type, sources, quantities and compositions of any emissions from stationary sources of air emissions such as boilers, exhaust stacks or fugitive dust sources. Include any hazardous air pollutants (consult EAW Guidelines for a listing), any greenhouse gases (such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxides), and ozone-depleting chemicals (chlorofluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons or sulfur hexafluoride). Also describe any proposed pollution prevention techniques and proposed air pollution control devices. Describe the impacts on air quality. No air quality monitoring station is located in the vicinity of the project area. Only minor impacts to air quality are expected during project construction as a result of the proposed project. During construction, equipment fumes and dust are expected, but no long-term adverse air quality impacts are expected. No hazardous air pollutants, green house gases, or ozone-depleting chemicals are expected during any phase of this project. A standby electrical generator at the Western Service Area wastewater facility would be powered by diesel fuel. The final size is to be determined, but is estimated to be less than 5 kilowatts. Emissions would occur when standby power is needed due to weather emergencies or similar events. Such emissions are not expected to result in a significant impact to the air. 24. Odors, noise and dust. Will the project generate odors, noise or dust during construction or during operation? Yes No If yes, describe sources, characteristics, duration, quantities or intensity and any proposed measures to mitigate adverse impacts. Also identify locations of nearby sensitive receptors and estimate impacts on them. Discuss potential impacts on human health or quality of life. (Note: fugitive dust generated by operations may be discussed at item 23 instead of here.) Temporary impacts are expected from construction noise caused by trucks and heavy equipment and from dust caused by excavation activities. To mitigate these effects, trucks and construction equipment will be operated in compliance with state standards for noise suppression equipment. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 15 Worksheet

17 25. Nearby resources. Are any of the following resources on or in proximity to the site? a. Archaeological, historical, or architectural resources? Yes No b. Prime or unique farmlands or land within an agricultural preserve? Yes No c. Designated parks, recreation areas, or trails? Yes No d. Scenic views and vistas? Yes No e. Other unique resources? Yes No If yes, describe the resource and identify any project-related impacts on the resources. Describe any measures to minimize or avoid adverse impacts. Historic Property A Phase I archaeological reconnaissance survey was recommended by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), following their initial review of the proposal. An archaeological survey was completed in July The general project area is within the Border Lakes physiolographic province. Based on the pre-field site survey results and the examination of past Superior National Forest Cultural Resource Reconnaissance Reports of field surveys on Crane Lake, a high probability was expected of finding precontact cultural materials with portions of the project area. None were found in the Gold Coast Sub- Area, Handberg Road Sub-Area, and East Bay Sub-Area. The negative results in East Bay may, in part, be attributed to the dam which was constructed between Rainy Lake and Namakan Lake. The dam raised water levels in excess of ten feet on Crane Lake, potentially flooding lower site areas and probably creating a larger bay than what previously existed. The survey identified cultural materials in ten locations on Baylis Island and Bear Islands. Of these ten sites, four are considered potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. The rest of the project area was devoid of cultural materials. It was recommended that the four sites that were potentially eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places should be avoided by project activities. If a site or sites cannot be avoided through engineering design, a more extensive evaluation and survey needs to be completed. Construction work would be halted if archaeological resources are uncovered and the proposer would contact the SHPO. Work in an affected area would not resume until clearance has been received from SHPO. Upon request, copies of the archaeological survey can be obtained from the District. Recreational Areas The proposed project is near Voyageurs National Park, is two miles west of the Minnesota Boundary Waters Canoe Area, and is also near the Quetico Provincial Park in Canada. The community serves as an entry point for recreational travel to these areas. The proposed project is anticipated to have a positive cumulative effect on these recreational areas by safely and properly treating and disposing of wastewater. Other Unique Resources The proposed project is near Kabatogama State Forest and part of the project area lies within the Superior National Forest. An access road for the Western Service Area facility is proposed to be constructed through a corridor of the Superior National Forest. Elbow Lake, Minnesota 16 Worksheet